In The Office


 My office window is full of houseplants. 
They shield me from the view of the nasty new cottage behind Bwthyn y Llan 
I’ve been meeting my fellow students on line this morning. 
I start my counselling course in September.
I particularly liked the look of two of them. 
Kind faces, nice way about them.

I had to sneak off for a few minutes as there was an urgent knock at the door, One villager I know was having a bit of a panic attack and suddenly needed to go to the next village for a prescription. 
We have just arrived back all calm. 
Calming panic attacks is something I do well…I have the boring voice for it.

An old friend is coming to lunch in half an hour and so I’m making her a chicken and mango salad to eat outside in the sun. 
I’m catching up with another friend later. 
But I said I won’t be eating or drinking alcohol if I go out. 
I want to lose some weight 

I have always been chunky but once in the groove that is healthy eating I can shed the pounds like a good un…..my downfall is shift work where discipline goes out of the window when tiredness and apathy take over. 
( and before the lectures start , I don’t begrudge my haggis and black pudding breakfast in Findhorn the other morning….it was bloody lovely) 

Before my guest arrives, I’ve managed to book tickets for a guided tour of the Colosseum for Saturday. Fabio the concierge from our hotel suggested it.  We have been corresponding by email for weeks now like clandestine lovers. He works the night shift and likes to add to his emails, little flourishes of interaction , such as “ John ! You are emailing late this evening” and “ I hope you are not flying easyJet, always a poor service given” 
I may be a sad sack and send him a Christmas card…..

I feel happy today. Happy that things seem to be clicking into place. 
My nephew has just informed me that the Dr Who experience ,I had  treated him to in between comic con visits was cancelled ….I’ve booked us to see My Fair Lady instead which will be nice as neither of us has never seen it. 
I’m so pleased, I thought I might have been all Sci fi-ed out! 




26 comments:

  1. I bought my other half a fab book when we were at the Colloseium, it flipped back to show how the place looked originally. I sent myself a postcard whilst at the Vatican so I could have one with a Vatican City postmark on. Yeah, I know I seem a sad creature, but it's the little things that float my boat! Enjoy Rome,!

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    1. I love that too Carole my best souvenir from Scotland is a plain white pebble from the beach

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  2. I'm sure you don't have a boring voice, it would be your calm manner that worked its magic. And I'd never lecture you about healthy eating (or not!). After all, people in glass houses etc. Lol! Life would be very boring if we all did the sensible thing all the time. I love the film, My Fair Lady. One of the few musical films that I can watch. xx

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    1. I’ve kept strict today , chicken for tea with rocket salad lol

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  3. I don’t know how much sci-fi I could tolerate myself. But, My Fair Lady, yes.
    I’ve heard your voice. Boring would never come to mind. Perfect for teaching, soothing, calming, story telling. I’ll be sure to call you when I have my next panic attack.

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  4. When we bought out house we were told that a bungalow would be built in the sold-off garden plot behind us. It is a full two storeys in parts, overlooks our garden, and for years it felt like an intrusion. I got used to it eventually - give it a few years!
    When do you fly? You are having the most unrestful holiday!!

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    1. We fly on Friday night.
      Tomorrow is a quiet day at home. Save for brunch with chic Eleanor

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  5. The most exciting thing I saw at the Colosseum was one of the many stray cats found there (they keep down the mice). Take a photo to show Albert when you get home!

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    1. I’m really looking forward to the change

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  6. You may not want to watch your diet in Rome. As I recall, the food was delicious! Of course, you will have lots of walking to balance it out. Hope you have a wonderful time, John!

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    1. I’m sure it will hot and frenetic x

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  7. That's a big change having a large structure behind your home. I'd consider planting a line of tall privet to block the view and help keep any noise down.

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    1. It doesn’t really bother me when I’m in the garden as my sister has planted tall bushes and trees to shield it

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  8. Is t his card you are sending for last Christmas or next Christmas?

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  9. You do sound wonderful.

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  10. I have yet to get into Dr Who

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    1. Me too…thank god it was cancelled

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  11. I've seen both the play and the film of MFL; I'm not sure which I enjoyed more, possibly the play.

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  12. There's so much to do and see in Rome that it's difficult to choose! The Colosseum should be well worth it. Your hotel concierge sounds really helpful too. If it's really hot you may be able to time your days by starting out early and then resting in a cool restaurant or bar at mid day. Plenty of water and maybe a hat too.

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  13. To describe it as lunch with Eleanor would be nice. I find the use of the word chic everytime makes her sound like a doll.

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    1. Just habit now , her real name is Michelle

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  14. I spent a couple of hours wandering around the Colosseum, such wonderful memories. The subway was on strike that morning, and a kind taxi driver dropped me off a block away avoiding the traffic scrum. Enjoy!

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  15. I'm embarking on an eat-less, drink-less regime of my own for summer. I just feel kind of saggy and in need of a tune up!

    It's a shame that you won't get to meet the mysterious Fabio in person now that your trip has been cancelled. Hopefully you'll get to stay there sometime soon and put a face with a name!

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