Tuesday – Why don’t roads melt?

Today dawned with the usual clear skies, and promise of good weather. That is going to make a change from clear blue skies, a light breeze in the afternoon, and under pant melting temperatures if you get caught out in the sun for more than 5 seconds in the middle of the day. (It has been a little warmer over the last couple of afternoons – my underpants all have melted).

One interesting phenomenon I have noticed with the toe curling heat of the midday sun (yes, it is only mad dogs and English men who are out in it – not even the spiders, deadly of course, and snakes, equally as deadly, make an appearance between sort of noon and three in the afternoon) is that the roads don't melt – not that interesting I guess, just something to think about this evening over a cup of warm milk. J

Today held the promise of more hard graft – I know you don't want to hear about the breaks any more, although I did count today – 4 coffee breaks, 2 take a walk outside breaks during lectures, 1 lunch break, and most of the afternoon we sat around outside generally chin wagging. The general chin wagging was because it was assessment day, and they do take a long time.

My assessment went something along the lines of "You've been called to a man collapsed in the park. People are gathered around him, but don't know what is wrong. You are the only ambulance around the area (so don't expect to get any help, even if you want it – about the most realistic part of the scenario). "

You will see, if you look at the blog picture, what I was presented with – a resuscitation dummy with a great big spider on his chest. (No wonder people are scared of them if they are that big. No cuddly Charlotte's Web sized spider here). Anyway, I did manage to pass without much trouble. (The manikin – as it transpired – didn't survive the fall from the very large tree he was climbing when he was bitten by the said furry spider to which he was very allergic to – fall from height, and anaphylaxis "Unlucky" is all I can say; and to top it all off, he had me treating him!)

The assessments (all take a long time) were in the afternoon, which is why we sat around joking and laughing.

As home time loomed (3 p.m.) I received a phone call. My things had arrived from the U.K. I now have more under pants that I can melt in the midday sun, along with photographs, books, DVD's, more clothes, and other essentials (my entire life really) was in the two boxes, lovingly packed by Jane at home.

So for this evenings contemplating – spider bites, melting under pants, and non melting roads. I am definitely going to have to get to the pub early.