Ice

Woke several times in the night and finally got up and made tea just after 5am, then onto the commuter train to Glasgow for two meetings dominated by budget issues….challenging times (mind you that’s true for the whole sector).
Met up with JC over coffee and nice to catch up with her after quite a long time. She was saying there are fewer people moving between jobs at the moment as there’s so much uncertainty in the HE sector.
Caught the train home, listening to the end of the latest Ruth Galloway book, and was a little early for my next meeting with PR, but not early enough to go home first. The weather had warmed up and I was feeling pretty tired so joined a number of people on the grass slope outside the galleries and even dozed off for a few minutes in the sun.
Just as I went indoors to find a table there was a shower of rain, so the slopes quickly cleared!
We had a long chat about issues that need attention and went over possible solutions and interventions the Board might make….I came away with a long to do list!
Home, in sunshine again, and Winsford arrived before book group tonight. We chatted over tea and then she left to walk there whilst I went over to EFI for an event showing the building off to supporters. I was very pleased to bump into C&IMc, and to RB the architect as well as blipper annejohn and various ex-colleagues. Although I couldn’t stay long I was pleased with who I saw and to feel the place buzzing with people again.
Drove over to CW’s for book group (getting a bit confused by tram and car lanes on Leith Walk), and although we missed hazelh and Arclight we had a lovely evening. We’d been reading Ice by Anna Kavan which I was not alone in struggling with. It was a strange story narrated by a nameless and somewhat disturbing man in a dystopian frozen world. It’s had some great reviews but wasn’t something I found I could settle into and enjoy. I did find the material I read about the author more intriguing though…she had a challenging life although was clearly very creative.
We talked about the book more than usual (often the case when we don’t all really enjoy it!), but also ranged over K-drama, fermentation, the upcoming election, holidays and summer plans amongst other things. Food was loosely themed to the book by being largely white. The starter in particular was amazing….a plate of home made labneh with roasted peaches and honey, burrata with roasted peaches, pitta bread and a side serving of ajo blanco soup (chilled almond, bread and garlic gazpacho style) - CW is a brilliant cook! Followed by Spanish cod and cannellini bean stew with potatoes, then raspberries with home made white chocolate ice cream…all delicious!
Dropped Laura and MH off then Winsford and I came home and I was suddenly very tired again so went straight to bed.