Vera Macdonald

Here for a few days planning Autnie Bess’ 100th birthday. She says she doesn’t want any fuss, but everyone around her is so excited, it’s a balancing act keeping everyone happy.

I’m almost on my down time but wondering what most to occupy my time with. Any suggestions?

Well, I’m back in the building but my brain is definitely still on holiday. Back to snow and ice, but melting a bit today, and it’s actually sunny.

Happy New Year. I’m flexing my bus pass and have travelled to Inverurie via Cults and now wondering how the weather will hold up to get back – wouldn’t it be tragic if I can’t get back to start work!!

I’m sure it will be one as we still have snow, minus temperatures and chaos on the roads. I’m so pleased to be at home, fridge fully stocked, and ready to revel.

We’ve had a thaw, now it’s freezing again, so it’s treacherous on the pavements. And Sainsbury’s have run out of tomatoes and bananas – we’ll just have to go back to eating what’s local, so that’ll be neeps, kale, carrots and tatties here. Not to worry, we can still have mince pies!

Still more snow falling and Edinburgh just can’t cope. I got to work today but bread and milk is getting scarce. My German students are asking why can’t the council clear the roads, like they do in Germany? And I have no answer. And it’s going to get even colder apparently.

No work today!

No schools are open today, it’s been snowing for a wee while and it still is. Nothing much for some people, but we’re not used to it here so it’s causing chaos with traffic. What a good excuse to have an ‘at home’ day, it’s like a freebie.

I am so impressed with our Fire Service. They check your house, give you advice and fit smoke detectors FREE. I got them a few weeks ago. Then on Sunday morning about 1am ie the middle of the night, mine went off. Luckily it stopped after a couple of minutes as I couldn’t figure out how to stop it, though I reasoned a brush handle would be involved and had gone to get one. So I phoned the freephone number to ask advice and they have just been round and changed them for new ones. And all free. I hope our serious cutbacks don’t diminish the service as I think it’s just fab!

I’ve been back for 2 weeks now and it’s all doom and gloom. Our uni has to save £2.5 m (give or take) meanwhile the newpapers are ‘outing’ uni principals’ pay rises and expenses. Our EU student numbers are down by about 60% on last year, so I’ve got fewer classes and so have to make up the hours doing something else. It’s all a bit more of the same really – the things we have to do toe arn a crust!