Back in Calgary and back to work!

Three days after returning from Greece, I was back in my old job, working Monday to Friday, almost as if I'd never left! How did that happen, you ask?

Well, when I retired in the summer, there was an agreement that I would be able to come back and work on a casual basis, if I wanted to. I was expecting to be offered a week here or there, to cover during vacation or sick time. There hasn't really been a history of providing relief staff in my office over the last few years, even during extra busy times, so I didn't expect to get that many hours. So when I was offered full-time hours for the next few months at least, it came as a bit of a surprise. It seems it has been extremely busy lately. This is a good thing for me! I'm actually quite enjoying being back. It's been great getting to see all my work friends again, and the extra money is a bonus. I see a new mountain bike in my future very soon - replacing my stolen one will hurt much less now!

Working when you know you can pull the plug anytime is a great position to be in! The minute Frank and I get itchy feet again and decide to head off somewhere, or when the snow gets better for skiing, it's nice to know I don't need to keep working.

Yesterday's sunrise on my way to work via Edworthy Park

As I don't have on-site parking at the hospital anymore, I have been driving to a park not too far from home and walking twenty-five minutes from there to get to work. It's a pleasant route through a forested park and across the Bow River on a footbridge, and then along a paved pathway to the hospital. This week the weather has been mild, hovering between 0 and +5C, and the snow has all melted, so walking has been most enjoyable.

Last week's snowy walk to work



But we are both missing Greece, the sunshine, the beaches and our bikes! My suntan is quickly disappearing and my body has been objecting to the cold, dry air here, so I have been sniffling constantly since I got home. Frank has reassembled and cleaned up our touring bikes and they're sitting in the garage looking lonely. This past week with the dry conditions, it was very tempting to get out for a spin. But unless I change up the tires and put studs on, these bikes won't get any more outings till the spring when the snow and ice disappear. Now if I had a fat bike....that would be a different story.....hmmmmm.

This time last month!! More about this and other western Crete beaches in an upcoming post.



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