Since January I have spent many hours on my EdD thesis. It has been the daily norm of between 3 to 8 hours of writing. Yesterday a milestone reached . Full draft sent to supervisors. Today packed and ready for two weeks away.

Delighted to co author this paper which supports the development of teachers in multi composite rural classrooms. eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...

@strath-ioe.bsky.social @katewall.bsky.social

Torrential rain. A morning volunteering with @nationaltrust.bsky.social Scotland Crarae Gardens. Totally soaked. OH provided Thursday G&T and some reading to support Chapt 2 of thesis.

Cheers! 5 o clock Friday. Been a week!! Annual review for EdD. Rewriting from feedback, giving feedback on papers and begin Teaching Awards judging process 2025 . Visit to school with tatties for planting. Time for planting my own seeds. Retirement at its best.

A morning back on the thesis. Benefiting from writing retreat and a supportive annual review. Helpful supervisor comments on recent hand in. Renewed purpose and determined to be on the final leg of this EdD journey. Writing buddy basking in the morning sunshine.

33years ago I was patiently waiting in Rotten Row maternity hospital for the birth of my first born. Today I passed by what is left of the building on my way to a doctoral session @strath-ioe.bsky.social on methodology. We never know the journey ahead.

The joy of waking up to knowing your grown up baby is home for a few days.

Busy days writing up EdD thesis. Support and breaks have been helpful to keep me focused.

Burns 2025. Our supper and enjoying the concert on @bbcscotland . We were lucky to be at the actual recording and saw ourselves on telly !

A busy EdD week. Thesis structure, chapter cohesion, summary of chapters, conclusion structure. Abstract ready. Supervisor confirmed submission date eeeeeek. Gin o clock.

Productive couple of days. Writing and setting up new working space. There is a definite focus on being serious about formulating the first draft of complete thesis. Scary and exciting. @katewall.bsky.social

I ended 2024 excited again about my EdD thesis. We have title and target of full draft by February. Feeling excited and terrified for the beginning of 2025. Spent today planning action. First target date approaching. Thanks to my supportive network who believe in me more than I do. #ruralmatters

Desk ready for 2025. Motivation unicorns from my wee granddaughter. Planner, diary and to do list from daughters. Hint this thesis needs done! 2025 the completion year . Eeek I have said it………..

Happy New Year.

A quiet time during the last week of December. Eating, drinking and catching up as a family are so important. We need time to reconnect with ourselves and others. Walking together brings us special times.

After a 4 writing days with Acorn Writing Retreats I have a refreshed, renewed and reenergised relationship with my EdD thesis. I might just have caught sight of the final stages. I am excited about the next few months. 40 000 words and smiling. @katewall.bsky.social

Fantastic session with Cohort 8 of In Headship UHI. Rich discussion on the importance of theory supporting driving improvements. Joined by guest speaker @Katconasg from @NAllianceScot to explore LTA toolkit. Leadership which collaborates drives improvement.

@isatt2025.bsky.social thrilled to have my submission Equity in Rural Education accepted. Looking forward to presenting and raising the profile of our rural schools.

Productive day. Run to start the day. Writing session in a quiet house accompanied by the feline supervisor. Accepted submission for ISATT 25. Cuppa with neighbour. Final input of day webinar with UHI cohort 8 of In Headship . Time for rewards.

Took a lunchtime break from thesis writing. Walking helps me bring some cohesion to my thoughts. This view of two trees made me reflect on how I thought the process would be in the front and the reality behind. EdD journey is complex but fascinating.

I have been delving back into literature that has supported my research , analysis and findings. Key authors who I have had discussions with and honour to share with them some of my work. Interesting that these are all core books shaping my findings section and my positionality.#rural education

My side kick at the desk before I moved to the reading couch. Then she took over the office chair. She is known in our house as the EdD cat.

Looking for a writing retreat in Jan/Feb. Any suggestions welcome.

This morning spent out on our farm hill. New crispy snow, amazing views and big chats of past days and memories. Farm now under the ownership of our daughter and son in law. Family farms are important and not huge pots of money.

Something a wee bit indulgent spending Friday afternoon reading a couple of papers again for thesis and washing it down with a little red. A wee warm glow outside and inside when one of the papers can be cited as Patersons et al!!!!

Are you interested in place-based equity and education? If so, have a look at the Rural / Coastal Education starter pack. Please share widely! #RuralEd #EduSky #teachers #Education go.bsky.app/JGc6dza

Coldest and snowy November day for a long time here.

So today’s helpful co writer was inspecting the text and proof reading. Also pushing away unhelpful papers to make herself comfortable.#catsofphd

Trying to use up freezer food. Hence scallops from Loch Fyne, Stornaway black pudding with a cream, leek and garlic sauce. Served with baby potatoes and asparagus. Not bad for a Monday night!!

This morning desk view. Making use of the warm underfloor heating in the kitchen. The task of writing up findings about policy enactment in small rural primary schools. Any views or literature recommendations welcome from fellow researchers or practitioners. #ruralschoolsmatter

Good morning . Not so much blue sky this morning but amazing colours to welcome a new day. Enjoying making connections in this new space.

This afternoon has been about comfort and pause. Fire on, Jet loving life, Christmas Cake baking and re engaging with our CD collection.

Enjoyed a late afternoon walk with gorgeous light. Helped to try and process today’s thinking about policy and enactment.