Monday
I walked Bunnykins to school then ran home. Had a shower and got a few things done, but the main focus of the day was my second interview for the Bristol Job with Anthesis. I had picked out my outfit, I needed to iron the shirt but otherwise I was ready for it quite early.
The interview this time was with the director from before and the lady who's job I would be covering. The role is a 12mth maternity cover role. They have been keen to communicate that for the right candidate they want it to carry on to a permanent role afterwards. The 12mth thing suits me fine. It is a full time role. I am not keen on working full time at all.
Hang on for a rant against the patriachy... working a full time 40hr minimum week is a tyranny. If you have kids it is only really possible when you have a housewife/househusband at home. In a senior role you inevitably do more than your contracted hours. But when do you get chance to exercise? To cook a decent meal? To spend time with your kids after school? To do all the cleaning and house admin jobs? And to finally have some time to rest and relax? You run around trying to cram it all in and inevitably dropping things like exercise or rest. Life doesn't need to be lived at that pace. Of course it is possible, but I don't think it is healthy. But of course, most businesses today are run and led by men, and I am afraid they are typically either relying on someone else at home to hold down the fort or perhaps they are out of that phase of their lives with children grown and moved out. Well, for now I will join in with the rat race in order to be doing the work I want to do and am good at. It is only for a year. Mark will help out and do his best to take more of the load - I am lucky with that. But when that contract renewal comes up, I hope I am in a position to negotiate a reduced number of hours of working. We'll see.
Anyway, the interview went really well. They said they had some other candidates to interview and would get back to me within 2 weeks. I know from my experience that they will contact the successful person much sooner.
In the evening Ben came over for our lesson, rather than on Thursday as Woo and I were going for flu jabs.
It was really rainy, it was a beautiful still night and the sound of the rain was glorious, especially with how sheltered we were.
Mark and I had a wander over to the hatch for a coffee and then I had a read for a while.
In the evening we had UkuleleLand practice at Geoff's garage which was nice.
Tuesday
I walked home from dropping Bunnykins and joined in with an interesting webinar on Science Based Targets. Did a bit of cleaning, yoga and a few other jobs. Then Mark said that he hadn't many calls on and would I like to join him in the workroom and do some of the mural, which sounded a nice idea. I worked on MoominMama, Too Tickey and a bit of Snuffkin's hat. Mark had some Stevie Wonder playing and we both got on with our respective tasks.
In the evening, Mark was not feeling well at all. The symptoms were a little indelicate but most likely seemed kidney related. Back in 2017 he got really unwell with kidney stones and a kidney infection that resulted in him being hours away from sepsis (as the doctor he finally saw said) - it was only my complaining to the lovely Claire that saved him as she pointed out that it sounded like a kidney infection and he needed to be seen asap that got him to stop being so damn brave about it all and then probably saved his life. Anyway, after an experience like that, his kidneys had since not perhaps been as strong as they were. He had a fever spike of 38.4 degC, but went off to bed insisting he was OK. I was more skeptical. I slept in the spare room to give him some space. He had a horrible night of sweating and being up and down to the bathroom. I lay awake in the bunk in the spare room disaster planning.
Wednesday
He no longer had a temperature in the morning. We felt fairly sure it was non covid-y. He spent the day in bed and making the short trip to the bathroom. But his temperature had gone back to normal. He drank epic amounts of water and by the afternoon managed to sleep comfortably.
During the morning I got a phone call to offer me the Bristol job. I was really chuffed. I accepted it even though I had heard that I had got an interview for the Leeds role. The interview for that was going to be mid November and it was just too far away and too risky to try and hold this one. I was really chuffed with how keen they were to get me. I messaged around to let people know.
I spent an hour on Snuffkin's hat and tunic.
I went to the co-op to pick up some groceries; Mark would normally have gone on Tuesday. I had just enough time to get back and put them away, then go get Bunnykins. Back home I got a quick tea ready for everyone and then as soon as Woo was home, she and I went off to Emerson's Green. I had bought a pasty for her to eat as she had an opticians appointment. It was fun to chat as we waited, and even though she was adamant that she hates going to the optician, she was on good form.
