Nostalgia

A few days ago, I met up with an old friend who I’ve known since our university days together. That was over 30 years ago! Even writing that figure here seems surreal. How is it possible that so many years have gone by? To think of all the things each of us have achieved, exploredContinue reading “Nostalgia”

A Few Days Off

It’s been wonderful to have had the last two weeks not tied to any appointments or fixed schedule. To know that I could dedicate complete days to my own whims and tasks, was something I was looking forward to before that time off had even started. Now that I am at the other end andContinue reading “A Few Days Off”

Charity in Action

Today, I’ve made final preparations for my first-ever trip to Bosnia. I am both nervous and excited as this isn’t a holiday that I’m going on but part of a charity mission. I hope these kind of trips will be more frequent in time to come – as long as my health, time and moneyContinue reading “Charity in Action”

Memories or Materials?

One of the advantages of being older is having greater wisdom. It isn’t always a guaranteed attribute a person accrues with age but it would be rather strange if it didn’t occur as well. I’d like to think I haven’t totally missed out on that score. At this end of life, it becomes more evidentContinue reading “Memories or Materials?”

A New Chapter

As my sons verge on the cusp of entering the world of work, this signals a change in my circumstances. No, I am not planning to hang up my own working gloves – they’re going to stay on for as long as I can. What this pending change means for me is that I canContinue reading “A New Chapter”

Family Reunions

Families come in so many different forms and sizes. This weekend was all about coming together, both for short and longer term periods. I went to collect my middle son from university which he has finally finished. So, for now, he is going to be at home with us whilst he makes plans for hisContinue reading “Family Reunions”

Online but Switched Off

Today’s reflections are a slight aberration from my normal thoughts. They come more from a culmination of years of teaching young children and observing some trends in that time. I would like to make a note of my observations here. It’s an undeniable truth that since its inception, the internet, and all the devices linkedContinue reading “Online but Switched Off”

Small Consistencies

As I grow older so too do I feel the grip on life is becoming less tenuous. That’s not a morose observation but actually a liberating one. I’ve come to understand the battles I need to let go of and the result has been that I feel lighter mentally. Concurrent to this is the knowledgeContinue reading “Small Consistencies”

Escape to the City

It’s a strange irony that I have recently found myself actually enjoying heading into the big metropolis that is London when many people would do anything to avoid it! It’s not something I do often so the opportunity, when it arises, to venture into the city is one I now relish. I know I feelContinue reading “Escape to the City”

An Albanian Adventure

In keeping with the promise I made to myself, I have just returned from a short trip to Albania with my sister and niece. When others asked, “Why Albania?” my reply was that I wanted to go to a place which none of us had visited before and was also within our budget. It turnedContinue reading “An Albanian Adventure”