Just remembered that I didn't post about what we did last weekend. It's my lunch hour, it's quiet as everyone is out or in meetings, so I'll catch up now.
On Friday Claire doesn't have College, so she went over to her old school to hang out in the "6th Form block" with her old friends. Roisin had a few free periods, but then she had another lesson so Claire went to the library to wait for her. Then she went to stay the night at her place. They do love each other, those girls!
So Wayne came over and we decided we were going to do something different at the weekend - for once! He'd never been to St Albans (apart from a quick trip there 2 years ago at Christmas to get his PS2, but that hardly counts) so we jumped on the bus and went to see what delights were on offer. It was a lovely day, thanks to this Indian Summer we've been having, and we rambled around... taking in the French market (mmmmmmm croissants, chaussons aux pommes and pains aux raisins!) that happened to be in town, whilst looking at the extortionate price of houses. We walked on down to the Cathedral and Abbey and when we got there the choir were practicing, which was really cool. As my back was playing up I told Wayne I'd sit in a pew and listen, while he went to visit (I'd already visited it last year). The choir was great and Wayne was gone a looooooong time - and by the time he got back the place was filling up, ready for Evensong at 4pm. I wanted to stay so Wayne, although he is used to a more "happy clappy" and less ponderous kind of worship, said ok, let's. I loved it. I'm used to the Roman Catholic church service, but this Church of England one wasn't much different - it was mostly sung by the choir, hence the name Evensong, with the congregation joining in where they knew the music. One of the pieces they sang was too contemporary for me, by a composer called Swayne - who I confess I'd never heard of. I prefer the centuries old sort of choral music, the kind that boys' choirs have been singing for centuries. And they didn't disappoint. When the priest got to the bidding prayers and mentioned "requests" that visitors to the Cathedral had put in, I started thinking of Mummy and how, even though she is getting better, life will never be the same again... and I started silently sobbing. I couldn't stop and even when the service ended it was hard to answer Wayne when he asked if I was ok.... I'm fine though, honest. It's just sometimes it overwhelms me. And I know it's the same for the rest of the family, and even Mummy herself. I will post a picture of the choir in the Cathedral when I bring my cable to work... next week.
On a happier note, people at work are asking how I am, if I'm settling in, if I'm enjoying myself etc. And so far I've had one email from the office manager saying I'm one of the nicest PAs she's met (!) and today I was told "people" are saying how good I am for my boss, how nice and friendly and "normal" I am. The mind boggles at what his (numerous) previous PAs have been like!!! He's lovely though. Demanding, but in a quiet, understated and classy aristocratic way. Yes, he is a Spanish aristocrat. Nice.
ETA: I just have to say this - the company I work for sells coffee tooooooo..... wait for it........... STARBUCKS!! I know the name of the guy who does most of the buying for them. It's kind of weird, because I know so many people who are Starbucks addicts. Of course, the fact that we have so much coffee and so many different types of coffee machines on the premises, from espresso to cappuccino etc, means I don't stop at the Starbucks cart on the way out of London Bridge station as I thought I would. How ironic eh?
