And for our next move …

It’s been quite a few days …

First, our Jen is in hospital. It’s complicated and I know she didn’t want me to unnecessarily share what’s happening, but I will do if and when the time is right. In short it seems likely that it’s a continuation of her mental health issues which have dogged her since she was in her teens. And, as far as any one can see, it’s neither life threatening, nor life shortening. It’s just something else which she and James will likely have to deal with. Ho hum.

We’re going up to see them again on Saturday – we hope she’ll be discharged by then – and then we can work out how best to handle this all. Along with that, we hope to drive to Mary’s on Sunday for the day (a day before the government relaxes it’s out of area curfew, but it’s best for Mary) and then we plan to make a day trip to Colchester next Thursday to see mum. That’s one helluva a journey, but we’ll manage.

Cassie watching me do the front garden

My calf told me I could run this week, so on Tuesday I did some hill work (which was fine) and yesterday I ran my 5 km … which wasn’t so good. As a result my calf was mad at me this morning, so it’s back to walking – which Cassie loves and the local squirrels … well, not so much.

And we’re getting closer to forging a mid-term plan. Originally, like Mao, we had a five year plan which was based around us staying here in Bristol and travelling as if our live depended upon it. That worked for year one … when we skied, did Scotland and spent 6 weeks in SE Asia. Last year was going to be: ski, Scotland and a car road trip to Baku, on the Caspian Sea. Well covid put paid to that. We managed skiing and 6 weeks in Yorkshire in Doris, but no road trip. Fate, however, was on our side in that, between lockdowns we managed to get to Seoul for 6 weeks (including a 2 week mandatory hotel quarantine) to be there for Henry’s birth. So it wasn’t a complete right off. This year, as you know, nothing has happened thus far, although we hope to get away in Doris for 4 weeks once they open the campsites in mid-April. But it seems that overseas travel might be unlikely this summer and with a third wave expected in the winter, year three of our five year plan looks set to be a wash out.

Henry showing off all of C’s wonderful knitting, including a Wolves cardigan

So we got to thinking.

Depending on where Bex and Steven decide to go, school wise from next summer, we will likely move from Bristol. This was the move we might have taken at the end of the five year plan. But if we’re tied down this Christmas with lockdown measures, then why not make that move early? And, if so, what does that look like?

We think it means selling our current place and using that cash to buy somewhere on the Welsh border between Gloucester and Telford – equidistant between Jen and James and Steve’s folk. The assumption is that Bex and Steve will stay abroad, but likely come to Europe. Moving out of Bristol will give us the cash to buy something a little bigger, but we’re not after a palace. A view would be good … close to local amenities, also. And enough room for people to stay. We think that should all be within budget. We might use this next Doris trip to do some research. Anyhow, we won’t know until about Christmas time, when the overseas teaching market runs its course. But it’s a thought.

And you know us … we might do something completely different.

Anyhow. We’re fine. I hope you are all well and staying safe. Remember that a single jab is really, really good .. but it’s not bombproof. So keep your masks on and stay away from the crowds.