12th October 2008

The whole world appears to be in meltdown. Stock markets are plummeting, banks are collapsing, and financial pundits are flapping like pigeons in a fire drill. Frankly, I’m rather relieved not to have a mortgage or a retirement fund hanging in the balance; if I did, things would be decidedly sticky.

That said, I wasn’t entirely immune to the chaos. In a moment of financial optimism (read: temporary foolishness), I’d stashed half my savings in Halifax, only to wake up the next morning to hear they’d gone bust. Cue mild panic. Thankfully, modern technology came to the rescue, and I swiftly transferred the lot back into my FirstDirect account. It was a close-run thing; my fingers may never unclench from that keyboard.

Unfortunately, my shiny new stocks and shares ISA didn’t fare so well. By the time I managed to cash it in, the market crash had already taken a healthy bite out of the profits. Still, that money’s now also safely ensconced with FirstDirect, and I’m resisting the urge to bury it in a biscuit tin under the rhubarb.

While the financial sector’s been going up in smoke, Sue’s been industrious as ever, teaching all over the local area on supply. She’s barely had a day off. I’ve done a couple of supply days myself at Farndon Fields, always a pleasure to go back and see familiar faces (and avoid the paperwork).

Jamie’s been quietly getting on with life and is now seeing a past pupil of mine, Harley. Sarah is thriving with the Air Cadets and has been busier than ever: swimming galas, organising the local film club, and staying on top of schoolwork.

Earlier this month, I nipped up to Thurcroft to spend a few days with Nan. Charlotte and Lucas joined us for a day, which was lovely. The weather held, and I made myself useful digging up her potatoes and preparing the garden for winter. Nan is as fit as ever and has already begun discussing Christmas with her usual enthusiasm and not a shred of irony.

Back at home, I’ve been steadily pottering through some household jobs. I painted the outside doors a rather pleasing shade of red and even tiled a wall in the utility room, slowly, carefully, and for once, with actual attention to detail. No need to rush these things anymore.

Sue and I have also been plotting the removal of our old gas fire in the lounge. After much research (and several debates over kilowatt output versus aesthetic charm), we’ve settled on a multi-fuel burner. With any luck, it’ll be installed by the end of November and should make a dent in those extortionate gas bills.

Unfortunately, not all the news this week has been good. Suraj received the sad news on Friday that his father had suffered a heart attack and was taken to Coventry Hospital. The prognosis isn’t hopeful, and he’s now there with his brothers and sisters. Meanwhile, Charlotte and Lucas remain at home in Newark, both battling heavy colds and wrapped up in tissues and Calpol.

On a lighter note, I had a long catch-up with my old college friend Chris Tippets last night. He’s been retired for a few years now, and we quickly settled into the familiar rhythm of two grumpy old men setting the world to rights, with occasional digressions into the state of the nation, aching joints, and the price of energy.

And so, October rolls on, with tumbling banks, chilly weather, but thankfully, still a sense of humour intact.