Time flies!

Sadly, time flies not only when you're having fun, but also when you have too much to do!

Since my last blog, things have been busy. Not really anything of great interest to add here, but mainly work. A busy week visiting students in schools, and sorting out more than a couple of issues - thankfully none of them serious - more to do with logistics and time management than anything. Schools, for some strange reason, seem to think that once a University tutor arrives, they are there for as long as wanted, not the hour which is more than sufficient to do the job. As a result, I frequently spend time sitting around with nothing to do, which is really irritating. On the other hand, these times are often turned to profitable use - writing my speech for the National Hep C Network Conference, planning presentations etc. Still frustrating when I have many more urgent things to do.

My last week has been spent marking students' work - dissertations, assignments etc etc. Almost all done now, but it has resulted in a couple of weeks when my three and a half day part time role has been pretty stretched - in fact, stretched to way above and beyond my paid hours. Very annoying.

I'm also waiting to see if I get any real responsibility for the next academic year. Last year, my responsibilities were removed (against my wishes), due, apparently, to my having my appendix out at an important time of year. It's odd really, I hadn't planned on having another appendix out this year! I suspect the truth is that it was far more related to my Hep C and treatment, but no-one was willing to tell me. Maybe other colleagues will be aware of this when they are ill! So, it seems that next year, I will be left with jobs which have limited interest for me in some cases. I really enjoy doing the things which are my strengths - education studies etc, but am less keen on lecturing on subjects in which I don't even have an 'O' level (like R.E. and Geography)! Never mind - maybe someone will realise at some stage. It's especially frustrating, as no-one has had any career discussions with me since I finished treatment, and the one role which I requested, was neatly taken away. Never mind - I have choices in the matter, just a case of making the right one!

One issue which has frustrated me is not having the time to get on with various aspects of work for the National Hep C Network. The newsletter is due, and neither Vicki nor I have been able to get on with it. We plan to get on with it over the next few days - Vicki can edit and sort it easily, once I have written the appropriate bits, so it's mainly down to me. We have achieved a few things however.

NHCN is now a registered charity. This is no mean feat, considering the paperwork and admin needed to get registered. It's a very cumbersome process, but has finally been achieved. This means that we can now access the funding promised to us and repay the money which had to be borrowed in order for the conference to take place.

It also means we can move forward, and a significant priority will be the production of leaflets to develop awareness, and other materials to support new patients as they are diagnosed. This sounds like a really good focus for the next trustee meeting, which will happen as soon as we have the money, and can now focus on real, practical activity, rather than all the organisation and infrastructure which has been the focus so far.

I actually think we have done rather well so far, considering the financial issues and the fact that we have achieved everything on our own, with just the support from our sponsors, Roche and Schering Plough (and, of course, the donations which were so generously given at the conference). From tiny acorns, mighty oaks grow - and who knows, if we ever get to the point of having someone who can be paid to develop the work, rather than rely on volunteers, who are trying to hold down their own jobs, we can start to really build and make a difference.

More of that in due course, no doubt.

To more domestic matters. Vicki continues to gestate magnificently. Her bump has developed significantly over the last couple of weeks, and now is more reminiscent of a waking volcano than the dormant mound which was there previously. As I write, I can glance to my left and see the rippling stomach, as baby has decided that Vicki is, basically, a zero-gravity bouncy castle. It's fun to watch, and even more fun to encourage (I tend to talk to the bump and stroke occasionally, which seems to elicit a response). It's certainly fun - and is beginning to really confuse the cats.

Whenever we have chance, we are tending to get out for a pleasant walk - just for exercise as much as anything, and to take advantage of the pleasant weather. Yesterday was Bosworth Battlefield - site of Henry VIIs victory over Richard III. Very pleasant indeed, across fields and woodland, while all the children were at home playing on their X boxes and watching Big Brother (having see it, I assume it's aimed at kids - can't imagine anyone with a mental age above 10 being remotely interested).

We plan to do more of this over the next few weeks.

So, life continues. We have now booked our holiday for mid-July (before school Holidays), and aim to have a relaxing time in Wales before coming back to start focused baby preparation - decorating, buying etc etc.

And finally ... we managed to win £100 at the pub quiz. I was asked the question ' How many witches make a coven'? Of course I know - I was at NHCN conference! It was just a case of thinking who they were and adding them up!

Take care all.