Taffa and Gareth are coming back to Sheffield

There are a number of reasons for this move, but the main one is that Gareth's sister is terminally ill.  I think not cancer, but something equally unpleasant.  So they have decided to come back to Sheffield (Gareth's sister lives in Glossop , which is more conveniently reached without a car from Sheffield than from Cambridge) at least on a temporary basis.

So, The Builder and I are house-hunting on their behalf.  Or - we're going and inspecting houses which they have found on various websites and assessing their suitability. One of the main criteria is that there should be a decent space for the rabbits!  We found a lovely house this afternoon, in Woodseats, near the shops and pubs, and with a nice little courtyard garden for the rabbits. But I think the bloke who was also looking round it while we were there was going to hop straight into his car and charge into town to get first dibs on it!

As well as accommodation, of course, they need jobs. Taffa is hoping for a transfer to one of the Sheffield supermarkets.  It was looking as though she had found one.  She was told that there was a vacancy at one of the large stores in Sheffield doing pretty much what she does now.  But when she came up to meet the relevant people it turned out that it might perhaps be a position covering someone who was off  and which might or might not become permanent.  Maybe.  I think she's investigating the possibility of other transfers and also job hunting.  Gaz is also job hunting, not necessarily for a teaching position.  I think that they do not want to be tied down in the way that a school job involves.

So that's all very exciting - although I think they will miss Cambridge and particularly the river and the various festivals and fairs and summer events on Parker's Piece.  Sheffield has many things to recommend it, but it doesn't do the festivals and fairs as well as Cambridge does.  And I shall simply have to find excuses to go visit from time to time.  Two of my favourite pubs are in or near Cambridge!!! 

In the meantime, The Builder has been busy a-buildering in the garden.  And I spent a happy half hour at lunchtime sat in the sunshine on a gravestone in St Mary's Church on Bramall lane at lunchtime.  I was at our departmental away "day" (9-2) where we had lovely food and some interesting talks from various people.  I think I had a less physically exerting day than The Builder