Bad news – I Walk Alone

Thieves, Vandals and a definitive answer

11 August 2016

The Vandals were an East Germanic tribe who are believed to have migrated from Southern Scandinavia during the second century BC. They moved around Europe establishing kingdoms and were, reputedly, barbarians who sacked and looted as they went. They gave their name to vandalism, or senseless destruction, particularly defacing artwork. Sadly, there are modern day vandals roaming around the city of Southampton. Some of them are also thieves. Not only have several of our lovely zebras been damaged, one has actually been stolen. This added a sense of urgency to our zebra hunting and today, while Commando went for his X-ray, we went to visit as many as we could while they were still there. Continue reading Thieves, Vandals and a definitive answer

back to the drawing board – first published 6 November 2013

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

Canals and bad news

9 April 2016

As I stood at the side of the canal watching a barge slowly make its way under the railway bridge I smiled. What a relief. Commando’s ankle was feeling ok, if not perfect, and the marathon was back on. All those months of training hadn’t been wasted, even if he was unlikely to get a PB. All my walk planning hadn’t been wasted either and I was looking forward to exploring the canals further. Suddenly the day felt better and I began to really enjoy the walk, although it was half over. Continue reading Canals and bad news

Here we go again – first published 24 September 2013

Promotions are usually something to be celebrated. Most bring extra money in the pay packet, more interesting work, further opportunities and job security. At the end of September 2013 I discovered it isn’t always the case. This particular promotion slithered like a snake, unannounced, unwanted and with a venomous bite. Continue reading Here we go again – first published 24 September 2013

Last minute rush

8 October 2015

In a long, snaking queue at the airport, hot in my padded coat because there was no room to pack it, I dragged my huge suitcase behind me, looking at my watch as I edged ever closer to the desk. The woman with heavy makeup wore a British Airways uniform that reminded me of the ones we once had at Dream Factory with sun ray pleated skirts that blew over your head in a high wind. She smiled and held out her hand for my passport. As she took it I struggled to get my case on the conveyor belt.
“Where’s your visa?” She asked, the smile suddenly gone from her face. “You can’t enter the United States without a visa.”
I turned to Commando standing behind with his own case. “We forgot to get the visas!” Continue reading Last minute rush

Hazy days

1 to 4 August 2015

August came in in a humid haze. The sticky heat was stifling and the light had a strange misty quality about it. Even at six in the morning it was hard to walk. The tide was out as I made my way to work, the little boats all sitting forlorn on the mud waiting for the still, blue river to lift them. The jolly houseboat, with its sweet deck garden was silent, curtains pulled and the boatyard doors were closed. It felt as if the whole world was asleep except for me. Saturday’s are like that. The rest of the week there’s a hustle and bustle about mornings, a few people on the way to work, cars on the road, dog walkers, cyclists, runners. Continue reading Hazy days

late night phone calls are never good news – first published 14 April 2013

14 April 2013 was a strange kind of day. It began with me worrying about my knees. They were really achy after my long Moonwalk training walk the day before and I was more than a little concerned that I’d picked up an injury that could jeopardise the Moonwalk. The day ended with an injury worry of a completely different kind. Continue reading late night phone calls are never good news – first published 14 April 2013

The president of the USA , bad news and coffee – first published 14 March 2013

Mid March 2013 and the office was all geared up for a visit from the President of the United States. Obviously not the President of the United States, just the president of our parent company but, from the fuss and tidying, he might as well have been. It was also the day of Gigi and Gail’s redundancy meetings so the mood was fairly sombre and nervous. Continue reading The president of the USA , bad news and coffee – first published 14 March 2013

Orange, pink, blue, a splash of yellow and a dash of red and white

8 to 11 April 2015

My second week of early shift started with a breathtaking Wednesday sunrise over the River Itchen. Pinkening clouds on the horizon painted the gently rippled water where a pair of lonely swans dipped their heads searching for breakfast. I dawdled along the boardwalk drinking in the beauty of it all. Half way along the Suki II seemed to be floating on the dawn sky and the trees on the far bank were half hidden in early morning mist. Through it I could just make out my usual path beside the jetties and the line of little yachts. Continue reading Orange, pink, blue, a splash of yellow and a dash of red and white

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