London and Lara

Early start this morning for a 9 a.m. meeting in Islington. It's amazing how I can get straight up at 05.45 but find it impossible to move from under the covers at 07.30 every other day. Enjoyed arriving in plenty of time for an AMT breakfast and avoidance of the tube chaos, but the customer was a little disorganised and didn't offer us anything to drink or even a chance to nip to the loo. Hard work maintaining ultra-focus during a 4hr meeting in those conditions.

Made it all worthwhile with a quick stop at Lara's before heading home. Had a good squeeze of both gorgeous bairns and enjoyed a customary analytical chat with Lara. She urged me to avoid burning bridges workwise before going away and not to dismiss the idea that they may be open to a period of extended leave. She's right of course. It'll be over before we know it and if there's a chance at all of an income to look forward to on our return, I should take it.

I just know that would mean committing to a return date and coming back to this neck of the woods - where neither of us really want to be. It's by far the most sensible approach and would mean we had time and space to decide on the details of 'the next phase'. Then again work might very well tell me to stick my passport somewhere unmentionable. Will require a carefully crafted persuasive proposal. The boss will see straight through it!