Working like a dog

We have been working hard at the Reserve - chainsawing willows in the reed beds. The aim is to keep the reed beds as reed beds.

Last week, we saw a tawny owl in the woodland backing on to the reed bed; this week Michael saw a kingfisher! I did not. I dis see some birds that intrigued me, but I have no idea what they were.

The work I am referring to is not so much the volunteering but the paid.

I seem to have arranged to work seven days a week. While also volunteering for three. What else are evenings for, though?

Still. I am a bit worried.

I am also worried that the hotel in Qatar is a dry hotel. No, I can manage that. I have drunk wine once in two weeks. Yes, I know, you've fainted in shock. It's not making me feel better. I feel ill. Maybe that's my liver detoxing. Also, vaping is illegal in Qatar and you can't take medicine in, without a doctor's letter and a prescription AND you can't take codeine. CODEINE??? I hear you say. Well, there's a codeine and paracetamol painkiller (Solpadeine) which is the only thing that hits my migraines, eases my period pain and lets me sleep when I have insomnia. I spoke to a doctor about it and she said, this drug is an over-the-counter one, that my use is far from worrying. But look, five weeks with no wine, no nicotine, no SSRI and no codeine???? I won't make it.

And work seven days a week. And an earthworm course.

The culture project and the drawing are shelved for now. Have to be.

So depressing.

I feel the need for Solpadeine.