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W/B November 23rd

A few months since I last posted, I lost momentum in September and started work in the middle of the month which ate into the time. I restarted posting on my Political Loser blog a few weeks ago and will try and restart this one from now on. We’ll see how it goes.

Today is my first day back after a week or so in self-isolation. I was in close contact with someone who tested positive for Covid and had to quarantine myself until 14 days had passed. The 2 weeks were up yesterday and I re-enter the world today.

I’m working in Perth and am quite pleased with myself for keeping up the cycle/train regime despite the nasty weather. It was awful this morning- really wet. This afternoon is really windy so not nice going home either. Its about 6km each way (on the bike) so not too far and cycling makes the run to/from the station about 10 minutes. Not exactly tour de France but it’s every day so its definitely doing me some good.

I’m quite enjoying being back in state schools. There’s something noble about the struggle to get the best for children with such a diverse range of needs. I’m a much better teacher having worked internationally for so long than if I’d stayed here but I’ve lost the social worker instinct and have to reskill in the motivational areas. Still, all teachers lifelong learners so it’s a good challenge.

So, Wednesday morning and chance to have a good look at the lockdown rules for Christmas. Oh! 3 households for 5 days. Possibly worse than staying in lockdown. No mixing between extended household bubbles. This means we have to choose between sharing the time with one side of the family or the other. How can we choose? How can we avoid upsetting someone? It is simply impossible.

It’s been a tiring week, at least Friday is here at last. 1 day to go then a rest.

Scotland has placed an 8 person limit on Christmas gatherings. Doesn’t really affect us as we whatever happens it’ll just be us when we’re at home. The wider UK rules are really tough though. There’s no way we will be able to spend time with both sides of the family. My thinking is that we’d be best just staying home, waiting for the hoped for vaccine in the spring and go down for Easter for a full family blowout. I’m not sure how well that will go down with everyone else though! I have become aware of the effects of the varying levels of lockdown on my mental health. I am becoming much more insular and reliant solely on my immediate family. We’ve always been a very close family unit due to our years living abroad and having to rely so closely on one another but I was expecting to settle into a more normal routine when we came home with family, wider family and local friendships forming the usual rings if support and engagement. Circumstances have meant none of that has happened and I think I’m more dependent on my immediate family than ever. I don’t think that is a bad thing really, but I worry that I don’t see anything of pleasure outside of family just now.

First dog walk for me for a while because of self-isolation, work and shopping and it was cold but lovely.

But this is what the top of the dog’s outside water bowl was like.