September stocktake

I like September. This year is particularly special as this granny awaits the arrival of a new grandchild.

It’s a time of fresh starts. The beginning of a new academic year. A time to set new challenges. Some for completion over the autumn, to meet the personal targets set for the calendar year; others to extend throughout the academic year.

It’s a time for taking stock. Gathering in the harvest and reflecting on the past.

The creative writing group starts again next week. That is well and truly in my comfort zone now. Class mates have become friends and the excuses for the absence of homework are well rehearsed. I am also beginning a non-qualification course in theology. Ahead of the first session I am experiencing the anxiety of promotion to the juniors (KS2 in the modern world); the fear of an expected level of knowledge that I cannot meet. In a moment of role reversal, my daughter tells me: no need to worry, unless they’re expecting you to teach the class.

On the running front, I am painfully aware that after last year’s marathon I declared that I would ‘only’ run the 10 mile route this year. It’s just 6 weeks away now, so I’ve started to build up the training runs. A little late, but I’m sure that I’ll make it to the starting line.