WELL, the session is running down and for the first time in decades I am not campaigning to return as your MSP.
This does not mean in these last weeks I am slowing down. This week I visited, for the last time as an MSP, Borders College to see the apprentices in training.
I had a grand chat with the joiners, electrical students and with Jordan, an apprentice plumber and their teachers.
In this Scottish Apprenticeship Week, it is a reminder how a career in the trades provides prospects and choice.
You can become part of a team or set off on your own and I won’t be alone in saying it’s hard to find a decent tradesman when you need one.
University has its place - indeed, I attended twice: first time at 18 for my arts degree and then as a mature student studying law.
In both instances, these were vocational - teacher then lawyer and while a degree is not all about a profession and can importantly be about expanding knowledge and training your intellect, there are too many graduates unable to find work.
For many years, going to uni was seen as a mark of how clever you were and leaving school to work or take up an apprenticeship did not have the same status.
I never subscribed to that. Indeed some of the brightest people I know never crossed the threshold on a university.
As one who is bound to make a mess of even hanging a picture, I have huge regard for those whose skills lay in their hands though you need more than that to follow a diagram for electrical wiring of a factory, plumbing in a historic building.
At last we have the recognition that letters after your name are not the be-all and end-all and having a skilled trade is not only worthwhile, but the path to a varied and lifetime long career.
So, my thanks again to all at Borders College.
While I am thanking, I thank the management at Gala Tesco for my wee surgery spot, next to the photo booth sitting there and being available for you to stop, if you wish, and hear your issues.
To give some perspective, in February there were 127 open cases, 77 closed and there were 396 emails.
While I discuss all cases with my staff, you will appreciate I cannot do these alone and some of you will be familiar with the names of my team.
We shall add to that number no doubt as I do my last surgery ever, in Gala Tesco on March 20. It will be very odd indeed to wake up on a Friday without my journey to these surgeries.
I do hope my successor whoever that is takes these up as they have been, for me, one of the most important parts of this job.
Now, the garden will get some much needed attention, the greenhouse will be cleaned, and I will have time to visit my sons in London and Canada.
But, what a privilege these 27 years have been and my final thanks go to you, to the organisations I have met, to kind words (and even some not so kind!) but that goes with the job.
Best wishes, Christine.
