The Malcolms

We’re back

The Malcolms — Fri, 18 May 2007 07:59:36 +0000

After several weeks – months even – of being without internet access, we are now up and running. Whilst the library has been convenient for checking e-mails etc it hasn’t been the place for me to get creative with writing. I know I should have been inspired by all those great wordsmiths around me but in fact was quite overwhelmed.

So now we are linked by Orange, nearest we are going to get to compete with the son-in-law’s Apple, and I will post a hopefully brief precis of what has happened since we moved in February, soon.

Welcome Amy McCuaig

The Malcolms — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 14:14:23 +0000

We had lunch with friends of our, Lisa, Jamie and their daughter Katie last Sunday before we left. Lisa was 37 weeks pregnant at the time and feeling a little uncomfortable, especially as she didn’t get that far on with Katie who was born 10.5 weeks early (she will be 3 in August).

Got a ‘phone call from Jamie yesterday, baby Amy arrived on Saturday evening, and in no conventional manner. Lisa went into labour and things started to happen quick. Jamie drove down the M5 like a thing possessed (in his new company car) and when they exited at Junction 17, about a 10 minute drive from the hospital, the contractions were coming about every minute. They thought they would make it but 1.5 minutes later had to pull into the forecourt of a garage and there was no going further. Lisa was screaming, Jamie was on the phone to the hospital who were giving advice, and people were shouting out of a nearby block of flats about the noise and at least there are some public spirited people about when because Amy was born there was a midwife, Ambulance with Paramedics and two police cars. But things weren’t straightforward as she was breech with those added complications. Amy needed resuscitation was grey/blue when born but they worked wonders and within 30 seconds a good colour and soon cried. A fine 6lb 13 ozs.

Congratulations to the McCuaig Lovells on the safe arrival of their new daughter – you don’t do things by halves do you?

Goodbye Gloucester – Hello Yorkshire

The Malcolms — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 13:51:42 +0000

Well we finally got through it all, the final packing, the cleaning, the last goodbyes and then loading up the car and we were on our way by Friday afternoon. Archie did a great job in getting everything in the car, even me, so I didn’t even have to go on the train (or ditch the Dyson) which I thought would have to happen. We were absolutely shattered on Saturday but are coming back to life now. It is good to spend some time with Kerry, Dan and the children and we are grateful for them putting us up, as we are technically homeless for another week or so. However, we are going to take some time out and go off to Spain to visit Angie & George on Tuesday for some R&R. The only thing we have to do is unload the car and stash it all here, just when Kerry thought she had got her house sorted!

Half way there

The Malcolms — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 08:59:05 +0000

At least half the home has been taken away in the wagon and now we are at the start of Day 2. The movers are back and we are desparately trying to keep one step ahead of them, Archie is breathing down my neck waiting to pack the computer so this will be brief. At the moment I am not as emotional about it all as I thought I would be but I’m sure there will be a tear or two as we leave on Friday. However, we are looking forward to getting to Yorkshire permanently now, even if we are going to be temporarily homeless. From past experiences we know we will be taking our friends from here with us in spirit and we have so much to look forward to up there with old friends and especially the family. There was nearly a bit of my Mum’s reject washing up going with us too, (her eyesight was poor and she couldn’t use hot water) we found a glass she had nearly washed up in the back of a cupboard, so it is good to know that Mum has been with us here ’til the end.

Next blog from Yorkshire!!

Boxes, boxes everywhere

The Malcolms — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 13:16:41 +0000

Today is day 1 of moving. The removal men are in and making sterling work of packing all the bits and pieces we have decided to take with us to Yorkshire, along with some stuff that we can’t be bothered to make a decision on now, but which probably go when we get there. We have had a mixed few days of sorting, reminiscing over old photos and trying not to be too sentimental over certain objects. There are some things that you just cant throw away, but getting rid of the tube of Savlon which went out of date in October 1992 was an easy decision – should have sorted this stuff sooner.

We have had a few more farewells, Helen & Martin and then Steph came to tea. Crazy Lady aka my mate Mandy stayed over Friday, which was a welcome break from the garage rubbish. We met Jamie, Lisa and their daughter Katie for lunch on Sunday and will be meeting Dorothy tomorrow for a meal – you can see that the angst of moving is certainly affecting our appetites!

