Back to School

It sounds a bit cruel that I was delighted to be sending William back to school, but two weeks holidays + one week of school closures + ongoing covid restrictions = me having almost no entertaining ideas left. I sent him on his merry way back to class (he was actually delighted to be going back!) and headed home to breathe, make some jobs lists, and have a coffee in silence. Then, out of the blue, I got a message from one of the rugby girls who has just had a second baby and had reached crisis point. Mastitis, juggling two under two, no sleep, full of hormones, and no family here due to covid. Aaaargh. Another one of the girls and I spent the day with her, tag teaming in and out and doing everything we could to help. We actually ended up dropping in and out most of the week and although she's in a tough place at the moment, she's addressing her needs and putting her hand up for help. I'm just happy to step in when she needs me and to feel like someone trusts me enough to let me in when life isn't all insta-happy-families. Mum-ing is hard. 

Due to my suspected broken rib, physio has been a bit of a shambles this week. Geoffrey spent the session doing stretching with me on Tuesday and said I needed an x-ray. Mental. Managed to sort one out via Poupey at the club so got in that night. Nothing broken thank god, but I've been told that bruising and cartilage damage can still take up to six weeks to heal. Not ideal.  

By the weekend, I was back out on two wheels again and William and I motivated Iain to complete a 10k run around Pau. He hasn't really been doing much running recently but managed to just pull a 10k out of his jacksie. Very impressive! What was also impressive was that we managed to dodge all the hideous rain during our sojourn. It's like it stayed dry just for us! 

We were like caged animals for the rest of the afternoon, waiting for the clouds to move on so we could get out for a wee sociable walk. It was Labour Day so all the shops were closed (all the supermarkets that is, all the non-essential shops are still closed anyway) and at about half four, we took our chances. With the deconfinement announcements made earlier this week, we are now have one eye firmly on the reopening of Bondi and all our other haunts. We had a quick wander round the streets and got caught in yet another downpour as we made our way home. At least the garden is looking healthy!

On Sunday, we packed a big picnic and headed up to Château Franqueville in Bizanos. The weather was just lovely; we played football and frisbee; we ate leftover pizza (classy); and we bumped into Hannah, Tumua and Izzy, and Gio and Elly. The bloody small world of Pau. We also went for a bit of a wander and I noticed lots of different signs and directions for various walking and cycling routes. They definitely lit a fire in me - I think 2021 is going to see a lot more walking since my enforced retirement from running. And now that William is getting older, he will be able to cope with some longer hikes. Looking forward to getting him some decent shoes when the shops reopen, and then getting out in the countryside again.