Category: 2013

less of the bah humbug and more of the German market – first published 19 November 2013

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Mid November 2016 and my time at Silver Helm was fast drawing to a close. They were turbulent times and the strain was having an unfortunate effect on my memory and my sleep. Nights were filled with bad dreams and days with forgetting or losing things. Then there was Mr Haughty, my successor in the frozen north coming to pick my brains and steal all my knowledge, not to mention the spectre of Christmas looming. It felt as if all the festive furore began earlier every year and I was feeling very bah humbug about it all. Continue reading less of the bah humbug and more of the German market – first published 19 November 2013

The Gosport Half Marathon and PB for Commando – first published 17 november 2013

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Saturday 16 November 2013 was completely devoted to food. First there was a wander around Sainsbury’s with a basket that ended up so heavy I could hardly carry it. “Why didn’t you get a trolley?” Commando said when I moaned. The simple answer was, if I could fit it in a basket I knew I could carry it home. Even so the walk back down the hill was a struggle with four heavy canvas bags, two slung over each shoulder. After that it was packing away food and cooking food. Seriously, all I did all day was that and a quick bathroom clean. The kitchen was filled with containers of curry, home made curry pastes, pastas and a chicken noodle stir fry. The reason for all this mad Saturday activity was the Gosport Half Marathon.  Continue reading The Gosport Half Marathon and PB for Commando – first published 17 november 2013

good news and the biggest bombshell yet – first published 14 November 2013

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As with most cruise ships, the majority of the crew on the Silver a Helm ship were from the Phillipines. In November 2013 typhoon Haiyan devastated the country with many thousands killed or missing, towns and villages flattened and food running out. A great deal of uncertainty surrounded the whereabouts and safety of the families of most of our crew. For them it was a very worrying time. Continue reading good news and the biggest bombshell yet – first published 14 November 2013

first frost the cold bites first published 13 november 2013

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After a red sky night I woke to a dry November morning with clear skies. There had been so many wet morning, I’d forgotten what a dry day looked like. I’d also forgotten what frost looked like and the lack of cloud cover brought the first frost of the year. The garden was a rime covered sparkling wonderland when the sun finally came up and I was excited to get out there. Continue reading first frost the cold bites first published 13 november 2013

back to the drawing board – first published 6 November 2013

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The first week of November 2013 seemed to be nothing but rain.  It meant I was not getting much in the way of exercise and I was really missing my walk to work but it seemed slightly silly to get soaked, especially as it would mean sitting in wet clothes all day. There was frustration too, waiting for a call about the job I’d interviewed for twice. Apparently a watched phone never rings. Continue reading back to the drawing board – first published 6 November 2013

fighting the blues with little things – first published 4 November 2013

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The first weekend in November 2013 was a lost weekend for me. Coughing left me so tired and drained I couldn’t quite work up the energy for anything but the basics, a bit of food shopping, cooking, essential cleaning and then sitting around reading my kindle. I could hear the Guy Fawkes weekend fireworks going on outside but I didn’t even bother to go out to see them. Uncharacteristically Commando had forgotten to get any, usually he and CJ are out there indulging their pyromaniac tendencies. The coughing made my throat even sorer and sleeping at night was tough. I ended up downstairs on the sofa so as not to keep Commando awake. Continue reading fighting the blues with little things – first published 4 November 2013

Judgement day – first published 1 November 2013

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November 2013 began with an announcement and ended with another interview. In between there was numbness and gallows humour. It all felt a little like judgement day from where I was standing.  Continue reading Judgement day – first published 1 November 2013

final meeting – first published 31 October 2013

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The last day of October 2013 was the day of my final redundancy meeting. CJ was up before I left for work because he was off on a course. This meant the gym was a cacophony of coughing, I’m surprised the neighbours weren’t complaining. After one particularly lung wrenching bout of coughing from him I said, “annoying isn’t it?” in the spirit of being sympathetic. CJ is not known for his cheery disposition first thing in the morning and thought I was moaning at him. A mother’s place is in the wrong, I guess. It set the pattern for the day. Continue reading final meeting – first published 31 October 2013

coughing – first published 30 October 2013

One of my Dali prints just about sums it up
One of my Dali prints just about sums it up

There hadn’t been much walking going on due to feeling rubbish and not having enough sleep because of hacking my guts up most of the night. This was most definitely not an excuse. The coughing was an embarrassment especially on the bus to work. I could sense the other passengers trying to edge away from the horribly contagious and horrendously loud woman trying to sink down in her seat. The more I tried not to cough the worse it was, huge loud barks exploded out of me and I was all red faced and runny eyed. Continue reading coughing – first published 30 October 2013

What the hell is an inbox exercise? – first published 29 October 2013

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I’d spent the  night cough, cough, coughing and I woke feeling as if I’d never been to bed, all foggy head and a bundle of coughs and sniffles. With a second interview on the horizon it wain’t ideal but I supposed I’d have to work with what I had. It seemed a touch déjà vu. I interviewed for the Mad House with a stinking cold and a horrible cough followed me through the first weeks of my training. Come to think of it I started at Silver Helm with a horrible cough. Perhaps it was a good omen. Continue reading What the hell is an inbox exercise? – first published 29 October 2013