Josh's Blog

Hi everyone! I promised Lucy I’d be better at updating this, so here I am writing from my phone while i wait for my train (apologies for any predictive text related typos)

I had a fantastic weekend, came up to Leicester, originally to help K&L look for a house in Loughborough, but after K’s good news they’re not looking there anymore, so we just had a fun weekend with Ellie and Patrick.

We went and played rent-a-crowd at a ceilidh that Ellie’s dad was playing for… It was in aid of the CND‘s 50th birthday party! (yes, apparently they’re still going even locally!) Going back to the roots, man. It was loads of fun, but it was odd that we were the only people there below 45 or so. Anyway, it was fun being the life and soul.

We went on to Retribution, or rather, its replacement, “Redeemer”. It was empty, which was probably just because of exams, but was very strange. £1.50 drinks though, and we stayed until 2.30am, so obviously enjoyed ourselves… I sucked at pool though!

Our wonderful designated driver took us home, and we talked about how the world would be much better if we decided everything. Or something like that, anyway. Bedtime followed swiftly, and today was filled with ultimate roast dinner! Hooray for the Mottrams!

The last week has been pretty hectic. Because of management holiday, sickness, bereavement, and courses, we’ve only had 2 managers to cover womenswear for the week (normally it’s 6.) I was one of them, so i’ve had loads more responsibility than i perhaps should have, but it’s been great. The week’s results are very strong, so that’ll look good to people, and i hand it all back to my boss tomorrow… I’m quite pleased with myself, actually.

I’ve generally been enjoying work a lot more in the last few weeks, as i start to get a better handle on things. Exercise outside work is helping too- i joined the Guildford outdoor pool and have been going about twice a week, which is good. I’m trying to lose weight, but cant find two sets of scales that agree on my weight now- i’ve had a range of about 10kg (so, a lot) over 4 sets, so i’m not sure where i’m starting from. I think my bmi is somewhere around 30 though, so need to do something about it! (yes, i know bmi isn’t perfect and has flaws, but it’s a good guide… and please don’t send “but you look fine” messages- they’re very kind, but don’t exactly help the motivation!)

Vickie and I broke up a couple of weeks ago. After 2 years, there are lots of reasons that i don’t want to go into here, so if you want to know, get in touch…

That’s a pretty good rundown of my life for the last few weeks, so i’ll leave you there!

So, it’s been a while. Again. Sorry about that.

The main big news today – I passed my driving test! Eight minors, which isn’t my best performance, but no majors, which is. It was my fourth attempt; the whole thing was getting increasingly ridiculous, with the examiners coming up with new problems each time with things they’d been perfectly happy with the last time. Anyway, several hundred pounds later, and I’ll never have to do that again – hooray!

V and I have had a few trips to Leicester and other assorted places to visit people, all of which have been wonderful. The diary’s filling up for March too, which is exciting. Christmas was nice, if a little family-oriented, and new year was a lot of fun. It all seems a long time ago now though…

The most exciting thing of all though, is that we’ve booked our quickly-becoming-traditional summer break in the Dordoigne. Sixteen of us are going to drive there, and stay in a really nice converted barn for a week at the start of July. Good weather, good food, and great friends, what could be better?

I’m quite ridiculously excited about France, and have to keep reminding myself that it’s still five months away, but still, it’ll be fabulous and I can’t wait!

…would be a really good thing to know. I’m getting better at generating interviews for myself, which is good, but it’s still a pain in the neck.

I’ve been learning to drive more – had my theory test (passed, 49/50 on questions, 49/74 on hazard perception) and I booked a practical test for the 3rd of January. I also found a driving instructor, who thinks I should move it to early December, so I’m going to do that. All very exciting, and through birthday money and selling some camera gear I don’t use much (still have my main gear, of course) I’ve almost saved enough money to buy a car already , though not insure it yet. In time. I’m looking at 1996-99 Polos and Puntos, which seem pretty affordable, and small but not too tiny to take 4 people to France and back (much as I love the Lupo, it wouldn’t really work with more than 3 + luggage….)

Went to Leicester last weekend for a bit of a last hurrah, going for a night out at Retribution (Totally. Amazing.), seeing friends, and having a little trip to Bradgate Park to see the deer and upside-down-tankard folly. Fun times! I would be going up to Durham this weekend to see people, but no cheap fares. Alas!

Also, a couple of hints for you all, cunningly stolen from the MoneySavingExpert weekly email: £5 train fares on the GNER east coast line (you have to use the link), and a free £10 for Natwest, RBS, HSBC, First Direct and Ulster Bank customers, grab and go.