Wish You Were Here? From Our Woman in the Seychelles

The soft, sandy beaches, palm trees and jade green seas of the Seychelles inevitably prompt feelings of envy in rainy Britain.

Foreign Office staff, however, are sometimes required to tell it like it is.

On her blog on the FCO's official website envoy Marianne McCurrie did not spare her readers the sparkling details of daily life in what she described as "one of the more cushy postings.

"Yes, it's all amazing beaches, palm trees and jealous friends and relatives," she wrote. "The sea is an incredible color ranging from jade green and turquoise to deep electric blue."

McCurrie's role is what is known as a worldwide floater, an envoy who provides cover for other staff absences.

"I've only been here two weeks and leave for my next post in another two, but I have hit that point where I feel settled and new possibilities are opening up," she added. "With my pale Celtic skin, I have decided that I am better off under the sea rather then turning into a human lobster next to it on the beach, so I have started diving."

Her honesty earned her some undiplomatic rebukes. Comments posted to her blog included: "I'm glad my tax money is being spent on a 'cushy' posting - when you should be up to your ears in paperwork, we need extra value for money and we need every penny's worth of effort from you ... you shouldn't rub our noses in it."

Another reader taunted: "Guess you can kiss any hopes of making the policy grade in the next 10 years goodbye!"

The Foreign Office said: "Our blogs are a candid description of FCO work in the UK and overseas.

"They are accounts of the personal and professional aspects of work within the FCO and are designed to reflect the real-life experience."