Until yesterday my OU Student Homepage said my course materials weren’t due to be despatched until September 21st for a September 29th start and, since I registered late for the course, I wasn’t expecting them for at least another week.
But since students starting posting on the A215 open conference that their course materials had already arrived, I went to look at my homepage. Yes, my materials have been despatched but because they are coming by DHL, they’re going to have a sea journey before they reach me….
| Status | Date | Time | Signatory | Branch |
| Receipt Stamped | 12/09/07 | 08:52 | TRURO SERVICE CENTRE | |
| Out for delivery | 12/09/07 | 06:51 | TRURO SERVICE CENTRE | |
| Held – Awaiting Booking-In Date | 11/09/07 | 11:25 | TRURO SERVICE CENTRE | |
| Islands & Highlands – Sea | 11/09/07 | 11:24 | TRURO SERVICE CENTRE | |
| Arrived At Depot | 11/09/07 | 06:12 | TRURO SERVICE CENTRE | |
| Arrived At Depot | 11/09/07 | 00:44 | BRISTOL TERMINAL | |
| Departed Depot | 10/09/07 | 19:55 | HATFIELD TERMINAL | |
| Arrived At Depot | 10/09/07 | 19:54 | HATFIELD TERMINAL | |
| In Transit | 10/09/07 | HATFIELD TERMINAL | ||
| Shipment Data Received | 10/09/07 | MILTON KEYNES SERVICE CENTRE |
I’m not sure if the above details mean that the parcel has made the journey from Truro to Penzance to catch the Scillonian III’s departure at 9.15am this morning or if it’s still in transit. I’m really hoping it’s already on the boat chugging its way across the 28 miles of open sea between Penzance and Scilly 
It may not arrive today anyway because the boat doesn’t dock until about midday and the parcel may not make it into today’s postal delivery. Maybe tomorrow ….
We’re busy today anyway because we’re having a barbecue this evening and have invited some friends round. We’re having steak, chicken and Mediterranean monkfish kebabs. I’m also going to make Chocolate Mousse for dessert which will make The Artist very happy We’re planning to eat at 6pm because the evenings are drawing in a little and the wind can make things feel chilly once the sun is nearing the horizon. (Unfortunately we also have customers coming round at 5.30pm, which is after we usually close the Gallery, but they want an original watercolour so we shall have to juggle barbecue and business.)
Tomorrow is my birthday … and also change over day in our apartments – so we will be busy doing the cleaning and keeping an eye on the Gallery. The Artist has put sultanas to soak in brandy so there is a Chocolate Refrigerator Cake in the offing, I suspect. It’s the big Five Oh but, to be honest, I don’t feel fifty at all
