Malawi & More

It was Big A's birthday last Sunday and for it we planned to go to a day disco in Brighton on Saturday before. We picked up his very good mate, his wife and youngest child and get off for Brighton, through some strange sat nav error we accidentally went to Eastbourne first, realised, got a meal deal at the big Tesco there and then got to Brighton. Arriving at another of his mates house we had a quick cup of tea and set off to the Dome to meet yet another of his old school mates to indulge in beers and 4 hours of mid to late afternoon dancing. A delightful curry and taxi back for a few hours of chats and bed.  I didn't sleep brilliantly but BigA was happy to drive us back. I was full of the dilemma on if I should apply for a job I had seen just before going into the Opera. I did apply. I felt physically sick at the prospect of leaving my students and nervous of what it would mean to leave.  Therefore an Interesting week, because I found out on the Monday evening I had a job int...

I had grand plans to sort the garden and tidy and take stuff to the charity shop and exercise and more but I was knackered after cleaning the kitchen so I had a shower and plonked myself on the sofa in the back room and drank tea having taken a lemsip to try and rid of the worst of the cold. E and D came for dinner and BigA did his specialty, falafel. I did have an early surge of energy on Sunday and set about sorting the compost heap, which was bone dry but some nice crumbly stuff right at the bottom. Then I got a bit overwhelmed by the rest of the garden so dug up my 3 beetroot and took in the last of the cherry tomatoes and dug out things I felt confident were weeds before my body protested and so I spent the rest of the day reading in bed with a hot water bottle and kept my lemsip topped up. Delightfully Hayden made dinner.  The work week was much of the same, with only a couple of weeks until half term I started to worry a bit about the BTEC stuff, but I have joined a lovely w...

As is often the way in Tetbury, our day was planned around being outside as much, if not more than inside. The 12 adults split into cycling and walking groups, all of us trying very hard not to let the 'late' night before impact us. This was after breakfast, split into the porridge v fry up crew. Although, K, my newest pal did an impressive both!  These cottages are really beautiful and so tastefully done, loads of space. I recommend them.  I was a walker and fry up. Our walk ended with us in a cafe with tea and chats then we drove back to the cottages to prep the pre-prepared lunch. Rosie and Michael (I think mainly Rosie) had cooked meals in advance so they could maximise pal time. With the glow, and slight whiff of exercise we all happily tucked into the hearty soup and delighted in the cheese and bread. Then a small group of women headed to the open pools for a cold water swim. And yes, I was one of them. In a borrowed swimsuit I did it, I was worried about my knee and nec...

I had a restless night, no booze so I think it was simply the worry I've always had taking hold. Nothing major and, as my life goes things right now are really very normal and (touch wood) nothing big or bad is going on. But I was very much cheered by the fact that I was heading to Brighton to see marvelous people. The sun was shining and I got to the train station in plenty of time. So many trains leaving from Thameslink at London Bridge. Happily S got the same train, just in the nick of time, and so the day of walking and chatting and happy reminders of times before. A very sensible day, spent mostly right by the sea. It was therapeutic to be around people I know well and who know me.  And Sunday was delightful, I had a catch up with a dear friend. Swift but nourishing and then H took me for lunch at one of my most favourite places. A had told him he would be one of the many men I've let buy me lunch there. I went for the vegan breakfast which is as healthy as it sounds and m...

What I miss about my Friday off varies each week, last week it was driving on a Friday evening rather than in the day. This week it was that I felt shattered on Thursday and wished for a 4 day week. Mostly it's just that I like a long weekend every weekend. Mind you, better for my liver and I'm not drinking on school nights.  I did the usual clean up that you need after any work has been done and a few chores. Off to a small and modest birthday party of one of BigA:s frisbee people. I was the only non frisbee player there but they were all lovely and we played games and had a right giggle, and an early-ish night. Sunday was roller derby - still no contact although I did make two very spectacular falls when trying to do a series lap. My body has not have quite the level of workout in a while - and then Folk at 33. I hadn't placed to do a solo but as we were doing a tribute to Dolly Parton and the lady who read going to sing that couldn't attend, I, without rehearsal, did...

Off we set for Liverpool after breakfast and, despite a little confusion on route we got there easily enough. Rug laid and stuff moved in, we went to Tesco for a big starter shop. More sorting and chats with her new, much nicer housemates and we then went for a delicious meal with my cousin. Then back to A's and a bunch of her mates came over but all very sensible, not a drop off alcohol consumed. I took myself off to bed having been up for an age. But before I went I was able to enjoy seeing A in her element and relished in the warm feeling of knowing that she is so loved and respected by the people she had gathered around her.  I snuck downstairs the next morning for tea and a little tidy up. Then A took me out for breakfast and a wander in the autumn sun to the docks and a few shops. Once back I knew I needed to get going. Bitter sweet that parting. I miss her so much but I know she's having a great time and that she really does belong there. Back home it was actually lovely...

