HARRY STYLES

23/52

Weekly Wednesday

Last weekend ended in disaster.

After I'd posted my blog there was a loud clatter and Sam's Monstera plant had blown over for the second time!!

For the time being, it's currently living in the sitting room. 

It could stay there, only when it comes to Christmas it needs to be re-homed!

The weather has been on the chilly, wet side again this week. I do feel during this whole exam season that I've not really missed out on any good weather, which is a huge positive. It's felt a bit of a slog this year, due to a shortage of invigilators mainly, and the classic 'be too good at what you do' and then 'more is expected of you!!'  But I'm going to be doing a day a week in the Art office from September, so that will be a salaried post, with a set amount coming in each month, which will allow me to drop up to 50% of my exam commitment next year. 

I did have a day off on Wednesday and kept it free. I headed over to Bristol to do a little holiday shopping and managed to see the David Attenborough mural, put up to honour his 100th birthday.

It's been a funny week. I've felt a bit out of sorts, tiredness and a mild dose of labyrinthitis! I woke up on Thursday morning and the room was violently spinning. Still went to work but spent most of the day feeling nauseous. Sophie came back in the evening, catching the train from Cardiff to Bridgwater. Jeff collected her and when I was talking to her when going to bed, I lay down and felt as if I was in a cauldron, spinning around and around. Friday I felt a bit better. I've tried to get a couple of early nights, as we had an important date yesterday......

....Harry Styles at Wembley!

And I wasn't about to miss that!!

Despite being up in the cheap seats, we still had a fantastic view and a great night. It wasn't as good as his last tour but still worth the trek! We parked at Wembley and then drove home, getting in just after 1.30am!! 

On Friday the artist David Hockney passed away. 

He painted Harry and this is thought to be reflected in what he wore last night, 

a nod to the wonderfully talented David Hockney.

So another week draws to a close.

I have another busy week ahead. I'm going back up to Cardiff with Sophie tomorrow, back home on Wednesday. A full day of work on Thursday..... morning in the art office, afternoon invigilating my last exam, then another busy weekend. I'm trying to squeeze in lots before we go away but time is running out!

Pinch and a punch.....hello June!

22/52

Wednesday Weekly

Pinch and a punch....hello June!

Although going by the weather you wouldn't think we are in June!!

After last weeks glorious sunshine, we've gone back to it being cold and wet.

In the pockets of dry, we've gone for a quick whizz around the block after tea.

But have spent many an hour inside, looking out at the rain!

Sophie has been up in Edinburgh for work and Sam has unfortunately had a 24hr tummy bug. 

No one wants to call in sick when starting a new job!

Jeff has been full on back at school and I've been in doing more invigilation.

Yesterday (day off) I turned my attention to starting a little holiday packing. I bought this clothes rail off Amazon for £10 and have selected 'round one' of clothes to take on holiday. I will still have to narrow it down further. Not because I don't think I can pack it all in my rucksack, but because I have to be really mindful of weight. Although I do want a good selection of outfits for 5 weeks, both for beach wear and then out in the evenings.

I gave up after an hour or so, stupidly lay down on the bed but then ended up reading for half an hour! Why do I feel guilty for reading in the day?

This morning (Sunday) it was dry. Jeff had gone for a swim and so I headed out over to Ham Wall for a couple of hours. I haven't been out there in over a month, work has got in the way, so a visit was long over due!

It's one of my happy places.

I do need to have time out in the fresh air.

It really is something I miss when I have to work.

And on that note, I am on the final countdown.

This exam season has been a bit of a slog!

I will not commit to as many next year, that's for sure.

I have a busy few weeks ahead of me, six of the seven exams are on next week. I have a couple of sessions in the art department too but a full day off on Wednesday, which I hope to keep free! Sophie comes back on Thursday for the weekend, where we are Wembley bound!!!

Half term week

21/52

Wednesday Weekly

WHAT A GLORIOUS HALF TERM!

The weather has excelled itself!

We have had a full week of sunshine, which has been wonderful.

Jeff and I have spent the week at home, catching up on a few jobs, car MOT, hygienist appointment etc and just relaxing and recharging and enjoying the sunshine. It's been HOT! So we've been walking after tea when we hoped it would be a little cooler, but not by much!

