Going back

Beautiful York: Pedestrian bridge
over the Foss, just where it joins the Ouse

I am a bit piqued that no one picked up on that word I used in the title of my post a couple of days ago, hebdomaversary. Since you are not interested, I will tell you: I constructed it myself, in analogy to anniversary; it means the turning of the week (rather than the year). Turns out it's not entirely original: a Google search revealed 8 hits (10 by now) - but still, not bad for an amateur I think.

I have indeed been here for two weeks (and a bit by now), and it is time to go back, temporarily. At this point I am probably expected to say that I look forward to seeing my family again, but though that is not untrue, it is not my dominant feeling. I an just getting started here, have far from exhausted the things I want to do and see, and this six day interruption (including travel days) feels like an unwelcome break.

Why am I going back then? For precisely one reason: the visitation of the Computer Science curriculum, by a national committee representing the authorities that decide upon the accreditation of our programme. This is a big deal: without accreditation, no more Computer Science in Twente. My part in it, on the other hand, is small: I will appear in my role as chairman of the Examination board, for exactly 45 minutes on Friday mornong. At the time I was planning my flight, it was not yet clear whether this would be on Thursday or Friday, hence the flight on Wednesday; and of course, once back I do want to spend the weekend at home, plus the connection on Sunday is not so good, hence the flight back on Monday.

Beautiful York: Cityscreen terrace, hanging out over the Ouse

As a bonus, this weekend happens to coincide with Spiel, the world's largest games fair, which takes place in Essen, about 90 minutes drive from Hengelo. (In case you have ever notied and wondered, this is why you can find Essen instead of much larger cities on many game boards that represent a map of Europe or the World: examples that come to mind are Ticket to Ride (Europe edition) and Pandora.) Maybe I can convince Willem-Jan or Floris to go there with me on Saturday or Sunday - although, come to think of it, Floris is playing in a Magic tournament, in Antwerp I believe. I'll hardly be seeing him at all. I might, on the other hand, meet some people from Beyond Monopoly! whom I heard discussing this last Saturday.

Another bonus is that I can sleep in a proper bed for some nights, rather than on this horrible thin and uneven mattress.

Beautiful York: Walmgate Stray,
between the university and the town

I will be back in York time for two typical English occasions: Halloween on 30 October, which I plan to experience at Castle Howard with some other people from the group, and Guy Fawkes Day on 5 November, which is when the English do their fireworking rather than on New Year's eve. Plenty to look forward to!