Category: the parenting bunny

TPM issues

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My TPM device could not be detected and that’s caused all sorts of issues with my laptop, and I need to get back to trying to fix it, so this post will be shorter than usual.

[collective sighs of relief from readers worldwide]

But aside from that Trusted Platform Module problem (for that is what it are), it’s been a rather good day.

Best of all from my point of view were the results of my daughter’s Grade 5 Vocal exam (a thundering pass with bells on), the Boy Wonder being invested (is this the right word?) [UPDATE: it’s “inducted”] as a prefect at school, and my fastest 5km since before my watch can remember.

That’s me. Red and shiny after going too fast.

Right. Back to manually updating the BIOS.
What could go wrong?

Run

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After a fairly appalling night’s sleep, during which my little luxury memory foam pillow seemed to have forgotten all that my head had taught it, the Boy Wonder and I went for a bit of a run, ahead of a thing we have planned.

More on that real soon now.

We probably should have set off a little earlier though. It was FLIPPING ROASTING when we were finishing up. But a nice little 12km and we’re well on course for our planned event.

On a slightly more disappointing note, I imagine that tomorrow morning will bring a world of pain.

But before that seemingly inevitable horror: a quick lunch in Struisbaai, a gentle wander on the beach with the dog, an essential afternoon nap and an evening braai.

It’s all good.

Saved

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I was planning to write a blog post when we got down to Agulhas this evening.

But then, when getting some wood ready for the braai, we found a Striped Field Mouse nest in the wood pile.

The rescue mission started immediately.

We managed to save 4 tiny babies (body length about 2.5cm) and their parent (single, bigger). The nest has been relocated, the woodpile is clear and mice are safe again.

And I’ve done my blog post.

Back to the Rock, Volume III

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I mean, technically, it’s Volume II, because the “Back to…” serves as an indication that this has happened once previously already. But you get what I mean, right?

Right.

I’m heading back to Robben Island this week, assisting with a school trip and looking forward to the amazing experience of spending another couple of nights in the converted prison which serves as the base for the Learning Centre there.

Managing 40-odd 12-year-olds – many of whom haven’t been away from their families for more than a night (if that) before – for three days is always challenging, but it’s also hugely rewarding; and to be able to see “behind the scenes” and learn about the history and nature of the island from properly knowledgeable and passionate people is a real privilege.

I’ve said that before: here.

Longer-term readers (what’s wrong with you guys?) will remember my foggy run in 2020 and my chukka partridge a year later.

I wasn’t well last time around, so I’m looking forward to renewing my acquaintance with the lighthouse and the penguins on an early morning jog (me, not them).

More on that sort of thing in the post I have planned for tomorrow.

But for now, I’m looking forward to another three days of hard work, education and enjoyment.

Market Day

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Tomorrow is Market Day for my daughter. A multi-disciplinary project at school, incorporating Design & Technology, Maths, ICT, Art and not Geography. She and a partner are selling cookies and cake-pops, and so they’ve been hugely busy all day getting things ready.

The results look rather decent:

They’ve done all the planning, advertising, budgeting and preparation themselves, and all that is left to do now is take their wares and float to school, and reap the financial benefits (and then write an assignment, probably – there’s always an assignment, isn’t there?).

But that’s assuming that these goodies make it through the night. I’m the last one up this evening, and I actually rather fancy something sweet with my Spanish football. I’m not sure I could get through all of them without getting a lot of diabetes, though.

Actually, it’s going to be an interesting week at school. More on that tomorrow (he said, enigmatically).

[cliffhanger]