We spent most of the first week furniture shopping. Yes, I am a poor student, but one in receipt of a bequest, so we trolled around the sofa and dining table outlets of Cambridge and even as far afield as exotic Newmarket, before returning to the first sofa shop and a local pine/oak business to place our orders.
Much of the second week was spent reading theology books in preparation for writing an essay. Then I had an e-mail from my landlord's agent giving me permission to remodel the patio. Not something I make a habit of, but since we arrived it had been bugging us! In order to meet building regulations for disabled access into our three-storey, narrow-doorway, no-downstairs-bedroom-or-bathroom house the builders had left a hideous and impractical ramp leading into our kitchen, rendering the patio useless for anything other than putting a single chair out on. My books were put down and my most extreme form of essay avoidance so far was in action within ten minutes! And over the course of the next few days it was transformed, for the cost of a few bags of cement and 24 hours hire of a slab cutter, and several trips to the tip.
BEFORE and AFTER
It might not look like much, but the lack of a six inch step in the middle of the area makes all the difference! And Cambridge is not one of those places that hides behind fancy words - the tip is not known as a 'civic amenity site' in these parts...
By now it was a few days before Easter and time to visit Ferndown. Staying for a few days with Tasha's parents in Blandford we seemed to make the 40-mile round trip to Ferndown at least once each day - I think we did more mileage that way than actually getting from and to Cambridge. We visited St Mary's church twice, the house and Lidl once, the beach and Beth's friend Louise once each, and met some of our former youth group in the pub one evening before having dinner with the Caleys. And even went into Blandford...
It was great getting back to St Mary's - it was the first time I'd returned since August, and I needed to catch up with a few people, but even more people needed to catch up with me. I can tell who has been reading the blog and our magazine articles from the questions asked of me! Our arrival on Good Friday was previously unannounced, but we were only 30 seconds or so into the service when Rev Martin Howard asked for volunteer children and did a spectacular double take when Isaac appeared in front of him!!
By the Wednesday after Easter we were back home and into the final week, and I couldn't avoid it any longer. The 'Theology and Practice of Mission' essay needed to be written, and I was running out of excuses. It got mostly written on Thursday, and is now stewing before I polish it off in a few days time - it's not due in for another couple of weeks, but 4 more assignments, one Sunday service, one sermon and a few other things all need to be started.
Easter Term started today, and I'd barely got to Ridley before Tash phoned, very excited, announcing that the new sofas will be delivered tomorrow at 9am. Up until then I'd been planning to do some reading today. My mission changed in an instant to a new and unexpected bonus essay avoiding tactic of disposing of the two old CYFA-worn sofas before tomorrow morning. An hour later, one was in its new home in C staircase kitchen. By now there are three other students pitching in for the second one!
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