It's been a week of trying new things, finding new things and buying new things to replace old things.
I've been thinking for quite a while about joining the APP Walking Group which goes out every Monday morning. At it's heart, there's a bunch of wrinklies who love the outdoors and are as fit as the proverbial fiddles, then there's a few younger members who have graduated from the Playgroup to the Walking Group when their kids started school and they were looking for ways to occupy themselves during the day. I want to explore new areas, I love walking / tramping, and I'm definitely now on the lookout for more ways to keep myself busy during the day (more about that later). So, I had a quick look on the website, messaged Jen to confirm where they were going, then put on my Big Girl Pants and drove out to join them on Monday morning at Lac du Gabas. It was bloomin' brilliant to be out in nature, boots on, striding through the beautiful French countryside and blethering to a whole load of different people. I was also surprised at the pace they kept. Not the flâneur that I perhaps expected. I loved it, and I will definitely be back out with them. It's also definitely given me the nudge to start exploring other walks for myself.
The active living continued into Tuesday where Geoffrey had me back on the treadmill, this time running, for a full 10mins. Yaaaaaas! Here's me and my big pink coupon when I got home.
One of the ladies in the Walking Group was trying to shift on a load of books and jigsaws that had previously belonged to her grandkids. I took a couple of jigsaws for William, thinking that he might grow into the 100 piece-er. It took him two days. Unbelievable.
I had a docs appointment on Wednesday morning (new physio script, plus she's been mega proactive around my thyroid and coeliac issues) so while I was out in Billère, I decided to go on a bit of a GF treasure hunt through some shops that I don't often visit. I came home with a whole load of goodies from Picard (simple heat and eats) and the Bio Store (see below). Guid aye.
The weather isn't really hitting the highs that we normally get at this time of year. In fact, it's been wet, wet, wet. So much so, that William had been back in wellies and we realised that they were 1. too wee for him and 2. they were actually letting in water. Hopeless. So, with all the non-essential shops closed, it was a bit of a mission sourcing a new pair. I ended up doing a click and collect at Monoprix and they finally arrived on Saturday morning. They're actually, probably, a bit big for him but that gives him plenty of growing room! We managed to get out during a reasonably dry spell in the afternoon to give them a test run. Winners.
We worked out a few weeks ago that William had had some sort of seafood paella at school with mussels in it. He also said that he now like them. (!) And when we were in Grand Frais on Friday, he saw a pack and suggested that we have them for dinner one night. Jeezo. How French is this kid?!
On Sunday morning, I was feeling particularly smug with myself as I complete a full home rehab session. And I'm still doing the intermittent fasting. I'm feeling good.
Now, to my other piece of news which I've already alluded to. I finally heard back from Edinburgh Uni last week. A short email from an unknown woman in their HR Dept. saying that she was very sorry to inform me that they had reviewed my file and that it would not actually be possible for them to offer me a contract after all. Excuse me, WHAT? I couldn't believe what I was reading. Firstly because it all seemed very final from the Uni's point of view and secondly, that neither Christine or Nicola had been in contact first to pre-empt / clarify the situation. I replied back to Laura at HR (along with Christine and Nicola who'd been CCed in the original email) saying that I absolutely wanted to discuss this further. In addition, I emailed Christine and Nicola separately saying I was stunned with the news from HR and asked if we could we arrange a meeting. Nothing. Days passed and still, nothing. Laura eventually got in contact and we arranged to meet on Wednesday. I think she was stitched up by the academics and ended up being the one put out to face me. She was extremely apologetic and told me that my case had caused her to flag issues across various part of the university but that ultimately, the university's position was not going to change. I got to say my piece though: how angry and frustrated at the situation I'd found myself in, but also at my mistreatment by the staff who had essentially ghosted me. I explained to Laura how I'd tried to contact the staff and asked if they were legally bound not to talk to me. The simple answer was "No", which makes their behaviour even worse. How can you just offer someone a job, find out that legally the university can't employ them due to international tax rules, then not even have the good manners to call the person up and say you made a huge mistake and that you're very sorry? So, I'm absolutely gutted about it all and I'm now looking for new projects to fill my time. Time to finally get myself some decks. ;-)
Lorna
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