Summer Showcase

  Irritatingly I woke up early and just could not get back to sleep so gave up and got up and then set about doing a good old garden session, channeling my inner M by clearing away dead stuff, digging up a sad looking lavender that was spoiling the height lines and deciding that the bench was best left to the woodlice. Harvested the potatoes before the slugs destroyed it all and sorted the little vegetable patch as best I could. All this with a gentle breeze and cloud cover so I didn't get at all hot and I felt really rather pleased with my efforts. 

A had a lie in, having been shattered by the physical week of work. I love spoiling her, breakfast in bed and making her food she enjoys. We had a lovely afternoon in the garden, chatting away and had our dinner there too before a bang on average film and me off to bed. Sunday I went to roller derby practice and was able to take part for the first hour but didn't try the much more hitting bit so headed home to get bits ready for a little BBQ we had planned with D, D and one of A's pals. BigA returned victorious from his weekend away, well at least in one piece and with the mud of the event and his camping filling up the hall way. He cleared all this with the expertise of a man who's camped before and then joined me in a quick Aldi visit and then food. I assumed I'd be in bed at a reasonable time but the call of good mates to join them in a night cap at the pub round the corner and we had such a lovely time laughing while happy watching the Brazil game. 

Monday evening was the choir sharing which I left an online governors meeting early to get to. My little family, plus Edgar came to listen and I was pleased I remembered almost all the words. 

The working week was good mainly because A was with me. Her first day was a trip to Walton on the Naze, which was a long coach journey there and back for a short bit of groyne measuring and absolutely no going in the sea. 

I had some frustrations around the disorganised staff who don't do what they say they will and felt that the habit of not valuing drama got in the way. But we did manage to do the Summer Showcase which was good considering the lack of time I've had at the school. I've been getting compliments about it every since, which is just lovely. 

I once again was let down by a pal who I had planned to meet, and yet again was relieved to have a night at home which turned into us eating a gift of cheese that one of A's uni mates had sent us as a thank you for staying last week. It was a very nice selection and just the right thing of a hot evening. 

Overall it's been a great week, having A around is fantastic and we agreed that we make good work colleagues because she knows how to be professional when she needs to be and can manage the students and she and I know the same things about drama and now she knows even more from the technical perspective. The students keep telling her and me how beautiful she is. Observant bunch. 

Yesterday evening my big sister and middle niece came to stay the night as they are off on an adventure on the Eurostar. I love being able to host them. But they really have been beset on all sides in even getting there. I ended up driving to a station I've never heard of to get them because of a fire somewhere! All was well in the cool of the garden and a jolly good catch up. 

The heat has of course felt rather oppressive and I do wish we had more air conditioning or a pool in the school grounds. 

A few of you have asked after D and the good news is she now has another job, in fact 2 for a bit and is enjoying it so far. 

And finally, some excellent news, A got the placement in Leeds she was so keen to get. A scenic painting role. And she's passed her first year of uni, which I didn't doubt, but lovely to have that confirmed and so she will carry on next year. 

Once more, may it rain while you sleep. 

Lots of love