Initially I found this quite hard, because I wanted to sit down at certain points and just write a little about the day. Although by the end of the week, I had kind of got used to not recording my thoughts or actions, but this process has made me realise the enjoyment I get from reflecting and recording what I have done and seen. The enjoyment of just writing, maybe just a few lines or a couple of pages, and that time to reflect and appreciate is more valuable than I first though.
So the second week of UCAS travel took me to Bedford, Cambridge and London. This time I travelled by hire car, no trains for me (though I am back on them next week). I had a Vauxhall Corsa in a lovely shade of dark grey and most importantly it was an automatic. I have enjoyed driving driving this car and have to say I'm not looking forward to going back to my Rover.
The first day travelling was Sunday, hoping to beat the traffic and arrive in time to walk around and find somewhere for dinner I set off around lunch time. Unfortunately this did not prevent me from siting in a lot of traffic when passing London. but at least I was moving!
Having completed most of the journey to Bedford I passed a large Morrison's store and thought about stopping for the salad bar, I decided to keep going and get to the hotel. This was a mistake. I adore the Morrison's salad bar and instead I ended up walking around trying to find somewhere to eat later and settling for a Burger King.
The walk from the hotel to the town centre was mainly along the Embankment, which I thought looked like a good place for a morning run. Thus my plan was find food fast and eat early so I would be able to run in the morning. Ever more feeding into the fact I should have gone for that salad bar.
After the Burger King dinner I made my way back to the hotel, where I discovered I could watch the TV from the bath. So I had my first bath for about three years while watching an Addams Family movie. This was the first time Ive 'relaxed' in a hotel since the travelling had started. It was defiantly due, given I had started to lose my voice on Friday and Saturday involved sounds more than words leaving my mouth.
The morning run was great, haven fallen asleep at around 8pm I think it is fair to say I was well rested. As I ran along the embankment you could see all the ducks and birds starting to move and awaken (properly me stomping around that woke them up). I was quite happy with my 3.6miles, having not run for about four weeks. I'm planning on getting back out there once a week, I'm not exactly 'Beach Body Ready' hahaha. The run went well despite having to put my door key in my sock because my shorts didn't have a pocket.
This week I made a change and stopped having the cooked breakfast at every hotel and started having one bowl of cereal and one of fruit. I have enjoyed the cooked food, but returning to cereal and fruit, which is what I would usually have, was defiantly better for my energy levels.
After work I walked into town to grab some snacks for the following day. Which required walking back along the embankment, now filled with rowers and cyclist calling out instructions from the footpaths. I decided to sit and watch a few row along the river while I sat enjoying the evening sun.
On the second day at the Bedford event I took the opportunity to walk around and talk with fellow practitioners and recruiters from other institutions. It is always interesting to gain an insight into someone else's approach and their thoughts on the events we attend. Through discussions I discovered that there where a few of us going to the next event in Cambridge. One of the people I spoke to throughout the day was Issy, who is from another university in the south. She mentioned the 'joy' of eating alone so I said we should meet for dinner in Cambridge.
I arrived in Cambridge, and to the hotel that had been booked, to find my booking had been cancelled. Not a great start. Fortunately it was 4.45pm and I was able to call the office for more information. It appeared that my booking had indeed been cancelled and a new booking made at another hotel, much closer to the venue.
The new hotel was very nice and I did manage to get the last space in the car park, which made me happy. There were a few issues with the booking information that had not been sent to the hotel, but the staff on reception where very friendly and allowed me to go up to the room while they looked into the details. This was also a good chance to charge / sync the iPads and do some ironing while everything was being checked.
Around half an hour later and the booking was confirmed. At this point I started my walk around the city and text Issy to see where was best to meet. After a few texts and a phone call we decided where to meet, unaware of whether it was the best place. Its fair to say it took us a while to find somewhere to eat that could be covered by our expenses claim. Eventually we found revolution (I think the same chain as the place I had dinner with Tom in Lincoln). After our meal we walked through or around (not exactly sure) the city and the surrounding fields, we chatted about work, relationships, pets and life in general. It was good just to talk, its strange what you can say to someone you've met only met two days ago. Especially when some of the things you say you haven't said to friends you've had for years.
