It’s been a long, wet week, the first part of the week was hard but fortunately my week ended happily as I started my Uni course and enjoyed a new parkrun.

1. Cubs helper

It was my turn on the parent rota for cubs this week and unlike last time when I was totally out of my depth on knots, I enjoyed a great session making apple crumbles.

2. Paddington 50p

A few weeks ago I received a 50p coin in my change featuring Paddington bear at Paddington station. I loved it and kept it as a simple thing to make me smile. I was delighted this week to get a second Paddington 50p with him at the Tower of London. I haven’t checked if there’s a whole series to collect but like the excitement of checking my change carefully now!

3. Homework

Little Miss is getting into the swing of homework and this week had to create a shield for her family with a motto. She chose Together Forever which meant a lot to us as a family created through adoption. We’re always telling her that we’re here for her forever and ever and to see it as her motto was very special.

4. Uni day

I had a strange mix of excitement and apprehension on starting my Uni course this week. When the course materials came through I did start to question my academic skills, as it’s now 23 years since I wrote my last PGCE essay and to go straight back in at Masters level made me a little anxious. I was well prepared and had done all the day 1 prep work as well as buying new stationery and choosing an outfit carefully as I needed to feel confident. It was a fantastic day, a beautiful setting and lots of lovely people on the course too. It’s going to be very hard work but I’m ready for it and am so pleased to be given the opportunity to do this course. There was a stunning rainbow 🌈 on my journey over and it seemed perfect symbolism for a new start.

5. parkrun

I know parkrun often gets a mention but today’s was run in warm sunshine, T-shirt weather and given the week this was a real Brucie bonus. Little Miss and I also travelled to our NENDY (parkrun abbreviation for nearest event not done yet) so we could go shopping after in the nearby shopping centre. I’m quite impressed that I’ve managed 4 different venues in my first 10 runs. This parkrun is big, far bigger than any we’ve attended before and very well organised to cope with the numbers. There are a lot of fast runners who do the run regularly and I even spotted a running ‘celebrity’ whom has inspired me over the years. It was the flattest parkrun I’ve done and again Little Miss got a PB, she’s quickly catching up with me, she’s knocked off nearly 3 minutes in just 5 parkruns.