Cardiff Capers

Firstly, a bumpdate (taken just now).

This week I've had the joy of swollen ankles at the end of the day (where did my ankle bones go?! 😱). Bump is getting biggest and heavier - I sound like an bear when I roll over in bed or get up off the couch.. and there's still two months to go!

Work is still busy - I worked the last two weekends. The first was a conference in Fareham (3 hour drive). The conference was at a spa hotel and I made the most of it. :-)  I arrived on the Friday evening, just in time for dinner and drinks (non-alcoholic ones for me). Saturday morning we were all woken abruptly by the fire alarm - imagine a constant loud blaring at about 6:45am! Not a good way to wake up. But since I was up so early, I went for a swim (ooh, weightless bump!) and booked in for a massage. Got to make the most of the venue! ;-) After my massage, I set up and delivered my two workshops and, after packing up, that was my official work done. Although I did go to some of the conference talks because they sounded interesting (and were). Saturday evening was the fancy-dress disco - the theme was The Letter T. Can you guess what I went as? (note: that's non-alcoholic champagne, Mum, and a roll of cardboard as my 'ciggy').

The conference finished on Sunday - I spent the first session getting a pedicure (I struggle to reach my toes now.. and if I look straight down, I can't even see them!), and listened to a couple of talks before driving back to Cardiff. *phew*

Last weekend I headed up to Newcastle for another conference (flew there in an hour, got the train back and it took about 5 hours!). This was the RSC Outreach conference and all I had to do was take part and to help facilitate a table discussion or two. Easy. The conference dinner was in the Centre for Life (a science centre) and we got to play with the exhibits. Good fun! 

Centre for Life, Newcastle

Playing with perspective

Music creator

I also managed to find some time before the conference for a look around Newcastle - the Castle Keep was interesting and had some great views from the top (loads of stairs tho! And I didn't even have my fitbit!).

Views from the top of the Castle Keep

I'm glad that it's finally the weekend and I don't have to work! And it's a long weekend at that. Yay! We might go to the movies sometime but otherwise I'm enjoying not having to do anything! 

Lisa, you and your family haven't guessed bub's birth date etc. Neither have you Damien - have a go (there'll be a prize.. of some sort):   http://bit.ly/mini-family  

Hopefully we'll catch up with you all online soon.

Cardiff capers

I've been at home for the last week. I'd like to say that I've been relaxing and making the most of my leave, but I've spent most of it trying to find the balance between mobility and pain management. It was nothing serious - I seized my neck up putting out the recycling last Sunday. So foolish! So painful! 

Needless to say, Bruce has to deal with all of the rubbish from now on. And I'm much more aware of trying to lift things - just because I could lift it before, doesn't mean I should lift it now! Makes me feel like an invalid. :-(

Fortunately, it was much better by the weekend - I still have to be careful turning my head, but at least I CAN turn it now. 

Good to speak to some of you on the weekend. For those who missed the conversation, here's the latest bumpdate:

John and Gwen visited for the long weekend - they helped us move furniture around the flat. I'm happy to say that we now have space for all of the baby stuff we've been accumulating (and even more went to the tip or is ready for the op shop). 

On Saturday we went to see the Radyr and Morgantown Festival. It was very small.. A handful of stalls in the carpark of the church rooms and a tiny "procession" (local kids walking along with their parents, about a quarter of them dressed up in some way.. A handful of Roald Dahl characters and a few with team t-shirts and pom-poms). Fortunately, the local cafe was open (for once) so all we had a cuppa and cake. :-)

I'm back at work Thursday, so I'm planning on having a relaxed day tomorrow. What's your update?