Moving on
Other than London, Canterbury can claim (I think) to have more universities than any other place in England.
Thirteen years ago I started at one of them as a mature student, yesterday I finally left, somewhat older, wiser and I would hope just a little bit more mature. I arrived with most of my worldly belongings in a battered Nissan Cherry which had no tax and iirc a rather iffy MOTT, during my first day in Canterbury I managed to get two parking fines in the same carpark at the same time – one for the lack of tax the other for not displaying a disabled badge (I really did not know that the car park was only for disabled users). Since then I have learnt – I arrived by bus and the car of Trev (via the Sportsman Cafe) and left on foot (in order to QA test the Late Red along with a curry).
Walking down the hill into town with mrspao it occurred to me that the last time I had made the same journey was when I was still a student – so over ten years ago. Somehow it felt somewhat fitting on an autumnal evening to leave on foot.
Life has changed somewhat over the last thirteen years; then I was utterly irresponsible although supposedly mature (the criteria was an age older than 23 iirc), somehow I managed to get a degree, a job, a wife and some very good friends – so a bit more than planned when I started.
So Monday I am starting at pastures new, well in reality at one of the other two universities in this fine city. There will be many new people to meet, much to learn, new ways of doing things and plenty to do. I am looking forward to it as I have for the last three months since I submitted my resignation.
Yet at the same time during moments of reflection there is sadness at leaving a place that had in some ways been a home for almost a third of my life.
In the meantime I am astonished (really) at the generosity of my former colleagues in their collection for my farewell presentation – once again – many thanks and fare well. I will be investing in some Cokin graduated filters and relevant accessories.
