A brief tour of duty behind a desk

I had a practice day away from home today, in preparation for a month behind a desk in an office. In truth, it wasn't a full practice as I left home after 9, whereas when I go into the office, I will have to leave here at 6.30 otherwise the traffic queue to get through the Sun Valley robots will extend for about 4 kilometres. It seems unbelievable that this could be the case, but it is a bone of contention and a major factor in all objections to further development along the Kommetjie Road, as there is only one road from Kommetjie to Sun Valley and the most minor of incidents, such as a car parked at the side of the road, will cause a tailback for kilometres. A lack of driving ability in this area also exacerbates the problem.

But what will get quite a bit of getting used to is not being at home to take my 'weather' photo for posting on Facebook and Twitter first thing (there won't be time), or sitting on the deck with my camera at the ready, waiting for the sunbird to alight on a twig, or watch out for a flock of flamingos that regularly visits the Kom. A stroll along the boardwalk in the evening may be a thing of the past for a while unless dinner has been cooked by someone else, and my doggies will be alone (something very unusual for them). As for watering the garden, that might become a night-time activity, and housework (bleh!) will have to take a back seat until the weekends, which will be filled with admin work for our business as well.

How am I going to manage without my daily visit to the local coffee shop to catch up with friends, or the odd lunch further afield? What about a walk along the shady paths of Kirstenbosch, or a visit to the harbour at Kalk Bay to take pictures for paintings? When will I paint or write?

It is only when our freedom to pass our days in pastimes pleasant is taken away that we truly appreciate how lucky we are to be able to work from home and fit work into whatever hours suit us! It is only for a month, and one can never pass up the opportunity to earn a living, especially in an occupation that is worthwhile, but I am already missing home!