This weekend ended up mostly being about Izzy and a trip to Somerset. We had planned ages ago to go down for the Bovey Tracey Craft Fair. Mum and Dad went last year and had reported back to say it was well worth the trip so despite having a very busy week and having to be in London on Friday morning, I picked Izzy up from school at 4pm and we set off, safe in the knowledge that a Friday evening drive to Somerset at this time of the year is never straight forward. In reality it wasn't that bad, taking 2 and a half hours, made much easier by the fact we quickly tuned into a talking book which was a great way to pass the journey. You might wonder where Abi was - she rarely turns down a trip to Somerset. Basically I had made it very clear this trip wasn't about anybody but me and anyone coming along was going to do what I wanted to do. Given the itinery (craft fairs not being Abi's thing!), she opted instead for a sleep over with Mia which turned into 2 nights - what's new!
The fair was brilliant - really high quality with loads of different exhibitors. I was able to chat to a few glass makers, all of whom were blowing rather than fusing glass, but still hints and trips to be had. Mum and Dad ordered a new kitchen knife which will outlast them I suspect (hope so at that price) and Amanda and Alex very nearly bought a new dog... I give it 6 months before they too are a 2 dog family! Izzy made friends with various stall holders and came home with a pendant and a 'make it yourself felt hedgehog'. This required us to make felt from scratch (not the easisest thing to do), along with hand crafting all the spines. Thank goodness we didn't choose the adult hedgehog - it took ages!
This was only ever a quick trip as I had to be home to read audit committee papers. As ever they had arrived on Friday some 400 pages thick - ugh.There has been some debate at work as to whether I can continue with my appointment at Oxford. I'd just managed to get the independence team to a place where it was ok, as long as there is no sign of a tender process. Lo and behold I get about 100 pages in only to find they have started to plan for exactly that. Such a shame but I always knew that if this happened it would be hard for me to continue so I made the decision that now is the time to step down. I hope that I will be able to replace it with another non-exec role soon, hopefully with shorter papers! I've lost the will to read pages 101-400 now, I think they will understand if it's to be my last meeting.
This week has seen a steady trickle of exam results (so far so good), and today was moving up day at school, when the girls get to find out who's class they are in next year. I don't know either of their new form teachers but they seem pleased. For Abi the excitment of year 7 is tinged with sadness as a number of her friends, including some close ones will be leaving the school. In particular Tom and Harry, her favourite boys, are leaving. We've had tears this week over this, but as I said to her, she can stay in touch. She promised to write to Harry every week - I doubt that will last beyond week one!
So frenetic week before Glenn heads off to France on Friday morning at the crack of dawn and I have the weekend with the girls before they both go on camp. Izzy is so very excited, but a little nervous. Abi is currently completely chilled. Her only wish is that they fast forward past the obligatory briefing on 'starting your period' before they go away - as she said "really Mummy, hasn't everyone already had this conversation at home?!"
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