Apple Tree Hydra

We took the final steps of taming our garden for the year by cutting back our apple tree. I remember last year being an absolute mission and this time around was only fractionally better. The whole tree was covered in nasty white stuff (I've now learnt is Wooly Aphids) but in order to do anything I had to get my clothes, skin and hair covered in gunk. While Rebecca was whimsically pruning the roses, I was in Vietnam with a hacksaw cutting heads off our garden Hydra. Thankfully we got it all done in just over an hour and took it all up to the tip shortly after. Just another weekend job done and the garden has been packed down til next year now. 

Here to Listen

Im in an odd sweet spot in my job where I'm relatively important, but still not high ranking enough to sit in on a lot of meetings. Imagine my surprise when I was sat in a room with literally all the important people as they hashed out the next steps of prep. I think we all had different expectations on how that meet would play out, turns out I had nothing to input so I kept quiet and listened. Back at my desk it didn't quite feel like a Friday, and not just because I only worked two days this week. I guess the office hasn't been moulded by us enough just yet to support some big fun vibes from time to time. We'll get there though.

Back 2 Studio

Day one back at the studios and in a weird way it felt like I never left. All the old hands who run the site are still there and we're chuffed to see me back, same goes for all the familiar faces in my crew. I had a really lovely day getting back into the groove, slowly warming myself back up and starting to onboard all of my old responsibilities. Nice and easy two days week too, as far as first weeks go, I couldn't ask for more. 

Scaries in the Sea

Felt like the last day of my Summer holidays. We said goodbye to Bournemouth and its ocean with one last swim. It was overcast and grey but we still made the most of it. We gave the house a tidy and signed off, til next year.

I got my work bag ready for tomorrow, I start on my next gig which runs from now til Christmas. Going to feel a bit surreal heading back into the world of semi regular employment. It was a bit odd to get the Sunday Scaries in the sea earlier too. But there's always an opportunity for one last hurrah, we got in another session of Big Walk, this time bringing in Lucy and her brother, making our squad a six. The added chaos was a lot of fun, lots more of us got lost in total darkness which made their eventual return to the group feel like a real homecoming.

Seaside Snaps

Our last full day in Bournemouth which we spent out on the shores of Mudeford, taking in the smell of the sea and the taste of the local ice cream. Rebecca brought out her small digi camera to take some beachy photos, she got some really cute ones if the two of us, plus some moody pictures of the water. We're planning on having one last swim in the sea tomorrow before returning to reality.

Hengistbury Haunt

We took Matt and Ben up to Hengistbury Head for a walk up the cliff side and round the banks. They managed to squeeze one more dip in the sea before their train was due to take them home. The house is noticeably quieter now with just me and Rebecca pottering about. 

A newer tradition in Bournemouth is the annual 'visit the Korean supermarket and make a dinner using mostly their stuff'. We had some chicken left over from yesterday so a makeshift ramen/broth bowl was in order, plus a soft boiled egg and some kimchi from the literal 1.2kg tub we got in the shop. It turned out hilariously well.

It's a little weird to consider today is the last day of the Summer. The never ending heat waves, droughts and scattered jobs. With it effectively comes the end of my Funemployment. I have a few days left now but the long holiday is all but over. Time to buck up my attitude, tuck in my shirt and put in my biggest smile. Showtime soon.

Swimming in Gravy

We went into this Sunday with two objectives:

Go in the sea.

Have a roast dinner. 

I'm delighted to say that we smashed our goals. The weather was looking a tad dicey, but we timed it well and arrived at the beach in a perfect window of opportunity. The weather meant the water was a bit more 'fun' than usual too so the four of us had a good lark as waves knocked us over. 

Back at the ranch Matt and Ben took over the kitchen and whipped up a roast chicken and a apple & blackberry crumble pudding. I haven't had one of those since the heatwaves started, the first of many I'm sure, but I doubt any will top what we had for dinner tonight.