intermezzo

I am writing to you from Fethyie on the Mediterranean coast, where I am staying with my godmother Monika. Two days in, I feel rested and content. I have another full week ahead of me. I needed a break, I am beyond tired. I am feeling a bit guilty that Richard had to stay behind but he has his annual cycling holidays to look forward to. I left him in charge of the teens, and three pets. Frankie was not well when I left, he has kennel cough despite being vaccinated against it. I remember he moved his head when the vaccine was squirted up his nose and a good proportion did not find its way to the nasal mucous membranes…. He is on the mend now. I took him to the vet on Wednesday because I was worried he had something stuck in his throat. Apparently that is a classical sign of kennel cough.  

James has a starting date for the army, 22 November. He got his kit list (20 coat hangers, 5 pairs of socks etc). He’ll be training at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire. I am both excited for him and worried. Excited because after the basic training, he can choose a trade and complete an apprenticeship. Worried because of course there is a good chance he will be deployed in the not so distant future. He seems less concerned about that. I hope he sticks it out, it will be harder than he thinks, for sure. 

Iris is three weeks into multiple risk training programme, a twelve week training programme that supports young people who face intersecting risk taking behaviours, helping them build resilience and make positive changes (that’s the description from the programme, not my own words). I am so glad they have this opportunity, after the terrible year we all had with Iris. I am sure it was not stress-free for Iris either but it nearly broke Richard and me and caused upset to their siblings, too. Iris is much more settled now, although I am sure still at risk of falling of the waggon again. Fingers crossed.

I’ll tell you more about my relaxing break later in the week. In the meantime, I am off to bed after a busy day of doing very little (lazy brunch, feeding cats, grocery shopping at the market, walk along the sea, dinner, chat). Thanks for visiting 😊