Friday, March 7, 2008

March 6th

After a couple of weeks with the nose to the grindstone, two very quiet days beckon, and although I must say that appeals, I am getting used to having a chunk in the bank account, and thus have mixed feelings about this.
I decide to be virtuous and take advantage of the time to plunge back into the woods for my two hours of exercise. It's an unlovely morning an I have to stay I start out on my trek because I ought to rather than because I want to. I don't know if the two are related, but I don't feel nearly as fit on this walk, and in fact stop several times, even on the less challenging stretches. Maybe that' what two weeks of indolence does to you at this age!
Nearing the end the sun is poking out of the clouds, and I make the bg climb up from the Harrow without stopping, which is pleasing. it's also nice that there is no mud to contend with, none at all. Nice for me, but if the fields aren't soggy in early March i suspect the farmers can't be best pleased.
I am absolutely knackered on my return and have a fitful sooze. I get a few more tapes onto DVD. Yes! the camera has miraculously cured itself, just as oddly as when it broke down the other day. I take no chances though, and if it's on it's last leags I eed everything onto disk asap.
I look at a couple of wedding videos and wonder would I have done something more if I had stuck with that as an ambition. And then wonder is it too late to do so.
The evening's events convince me that it's time to look round for an extra income for sure. G, the headmaster from HG rings Heather to discuss Emma's case, and can offer very litle hope. It is totally outside of his control, but the school is full, and he can see no way that even an acceptable appeal will see Emma with a place. It is deeply worrying, and extreme measures must be considered. They include.
Moving to within catchment (expensive, we will end up with a smaller house, and no guarantee nyway)
Moving elsewhere (Aylesbury, MK; nicer house, but disruption to S&D and a hell of a trek to work for H)
Sending Emma to private school for a year and hope she gets through a 12 plus test (hideously expensive, and of course no guarantee that she would)
No easy answers. I even wonder about the possibility of a move to Ireland, but am not sure it's a place I'd be terribly happy in. But then again, H has spent twenty plus years over here without really liking it so maybe it's my turn now.
E has her test tomorrow. I have never felt so reluctant to present anyone at the test centre. To make matters worse, on Monday when all seemed fine, I stupidly mentioned that I would sit in the back for the test. OMG!!!!!

No comments: