Home again home again jigedy jig

  spent the weekend with the now almost familiar friends, job interview prep and good food. I went out in the truly typical cold, wet and sunny day with Phil watching the rugby - Saracens v someone. Good pie! Then a longish walk back, almost all of the way And Sunday I caught up with Joanne again and another walk, we went to the school I would be interviewing at later in the week. It's snuggled into a surrounding park where lots of people played tennis. 


On Monday the legend that is Sarah 'the hero' met me at Waterloo and we had a fantastic catch up. She's one of my oldest friends and it was just hilarious talking about all things silly and serious, teenage children and what we were like when we used to get drunk. I'd decided this was more important than reading the website of Highgate Wood school again. 
Back in Edgar's flat we had tea and dinner and then I had an earlyish night. Up and ready to head off on a quick and chilly walk down the hill to the school. It's welcoming reception. 

The first day tasks more reasonable than the other 2 I thought. 

Welcome with the Head
Staff panel
Student panel
Role play with difficult parent
Interview with Head and governors
In tray task
Tour 

And then back to Edgar's flat (bus up the hill) to wait to find out if I was through to day two. Excruciating. 
Another no, you were great but not the greatest on the way. Patrick (The Head) has promised more detailed feedback next week via zoom and I believe he will. 
This time I felt more gutted, this time it felt miserable. As always though the flurry of messages from those who I love and love me made it a less lonely feeling and with several cuddles from Edgar I was able to watch a bit of TV, eat some dinner and drink some wine. 
BigA set about trying to get me back a day earlier and I set about trying not to feel too glum. His perspective is that if I'd been in 3 races of over 20 people each time and got into the top 5 then I'd be quite proud of myself. Very true, especially those of you who have seen me run! 

What's the most frustrating about it all is that I will probably have to come back again and although I do love London and it's been wonderful to see so many of my favourite people, I really hate flying on my own and I really hate missing my actual job. Very hard to leave a place you are valued and loved, with sun and clarity, to be told you're not quite good enough, uugghhh. And not cheap either! It could of course be worse, I could have a rubbish boss but Sarah has been 100% supportive and, frankly dumbfounded that 2 of the schools didn't ask her for a reference. 

I had the loveliest brunch on the Wednesday, vegan no less. Full of fresh lush ingredients. A day of not knowing if I should quickly hot foot it to the airport either but in the end it remained a Thursday flight. I got to see Phil and his wife Sam briefly again and another lunch out, same place as the day before, different choices, still really lovely and then at about 3pm Edgar and I set off to the airport. It was so kind of him to come with me all the way. 

And so I got there and it was totally fine. Easy compared to some other experiences I've had. My bags cage quickly and no issues at customs. They did ask if I had my COVID vaccine
'you don't need it, right?' I said
'Do you have it?'
'yes' I replied and that was enough apparently

 My friend Bex picked me up and I got home, a strange man was in the kitchen - cooking a lot of food. I just said hi and went into my room to unpack and wash. Then my little girl appeared - big hugs and smiles and then we set off to the field where BigA's well organised frisbee tournament was under way. He gave me a very sweaty and stinky kiss. 

I managed to stay a while but with heavy eyes I had to go and lie down. The man cooking in the kitchen is called Patrick and happily I stopped him using the olive oil for whatever he was making next. I think pizza dough.  

We've got 5 other people staying at the house. This is of course fine and planned long before I thought I'd be away so long. But it's a bit sad not to be in my own bed with my husband. 

We had dinner at Annie's lodge last night, I made it to the end of the meal but then A and I headed home for a nights sleep with just a blanket because here it's a nice temperature. 

More frisbee today! 

Just seen a maternity cover for 1 year but it's in Pinner so really far from Tottenham - but could be just what I need to get my foot in the door. 

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