Back to normality

Having just spent 10 weeks away from home, flying some long distances, driving different vehicles, staying in diverse hotels and self catering apartments, sampling many different cuisines, sleeping in a whole host of beds, drinking from a wide range of water catchments and seeing such an amazing array of flora and fauna, some unique to Australia, what is it like to be back home?

Firstly, our return home was timely. I do not think we could have taken on many more new experiences, sights, sounds, tastes or smells without the possibility of some of those we have already experienced being diminished. This is one reason we decided not to go to New Zealand as part of this trip. I felt no sense of regret that our time away was over. Not because I was desperate to return home nor because I was in anyway dissatisfied with Australia but just because we have had such an amazing time away, our return date was part of the plan and returning home after so many weeks away seemed 'right'.

I am so pleased that the jet lag I have suffered when travelling from West to East does not appear to have arisen. I have slept well since returning home, I have a reasonable level of energy and feel alert. Not having slept much on the overnight flights I felt a little spaced out on Tuesday but having slept well that night awoke refreshed and naturally in time to catch a train to Birmingham for a meeting of the Jisc Learning & Teaching Experts Group.

Being retired does not mean my brain has switched off and that I no longer have any interest in my former professional life. I feel I still have something to offer the education community and in particular am interested in Students as Partners in Learning, sometimes also referred to as Students as Change Agents or the umbrella term of Student Engagement. Partnership and the relatively new Student Network were on the agenda of this meeting and it was great to meet up with friends and colleagues from across the FE/HE sectors and several had been following our GAA on Facebook or this blog and seen some of the photos and were keen to hear my impressions. It was an enjoyable meeting and I felt wide awake throughout, another good sign re the jet lag and despite a relatively early start to the day.

Thursday provided time for catching up on things at home, some menu planning and cooking, reflecting on our trip and writing up the blog posts associated with the final two days of travel. Jo came to lunch then Amanda, Jo and I went to get two of the presents we purchased framed. Amanda provided lots of help in choosing suitable mounts and frames and the finished items will be ready to collect next week.

Lesley had skated early in the morning so had a rest to ensure she had energy to skate in the evening whilst I cooked an early dinner then took myself off to the Brasserie Toulouse Lautrec to enjoy a gig by the Church Fitters, an amazing group of musicians who make many of their own instruments and are excellent entertainers as well as being accomplished musicians. It was a great evening but a shame so few people were present to enjoy their playing. It was also good to catch up with Florent and Nolan, the Maitre D’ and chef, whose father, Hervé, proprietor and chef of the Lobster Pot Restaurant and personal friend, also popped in for some of the gig.

The Brasserie offers live music every night of the week, has a good selection of wines and beers, including two Belgian offerings on tap and produce tasty food and are well worth a visit at anytime of the day including for brunch.

Friday morning was my first time at Tai Chi Exercise Class run by JoY and everyone was pleased to see me and many folk asked about the trip providing more opportunities to reflect on specific experiences and moments. The class was enjoyable but hard work after so long an absence and several parts of my body ached a little on returning home. We lunched in the garden under a bright blue sky and warm sunshine with birdsong clearly heralding Springtime.

I spent time shopping for vegetables at the street market during the afternoon and dozed quietly for a while feeling a little weary; did I speak too soon about the jet lag? The evening passed sociably with Jo and her dogs and catching up on a little tv.

We have arrived at the weekend and tomorrow several musician friends will come over for a bit of a session so there is shopping and food preparation to do and some cleaning of the patio, covered in winter debris, and organising of the dining room to provide a space to sit and play as well as eat.

So, is this normality? Well being retired for just over a year now, I am not sure what 'normality' means in terms of everyday life. When in London, I attend Tai Chi Exercise Classes twice a week. These are probably the only fixed items of weekly activity except when we are away, which is quite often! Lesley has more shape to her week with ice skating 3/4 times a week and more if she is preparing for a competition as is currently the case.

I have nearly 2000 photos to review and edit which is going to occupy a considerable amount of time. Some work is required on the garden and we are contemplating a new kitchen and downstairs cloakroom that will need some consideration and if we go ahead quite a bit of planning. We have a reunion camp in a couple of weeks with friends we made in Switzerland and Lesley is having a birthday tea party next weekend which is also Easter. So, lots to think about and do alongside just living. Welcome back to normality!

Roses in Flower Dome, Singapore

 

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