Wednesday already?

Unbelievably, it is already Wednesday. I started writing this post a few days ago but time just sort of slipped away and here we are. 

Last week was busy. I spent a pleasant day in London, where I attended a one day conference which was excellent and gave me the opportunity to catch up with important research and colleagues. I travelled by sleeper, which meant no missed days at work and no build-up of tasks that were overdue. I can’t really remember much else of this week but I assume it was business as usual. I am once more behind with a new learning resource I am writing… nothing new. This one is so out there considering my expertise, I am struggling a bit. I am writing a learning resource on climate change mitigation and adaptation in the context of infectious diseases. Anyone fancies helping me, please shout out.

On Bank Holiday Monday I was scheduled for a hysteroscopy. You’ll remember from a while ago that my reproductive organs are misbehaving and that I had some investigations, including a biopsy (which came back as normal). In December, I was referred for a hysteroscopy for further investigations.  I was asked to follow up after six weeks if I had not received an acknowledgement. I am sparing you the tale of countless frustrating phone calls… I eventually asked for a private referral through my GP and got seen very promptly. I managed to get hold of my medical notes and even the missing referral letter, which has not filtered through to my GP, and maybe not the referral clinic. I was very persuasive. The letter was labelled as urgent, dictated on 12 December and typed on 4 March. I kid you not. Such is the state of the NHS. Anyway, my hysteroscopy is done now and I am once more waiting for results. Today I got a call from the clinic to ask how I was feeling. A nice touch. 

In other news, Annie bought a car, which she will need for her job in Aberdeen. It is a cute little black model with one previous owner and low mileage, reliable I am told. Iris had another interview today for a college course in sport and fitness coaching. She’ll enjoy that, even though she would prefer being a horticulturist. She got very constructive feedback from her unsuccessful horticulture apprenticeship interview, which will be useful for next year, when the next round of apprentices is recruited. I am trying to designate a responsible adult so she can go volunteering during the week without me. The safeguarding regulations in the volunteering sector are quite strict, she can volunteer from the age of sixteen but not on her own. She can however get a job or get married without a responsible adult being present or consenting. It is all a little complicated and does not always make sense. 

Richard and I are off to Paris tomorrow, something to look forward to. 

I am sharing a photo of the cross-species duck pair I told you about in another post. No sign of breeding but they are thick as thieves. The swans showed of their cygnets though, so some excitement on the pond. Five in total. There are also plenty of coot chicks. These are adorable, although they do look a bit dishevelled. 

Oh and I just got some fabulous news earlier this afternoon. The teaching team I am part of was awarded a teaching excellence award for our work in developing, running and supporting an amazing portfolio of postgraduate programmes and doing all sorts of other fantastic stuff. Her's to our team! This is my second teaching excellence award, the previous one was for individual excellence. I am bragging now, I know but please do celebrate with me and the team!

On that rather wonderful note, I'll call it a day. I am in the middle of a tutorial, students are just about to complete a quiz that I need to discuss with them. Thanks for visiting😊