A Day In Bed

Woke up yesterday morning to what can only be described as a 'summer flu'. Red streaming eyes, nose, sore throat etc. The shivers as well. Decided that KC could do without me and phoned in 'sick'. Spent most of the day in bed dosing myself with Lemsips and cold drinks. Much better today, and ready to face the world again.

Just as well, as my line manager phoned to see how I was in the afternoon. As I am never off work this is a mixture of concern for you, and concern that there is nobody to cover your classes if you are unwell. If a teacher goes sick in my College during the teaching year the students are in stook. Things go on hold until the teacher is back. There has not been a permanent job in my Faculty for years and years. Those that are there are on full timetables with no slack. Our staff are ageing, and there is no 'new blood'. I predict a staffing crisis in Scottish FE in 10-15 years time as my generation die off or retire unless this trend, now institutionalised, is corrected.

Now to go and do some teaching. Maybe pen some more this evening.