A bit of a change of plan

We’re both pretty tired. On Friday night we, that is Peter, Karen and us, held a party for a whole load of ex-military pals. We did the same thing 7 years ago when a large group of us held a bash for a dear pal of ours who was dying of cancer. Then we had such a fab time we all said we should hold it annually. Typically we didn’t manage it … and it’s taken us a further 7 years to pull it off. It was a fab party, 15 of us in total. We didn’t call it a day until the early hours and, as old gits, it has taken us the weekend to recover. As you’d imagine, we all agreed we should meet again next year. Lol. Let’s hope so.

I made breakfast for the party!

For the rest of the time I have continued to work. It has been a fascinating time. So much so I have decided to stay on. My plan was to call it a day at the end of August – afterall, we have a motorhome to drive to Spain. In the end, after discussions and encouragement from the boss, I will still go to Spain, but work remotely. And when we get back, I will work as the de facto COO until the end of the year. Then I’ll reconsider.

Having spent 25 years in the military, 8 years as a teacher and then a further 9 years as a writer/vagabond, it has been professionally enriching to work in industry. I have worked with  industry before, when I was in military procurement, but never in the thick of it. What have I learnt? First, management is management. Leadership is leadership. It’s the same in the army, in schools, in the civil service and in business. Second, it is all about the bottom line. Business only works if it makes money. If it doesn’t, it folds. That’s not a surprise, but it does put my shopping into perspective.

not our cat, but it might as well be

In the midst of work, last weekend we had Richard and Caroline around (as grandparents – they brought the grandkids!). We’ve not seen them for a while, so it was lovely to catch up especially as they couldn’t make Friday night as they were off to the States for a couple of weeks. 

Other than that we continue to run, do small improvements around the house and generally faff about. I’ve cleaned the top of Doris, ready for our trip to Spain – we head off next week. C has done other stuff and we hope to be ready to roll next Friday. We’re going via Mary’s and then our travel pals Steven and Hilary, before we catch a ferry on Monday. This week I’m continuing to work and, on Tuesday, I’m heading up to mum’s to sort the house out finally for selling. It’s all go.

still running

And, as the weather perks, today we popped to Jen and James. Either side of that I went for a toughish run this morning (6 kms up and down hills), and this evening I went for a swim. Which was just fab. We are so lucky. 

Keep safe.