Tuesday 10th December 2024

It is Tuesday. I have a week to go before Christmas holidays begin, and I have enough work to keep me occupied, and then some. I sleep poorly, my brain waking me up at quarter past four, and only letting me back to sleep just before I was due to get up. I slept to ten past six, at which point Jools wakes me, and so begin the usual tasks before I can start work.

I have an audit report to write, and then other audits to follow up on, and then there is the usual monster that is travel expenses, which I might save for next Monday, the last day of the year.

The day is another dull, grey and cold day, no sunshine seen, and as we approach the shortest day of the year, the table lamp burned bright all day beside my computer screen.

I drink my coffee, check the world via the BBC website and see its as screwed as it ever has been.

We go on.

Not much to report really. No news from our new manager about any plans for this year or next, and nothing from HR either about my retirement.

We go on.

Lunch was taken late, due to meetings; oatcakes with butter and marmalade, which is always surprisingly filly and yet tasty.

We are yet to receive a Christmas card, and for the last two days the postman hasn't called. I think back to my parents and the 150 plus cards they used to get every year.

I finish work at three, have a shower and feel much better.

By four its really dark. The light just fades and then its evening and then night.

We are emptying the freezer, and we found a half pound chunk of roast beef, so I mince that up and make a cottage pie, making a jus from some frozen fruit and lamb stock. Topped with cheesy mashed potato and served with Boston baked beans.

All ready for when Jools gets home, and enough for lunch for one of us later in the week.

Hearty and tasty.

For the evening there is football: Norwich on the tellybox at Portsmouth, so I watch that whilst listening to the Champions League. City draw 0-0, which is, well, average to be honest.