Monday 3rd March 2025

The forth and final day of the long goodbye.

All good things come to an end, it is said, and today was my final day in head office and a not-so secret party was being planned.

It was another fine, but chilly day here in west Jutland, up at six so be down for breakfast at half six, and climbing into the taxi at seven for the drive to the office.

The driver was from Somali, and was a man of few words and a thick accent.

. But traffic was light, and for a change he went the way I would have driven to the office, driving up along side the tram lines and early morning drivers calling in filling stations for their breakfast sandwiches.

He deposited me at the main entrance, so I walked up the sloping path to the rotating doors and into the building for the last time.

Up in the lift to the 2nd floor, and into the open plan office where I was second in.

In twenty minutes I had dealt with my weekend mails and updates to databases, meaning I had a quiet day of drinking coffee.

There was a meeting to attend, discussing things we have been talking about for the last four years, and we're no further forward.

Then down for lunch, lunch of salad and pulses, healthy stuff.

And then an hour before the party.

I was taken on a circular walk round the top floor, told not to look down as a group of colleagues gathered, then down to be greeted by a round of applause.

There were two cakes, this and a puff pastry thing in the shape of a person, covered with salt licorice candies. Which I leave.

Then a speech from Rune, all wonderfully kind words, and then my garbled thanks.

I cut the cake and we eat, make small talk. I am presented with presents of branded leisurewear, super strong beer and a bottle of Danish whisky.

And then, it was all over.

I had a taxi booked for three. I pack up, go for two rounds of hugs and handshakes, then hand in my pass and out into the bright afternoon.

The taxi was waiting, I put by bags in the boot, and he takes the cab out into rush hour traffic, but knowing how to avoid the worst of it.

I had two hours to kill before the last and final goodbye, so back in my room I had a shower and put on some nice clean clothes, then looked at the piles of stuff on the bed wondering how I was going to get them in my case.

I'd figure that out later.

Anni and Bo arrived just after half four, I went down to meet and greet, then get three small beers from the bar. We found a quiet corner in which to sit, and talked about the past and future.

Come half six, the restaurant was open, so we took a table overlooking the street and after baulking again at the wine card, we had beers instead. And no a la carte, just simple burgers and fries.

They left, they had to catch a bus home, so I see them off, and are gone. I have known Anni for 15 years, apart from Shaggy, my oldest friend over here.

All things must pass.

Back in my room, I listen to the football to make sure Ipswich lost in the Cup to Forest. It went all the way to penalties, meaning it was half eleven when I climbed into bed.