Norfolk trying to find spring

 I spent a lovely morning with Joe, bacon sandwich included and later that day Edgar and I went to the theatre for a matinee performance of 'the winner's Curse' at a newish theater in Finsbury Park, this was followed by a meal with one of Edgar's friends, a very pleasant day. 

The next morning I packed up a small suitcase and got a bus then long walk to get the prescription for my hydrocortisone, the Dr had no real clue what VHL was but I had my scan request letter that showed I didn't have any adrenal glands, so after a bit of googling and a call to someone he felt knew more than he did I got it. A few stops then to Liverpool street to have a quick cup of tea with my wonderful Rosie who happened to be in London that weekend with her beautiful and clever daughter Anna and then a longer than normal trip back to good old Norfolk. 

My sister had cooked a beautiful sunday roast, ably assisted by her husband with delicious gravy and yorkshire pudding. The chicken was so tasty and much better than Malawian local chicken (don't tell any Malawians I said that). I got to catch up with Ellie, youngest niece but not Conor that evening as he was on his way back from a school trip from Italy. I was rather knackered so we headed home and into a cosy bed, I realised when I woke up that I was partly tired from a cold I've picked up from somewhere, not COVID but properly bunged up. I did a quick calculation and realised I may well have spread this among a large proportion of people I know and love and am blaming one of the candidates at my unsuccessful job interview who had a streaming cold all through that day. I think I gave it to my mum, seemed quick though. 

I applied formally for one more job, one I would love but if I get the one next week I'll take it. I can't really take any risks. I am feeling a little torn on that, because if I don't get it and get another interview I'll have to extend my stay even further and then it just starts to feel like I'm never going to go back to the sun and warmth of Malawi. It is all a little stress making. 

Despite my cold and outside temperature cold, mum and I have had a lovely week, with shopping and eating and dog walks abound. I got to see my very grown up niece Jessie, who I haven't seen since 2019 we realised, and we talked about her life as a detective and her wedding in 2024. My aunty Scrag joined us too on Thursday, great to see her and gets hugs in. 

I managed to get the hydrocortisone I needed and could relax about that, especially as I had to double up due to the pathetic cold I had. Mum and I shared an orange toblerone, who knew you could make the original even better and did what we do best, talk and laugh with a little bit of crying thrown in for good measure. 

I've also been feeling very loved and needed from back in Malawi, with staff reaching out for advice and saying they miss me. The same I think can be said of my husband and child, who I have called each day for a run down of events and updates on the weather. 

Yesterday I made my way back to London and met up with Daren and we had a great day, we were interviewed by a wannabe journalist who I think didn't expect to be talking to a busker and a teacher from Malawi. When asked what I would improve about Liverpool Street I realised it was accessibility. I saw the steps, the too small doors, the hight of the pavements and restrictions because of traffic calming, lack of access to toilets. There are lifts and ramps but it looked like a nightmare for any wheelchair user. He thinks that would make a good article! 

After some delicious Vietnamese food I headed back to Edgar's in Muswell Hill.

It's been an unexpected and rather lovely week where I have done some prep for my interview but mainly just hung out with my mum.