Marching Forward, a New Life Chapter Begins.

On this final day of September autumn is definitely with us here. It's freezing in my flat as I work from home but I have thus far resisted the desire to put the heating on this early.

Cold though I may be I'm not downhearted. I'm listening to The Barber of  Seville and just received a huge boost to my morale. An e mail has just arrived saying "Congratulations, welcome to HPFT". You do not know how relieved I am by that news. Since the interview and phone call offering me the job on 23rd August a marathon of HR stuff has been coming my way. E mails were lost, forms I couldn't complete from home, my time away and trying get access to printers.

Stress does not really do justice to how hard yesterday was trying to get everything done but the delight today is beyond measure.

Saying goodbye will be hard. Yes I have been critical of the university for a long time but I have formed bonds with students and staff alike. It is hard telling them I'm going. I don't know if we will be able to mark the occasion but if we do a few people might like to come. That said they owe me nothing so maybe nothing will happen.

Over the years I have formed a strong bond with our GPs and other staff in the Medical Centre. Yesterday I received such a kind text from one of them. It said "the university has been a safer and more compassionate place thanks to you in the last 14 years. Always the quiet voice of reason". How amazing is that?

Many things have been said of me during that time. The one thing all agree is that I'm always calm. Well at least I appear that way. Not sure I ever felt that all of the time. But I guess it proves I have brought some success.

As it is payday I will do my monthly pilgrimage to the Turkish barber for a haircut, wet shave and hot towels. Then I might visit Yan to celebrate. After my bank balance took a hell of a battering in August and September I'm going to need to be a little more restrained until I get my first full pay in the new job. But then it is not every month I'm on holiday, I visit Kent and have to buy new glasses. Tonight must be an exception though.

I Heard a Voice. 

A Gentle Autumn Day.

Greetings to you all! It has been a while. In truth I've had my laptop put away for the last ten days or so as I have been off. Don't want to pick up work messages when I'm off. But I'm here now.

September is often pleasantly mild in my small part of Hertfordshire. And so after a cold, grey and wet August the Indian summer has come here. Outside the sun is shining and it is warm. Not been up to much today, just a brief foray into town.

Sometimes it is good to do nothing on a day off. So here I am. My week off was actually pretty good. Went to the seaside for four days to visit dad. Saw so many friends including some I've not seen in many years. Always good to catch up with people. I came home on Tuesday and then had my friend Marie visit for the weekend.

We had a very pleasant walk through the woods to The Waggoners on Saturday for a couple of pints. It was the first time I have been through the woods without a guide, only took one wrong turn and we made it okay. Yesterday I cooked roast chicken before dropping her off at the station.

Back to this afternoon I'm listening to Byrd's 3 part mass which is glorious. Love a bit of Tudor music but has been some time since I listened to any. I think I will read for the rest of the afternoon.

My head is still a little uneasy about the coming change in my life. However awful the present might be going into the unknown of change can be daunting. There were a number of administrative issues setting things up but everything is in place now. I will start my new job on 15th November.

I still have my kitchen to keep me sane though. I think tonight it will be some Thai stir fried chicken with chilli and basil. I'm supposed to be going out with my friend Naima tomorrow. Postponed from last Thursday I hope it pans out this time.

Take care out there. More soon.

I Heard a Voice.

Waning Days.

Time ticks on as ever. In the blink of an eye seemingly my holiday is almost at an end. We barely saw the sun but what a break it has been. My time of yesteryear is waning too just like my holiday. What will come will come.

So far I've done all that is asked of me. Anxiety still stalks me and sleep has been poor. But I'm getting there. These little things are sent to try us.

Today's plan is cricket, butcher, more cricket, a call to my friend Ella then a Selwyn zoom late afternoon. That sounds like a good day. Pretty evenly poised in the test match.

Returning to work on Monday will be challenging but okay. I will contact all the many friends I have met in academic schools with my news. Some already know. I wonder if we'll have a party? That would be nice but those things have waned somewhat during the pandemic.

I'm looking forward to seeing dad a week tomorrow. We had a video chat last night which was good. I will do some nice cooking when I'm down and hopefully see a few people. Coincidentally although possibly by design my friend Annabelle will be staying with Beka at the same time so let's hope we can hook up.

Before then though there is a weekend to enjoy. I'm cooking a trout fillet for my supper with some new potatoes and vegetables tonight. A glass of Picpoul de Pinet with that. Not sure about tomorrow but I have ordered some turkey breast for Sunday. Sarah is going to join me.

Have a great weekend everyone.

I Heard a Voice.