The best bit about teaching is that the day is over early. Last few weeks of term and it’s always hard to find workshop leaders so this is the gig I couldn’t shake for Paris. On the plus side though I’ve been totally able to work from Lou’s and then go chasing quality of life afterwards.
Maybe we brought the summer at last. Keep hold of it. Remembering that school is not quite broken up yet is helpful in remembering that we could well still have those endless months of heat and joy that we all remember growing up.
We managed to get over to one of my favourite parts of The Downs – Wilmington and the area around about. The Sussex Ox for a remarkable rack of lamb, knowing that they are hard to find in France. Then everyone should have a favourite tree. Mine is in the Wilmington churchyard, propped up with sticks, 2000 years old. Still alive, home to a bees nest, the Wilmington yew.
They’ve touched up the Long Man, so he is clearly picked out on the hill above.
Behind me and down the road a bit is the tree, a wooden temple outside a church. I’m sucking in the opportunities for nature right now as a lot of my life in France will be urban and concreted, dealing with fixings and consumables. This time with Lou has been a restorative nature shot, and a chance to pull back the spring ready to fire forward into strange french life again. I feel totally restored. Ready to go go go.
Tomorrow travel and then back at it bright and early Saturday, taking stock on the weekend before everything really starts going. When I booked it, I didn’t want to take the time to come back – I just wanted to go all the way through. After my runny tummy and vast amounts of sleep, no booze, healthy food and wellness and lots of lovely Lou I’m now wondering how I would’ve got on without this fire break. I’m champing at the bit to work again now. It’ll probably raise my productivity.
One more night in London. Needed to sort out my car so I can come back and it’s still insured and it won’t get towed for lack of parking permit or fined for lack of tax. Cars have so many parasites. I still love the things and the joy, possibility and money outweigh the outlay.
I’m in my flat. It’s dark. I’m quietly repacking, knowing what I need in terms of clothes now. For a while I thought I would drive to Paris, but frankly it’s pointless and the warehouse is crowded. One more car would be rude.
A bit of work that turned into a lovely break with some early mornings. Worth honouring the work, as it’s what I was driving in to do when the call came through about this.
Sure it’s raining again. But it was hot today. Flesh was out. It is coming…
AlBarclay 