Friday 15th December 2017

It is with some relief that the week draws to an end. B the end of it, I had been in over 20 hours of meetings this week, and what with writing and reading the minutes of the meetings, what chances are there to get work done?

We wake up and find it a fine day, out the back of the house the old moon was rising, just three days from being new, it is just a sliver with Venus to its right. It is a beautiful sight, and once I get back from dropping Jools off, I take some shots. Oh yes, drop Jools off at the bus station as we have to be in Canterbury by three in the afternoon and the only way to get there in time is for me to pick her up then drive to the university.

It is a mighty cold morning, the roads are lined with frost and the sky is still black. There is no other traffic around, so we cruise into town and I drop Jools off in Pencester where her coach is waiting to take her to work. Its not just for her, but you know.

Back home for more coffee and breakfast and then start work at half seven to be prepared. Prepared for anything.

Outside the day is fine and sunny, and I would like to go out, instead I have to sit inside and take part in three online meetings, which will take up the whole working day until I have to leave to collect jools at one.

So, at one I pack up for the week, and get ready to leave.

It should be a straightforward drive to Hythe, but with the random roadworks that are springing up, it could take an hour. At least it is a fine day, and with the radio on it is again pleasant. I reach the factory with 20 minutes to be spare, the descent into Hythe with views to Saltwood Castle is fine, doubly so now as the council have cut the hedge back. Funny how such a fine looking castle is almost unknown, yet a few hundred metres from the motorway, but hidden by woods. I will stop to take a shot, one day.

Jools gets out at two, and so we have an hour to get to Canterbury University, where our financial advisor has his office. Yes, it is true. We hope to retire as soon as possible, but for the moment it is just a pipe dream, but after rearranging our pensions, things are better this year. We shall see.

We go up Stone Street, through orchid country, or will in just over four months time of course. Its strange to go along the old Roman Road and not turn off to the great orchid locations we know so well, but on we go into the city, then round the ringroad before turning up the hill to the University. Beside it is a public school, looking all the world like Hogwarts, but is unremarkable in a city so full of grand and important buildings.

His office is in a new building, we arrive ten minutes early, and time to have a coffee before our meeting. Well, chat. Results are discussed, outlooks shared, and decisions made.

Instead of trying to get through the city at rush hour, we follow the road through Blean until it joins the Thanet Way, and from there we cruised to Ramsgate as darkness fell. From Ramsgate it was simple to head over the marshes to Richborough, Sandwich and home. We passed within a mile of the chippy, so it seemed a no-brainer to all in get dinner then make brews and butties once we were home. And feed the cats.

But it was the weekend. And so, relax.

To be honest, dinner is a disappointment, the fish limp and the chips overcooked, but its still OK. I mean we didn't have to cook it, and we have eaten and washed u in 20 minutes. And its still the weekend.

The evening, as most Friday evenings are, was spent watching Mastermind and Only Connect, our brains having been exercised, we go to bed.