I had a quiet weekend, indulging in myself, exercise, reading, garden, chats with friends. Making the most of the sun.  The work week felt busy, because the pace of work life after holidays does feel relentless. I am on duty a lot, I've met almost all of my classes and they are, on the whole all lovely and I've enjoyed teaching them. I had some Governors stuff too which saw 2 evenings taken with training then a meeting. More excitingly BigA spent the week in a primary school which is part of the PGCE requirements. He had a good time by all accounts, talking each day about what he'd observed and done. And even more excitingly my intrepid explorer of a child came home. I was a bit frustrated that I had those evening things I had to do because really all I wanted was to spend every second with her. She went to the theatre one night so it wasn't quite so bad. This morning I take her to Liverpool having driven kinda half way last night for a very quick stop off for her to s...

As I sent last weeks email we were newly in Brussels and it was very early, and the place felt almost abandoned. As we wandered around, it slowly picked up and we went on a little walk to see the boy pissing statue (smaller than expected!) and a few other buildings. Another stop for a drink, a walk in a park, bit of food including a disappointing version of croque monsieur (Ham and cheese toastie) and then to a flea market. Which was huge and a bit overwhelming. Next to a few more shops and then bar, beer shop, bar, pizza, taxi, Eurostar, bus and finally home. Oof, BigA changed our bedsheets which I simply didn't have the energy to do. Checked there was milk and bed. I slept very well.  The bank holiday weekend was really just about washing and food shopping, oddly feeling like I needed to charge my batteries for work. Which to be fair, as a 4 day week and 2 of them training days with free lunch, wasn't bad and all was well bigger pictures wise. I've moved office and I'...

R and I did yoga and a core workout in the Tetbury sun before we headed off home. I'm always sad leaving, missing those days in Malawi when we could pop round whenever we wanted. We took a home grown marrow with us and, after BigA had checked the tyres we got home without any issues. Once back it was a day of washing, repacking, watering and delightfully getting A from the bus station for lots of cuddles and a catch up on her placement in Leeds. She loved it and they loved her! The Bs were back and we cooked up a bumper batch of veggie spaghetti Bolognese and had a pleasant evening before I turned in and, for the first time, slept in a room that wasn't by bedroom in my own house. Up with the sun we got ready for our trip to Germany.  Safely on the Eurostar we were served breakfast. BigA knows how to travel, a fancy breakfast of savoury pastries and some sort of yoghurt, fruit and basil concoction, tea and all in proper porcelain. This was As first Eurostar experience, she's...

As is the way with birthdays, it was delightful and over all too quickly. After tea in bed, morning presents, opened in front of my mum and sister for the first time in years, I then got a scrumptious BLT for breakfast. Mum and I took a leisurely stroll to the seafront and had a small lunch while chatting away about the past and future. It was the first rainy day for weeks there on the coast, not too much and therefore no flashfloods that I'm sure will occur once the heat of this summer subsides. We went out again for our evening meal, a place most of us hadn't been to before and a meat eaters heaven. Really delicious. Home for a little more celebration and reminiscing about childhood and the warmth of fond memories made the absence of my little family ok in the end. I felt very loved.  Home to a poorly husband I set about getting the house shipshape for, firstly A's boyfriend who will be staying here while he works at a theatre in London and for the family of 5 who need a ...

There's no denying that I'm closer to 50 than I have been before. Very much hoping when I get there I look as hot as my big sister.  I set off to St Alban's last Saturday to see my ex pupil who is a delight to see and we laughed and shared injury stories as he'd come off his motorbike a few weeks before and is still working from home. Once home I had a craving for Ethiopian food and so for the first time we ordered some Ethiopian takeaway, we normally go out to get it, absolutely delicious and there was enough for breakfast the next morning. I think the injera bread is what really makes it so good.  I fitted in a couple of good pal catch ups this week before I scooted off to my home town, leaving BigA behind to do work stuff. One was at A p duck pond, and as we bemoaned the state of education these days we were thoroughly entertained by a boat in the shape of a flamingo, being rescued by a large man in a very small boat. Then we wandered seeing the impact of the recedin...

 My Saturday morning involved watching the scaffolding coming down and making a lovely salad for BigA and me. Later he headed off to watch The Odesy and I went for a little garden party and sing song with the Folk 33 lot and then back to the E for the DJ set there with the Bs. Back for cuddles and a catch up with my lovely husband. I forwent the after party I was invited to. Remarkably I woke feeling refreshed and ready for a good garden tidy, now I could get the brush down the side again and BigA quickly fixed the hanging basket bracket and hosepipe hook up. I felt very proud of my little garden and how it's coping with no rain. At least it wasn't roasting hot. Later that day one of BigA's child hood pals and wife arrived. They have returned from another stint overseas and we're using us as a base to house hunt. They have moved home 9 times in the last 18 years. They both agree it's never fun.  This week saw me having a much desired catch up with a very long lastin...

