Exminster and beyond...

Hello everyone!

It has been a while since I last updated this blog, and sadly, not much has changed.

I went back to Exminster on the 25th for two weeks. The first week was REALLY REALLY boring, as my client stayed in bed for most of it (it was midterm at college). I sat around the house in a sort of daze where one day fell into the next and smudged over the previous. The stay had been much like the last one... sleeping late, sitting around the house, messing about online and just generally doing nothing! As such, I managed to get some paperwork in order, walk the dog several times and do LOADS of household stuff... I arrived in Exminster on Saturday and by the following Saturday, my client had only gone out once... (to a carvery with his mother - I was only invited because he cannot transfer into and out of the car with one person - how special did I feel!!???). The second week improved greatly (well, as great as could be expected in comparison to the first week).

Monday morning arrived bright and early. I was up at 06h00 to get my client ready for his six-monthly check-up in Salisbury at midday (sometimes the job really does suck!). My clients father drove us to the hospital, which took two hours each way, so by the time we got back home it was cold, wet and dark and we were all tired.

Tuesday saw my client in bed recovering from the long journey to the hospital, conveniently, 'staying off his pressure sores'.

Wednesday morning began bright and early, having to get up around 07h00 to get my client dressed and ready for college (I remember those days... up at 5am, dressed and out the house for 6am to get to Observatory in time for the staff meeting - but NEVER in my life did I think it could take close on 120 minutes to get out of bed, showered and dressed). We got in the car and drove to college, where I sat (bored out of my mind) in the class with my client. I found it rather surprising how the learners are still spoon-fed at such a high level. The level of immaturity really made me wonder if it is a good idea that they start school so early and finish it around age 16. This pondering lasted a whole four minutes of the long school day...

I must admit though, that when I put my iPod on and listened to some music followed by watching some TV in the class I felt a little naughty (as though I was supposed to be listening and learning!) It was actually good fun to look around the room at all the bored faces and know that I was not at school anymore!

Thursday and Friday were filled with more college (early mornings and late nights), so by the time Saturday arrived, I was glad to be able to sleep in a little (only a little though, as I had to hand over to the next PA).

The PA arrived whilst I was baking. She looked at me rather strangely (almost accusingly 'why are you not packed and ready to go'). I had to explain to her that my clients father had allowed me to stay there a few extra nights before my next client. I got to know her a little, and discovered that she had flown over from South Africa with Jo (this meant that I had now met both girls, who flew over from the Cape, who trained with Jo... but sadly, still no Jo...)

Once I had handed over, Saturday afternoon was spent lazing around the house, followed by some television viewing (not too different from work really) and an early night in bed (which is really different from work with this client!!!). The really weird part was when my client called for something, I had to resist the urge to get up and get it for him (it's amazing how guilty that can make you feel)...

I was up EARLY on Sunday morning for some much needed retail therapy... I got showered, dressed and onto the first bus into Exeter. I spent the ENTIRE day there shopping (and surprisingly, only spent £60)... Let me tell you what I bought (daddy, this is the part where you scroll down because it is most likely not terribly interesting to you!)

I bought: 5 white blouses, 5 Jerseys, 1 pair of black trousers (yes, "trousers". I had to learn that the hard way - pants are apparently underwear and are not vaguely similar to trousers... go figure!), a thick jacket, 5 pairs of underwear, a scarf and 2 hoodies... followed by lupper (yes, LUPPER!) - which was a really yummy burger, chips and pudding from the giraffe (a restaurant that was bombed a few years ago)

Once I was all shopped-out, I headed back to the bus station. Unfortunately, as luck would have it, I missed the bus by three minutes (this meant that I would have to spend the next hour waiting in the cold for another bus). I got back to Exminster around 18h30, watched some television, chatted and then hit the sack.

Monday morning saw a bright and early start to the day, as I had to catch the train to York... YES.... YORK... I left Exminster at 08h00 and got to York around 15h00 (it was a VERY long journey). I stayed in the youth hostel that night and then travelled to my client the following morning.

I arrived at my clients home around 12h30 for my weeks' stay. The week was rather drawn out. My client was on complete bed rest (don't I just have all the luck??) This meant that the highlights of the week were going out to get groceries, medicines, groceries and more medicines... Needless to say, I was very glad it was only one week there. I did not find very much appealing - my client could drink anyone/thing under the table, he smoked until there were no cigarettes left (I had to hold the cigarettes, light them, flick their ash and put them out.... YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!), he slept during the day and then was awake all night long (which meant that I basically never slept). He had a few visitors (but nobody I would like to see in a dark alley)...

So, to spare you the boring details, just know that it was a week of my life wasted.

After the assignment had come to an end, I went back to the youth hostel (the YHA) for a holiday!