Thursday
Mark was back to working again. I spent much of the day sorting out my laptop; moving files onto our hard drive as this is a work laptop that will have to go back soon.
The leaves falling from the cherry tree were looking beautiful.
While I was sorting out videos, I found this one from years ago. Woo was filming my playing for me. I love hearing her cute high little voice, it is just adorable.
Woo was on her first day of half term and spent most of the day getting homework done. I went to get Bunnykins from school and then Woo and I went on our second mother/daughter outing of the week...flu jabs! Getting a flu vaccination for Woo isn't straightforward. She is too old for the school ones that Bunnykins gets, but she is too young for an adult walk-in appointment. You have to go somewhere with additional DBS and insurance, so it is limited where a 12 to 16yr old can go. Anyway, I had found a place in Whitchurch, and booked us both in. We were there in good time and hung around outside the pharmacy until they were ready for us. The lady doing the injections sensed Woo's nerves. We both suggested that Woo should go first. The lady quickly explained all the side effects, small print etc. while she got the needle ready and no sooner than Woo's sleeve was raised that needle was in. She was brilliant really - Woo was completely surprised that it was already over. She proceeded with a little less alacrity for mine, but we were soon back on our way home. I bought Woo a lollypop, which was a sugar free chuppa chup, but it was all they had. Woo was on great form about the poor quality lollipop all the way home.
Friday
I walked Bunnykins to school and Woo joined us. We met with Hannah and she came back up here to have a coffee and see the pergola.
I was wearing my new jumper that I had bought myself, really as a comfort. I do feel sad that Curious George went missing from Mum's room at the nursing home. I know it isn't rational for a grown woman, but he meant a lot to me and he was taken away. I tell myself that someone else is getting alot of joy from him now and I hope it is true.
...well dry-ish.
And I felt very glad to stop a moment and have some chocolate covered nuts! Ben brings good snacks 😄
Much of the walk was along rivers and streams. The first and last section was alongside the river Chew.
I had booked us a table at the Compton Inn in Compton Dando. We arrived 45minutes early, but that wasn't a problem fortunately. It was nice to have a sit down in the warm and dry. I had a beer - my favourite "Man in the hat" beer. Ben had a Butcomb, which caused him much hilarity.
We ordered lunch, I went for slow roast pork with mash and veg. It was yummy. The gravy was delicious - I could have drunk it from a mug. The pork was cooked beautifully and it had crackling! I was just talking to Mark about crackling a few days earlier. It used to be a staple of my childhood, but now a complete rarity. I yummed it all down.
With that, my beer and the warm room I came over feeling a strong urge for a nap! I couldn't face pudding which was sad as a sticky toffee pudding would have been heaven. I was just too full and sleepy.
Saturday
I had my alarm set for 7am. Mark got up with me and made me porridge. Then he drove us to Ben's house where we picked him up. Mark dropped us both in Keynsham to start our walk.
Mark went home and made pancakes. They went out for a walk along the cycle path, exploring the sunset spot and went to Warmly cafe for hot chocolate and scones.
Our walk was taken from one of the books I had given Ben last Christmas. It was just short of 16km all round, starting and finishing in Keynsham.
As usual I used the OS maps app, which I have subscribed to. I had transferred the route online. The app is marvelous, you can see when you are veering off a footpath that is supposed to cross a field, or if you have taken a wrong turn. The day was overcast, but the morning started dry.
We walked and talked as usual. I love our long walks; we have so much time to get stuck into a topic. We have a freedom to explore an idea or just be silly or to reminisce about our respective histories. Talking with Ben is very easy, but often I stop us too so we can take in the view or the sound of the birds or a beautiful flower.
We were talking about finding joy in life, even when things are tough and miserable. I don't believe that happiness comes one day in the future when you have everything lined up and perfect. You never get to that place. But I do believe you can find happiness in so many things; moments of beauty, moments of just being alive. You have to be present, be mindful, be accepting and aware of what is in front of you.
