here comes the snow

I missed most of the snow this week but did have about 30minutes drive back to London where it was falling hard. 

It had been planned for a while so it was great timing to have a weekend with my highschool pals in Cambridge. The house I left was remarkably clean given the party the night before and I set off to have a leisurely day with 3 fantastic people who I have known for over 30 years. It's so true that you don't have to see people all the time to get right back into the flow, catching up and then laughing, making new memories and just being able to relax and feel utterly comfortable in my own skin. We enjoyed good drink and a delicious takeaway and the sense of joy that comes from people sharing time together. 

Given that I didn't need to head back to London for work the next day I simply drove to my mum's for a few days of TLC and relaxation in my childhood home. The drive was lovely, I was able to enjoy the autumn colours and bright blue sky, a good podcast or two and so I was there in no time. I'd lucked out on the spoils from the weekend and arrived with leftover noodles from my previous night takeaway to have a light lunch with mum and croissants the next couple of breakfasts. My mum and sister had planned a range of nice things to do, a mixture of Christmasy feeling things and plenty of food related ones too. A lush roast dinner out, the Gorleston Christmas street faire. We spent Monday in Southwold, a picturesque village (maybe town) on the coast. The tide was high and we wandered around seeing the beauty of a relatively untouched part of the world, although there was aof course a TESCO and Co-op. But it did seem mostly independent shops and bakeries and as they knew it well, they took me to the more reasonably priced cafe for lunch in a lovely place that is tucked away at the back of an old sweetshop. I of course had to get a quarter of bonbons and mums old favourites, cherry lips and floral gums. J and I could easily have bought up one of everything there. 

I managed to get most of my Christmas presents sorted and was so thrilled that Jessie was here when I got the call to say that there was not going to be any further police action. This also meant that at my sister's that evening we celebrated with Prosecco and cuddles. The relief is palpable for all of us and I know most people who knew weren't in any real doubt but to know for sure and now start to plan next steps is a real weight off our collective minds.

While I was away BigA had put up our new curtains. The ones in the dining room are particularly welcome, making that room so much softer and warmer. I love the pattern, completely trusting him on that choice. 

On Thursday I set off for the second day of training in a year long programme with The Difference. It was good to be around like-minded leaders and I was able to talk a bit about past experience without revealing just how awful things are. And on Friday I had a day with meeting up with pals, getting good advice and love. 

The girls very much enjoyed a gig they went to this week and have both been getting ready for their trip to Poland next week. 

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