Paris

I woke up early on the Saturday morning as I had to finish both pieces of PPD (personal professional development) coursework, aswell as a clinic observation report. I wanted to get it all done and submitted before I flew out to Paris just incase there was a problem getting back.

I actually progressed quite speedily and got the PPD done by lunchtime, leaving me the afternoon to get the clinic-ob done. This took me a little longer than planned, mostly due to the eternal nightmare of trying to get a table to format properly in Word.

It was then a case of packing and having the obligatory 'oh shit where's my passport' moment, the whole time worrying that I was going to be late for dinner at my parents. Eventally we left the house at about 7, and made our way over to New Cavendish only to find the damm campus was closed and so I couldn't hand it in anyway!

We then walked up to Warren St., overcome with the skippy joy of steroids, and because we were running late I even ran to catch the bus!! The train ride on from there was pretty long and boring, though I did read a leaflet about a campaign to encourage fair wages and better working environments for those connected to the tourism industry in 3rd world countries. Luke pointed out though that the base of the campagin, which centred on adhereing to international law, was invalid because most of the countries involved weren't signed up to it. However I still feel the sentiment stands.

We then had a short wait in the very cold air (so used to the big warm city!) before dmama arrived with Shellie my sister, and her friend Simon. I was expecting us to rush home for fajitas but instead Shellie had decided that she wanted to show Simon around where we grew up, so we had a slightly mad drive around in the dark to look at our old primary school, and the place where Shellie was Christened as we narrated lots of silly stories.

When we got home Alex was cooking the dinner. He looks so tall and so grown up now, and when he cuddles me I can feel that he's finally turning into an adolescent, I can feel the potential of what he's going to be as an adult, as a man. I am immensely proud of him, for all his many flaws he is growing into a truly awesome person I'm proud to call my brother.

Dinner was a quite jovial affair, we were all in high flirtatious spirits and feeling like true Crosslands. Simon of course fitted into it all effortlessly just like in Gibralta. Luke was quiet, and I fussed and worried to make sure he was ok, which probably just made it worse, I should know by now he is always quiet, it's just sometimes I notice the contrast more. I want him to feel at home amoungst us, as much as I feel at home at Greatham.

After dinner Luke and Alex and I watched Doom for a little while, but I got a bit scared, and Luke didn't want me to have nightmares so he carried me out of the room! SO cute! Then I realised how late it was, and that I was actually pretty tired and cold, so I made my way haistily to bed.

Mummy had meant for us to sleep in the caravan, but in a repeat of new years no one had switched the heating on. So I decided to screw that and went up to my bedroom, and emptied my bed of all the random crap that has been dumped in there... which, for reasons quite beyond me... consisted of paperwork, knickers and many dog biscuits!!

Luke followed me up, and we got into bed. There was something special about having him there, and we talked for a while about nothing at all, it was one of the most comfortable moments of my life.

We then realsied we really ought to stop talking and sleep as we were having to get up at aboout 5am!

Note - I never wrote any more on this post, and I don't intend to, the weekend in Paris was awful for reasons I never could put my finger on. Marillion were fabulous of course, but the crazy moustached man who spent the entire gig elbowing Luke so hard he left bruises should be shot.