We were talking about this as we came across to these fields. We had to cross a busy A road - nearly getting run over in the process. Then start plodding across this field of stubble while our boots got heavier with the mud, the crows rose up cawing into the air, the wind and the rain lashed against us. My challenge to Ben...find joy in this moment as it is bloody bleak! To his credit he managed it and so did I. I felt alive and joyful pushing across that field. I felt glad for my warm jacket, I felt glad for my strong legs, I felt glad for Ben's company and the freedom to just be out walking.
It was a grey old day, but the countryside was beautiful (bleak stubble fields aside!), and there was plenty of autumn colour to be appreciated.
We packed up and went back out. That certainly woke me up! The rain was lashing down. These photos do it no justice. I think it wasn't so much about how heavy it was, but how it was combined with the wind to just feel very...fresh!
We only had 5km left on the route, and much of it was along the river Chew and very pretty with wide well marked footpaths.
We had a brief cow encounter, but they scattered as soon as we were through the gate, so it wasn't at all as worrying as when we first arrived at this point.
From this crest however the rain set in with determination. The wind was howling too. As we walked along some of the valleys it was quite musical with the deep bass notes of the wind against the tree trunks all the way up to the metallic rushing of the leaves. It was almost like walking along a stormy beach with the waves crashing and booming.
By the time we arrived back in Keynsham we were pretty soaked. We went to the Bonzo lounge and Ben ordered us some drinks while I went to the bathroom to change into the spare things that I had.
As a chance for a celebration of my job news I went for a prosecco and passionfruit liqueur cocktail. It was yum...I could have drank a bucket full of it...though that would not be wise as it was fairly strong 😄.
Mark came to pick us up. We dropped Ben off and then headed home. Having a hot shower was a real joy.
Mark came to pick us up. We dropped Ben off and then headed home. Having a hot shower was a real joy.
Sunday
Mark was off early for a run with the Bristol Trail Runners. The girls and I had breakfast infront of catch-up of the previous night's strictly.
Bunnykins and I spent much of the day working on her 3D Hogwart's puzzle which was a lovely present from Grandma and Grandad for her birthday. We had been working on it over the last couple of weeks, but as we were getting closer to the end it was all starting to come together much more and it was easier to find the pieces and make sense of what was left. It was really nice working away with her, she is very focused and gets stuck right in, but so do I, we generally work very well side by side like that. We built up the flat sections, then organised them as per the instructions. Then I was expelled from the room while Bunnykins assembled the final thing.
After that, we all sat down to watch West Side Story. We've all seen it before but Bunnykins has been asking to watch it the last few weeks and instead we've watched new films. She struggles with new films, particularly if there is any difficult emotional content and really it doesn't have to be that difficult. Any new emotional content: a nasty parent, an animal in danger, tension of a heist scene. West Side Story is not an easy ride emotionally but there is clearly something about it that is OK with her, so we went with it. It is such a great film. Woo kept chuckling at the idea of these guys from the street breaking into balletic moves or Maria - expressing something at top register. But she was still pretty rapt.
***
I feel like I need to round off this week with some more thoughts on the new job. I am really pleased, and I know part of that is a pride and validation thing - feeling wanted. A good part of it is genuine excitement at the access to clients that I will have and an ability to influence and help them do good. I will be working with some big household names to help them work out how they can get to net-zero by 2050. That is a tough ask. I have been doing carbon management the last 17years, but often it was difficult to get traction. For most companies - the carbon saving decisions only made sense if they saved money. But now the reality is that it is about risk:
- The risk that your business will not survive or compete in a carbon constrained world.
- Risk that you will loose investors.
- Risk that the cost of carbon will be felt through one government initiative or another and will become too high.
- Risk of investing in equipment with a 20+yr life only to find that it is unsustainable when the pressure is on to electrify or move to biogas or hydrogen.
- Risk of loss of customer base when you're judged as unsustainable or polluting
I want passionately to be working in this field - particularly in manufacturing and industrial companies where I understand the technology and business dynamics deeply. I will get the chance here.
I am worried too. I haven't worked full time since before I had children. I don't want to work full time. I want to be around for my kids. I want to look after my mental and physical health. It will be a challenge to get to grips with new ways of working, managing people that I don't know...whilst also socially distanced/mainly working from home. It isn't going to be easy. I never signed up for easy however. I just need to remember to find the joy and stay present with it. I will do my best.
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