TeamChallis: Week 85 - back to work, and Mummies weekend away

This week we were back at work. It was a bit of a struggle getting into it, but I had the weekend to look forward to. Around this time of year, I start getting lots of reminders of "on this day X years ago" for various weekends away, most of which are with the Mummies. This picture below was from Sarah's 40th at Centre Parcs, I think it was 6 years ago now.

We had just arrived in Mush's tank and were probably looking for swimming costumes (as it would be too early to get into our lodge) and laughing about how much Sharon had brought with her.

It was putting me in a good mood for Friday, when I would be off again with the Mummies, this time to Cheddar Woods.

On Tuesday I cycled in to work. I was glad to see that the cycle path was still so well used and busy, even though the weather had got decidedly colder and wetter. The underpass was still flooded, so I did end up coming in a bit flustered just before a phone call.

At lunch, I nipped out to get my hair cut. Otherwise it was non stop with calls and meetings, and before I knew it, it was time to cycle back home.

It was dark when I cycled back, but again, it wasn't too worrying as there were so many other cyclists. I did think though that I should get some more high vis things to wear to cycle in.

The girls were also struggling with their journeys a bit and feeling the cold. They won't wear coats though. The biggest concession was to wear gloves!

On Thursday I cycled in again. At lunch I had a lovely walk around the harbour with some colleagues. It was a beautiful and bright but chilly day. It was nice to be out and seeing the sun.

At 5pm, Ben was outside my office waiting for me and we cycled back together. We had a good session, refining some of our UkuleleLand classics but also starting to think about Christmas songs.

But it was also a nice feeling that I had already got to the end of my working week.

On Friday morning, I got up intending to have a run. But my chest was still feeling a bit raw and it didn't seem like a run in the cold would be the best for it. It was such a beautiful morning though so I wanted to get outside. I wrapped up and went for a power walk around the park.

I came home and showered, then went out to Sainsburys to get some groceries. Back home, I finished packing my stuff and had enough time to go over to the hatch for lunch with Mark. We saw Ben there too and sat and ate together.

Just after 1pm, Mush picked me up and then Sally. We drove to Cheddar Woods which is about 50minutes away. We parked up in Cheddar Gorge as it was a bit early to get into the lodge. We had a wander around, trying some cheese and buying a few nick-nacks before going to a pub for a cup of tea.

We got a call to say our lodge was available and got ourselves over there. We had a good spot right at the end of a lane. It was really nice inside, though I didn't understand the orientation with the outdoor seating facing onto the road.

We got settled in and I sat down to read. It was a beautiful sky.

Naomi arrived about 6pm and we got the tea made. Sharon wasn't with us until maybe 8:30pm. We just sat around chatting about all sorts. We got into a lot of deep and personal stuff. I think that is what we want out of this time together. We're all very different and we don't see each other much. But we have seen each other at our worst and all gone through stuff together, so there is a freedom to share without judgement and also to get perspectives very different from our own. It was really a therapy weekend for us all.

There was also a fair bit of reminiscing...

We all started meeting up when our first babies were born. There was also Sarah (for who it was her second), but she has tended to separate herself more and currently lives overseas. We would meet up every week at someone's house. It would be a chance to sit down with a cup of tea. If you really needed to just sit, or sit and cry or whatever, one of the others would make sure your kid was entertained or fed or changed. For me, going through post natal depression but not realising it, I think it was this connection and routine that helped keep me sane and alive. We could talk about what was going on, and just feel like there were other people who understood the crazy journey we had found ourselves on.

This picture from Mush's front room is a classic. It is Mush's room I tend to think of, I think she had her house set up really well to accommodate the kids, with a safe space to stow the tea and space for us all to sit.

It wasn't a crazy night, like it might have been in the past. But it was authentic and real. Some of us are dealing with some real sadness, and anxiety, and just difficult bloody stuff. It wasn't a weekend to gloss over that.

I don't know what time I headed to bed, but I was sharing a twin room with Naomi and we carried on talking for ages it seemed once we were in bed. I didn't have the best night's sleep, but couldn't help waking about 7.30am and wanting to get up for a hot water and a stretch.

We hung around and had a nice easy start. Me, Naomi, and Sharon, all had books with us, so at various points would just be laid out on the sofas reading or joining in whatever conversation was on.

We had a fry up breakfast and then went out for a walk which I navigated on my OS maps app. I was a bit worried, but the route in the end was really quite nice, with some good views out to Glastonbury Tor across Cheddar Reservoir.

Meanwhile, I didn't realise but Woo was only a few miles away. I knew she was on her DofE practice expedition, but it turned out it was also in Cheddar. Our paths didn't cross however.

Mark and Bunnykins had gone into Bristol for a protest march. I think Bunnykins was rather excited about joining the event, even though she also does get a bit nervous in busy places. (understandably these days).