All this talk of food is making me hungry – going to see if I can get past the boxes and into the fridge so that when Archie returns from the tip we can have lunch to summon up the strength for more sorting/packing.

Farewell Leyhill – but not goodbye

The Malcolms — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 13:04:25 +0000

Friday was my last working (?) day at Leyhill. I had a couple of farewells earlier in the week with people who wouldn’t be in on Friday and a few tears were shed but Friday was the big day. I have been thoroughly spoilt with the people I have worked with and have been lucky to have got on with so many in all my jobs but it doesn’t get any easier each time we move on.

A surprise lunch had been organised with everyone contributing a plate or two of scrummy things and they had gone to a lot of trouble and expense and I hadn’t twigged. I was very touched by their generosity and the kind words from everyone – more tears. They have been a great bunch to work with and Leyhill has been good to work at but I am pretty sure that me and the prison service are now parting company – I’ve served my time and no tagging – well some people have our ‘phone number and address so I can still be traced.

The children came to town

The Malcolms — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 08:11:09 +0000

Kerry, Dan, Amy, Evan (and Holly of course) have just been for their final visit to this house. It was good to have them here. We last were together on New Year’s Eve and it really has felt like ages since we last saw them. Evan is changing so much and Amy cracks me up with the chat. Kerry and I even managed to get out for an hour alone together shopping. We had our steaks and upside down pudding but how much packing got done – none, but the time was much better spent and I did manage to off load a couple of bits onto the Hughes. Taster of times to come when we only live 20 minutes apart instead of 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Finishing work Friday so it will be all systems go – literally from the weekend onwards, black bin liners to the ready.

The first of the farewells

The Malcolms — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 08:12:22 +0000

Last night was the first of the final get togethers we will be having with my friends from work. It has become a bit of a tradition that a group us (with partners) go to the local pantomime each year (preceded by a meal at the nearest pub to the prison). So last night 11 of us very much enjoyed Cinderella at the Town Hall in Wotton under Edge (small market town on the Cotswold Way). It was co-written and directed by the wife of another ex-colleague, Jane Parker, a very clever and funny lady. I admire anyone who can get up on stage and marvel at the wealth of talent and the professionalism of these local groups. The costumes would put some West End productions to shame. We were in hoots most of the time. The audience was 99% adult but we could have all been 5 year olds – joining in with gusto. Where does this tradition of Panto come from? Is it just British? We had a great time – Oh no you didn’t – Oh yes we did!

That was the weekend that was

The Malcolms — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 14:30:09 +0000

Well so much for the sorting/packing – well we have talked about it at least. I have managed to do an ostrich job on it all, read a book, played electronic sudoku and slept a lot, justifying it all by deciding that we will actually treat ourselves and have the move packed for us and we needed some time out/rest after all the travelling of late – but it all still needs sorting. I have to work 4 days next week to make up my hours so that I can finish on 19 Jan, so next weekend we really will have to get on. Perhaps Amy will help when the Hughes come to visit next week, or even better still they can sort it all whilst I play with Amy & Evan.

8 days and counting

The Malcolms — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 22:27:58 +0000

Well I’m down to single figures in the number of days left at work. My colleague (and friend) Dorothy has calculated my leave due and with some flexi time earnt (and bearing in mind I only work part time anyway) it looks like 19 Jan is going to be my last day at HMP Leyhill, along with several other people who will be leaving that day – and I have probably been there longer than them and didn’t commit any crime to be so.

Miar, my successor started yesterday, transferring in from another department. She is young, bright, pretty and fit – no contest there then, things are going to be different in Personnel. Best of all she is picking up the work quickly so handing over to her will be easy, don’t you just hate these young whippersnappers? We made her sit on the floor today as there weren’t enough chairs in the office, I’m sure there is some rule against it but we had to put her in her place.

Archie has had a quiet couple of days at home after all the driving, catching up on some washing, organising removal companies and some other inspections needed done on the house, but this weekend we have to crack down and start the sorting – I wonder if he will really get a skip as threatened?