Lady Leamington of the Spa

 We have an acting consul?  Really?  A list is kept for British citizens?  Evacuation plans drawn up...

Well that is news.  Sadly the biggest part of the news is that he died last week.  Which is how we found out that we needed to be signed up somewhere.  Despite having asked the question many times before arrival.  Maybe he wasn't taken seriously due to being French?

This means there is potentially an opening.  I'm not up for it, too much to do already but I do like the idea of a once in a lifetime title and plaque outside my house.  There would be no car and driver, no mansion.  There would be £1000 a year and invitations to the opening of an envelope. 

I love a buffet.  Could I live with a photo of King Charles framed on my wall?  Could I honestly work with the present foreign secretary over matters of our security?

There is no way Luke could get through a swearing in ceremony without saying something trite.  So no.

Better still Lady Aston, aka Janet could do it and would look the part.  We spent a few seconds practicing the royal wave yesterday and I strongly believe that she has the presence.  She can also hold down a drink or 2 which could come in useful.  Yep, I will back Janet and get in on her invitations as her secretary.

The weather has now gone into the cooler season.  Praise be.  This has kicked up rather a lot of dust though.  We can taste it 5 minutes into the walk to school.  So it has been decided.  A bike purchase has been arranged and the money handed over.  There is no point us going to haggle for old bikes, the price would be double.  We are happy for the very likeable go between, Joel, to act on our behalf and pocket some cash in the process.  We have also decided that if we need to evacuate, we could cycle to the airport.  I could also put the potential secretary to the acting British Consul plaque on my crossbar...that would get me past security.

The circles are about to widen.  I am presently very content with our walks to the woods and Sunday morning coffee at the stables.  We get open spaces, fresh air and chats.  There is also a small regular artisan market at the stables and we have started a sort of 'cheese of the week' thing off.  The horses get turned out to exercise in the arena in front of us.  We get to see them roll and gallop, kicking back after a night in their stalls.  

I love and fear horses.  Much as with dogs, I need to know them before being at ease.  There is a temptation to sign up for riding lessons again but a huge apprehension about falling off.  I seem to have reached an age where I don't bounce anymore.  It might sound dramatic but I am worried about breaking something that will ache for the rest of my life every time the weather changes.  How did it come to this!

Aching.  I have been doing regular yoga and have started to stop (started to stop, love that phrase) aching.  Didi, the teacher has been stretching us, almost without me noticing.  I nearly stopped at one point as I felt no difference.  I have also finally had a scan on tendonitis in my achilleas.  Which is bad but luckily not bad enough for surgery.  The yoga should help but I still cannot run.  Yoga makes me want to laugh.  Any situation that requires seriousness brings out my inner school girl.  Deep breathing,  threat of flatulence, rolling around on a mat=laughter.

Our working week ended in a football match with a local school.  We were defeated.  The sheer delight of our opposition and athletic multiple back flipping pitch invasion made our loss worth it.  David and Goliath, with David not wearing football boots...