Morning friends - I am up way too early today but I cannot lie in (yet) since I am so used to jumping up and getting ready for work.  However it was rather nice to get up for a breakfast in front of breakfast TV and I can use some time exercising on the rower - all before I need to get dressed.

It was lovely yesterday to spend time with Brian and Shirley Thorogood - good friends of ours, and we enjoyed a proper Sunday roast dinner at Mulberry House - a beautiful place in Essex at High Ongar.  The weather was uncertain but we still had a chance to walk through the gardens.  They serve breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea every day and it's the kind of place I would love to spend time on a sunny day - so relaxing and beautiful grounds.

After expecting the house to be 'advertised' over the weekend, surely this is the day - we will get to check the particulars before it goes on and then the hope is that people will request viewings.

This is a strange week since I am actually using up annual leave before my last day of service this Friday.  Alex has been away for a few days and will be back 'home' tomorrow evening so it will be lovely to have her company.  I have no regrets about leaving work - I am really grateful for this opportunity to focus on other parts of my life.  I am fairly confident we will sell the house over these summer weeks but it is awkward not being able to seriously seek out our new home.  In trying to avoid too much pressure on us we have chosen to sell first - make sure that sale is secure and then we know what we are working with and can go ahead and find somewhere.  We are prepared to trust for the future as we have in the past.

Of course - as with other things in life - it would actually be quite easy to just 'stay put' but this move will be a positive one for us - we will catch up again with family and enjoy Scotland together.

I don't know what lies ahead in terms of what I will do - paid work or otherwise but I need a break first from work - I have worked with heaps of pressure over the past years and I need to relax more - inside as well as outwardly.

Life is strange for us all and yet we are all given opportunities in life - and we need to take them with both hands and appreciate new starts.

It is Saturday today because Robert told me it was!!  I had to ask this morning what day it was since I have been off work since Wednesday and I have enjoyed a few free days and I get a weekend!  Well I suppose I ought to get used to this - I need to relax though since I wanted to push the Estate Agent yesterday - house should be on the websites from tomorrow anyway - everything ready now!  All we need after that is some interest and who knows we could sell quickly.  On the other hand the house may take time to sell and I tell myself we have plenty of time.  Theoretically of course we have but one I know I am going somewhere I want to get going.........anyway all very exciting and we go to Spain at some stage soon for a holiday which will be lovely.

Our Spanish holidays really do relax us - the pace is slow and the sun, sea and sand are what we feel in need of this year - Alex, before she faces her last two terms at University and we, before we face a cooler Scotland.

So I can't say I dont have time for things now - this is lovely........and what's more I received my pension letter this morning - don't think I am retiring for life but for now - perfect!!

Hello again - well 2 days into my early retirement from the NHS I thought I would catch up on my blog.......seems strange but good to be finished at work - all that office sitting was not good for my fitness levels.  Because we were in closedown of PCTs and my team had really all moved off at the end of March it was a very strange departure but liberating.  I didn't feel inclined to organise anything particular as a leaving do - except the customary cakes for the others about to leave.  I did however go round to visit the Barts Health IT Dept. - where I had commenced my NHS Service 25 years ago - now that was good - and was lovely to catch up with a few friends there and on news of those who have moved on long since!

I will meet a few NHS friends before I leave London, individually - I have worked with some wonderful people (and a few challenging ones) over all those years. I am glad for all the experiences I have had at work but for now it is time to move on - to give more attention to home and family and I mean to enjoy that.

Yes I know it could take time to get work out of my system for these months but I am so looking forward to our Spanish holiday - and prior to that we have prepared the house for sale and that is an achievement.  Thank goodness Robert had all the patience he had to persevere in emptying our loft and garage - it is done now and roll on the buyers appointments.  I will be back!

First day back at work today in over a week and it was okay!  Have to say this is a strange and unique time in my HR career - all in wind down mode now and just really sorting records for archive.  So for one period in my time in the NHS the work is a bit 'mind numbing' but that is fine since I am preparing to leave very soon anyway.

During most of my career I have been so interested in everything going on around me - even the politics of the organisations - now I am almost, just almost disengaged - but that feels right for close down.  Some colleagues, matched to new roles are hopefully finding their feet in a very different NHS setting - I have done that and I am ready for new challenges and experiences.

First I want to be free to be - initially that will be to have more time with Robert and Alex - for holiday and then sorting and organising with Robert our move north.

I am so glad for my NHS service - for the people I have shared with - people I have become friends with, people I have learned from and hopefully the other way around too!

So onwards and upwards - God is good and I trust in Him for a new future.

Seems like ages since I 'blogged' and I intend to write more over the next few months so here I am - back again!

I have had a challenging couple of weeks - my brother Ronnie passed away - and as Alex says, "Grief slows you" - that has been my experience.  I returned to work following the sad news and the funeral was delayed so last week we travelled to be with family and for the funeral in Edinburgh.  It was a sad day and yet ronnie is now at peace - away from the struggles of his everyday life and his pains.

Selfishly we all wanted Ronnie to last forever, he was one of 7 siblings - the first to go, and was a popular and much loved brother and uncle.  It was good to be with family - I was proud of them all and of the love we share for each other.  Next stage is that Robert and I prepare for a move to Edinburgh - and after 25 years away I will be glad to be back amongst close family.

So life is all about change - with two certainties - we are born and we die - hopefully we go on to live on in a better place.  My Christian faith is important to me and I cling to my faith in Christ and experience His strength and peace in my heart as I cope with changes.

In the NHS the time has come for me to move on and I am not sad about that at all. March was a challenge as so many people around me left for pastures new - we all separated.  Mid June it is for me and I will go on annual leave first - followed by the end of my service and early pension!

In July, Robert, Alex and I will go to Spain for a holiday - Alex will be pleased to have a break before her 2nd last term at university - and we will be relieved that after all the anticipation, we will be free to plan our next move.  A new episode, a new chapter and hopefully new beginnings rather than endings!