When my last day finally arrived, it felt very strange and unreal. I put the finishing touches to the order documents for the concrete frame on South Mimms, following the meeting and the deal we did the day before. Made some recommendations on a few amendments to the Sub-Contract made by the piling company, and one last meeting with Jason, handing over the remaining bits on Alchemy, and that was it. Apart from having to disconnect my computer and pack it in the boxes sent from York.
All day there were things going on in the conference room from where I was specifically excluded. When Jenny and Lana returned at 5.15, I was finally let in to find banners, balloons and a magnificent buffet. It was a wonderful send off. Bob presented me with a Mont Blanc pen, so the collection must have been enormous. We all drank a tasty fizz and the toast was to a long and happy retirement. Everyone I could have wished for were there, and those that couldn't wished me well during the day.
It was the leaving do I would have chosen. I am going to miss everyone, especially some very good friends who know who they are.
Friday 22 December 2006
Tuesday 19 December 2006
The Fox Inn
On Sunday we met up with John and Jan (the elder of my two brothers and his wife) at the Fox Inn at Lower Oddington between Chipping Norton and Stow-on-the-Wold. This is one of the best pubs for food in the Cotswolds and we have been there on a number of occasions. We have to book a table at least a week in advance if we go at a weekend. See Link for their website.
The weather was superb, with a beautiful sunset, as it was on Saturday at the end of a walk around the Tring Reservoirs and canals at Marsworth. A late walk as my granddaughter, Hannah, had her second birthday and I called in to see her in the morning.
The weather was superb, with a beautiful sunset, as it was on Saturday at the end of a walk around the Tring Reservoirs and canals at Marsworth. A late walk as my granddaughter, Hannah, had her second birthday and I called in to see her in the morning.
Wednesday 13 December 2006
The Last Wednesday
As my last day at work is next Tuesday, today is the last of my Wednesdays. I started working four days a week over 5 years ago, with Wednesday being my day off. It has been so great to have a day to myself in the middle of the week.
I always go swimming in the morning, 55 minutes this time, just over a mile of breaststroke. And I normally catch a movie in the afternoon, and today I went to see "The Holiday". Very manipulative, over sentimental and corny - I loved every minute. Next year I don't intend for Wednesdays to be any different.
I always go swimming in the morning, 55 minutes this time, just over a mile of breaststroke. And I normally catch a movie in the afternoon, and today I went to see "The Holiday". Very manipulative, over sentimental and corny - I loved every minute. Next year I don't intend for Wednesdays to be any different.
Saturday 9 December 2006
Starting my blog
It was watching Alan Yentob's wonderful programme "Imagine" about the Internet that prompted me to start a blog. So I e-mailed Michael in New York as he has his own web site and would know what to do. He directed me to his friends blog which gave me the links to Google to set up on www.blogger.com, couldn't be easier.
Since when there has hardly been time to post an entry. First thing on Saturday was our annual trip to Worlds End Garden Centre to choose a Christmas tree and a Poinsettia. This has been a tradition for many years, which was nearly broken when Alison was considering a false tree. Fortunately the real tree won, mainly because I had bought replacement screws for the base which can be filled with water. Much the best solution to needle drop.
Saturday morning was glorious with clear blue skies and a chill in the air, not the unseasonal mild weather of the last few weeks. My late morning walk started at the main car park in Wendover Woods and headed towards and down Aston Hill, past the mountain bike area. At the bottom of the hill headed across the fields to Leafy Lane and then up the hill to join the Ridgeway at the top in Pavis Wood. The walk along the top of the escarpment through the wood is one of my favourites. The wood here is only a narrow band taking in the hillside and a level strip next to fields. With only a few beech leaves left clinging to the odd branch, it felt very different to the last time a few weeks ago when autumn colours had turned only on exposed trees.
Followed the Ridgeway across a meadow, where last time there were a number of very young calves and new or expectant mothers, towards the outskirts of Wendover Woods. A walk of 1 hour 50 minutes. Met one very young and bouncy red setter, whose owner had no chance of controlling, turned out to be friendly enough.
Sunday started cold and bright but soon disintegrated into cloud and rain in the afternoon. Managed to put up the outside lights in the morning (last in the close as usual), and cleared the last of the fallen leaves. Put up the decorations in the afternoon and dressed the tree - probably over-dressed with tinsel and the baubles we have collected over the years. Those brought back from Florida always taking centre stage.
Watched "Housewife 49" in the evening, most interesting for the young women in 1940 when my mum would have been the same age.
Since when there has hardly been time to post an entry. First thing on Saturday was our annual trip to Worlds End Garden Centre to choose a Christmas tree and a Poinsettia. This has been a tradition for many years, which was nearly broken when Alison was considering a false tree. Fortunately the real tree won, mainly because I had bought replacement screws for the base which can be filled with water. Much the best solution to needle drop.
Saturday morning was glorious with clear blue skies and a chill in the air, not the unseasonal mild weather of the last few weeks. My late morning walk started at the main car park in Wendover Woods and headed towards and down Aston Hill, past the mountain bike area. At the bottom of the hill headed across the fields to Leafy Lane and then up the hill to join the Ridgeway at the top in Pavis Wood. The walk along the top of the escarpment through the wood is one of my favourites. The wood here is only a narrow band taking in the hillside and a level strip next to fields. With only a few beech leaves left clinging to the odd branch, it felt very different to the last time a few weeks ago when autumn colours had turned only on exposed trees.
Followed the Ridgeway across a meadow, where last time there were a number of very young calves and new or expectant mothers, towards the outskirts of Wendover Woods. A walk of 1 hour 50 minutes. Met one very young and bouncy red setter, whose owner had no chance of controlling, turned out to be friendly enough.
Sunday started cold and bright but soon disintegrated into cloud and rain in the afternoon. Managed to put up the outside lights in the morning (last in the close as usual), and cleared the last of the fallen leaves. Put up the decorations in the afternoon and dressed the tree - probably over-dressed with tinsel and the baubles we have collected over the years. Those brought back from Florida always taking centre stage.
Watched "Housewife 49" in the evening, most interesting for the young women in 1940 when my mum would have been the same age.
Friday 8 December 2006
Six days to go
After 43 years working for major building contractors as a Quantity Surveyor, Tuesday the 19th December will be my last day. I will be 62 and there are some projects that I really want to do while I am still fit and healthy. So we are converting a spare room into my study, and armed with a new computer, I can start.
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