S and I were both feeling delicate after the night before and so agreed on a slow day which was garden based to begin with and then a slow stroll to the beach, fizzy drink, pier, sand, sea, ice-cream, home for a nap. That day also gave the joyful news that A's suitcase had turned up, complete and undamaged. Phew. (She looks like she's had the most wonderful time) Then to complete a delightful day, off with a delicious evening Indian meal.  And then the day we'd come so far for. We awoke fresh and excited. The background is simply a chance image that S saw and sent to our little WhatsApp group of 'Wuthering Heights day'. And then I saw that this year there was one at G, My home town! (This might even be an annual event although none of us had heard of it) And you can't ignore the fates telling you to go, that would be rude. Dressed in my only red dress that kinda still fits and Sharon in a plum red and glorious flowery, Frida Kahloesque headdress, we set off to ...

It felt like a busy morning, A's birthday presents and a tidy to get the dust up from the solar installation and then I got ready for the game day. Sadly not me playing but still off to Tottenham leisure centre to set up etc. This did mean I avoided the arrival of A's mates and could ignore any sleeping arrangements being agreed and made for that night. I was very pleased that a bunch of mates and A's group all came and A had booked a table for her lot in the same pub I was in for the skating after party. We'd got them tickets to the game so they boosted numbers and, although they didn't have a clue what was going on at first, I think they enjoyed the sport. After the pub BigA and I were able to wander home together and went via Lidl - and impulse bought an air fryer!  A and her pals were all up and about relatively early the next day and it was great that they headed off to get last minute tickets for Wicked. I was lucky enough to have M and D over for a bit that m...

   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...

  My morning was delightful as my still teenage child was already up and in the garden with an iced coffee she'd made herself and I got her tiny paddling pool out and we sat with cool feet while we told each other about the night before. She had seen school friends, including her two favourite history teachers and me with old work school pals.  I'm of course that's age where I was really looking forward to seeing a pal but almost equally delighted when he said he wasn't feeling great so we did not do the bottomless brunch in boiling hot London. Instead I set about doing a cupboard sort out to fit the plastic plates Margaret had donated. I'd taken a good load into school and still have some left. I cleaned one freezer draw and did a general tidy in anticipation of 2 of A's uni pals who were coming for the week ahead. That evening we had a very nice time with a different pal who bought over stuff for a rather lovely evening of cocktails. Very chilled and relaxed e...

I had a blissfully uneventful Saturday in which I mainly read a book. Sunday a little busier, skating and a little house party to celebrate our friends twins turning 18. That's was lots of fun and we met lots of family which meant being there felt like we were kinda family too.  BogA had a bit of difficulty finding a vehicle that could fit in ayla's art that is now home. And has been trying to find people to not quote us insane money to fix our drain pipe. At this rate I suspect he'll do half the job himself, the demolition part so they can't say it cost nearly £6000.  The heat has been interesting, the loud and long thunder storm on Monday night woke the house, which included the cats. My school refusing to shut and still, for some unknown reason, insisting on ties on. I did 2 mornings for the training I deliver, so useful for me and does make me pine for a little more autonomy at work. But the longer I'm there the more I remember that the simpler life is often the...

  It was so lovely having you stay M&D. We very much enjoyed finishing off the lemon cake.  I woke to BigA sending a WhatsApp to A as in the middle of the night she sent a message to tell us she was in A&E. Her very sensible boyfriend had called 111 and on advice she went in. I'm so often filled with pride for my child and the mature way she told us and kept us in the loop was one of those moments. I was also pleased I'd slept through the first and second messages so woke to a mini emotional rollercoaster ride which happily ended with, she's fine! The Drs confirmed she had done the right thing coming in but actually all is well, just an oddity of life.  Then to getting up, which I reluctantly did, not because I wasn't looking forward to the day more that it still felt so early and I wished I could sleep longer, despite nearly 10 hours of sleep. I'm told this is normal for women of my age. Pondering this I also thought about the fact I'm still very clearl...

Good morning beautiful pals  I have successfully not had a drink since the epic weekend I'm about to describe... I really think my liver is in need of recovery and I'm due out with uni pals today. I'm very much hoping that like many of my now middle aged perimenopausal mates they are off big drinking and we'll talk about symptoms including lack of sleep, and then laugh lots about how much we used to drink when it was fashionable to wear clothes you could see your underwear through. The good old, long gone days.  Here's the email J and I had a healthy breakfast, drank lots of tea and then I made brunch and we all feasted on that. While we got ready BigA and K investigated the cause of our drain pipe flood by removing the skirting board and cutting another hole in the wall. Once we were all dressed, smart casual, we grabbed umbrellas but happily missed most of the rain as we set off to London town for a day of games and silliness.  First stop at The Counting House, ba...

 With just the weekend left of our break we packed it in, a much needed garden tidying and trip to the tip, the usual house clean and tidy and then over to D and D's while BigA watched the football and joined us later. I went to big skater training on Sunday and although still not allowed to do the really fun part I'm still glad I went.  The heat and sun are bearable when you are not at work and I found the radiators on in my studio, my new school will not win any eco-friendly awards any time soon. It was nice to be back, I felt prepared and ready to meet more new classes (the yr 7 and 8 rotate each half term) although I was quickly tired this week and quite grumpy on Thursday, the contrast with my wonderful week the week before made being a work a bit of a grump making feeling when I wasn't being listened to. Although I have had some of the usual lovely interactions and some of those horrid ones you get being a teacher. A highlight including one of my form letting me help ...