So that funding proposal I was working so hard on in October? We found out we got it today – good news for WAES’ reputation, bad news for my workload! I have been getting a lot of kudos at work lately for things coming out of my team, because we have to do a report to the Council every month and all the interesting stuff to them is the community work, as well as some other bits and pieces we’ve been working on. So this just adds to it! It’s a big 2 year project to get more mental health service users in to adult education, with lots of support.

France was good last weekend, story is pretty much told in the photos. The Sea Cat thing on the way over was AWFUL – I have never felt sick on a boat before, and although I didn’t feel like I was going to vomit, I just had this general terrible feeling through my whole body that was only soothed by closing my eyes. Thankfully it’s a short journey across the Channel. I’d prefer to do the tunnel but it’s more expensive.

We’ve changed plans and we are actually picking up Piper on Thursday next week – sooner than I thought. We were supposed to visit her on Wednesday night but unfortunately there was an overturned lorry on the A1 and it took us 2 hours to get about 1/3 of the way – so we basically had to turn around and go home instead. It was a shame – we have this dog but we don’t know her at all!

Having dinner with my cousin Paul tonight. He lives in Newcastle but he moved here from New Zealand around the same time I got here from Canada. He’s working temporarily in Kingston upon Thames so he’s taking the train in to meet us.

And tomorrow, lunch with my great Auntie Edith down at the seaside, bringing her Christmas gifts from my parents. Sunday is tea with Marks’ family. I think Thursday is going to be here before I know it. I’m looking forward to a rest from work after what has been a rather hectic last couple of months. I’ve had to deal with some line management stuff lately that has been particularly difficult and challenging. argh! Almost holiday time.