travels 00:01:01 on Monday, March 15 2010

As warned in advance, last week was hectic. I was anxious about it but from my side, it was all good.  I hope others might agree. I was speaking at a few schools, staying nights away from home in the process, and Billy was packed off to stay with my parents and enjoy the run of their garden and some lovely dogwalks.

My pilates classes went well - it's nigh on impossible to gauge what people think during the class - I just make a point to myself of making sure they are challenged - but not too much - and ensuring that they smile - plenty!  On tuesday night I hit the road and spent the evening with My Sis, before an early start and an early talk on wednesday.  Twice this week talks have been really restricted time-wise - I know I talk alot but there is a point to it all and it is such a shame when schedules and timetables shave five or ten precious minutes off a session.  School timetables are massively tight I know, but sometimes I feel that for the sake of a few minutes it can not do any harm to be lenient.  After all, for some of those who I visit, this is the one moment when they get to address the stuff (and it is big stuff for many) that I talk about. Alot of the time schools are great - they realise what is going on. 

Anyway, after wednesdays talk I had a day of work, and a wee doze (!!!!) and a dog walk, before returning to Sis for another night, and heading off to near to Guildford on thursday morning.  A school I have been to many times now, and it is set in the village where my Grandpa G lived until he died some years ago.  I nodded and smiled at the turning into the lane where his house was and I looked up to the church where we said our farewells to him. I loved that man so much, he was my last surviving grandparent.  I remember as a child how he would housesit for us if we went away - looking after the dog and cat and house (one tale that sticks out in my mind is his delight at realising how brilliant the microwave is at warming up plates - eeek - that is not to be recommended - can lead to an entire kitchen going Pop!) Every few weeks he would come over for a sunday lunch. Always in a tie and tweed jacket.  Always well turned out.  He would pop outside for a cigarette.  As we sat at the lunch table he would press a pound coin into my hand, and another into Claire's.  Pocket money.  He was a cat magnet - he adopted most of the cats (homeless and otherwise) in his neighbourhood.  When he died, we knew he wasn't well - and was in the early stages of tests -  but before that process developed too far he slipped away, in his sleep, in his eighties. Peaceful. 

I was amazed and touched to get an email this week - completely out of the blue - from another relation from Grandpa G's side of the family.  A cousin of Dad's who had known of the messiness of my illness 10 years ago but hadn't known of what happened next.  She came across springback on the web and got in contact with me.   A lovely message.  I haven't seen her for many many years.  I will write back soon and hope that we can make up for lost time. 

So, Surrey on thursday morning, a meeting in london on thursday afternoon, and the last school of the week was down the road from here, in Kent, on friday.  On friday night I went..... nowhere.  Same today..... car free zone...!  I had to head to Hastings yesterday simply becase my leaking, flooding hot tap in the kitchen was causing far too much grief.. I was recommended to a plumbing shop and the superstar owner was able to supply me with the part I needed to fix the problem - for free!  I salute the man. Domestic bliss is on it's way (just a shame that the boiler is being pedantic and peculiar, again.....)

A few more hundred miles will go on the clock this week coming.  And wee car is very overdue for a Service, and due for it's first MOT.  Best get that booked in.

Travel safely.

Al

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