Summer Catch-up

It's been a busy summer so far but thoroughly enjoyable. We were very lucky to have a week in Far West Cornwall in June and spend a few days in Gloucestershire on the way home. We stayed at Boscrowan where we've been staying regularly for 18 years. The G7 Summit 2021 was on whilst we were there so we steered clear of St.Ives and the political circus and spent our time walking, reading and visiting art galleries. There was also lots of delicious food and some vintage and charity shop shopping. The weather was mixed with some memorable mizzle but got very warm towards the end of our stay. I even had one refreshing swim in the sea at Marazion early on our first morning. It was exhilarating but too cold for me to want to repeat the experience. 

We left Cornwall and visited Exeter and Chepstow en route to Gloucestershire and had fabulous weather.

This month, since returning from our hols, we've been to London as our youngest has just started a job there. It's his first job since graduating and he's woking for an architectural practice as he begins the long process of becoming an architect. It's an exciting time for him although a little nerve racking for us as we adjust to him living independently. We went down with more of his belongings a few weeks ago and seeing his accommodation put our minds at rest. He'll have to move again soon and is looking for a house to share with friends but price bidding wars are making it difficult to find a rental property.

I've also done a little work, just a week of supply teaching at my last school. I actually taught my old Year 3 class who I last taught in March 2020. They're soon to be Year 5, which is crazy. I'll be doing very occasional supply work there (and not working anywhere else) if I'm available. I must admit I've adjusted to life without working and one week of teaching was a reminder of how consuming the job is. By Wednesday lunchtime I was pretty tired. However, it was great to see former colleagues and I have missed working with young children. They all deserve a long restful holiday. I have lots of garden photos to share but will save that for another post. I hope you're all well x x x

Life Changes

So this is where I'm at. I've retired early from teaching. On Friday I left my full-time teaching post after six happy years at a wonderful primary school. I've had various roles there including three years as a full-time class teacher. And, like a lot of other teachers I haven't seen or taught my Year 3 class since March 20th. However, I've been in school every week since then and have seen about a third of my class during lockdown. I've had communication with the rest of my class via email and phone calls but this wasn't how I anticipated ending my teaching career. My decision to leave was made before coronavirus and I handed my notice in during February so I felt under no pressure to change my mind. Teaching nowadays is full-on and exhausting and was not working for me or my family.

It's been a very strange end to my teaching career but a decision I know I won't regret. A simpler life beckons...

Sunny Side Up

This summer.... 

I'm sure we'll remember this summer for years to come. I mean, we don't often get summers like this in the UK, do we? I think it helps to have some photos as a record. I still have snow scenes on my phone from March and they're a little reality check. So how are you? Life is full on here. Both boys are back home on summer breaks, from uni and teaching in China. A full house, that's a nice feeling. Mum's been quite ill recently; she's declined since my last blog post although I've been concerned about her for the last year. Anyway, I'm adjusting to the new normal we're now facing and the difficulties of caring for a loved one with mental illness. These photos show some simple pleasures and highlights of the summer so far. I hope you like them.

• Leamington Spa at the beginning of May
• Fresh juicy blueberries (on a cake)
• Growing seeds in our tiny garden 
• Tin Man - best read of the year so far - and the start of my sunflower obsession
• Bearded Theory festival, so pretty at night (it was hot)
• My cutting flower plot at the community garden
• Sweet pea wigwam at the community garden
• A pastel themed pallet planter
• A solstice gathering at the community garden
• Dreamy dahlias
• Renewing our National Trust membership 
• Growing purple radishes (hot, hot, hot)
• Eating outside in the garden
• Berries on porridge