Eat out to help out …

I’m a bit bored with my bank blaming covid-19 for not having enough staff available to talk to me without a wait time of over 20 minutes (40 minutes by the end). We pay HSBC to be a little bit special and normally speak to an adviser in under a minute. Not now. I’m not sure that 6 months in we should be being pushed from pillar to post when we’re trying to spend more money with them (by increasing our travel insurance cover for a 6 week stay in South Korea). Moan over. 

[image error]it’s lovely here …

Leaving aside my frustration with the bank, we have slipped down a couple of gears. We cycled a good distance on Monday up and down the coast. Yesterday (after a run) we cycled all the way from our lovely little campsite to Spurn Head, which is the sand spit north of the Humber which curls as it embraces Lincolnshire. Having pushed the bikes some of the way, we had lunch on the sands – it could have been the Med. It is flat here but interesting, the sea taking a 4 metre chomp at the sand and clay coastline every year. Some farms and houses look unlikely to survive the next storm. It’s desolate, beautiful and we have been blessed with the appearance of Mrs Sun who has been with us most of the time. Today we cycled into Withernsea, a seaside town perilously close to losing its battle with the North Sea. The highlight was a bacon sandwich at a beachside cafe, our first ‘eat out’ since March. Hopefully we didn’t get a mouthful of virus.

[image error]at the end of a long cycle

We like it here so much we’ve decided to stay for an extra couple of nights. At £14, which includes electric and distant WiFi, it’s at the top of our budget. But it’s quiet and clean and it means we can run tomorrow without worrying about having to move on.

[image error]losing the battle with the North Sea

C has continued to knit for NATO (KFN) and I have started – yes, started – book seven in the Sam Green series. It was an interesting beginning. I know exactly how the scene goes and I started to write with my usual (misplaced) self confidence and then hit a wall of self doubt. Is this good enough? Does that make sense? Is this a match to what I have written before? I have never felt this way, and I’m already seven books for the better. I hope it starts to flow soon – ambition is 1,000 words a day for 120 days, which will take me to a finished book on Christmas Day. It’s worked every time for the last 5 books. So I hope I can manage this time.

[image error]eat out to help out with no assistance from Rishi

And, on our bike ride yesterday, I got a call from the MoD boss I’ve been working for since last November. She wants me to run an away day for her senior team at the beginning of October –  which works well for me. I just need to plan it now. But it’s nice to feel that I’m still of use to her/them.

I hope you’ll all ok. If you have kids, I’m guessing they’re back at school. I’m crossing my fingers for you. As an ex-teacher, I really worry for anyone involved with education at the mo. I hope the government manage to keep a lid on the infection rate and schools, kids and parents can grow their confidence here. I know the current leaders continue to send mixed messages but, hopefully, a more devolved approach to decision making will allow local authorities and schools to demonstrate some flexibility. Hopefully.

Keep safe …