All back safely

We’re all back. Bex and Henry made it to their apartment in Seoul early this morning, and we managed Bristol last night. It’s been quite a journey for all of us. Bex had two big suitcases, a big rucksack, another holdall and the pushchair … and a baby C and I, against clear instructions at Heathrow, but fully masked up, helped the pair of them to the check in desk and the rest was easy. Henry apparently, slept all the way to Korea (10 hours); Bex didn’t. She’s not a great flyer. Of course it’s dark now over there and with Steven isolating away from Bex at a friend’s house (school rules), Henry will not know night from day and poor old Bex will miss another night’s sleep. But, she’s young and will cope. Thankfully the school closes on Friday so Steve can move back in, but Bex has to remain isolating for a whole two weeks.

my poor attempt at keeping H warm when I took him for a v early walk yesterday

It was sad to see them go, but as we had to rush out for fear of being evicted by security staff, it was a painlessly short goodbye. They hope to come back at Christmas, covid travel restrictions allowing. In the meantime we’ll have to do with video calls. We feel blessed (but exhausted) to have had a chance to see them.

I start my 360 work tomorrow. It will take me through to the middle of next week, which is fine. But I have made a decision that that is it. I’m more than happy providing 121 coaching support by video, but I’m not going to take on any more broader work. That also means I’ll drop any MoD work should it come in. From next week it’s travel, fitness, guitar and books – and family and friends. And, I have to say, I feel v pleased and relieved about that.

Mary and Henry

I’ve also started a v strict no dairy regime from today. Those of you who follow this drivel know that I have sinus problems and one of the possible causes, or amplifiers, is dairy. I have tried to be strict before and have managed up to a point. But since Christmas I’ve been eating milk stuff (especially butter … I love butter) with abandon. I’m hoping that 3 weeks on non-diary will change nothing and I can go back to smothering everything I eat with butter. Or, I will miraculously feel better. We’ll see.

And I realise that I’ve not made a fuss of The Belmonte Paradox, which I’m hoping will be out by the end of the first week in July. I have found a photo for the cover, but have yet to upload the manuscript which allows me to set the paperback cover to the right dimensions … and I need to write the back page blurb, which is never straightforward. That’s all a couple of days work, and with the school 360 stuff running in parallel I am a little concerned I’m going to miss my self-imposed deadline. But, do you know what? With the number of books I’m selling at the moment I’m not that bothered – as no one else seems to be.

we managed a 5-miler on Thursday when Bex was with friends

That’s all from me. I hope you’re keeping safe and getting vaccinated when you can.