I love the September back to school feelings of back to a schedule, new stationery, new notebooks…
Although I actually don’t do schedules personallu, I do not need any more notebooks as I never use them and as for pens…. I got rid of about 200 spare pens this year after a mammoth clear out.
Yet I still remember the joy of choosing a new planner and covering my school books in paper (we rented our books here in the Netherlands so you looked after them well. I loved spending an afternoon making covers for books!).
And even though I love summer it always feels a much more exciting new year than the one in January. Better weather for starters!
I am currently in the Netherlands, hanging out with the parents and my old friends before the boyfriend joins me on Wednesday for a jaunty around Utrecht, Scheveningen and Schiedam. Nice to visit spots I used to go to as a kid (Scheveningen) and places I don’t really know at all (Schiedam).
I busted my knee getting off the Eurostar so the whole first day was me trying to see a doctor as I couldn’t walk AT ALL. I learnt a lot about the Dutch health system – you cannot just walk in to A&E without a GP referral and non e of the GPs had appointments left so it was a frustrating hunt for a diagnosis – but a lovely doctor did come to see me whilst I sat in the A&E waiting room to give me some general advice and that helped a lot.
Miraculously then that 5 days later my leg is a bit stiff and I tire easily but I am able to get around again. I had been so worried, knowing how long knees can take to heal, and I saw my holiday disappear completely. A lot of the houses in Holland have very steep stairs, a challenge at the best of times, and not one for bad knees/ on crutches/ with a heavy bag! Luckily whatever I did to my knee wasn’t as hideous as it felt on that first day.
I am spending my days mostly working on behind the scenes’ stuff, I have finally finished the online dressmaking course I started work on two years ago when I was in Utrecht house sitting for my friend Annemieke. All my online courses are up and running now, a real labour of love.
I have done lots of life admin too. LOTS. Knowing lots of friends who are struggling to settle parents’ estates or clear their houses, or both, I morbidly perhaps, decided to put together a document detailing all my bank details, who the mortgage is with, insurances etc. I have recently also set up a power of attorney so my kids can look after my affairs if I no longer can. I know I am only 56 but I like to be prepared!
Of course I have also been seeing friends, eating nice foods, and hanging out with my parents. Reading and sleeping lots. But definitely a time to do the back office stuff I never really get round to at home as there is always gardening/ washing up/ sewing/ tv/ socialising to do instead. Years ago I learned the joy of a working holiday and have adhered to it ever since. Once Ajit arrives tomorrow I will down tools and have a proper holiday though! Best of both worlds.