Saw a few deer.....

......but just enjoyed the beautiful countryside that surrounds us.

Up on the Poldens

Sophie came back from Majorca on Wednesday, minus her suitcase!!! Thankfully it was found in Palma airport and was put on the next flight to Bristol the same evening. A nice man then delivered it back here on Thursday morning. Unnecessary stress to end a lovely holiday.

Sam's plant then blew over in his room!! 

He was due back Thursday evening, so he could do online training all day Friday, as he still doesn't have Wi-Fi. So we had them both home again for a day, which is always lovely. He started his new job on Tuesday, with 2 days of training up in Gloucester, then his first day in his branch on Thursday. I will say, I have not seen him so happy and enthusiastic in such a long time. It's been wonderful to see him so positive and enjoying his new job x 

Friday was our one big adventure.

A trip to Southampton to see TAKE THAT!

I'd not seen the Circus Tour the first time around in 2009. 

So jumped at the chance to see them this time around.

It was INCREDIBLE!

They always put on a great show but this was another level!

I got quite emotional x

Jeff and I went to see them in Southampton, because it was in half term.

The drive down was a slog but so worth it.

Unfortunately we missed Belinda Carlisle (Jeff's guilty pleasure) as she was on earlier than had been listed and we had a stressful moment when we arrived, to find 2 people in our seats. Thankfully they were in the wrong, and were in row GG, not row G!!! I'm glad we got to see it together x

I can't actually put into words just how amazing it was!

My 7th time seeing them and it was the best yet x

I first saw them in Cardiff, for the Progress tour in 2011 with my sister, when Robbie Williams came back. I then saw them twice in Birmingham, twice in Bristol and once in Hyde Park with Jeff , and I feel so lucky that I get to see it again in a couple of weeks time, up in Cardiff with Sophie, her first time !!

(our wild lawn)

So as half term week draws to a close, the weather is changing.

Sophie drove back to Cardiff yesterday evening, she's off to Edinburgh with work tomorrow (Monday) but will be back home in less than two weeks for our trip to Wembley, to see Harry Styles.

Sam will be starting his first full week in branch on Monday and 

Jeff and I will be back in school for the last half of term. 

It's a short one, only 4 weeks!! I have just 14 exams remaining!

Tomorrow is the 1st of June!

Just 4 weeks until we head off to Greece on our Ionian adventure.

This week of glorious sunshine has made me look forward to our trip even more x

Summer has arrived!!

20/52

Wednesday Weekly!

A super busy week workwise!

It's been nice to come home and see the sunflower seeds Jeff planted making an appearance.

It's been a ridiculously busy week on the work front but I escaped on Wednesday afternoon and squeezed in a cinema trip, to see The Devil Wears Prada 2. I'm glad I got to see it. I needed to do something other than work.

Thursday was full on. Not enough invigilators to cover everything that was needed, so I ended up with someone who had done nothing before, so I effectively did the work of two people with 10 students on laptops, then did a clash supervision, straight into an afternoon exam with another 10 students! Even Jeff had to do an invigilation slot!!! I took in treats for the office team, just to soften the blow!! I can honestly say, I was so ready for half term!!

I came home from my busy day to a full house!

Sophie came home before heading off for a few days holiday with a friend. Sam came home to collect his computer and plants. Jeff had detention, so we had a late tea together when he got home. 

Have to make the most of time altogether when we get it xx

The week ended gloriously, with a fabulous forecast for half term.

Sophie jetted off to......

....Majorca on Saturday.

She's staying in Cala D'or, where Jeff and I had our honeymoon!!

Looks gorgeous x

Jeff broke up Saturday afternoon and now has a week to rest and recharge.

We went out for an evening walk. 

We're going to make the most of this lovely weather.

We never go away during this week for a number of reasons. Jeff has to work the Saturday, so you start off losing a day. It's soooo expensive and busy. We always cross our fingers and hope we get good weather here in the UK and we have so many so many jobs to catch up on in the garden, MOT due on the car, dentist appointments etc.

After a busy morning gardening, we've both enjoyed a relaxing afternoon in the garden reading.

I can not tell you just how lovely it is to have this glorious sunshine. 

It's hot, there are blue skies, it's perfect and it's here for the whole week  xx