a different week and a full belly

Newcastle - from the train

Last week was a good week. I was travelling to London for an exam board and business meeting. I chose to travel by train because it is more comfortable and we've all seen the images from UK airports lately. On the day of travel I got a message saying that my train had been cancelled. I checked the travel disruption page and found nothing of note so went to the train station anyway. I am glad I did because it was not the train to London that was cancelled but the one going to Manchester. I kid you not. I felt sick as a dog because it was one of those tilting trains. I was hoping to get some marking done and I had made a lovely spiced baked tofu sandwich and nectarines for packed lunch but I didn't feel like working or eating. My hotel was close to Euston, an easy walk and upon arrival, I realised it was out my own price range but someone else booked it for me and probably got a business rate. I finally ate my packed lunch at the little table in my room, it was delicious.

By then it was late afternoon and I had a wander down to Liberty's for a little treat. I spent so much time stroking fabric, I am surprised I was not picked up by security and sent my way. I bought enough of this fabric for a short sleeved top. I felt a bit envious of a couple of women buying on account, enough of several lines of fabric to make king sized bedding. After my shopping trip, I found a Thai restaurant with outdoor seating and I enjoyed a beautiful green papaya salad and iced tea. The salad was so spicy, my ears were smoking but it was so so good. I walked it all off in Regents Park and when I finally got back to the hotel, I very quickly fell asleep in crisp linen. 

The following day I spent all day at the exam board meeting. It was good to meet everybody involved and also colleagues that run similar courses to mine elsewhere. After the meeting we went to the pub, then an early dinner at this Lebanese restaurant. I haven't eaten such a beautiful meal in a long long time. I ate so much, I could barely walk. I am glad I wore a dress because it left room to breathe. We had every single starter at the table and shared these. The pickled kohlrabi made me want to sing with joy. For my main course I had grilled peaches with almond tahini, charred endive & smoked almonds. What can I say? It was very difficult not to lick the plate. Once more I walked it all off in Regents Park. I think walked about 90 minutes, until the sun went down. 

The next day I was due to travel back but only in the later afternoon. I'd booked it off as annual leave. I went to the British Museum (too crowded), then to the Sir John Soane Museum, which as a delight. It is the private home of John Soane, an architect who died in 1836. He was a collector and his legacy was to leave the house as it was when he died, for anyone interested to see. I then wandered over to the Wellcome Collection, which I always liked and haven't seen in a while. There as an interesting exhibition about air. I ate a very late lunch there, a medley of salads. Then I went to get my bag from the hotel and made my way to Euston, where I learned that my train would stop at Preston but that I could hotfoot it to Kings Cross and catch the train to Edinburgh with my ticket instead. I made a mad run for it and I am glad to report I made it with a couple of minutes to spare. I took my travel sickness tablet and settled in for my journey back. The scenery was beautiful and I took a few photos out of the window. I had to wait for ages for a connection to Glasgow because the train timetable is reduced all across Scotland (not enough train drivers). Then no local connection but the buses were still running and I made it home by midnight.

While walking across London, I got a letter from Human Resources to say that my promotion application had been successful. I am really happy about that. I now have the opportunity to review my job description and hopefully make some changes for the better. The salary increase will not cover the increase in our energy bills but is good to be recognised. It didn't just happen, I had to apply for it and it took me the better part of a week to sing my own praise and address all the criteria for promotion. 

The cherry on the cake was when I realised Glasgow Fayre Monday is coming up and I will have an extra day off work! Knowing I don't have to rush chores, I spent Saturday afternoon cutting fabric for my Ice Cream Soda quilt, to take with me on holiday. I have 8 blocks ready to sew. Then I went for dinner with my friend. We shared a vegetarian banquet at the Hanoi Bike Club, an all time favourite of mine. They make their own tofu and it is simply divine.

What a difference a good week can make! Only one week of work now, then finally, a summer holiday. 

Thanks for visiting 😀