Friday 17th February 2023

Another whirlwind of a day, as I was up fairly early and had a lovely breakfast outside, before I got on with three more lesson observations, so the morning simply flew by! In the afternoon, I ended up having all the students together and played some language games with them. By the time they all went home, I was exhausted! I will be 65 next month and this full-time working malarkey doesn't sit well any longer!

On the plus side, they did keep bringing me cups of tea. I think they wonder why I consume so much tea, but I've told them that it's the tea that keeps me going, which to a certain extent is true. I managed to wind down for a bit after the students had gone home in the afternoon, and I felt quite sad to say goodbye to the staff, although, on a happier note, one of them told me as she left that she was expecting a baby!

In the late afternoon and early evening, I went for another walk into Bogawantalawa with Gobi, and this time Kavi and Merashini joined us. We had tea and cake in a local eatery, and then did a bit of shopping, I got a nice gift to take to Donald's family when I go for lunch tomorrow, plus a few things for Gobi and his family - mainly stuff for dinner. We then wandered back in the dark, which I found very atmospheric.

It has been a fabulous week on the whole, but I would have loved to have spread it out over two weeks! It made me wonder tonight whether I would still be able to do this into my seventies. I like to think I will, but only time will tell. I imagine I will need to take things at a bit of a gentler pace sooner or later. I haven't minded getting older - I feel happier than ever in my retirement - but I'm not so keen on the ravages of time!

Today's photos are highlighted by a gorgeous one of Gobi and Kavi's daughter Merashini, plus other photos taken at various points during the day. The final four photos are of my very civilised dinner with Merashini this evening!