Phew. Well that was a week. First week back from furlough has been killer.
Not just the catch up on emails, but things have gotten a little more ‘normal’. I’ve got a couple of researchers in the lab – so I’ve got more orders and requests to field, it’s performance review season… It’s more like it should be.
Away from work, it’s also been pretty full pelt too. Last week was my first slot on Your Mcr – recorded in my bedroom, on a ridiculously hot and sweaty afternoon. Booze and Bites is going to be a regular weekly section, but if you missed it, you can catch up on Youtube or Instagram – or catch the whole show over on Your Mcr.
It was also the first week of my Monday Night Lives. A casual catch up with some amazing people i know. This week was Alysia Vasey – a forager whose life story is as fascinating as she is. Down to earth, full of information and stories, it was a fun hour to chat over a drink – especially as we can’t do it in person. And I’d totally recommend her book, it’s such a good read, and if you fancy getting into foraging, there’s a section in the back that’s incredibly useful.
Tonight’s live will be with Heather Garlick – landlady of Stretford Sip Club, one of the people behind the Stretford Market, and Spirit of the Essoldo (new name pending). You can catch that (and Alysia’s live too in the IGTV section) over on my Instagram – hopefully I’ll see you at 7pm.
I’ve also been keeping up to date with changes – though the government is desperate to get back to normal, most of us are tempering it with caution. The numbers (both deaths and cases) are higher than they were when we went into lockdown. And whilst I can’t wait to get back into my favourite bars, I’ll be looking first to see how it’s managed and how the general public respond. It was fascinating to see what Atlas Bar have planned on BBC Breakfast. It’s a very different set up, but hopefully something that instils confidence, and keeps us safe. Lots of other places are moving a little slower, so that they can understand what needs to be done.
It’s also made me wonder how the fuck I fit it all in. Travel to work, work itself, training and going out too? Now it seems to take me all day to do stuff. I can’t figure out if that’s because there’s no rush, or because I was working at too high a level. Given I won’t be heading back to the office til at least September, that will impact everything. I won’t be travelling to work, so even when the gym opens it will need a specific trip there and back. The same with events. Everything will be very different.
What else happened… Aside from work, it’s been pretty quiet. Which given how busy work has been is no bad thing. I got in lots of walking – despite the weather – spotting butterflies and dragonflies, and the first of the season’s blackberries. But I won’t be getting giddy and baking or jamming yet. They’re few and far between, we’re a few weeks off brambles being full. I suspect the next heatwave we’re allegedly expecting will sort that.
I am however, trying making tea from rose bay willow herb (known as fire weed in the US). Those pink flowered spikes of green that grow almost everywhere can be fermented into tea, so I picked a few bunches yesterday. I need a little less caffeine in my life, so let’s see how that goes. If it’s good, I can easily pick more, the canal paths are full.
A quiet end to a full on week. Let’s see what July has to hold!