The following day, after the event meant moving on to London, Tower Hamlets. The drive there was not too bad, but parking......This caused some confusion and notable issues. After over five minutes going forward and back to get into a roadside parking space, I found out it was a three hour max spot. So I ran into the hotel and asked for the nearest car park information. I then drove and walked around trying to find this place they have described. Unable to find it I return and manage to get one of the front desk team to walk around and show me. Turns out it is someone else's land I'm parking on and it will be £15 for the privilege. This, while being recommended and essentially instructed by the reception team is not something they organise. I was given a name and phone number to confirm that I can stay in the car park. The number I discover does not work, so I then returned to reception (having walked up to my room to drop off the bags). It takes them a few minutes, and several numbers, to get a ringing tone, then finally I am passed the phone to arrange my own parking. I still find this very strange.
During that evening I caught up with a few emails and checked in with a few friends online. One of whom was free the following evening so we made plans for me to drop by on the way home from London.
The following day was one of the busiest events for enquires and questions regarding our university and higher education in general. It was another case of being in a room that got increasingly hot and stuffy. Being busy was a blessing as you didn't have a chance to think too much about the conditions. Alas 2.30pm came round fairly quickly and we made our own ways back, my colleagues for the day journeyed to the train station while I started walking back to the hotel and the car park. After paying my fee and setting the iPad up, to call out directions, I was on my way. But not very far very fast. The iPad, in all its wisdom took me through road works and congestion charge zones. Which lead to leaving London taking two hours! This meant I was a little behind for my evening of socialising, so I decided to drive straight to Rachel's and grab a takeaway there. After the horror show that was driving in London and a busy week, it was really nice to relax, chat, catch up and discuss various topics. I'm already looking forward to our lunch date in a couple of weeks.
So that's it, week two of UCAS travel over. Ive spent my weekend off sorting the garden, its almost presentable out there. The plan is to do something (garden related) in July, well properly August now, July is already looking busy on the weekends.
In terms of writing tools and styles, I have found this week really valuable... In deciding that I don't like writing in this 'recap' style as much. I prefer writing in the moment and recording thoughts when they happen. It feels much more authentic, interesting and passionate....from my point of view anyway.
Additionally I have recently heard that two former colleagues will be moving on to new and exciting challenges soon. I wish them all the best and hope to catch up soon.
The following day, after the event meant moving on to London, Tower Hamlets. The drive there was not too bad, but parking......This caused some confusion and notable issues. After over five minutes going forward and back to get into a roadside parking space, I found out it was a three hour max spot. So I ran into the hotel and asked for the nearest car park information. I then drove and walked around trying to find this place they have described. Unable to find it I return and manage to get one of the front desk team to walk around and show me. Turns out it is someone else's land I'm parking on and it will be £15 for the privilege. This, while being recommended and essentially instructed by the reception team is not something they organise. I was given a name and phone number to confirm that I can stay in the car park. The number I discover does not work, so I then returned to reception (having walked up to my room to drop off the bags). It takes them a few minutes, and several numbers, to get a ringing tone, then finally I am passed the phone to arrange my own parking. I still find this very strange.
During that evening I caught up with a few emails and checked in with a few friends online. One of whom was free the following evening so we made plans for me to drop by on the way home from London.
The following day was one of the busiest events for enquires and questions regarding our university and higher education in general. It was another case of being in a room that got increasingly hot and stuffy. Being busy was a blessing as you didn't have a chance to think too much about the conditions. Alas 2.30pm came round fairly quickly and we made our own ways back, my colleagues for the day journeyed to the train station while I started walking back to the hotel and the car park. After paying my fee and setting the iPad up, to call out directions, I was on my way. But not very far very fast. The iPad, in all its wisdom took me through road works and congestion charge zones. Which lead to leaving London taking two hours! This meant I was a little behind for my evening of socialising, so I decided to drive straight to Rachel's and grab a takeaway there. After the horror show that was driving in London and a busy week, it was really nice to relax, chat, catch up and discuss various topics. I'm already looking forward to our lunch date in a couple of weeks.
So that's it, week two of UCAS travel over. Ive spent my weekend off sorting the garden, its almost presentable out there. The plan is to do something (garden related) in July, well properly August now, July is already looking busy on the weekends.
In terms of writing tools and styles, I have found this week really valuable... In deciding that I don't like writing in this 'recap' style as much. I prefer writing in the moment and recording thoughts when they happen. It feels much more authentic, interesting and passionate....from my point of view anyway.
Additionally I have recently heard that two former colleagues will be moving on to new and exciting challenges soon. I wish them all the best and hope to catch up soon.
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