Scheduling Complexities

Scheduling time with my friends from work continues to be a challenge, the demands on their time are considerable and although we always end up meeting, it’s often on the second or third attempt.  Compared to my easy life, with a mostly empty diary and the opportunity to take full advantage of every dry day they must feel pretty frustrated.  That said they have one thing that I lack, they feel part of something bigger than themselves, or at least some of them do.  When I was working there though that bigger thing that I was part of was a frustrating mess, so I didn’t miss it that much.  Now though as I look back with rose tinted glasses at the dozen or so big things that I was really proud of over my whole career, I do miss that feeling, it’s important to remind myself of the ‘rose tinting’ effect that looking back in time has, it’s not reality.  The walk did provide me with a good opportunity though to consider some options for how I will start to add more purpose to my life over the next year or so.

Today started in the way I love, a morning in Caffe Nero, a free glass of milk and the prospect of a walk and lunch with Matt.  Just before I left for Rivington though, Matt rang with the sad news that he had to attend the funeral for someone who lived down his street, not a close friend, but a responsibility that he had to follow through on.  We’ve rescheduled for early December when he has a full day’s holiday.  I decided to still make the trip though and I’m pleased that I did, even though I had to do a lot of slipping, sliding and wading, especially on the return journey.  I broke the trip at the Barn cafe, which does superb food, even simple fare like Bacon and Eggs is top notch.  The whole time I was eating and reading in the cafe, It was torrential rain outside, so when I left paths that previously had been soggy were now in full flood water flow.  I was very pleased of my waterproof socks and trousers, and aside from the sliding I was very comfortable.

I popped into Tesco to do the shop for our staple foods and then dashed home to put the baked potatoes on.  Apart from the washing and washing up I’ve had a chores free time, which is good as I’ve no energy left after a 20,000 step day.  I still have a little bit of a cold, and am weary, although the pain from the last couple of days has faded away.

Debbie, Jennie and I had a lovely meal tonight, full of laughter and now we are watching Sleepy Hollow, Debbie is waiting patiently while I finish typing this!