November 2

Another day out of the office for me today. The broken boiler meant having to shower at the gym, something I try to avoid, not least because of the hassle of pre-organising every single thing you need before leaving home. B. has a little routine where he packs his bag and then mentally dresses himself (socks? check. jocks? check. shoes? check, etc...) but girls have about a hundred extra things to remember (cleanser, moisturiser, multiple towels, make up, the list goes on...) not to mention the pressure of being unable to change your top if it just doesn't look right that day or has an unexpected stain that you didn't notice when stuffing it into your bag. Its just a bit much to deal with at 6am.

Anyway, we had a team away day to a place called BedZED (Beddington Zero Energy Development), an eco-village in outer South London. Its a sustainable living housing development and our team was primarily interested in it for the model the charity uses to get projects off the ground (often starting things off then partnering with or starting private businesses that have to adopt their 'one planet living' environment model - quite a move from traditional charity fundraising).

A display home on the site showcases a range of environmentally-friendly furnishings, some really lovely stuff and one of my colleagues who has just bought a house was especially impressed (but at £12 a dinner plate and £39 a cushion she may just be heading to Ikea like the rest of us - of course this stuff is probably expensive because its designer rather than because its recycled but I look forward to the time when this stuff (sustainable + stylish) is mainstream).

Back home hot water services had resumed causing much joy and merriment and dancing in the streets.