Thursday 5th January 2023

Third working day of the year, and already it seems like we have been back weeks.

Months.

And not much to look forard to, other than more meetings. More chaos.

Welcome to the working week.

Jools went swimming early, so she was up at five, I was up at half past, a coffee waiting. And 15 minutes later she was gone. Outside it seemed even darker than in the middle of the night. Cats went to find their beds, all except Cleo who now has the habit of wanting to go out of the front door, especially when dark. Only when you get up to let her out, she retreats to the top of the stairs to watch. Then when you sit down, she's back down the stairs to plaintively meow.

This ritual has to be carried out at least three times, the last time with the front door open and the porch light on.

One more time, this time with the interior door closed meaning she can push it open and find the front door beyond open, and not so cold for us back in the house.

Then, depending on the weather, she stays out five minutes or less, then crashes through the cat flap and takes up position on the stairs again.

That aside, work is dull as dawn arrives, and reveals yet more wind and rain, sweeping in from the west. I top up te brid seed, make a fresh brew and have a small bowl of grape nuts, then eyes down for work.

It is at least dry by lunch, and I spend my break walking to the village to go to the post office, then to the shop for lunch.

It was cold and grey, and I have taken enough shots up and down Station Road, so press on, just looking for any wild flowers in bloom. I see nothing new, but it is good walking in different places, even if its just to walk to the shops.

I pay for the post and buy a quarter of rhubarbs and custards. When I ask for a quarter, the guy in the queue next door smiles at my old fashioned way of asking, doubly as the cost is in 100grams, not pounds.

Over the road to the village shop to buy a sausage roll and some crisps for lunch, and treat myself to a Magnum to eat on the way home. So, sausage rolls, crisps and ie cream, almost like a kid's birthday party. Maybe I should have bought a pack of party rings to complete it?

Back home, up the steep slope to our street, and to te house, letting myself in, make a pint of squash and tuck into my purchases.

Work goes on.

And on.

Later, I watch the last of six documentaries on archaeology in the UK, lots to think about, including we take it for grantd that people salted meats and fsh to preserve it, but where did the salt come from?

Answer was that 4000BC, people had learned to make salt from brine, created an industrial process, enabling them, not only to preserve food, but have enough extra to trade.

The day ends with me having more meetings and writing out emergency mails until nearly 5.

Bah.

Meaning it a rush to clear the office away and prepare then cook the fritters for dinner. But I manage it, and even was done five minutes before Jools got back home from the factory.

But good news from Hythe, the office bore had resigned, so will be taking his temper tantrums and insults with him. And later, Jools spoke with her boss, Andy, who has been off work with bone cancer since September 2021, has had his stem cells replaced, and after a long period in isloation, his immune system is now at 98%, will be signed off for work one more week, then should be back.

Quite the amazing recovery, as last time they spoke he was so ill, now sounds normal and is soon to return to work.

There was footy on the tellybox, as always, Citeh beat Chelsea 1-0 in an end to game, was highly enjoyable.