Week 2: Cricket
- After a lovely holiday last week, I had a bonus extra day off on Bank Holiday Monday. The sun-drenched barbecue I had planned was switched indoors because of the mizzle, but I did at least enjoy a burger and beer.
- Back to work on Tuesday. A few of my team and our leadership team are still on their holidays so it was a quiet return. Nevertheless, good progress continues on The Project and it’s taking shape nicely.
- Thursday was the first day of the fourth test at The Oval (England v India) and Andy and I had excellent tickets. I’m lucky he’s a) very organised and b) buys me a ticket each year. 13 wickets in the day and top quality opposition made the Covid-enforced wait for test cricket worthwhile.
- The morning session was punctuated by a message from Laura saying youngest son, C, had split open his forehead and she was en route to A&E. I would have headed home if needed (of course!) but thankfully all was fine. A bit of glue and tape fixed him up.
- Oldest son, H, went happily back to school after the summer holidays, skipping into class. He loves school. After several seemingly never-ending lockdowns, six weeks flew by.
- I caught up over video with Dan, a CTO contact who I’ve known for a while. It was good to swap notes and offer to help each other. Like writing, I’m pushing myself to network more and make it a regular habit.
- My Nespresso coffee machine is close to the end. It’s started to chew up expensive Grind pods and filling its drip tray with water. I struggled to find machines compatible with the Original style of capsule and so disappeared down a roaster/grinder/full-blown espresso machine research rabbit hole. It all looked too complex so I was happy to find and order an Opal One.
- On Saturday we all walked across the fields that surround our village, dodging the dog poo that local owners seem happy to leave behind on the paths, to Spoke. It’s a favourite of cyclists but also welcomes us mere pedestrians. Good coffee and cakes.
- In glorious sunshine, perhaps the last of the stop-start summer, my parents visited from Essex. I helped my dad cement loose tiles on the wall leading up to our garden. I remain in awe of his practical DIY skills.