Our Shepley Beer Festival was brilliant. I found myself dancing with my brother under the marquee on the grass in my wellies on Saturday night. Then dancing with mum, dad, Dirtbag and some friends on Sunday night to Thunderbridge. They are a local band that Romeo used to frequently front and he found himself back in the spotlight for this occasion. Unfortunately, he was feeling ill and almost lost his voice. I felt sorry for him as he was really looking forward to it. On the plus side, the audience thought the band were great and he has never sounded more like Rod Stewart when singing Maggie May.
I am proud to report that I have survived two full weeks at work, cycling home three times both weeks with the weather still being kind to me. I have been chucked in at the deep end as there is so much to learn, although the hydrotherapy pool is not over my head. The students are amazing and the staff are so committed, kind and encouraging; I feel very privileged to work in this school. It's strange being the new girl again as no one knows me at all and I want to do a good job while remaining true to myself if you know what I mean. Whatever situation I find myself in I can only be me, as you can only be you.
Cycling up one of the lesser hills I have to slow down, even more, to allow the colossal combine harvester to turn right into the field on my left. Chuckling away to myself I continue, only to then see the vision of a lycra clad cycling Romeo charging uphill to meet me. Obviously, he doesn't trust me out here in my wood, field and countryside paradise. After all, there are many alluring and intriguing routes I could deviate along, but I don't, despite the temptation.
Dirtbag and Mini-Me are slowly settling into their new routines. They have both told us about some 'naughty children' in their classes but have also been enthusiastic about their lessons and teachers. Dirtbag played in her first netball match against another school and they won 25-5, which she loved. She was proudly playing the centre position. Meanwhile, Mini-Me has signed on for a local junior football team, playing the position of goalkeeper. They had their first friendly game last week with a 3-3 draw. They are both missing their desert friends very much.
Cycling up one of the lesser hills I have to slow down, even more, to allow the colossal combine harvester to turn right into the field on my left. Chuckling away to myself I continue, only to then see the vision of a lycra clad cycling Romeo charging uphill to meet me. Obviously, he doesn't trust me out here in my wood, field and countryside paradise. After all, there are many alluring and intriguing routes I could deviate along, but I don't, despite the temptation.
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| Emley Moor TV mast in the distance |
Dirtbag and Mini-Me are slowly settling into their new routines. They have both told us about some 'naughty children' in their classes but have also been enthusiastic about their lessons and teachers. Dirtbag played in her first netball match against another school and they won 25-5, which she loved. She was proudly playing the centre position. Meanwhile, Mini-Me has signed on for a local junior football team, playing the position of goalkeeper. They had their first friendly game last week with a 3-3 draw. They are both missing their desert friends very much.
We have been taking Dirtbag to a chiropractor who is working wonders on her hip and knee pain. She has had her pelvis and spine realigned and some deep muscle massage on other problem areas. The song Miracle Aligner by The Last Shadow Puppets is playing in my head. It is great to see her body responding so well to this treatment. She should be up and running again by Christmas.
Reunited with my book club here, meeting on the same night as my Dukhan one, felt slightly surreal. Especially as it was held in the home where five years ago I told the group our exciting news. One friend reminded me that they all thought I was going to announce another pregnancy, so it was an even bigger surprise when I told them we were off to the Middle East. Everyone is as lovely as ever and toasted my return with some prosecco, which made my eyes sparkle and twinkle through the exhaustion at the end of my first week at work.
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| cycling home |
Romeo seems more like a lost, wandering nomad here, than in the desert. It's a big change for him not to be going to school every day. He has kindly made tea every night for the family so far, which is much appreciated, by me anyway. The four-hour road trip to Stoke for some clay was a positive step and a day of supply teaching at the local high school rekindled some fire in his being. We all need to feel as though we have a purpose, don't we? It is in the quiet wilderness times of our lives that we feel the most challenged but then we often emerge stronger like the phoenix arising from the ashes.
''The window glows. The slow sandy light of predawn permeates the room. Everything is transient and aching; everything tentative. To be here, in this room, high in this house, out of the cellar, with her: it is like medicine.''
From All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
I will continue to keep wondering and living in the present and so must you.
With Love xx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r31DFrFs5A
Reading: The Road Home by Rose Tremain
Listening and singing to: No one Will Ever Replace Us by The Courteeners, What Part Of Me by Low, I wonder by Rodriguez and The Present Tense by Radiohead
Watched: Little Fockers (2010) with Mini-Me! Rent: The musical by Woodhouse Musical Theatre Company at the Picturedrome in Holmfirth
www.info@picturedrome.net
