This famous quote from Mark Twain is ringing in my ear as I am aching all over from yesterday's game at the Cleveland Golf Club in Redcar.
But! What is it about this game that can get you so addicted?
I am already looking forward to my next game, next week.
Next year, I am hoping to play with my old pals at Battersby Putters Golf Society and I am going to need the practice!
No problem! I only need to work on my Tee shots, using the driver, fairway shots, chips, short game and of course the dreaded putting!
The old excuses come out, I haven't played for 3 months [true, the last game I had was in the unbelievable surroundings of Bonville near Coff's Harbour in Queensland, Australia.]
A slightly different experience and climate to that of Redcar in December, it has to be said!
I am not used to the clubs, [true! I was using a new set of clubs given to Abigail].
It's a new course, [This is also true, I have never played at the Cleveland Golf , a links course.]
The only links courses I have played were near Dunbar in Scotland, more than 15 years ago!
Yet you know it will be worth the pain when you see guys of my age and much older, as fit as lops and flying around the course.
Things can only get better!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
50 books to read before you Die, No. 12 Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson.
6 books on the go at once!
But , what a classic!
Without doubt one of my favourite films of all time, but I had never read the book!
Now I can't put it down.
'15 men on the dead man's chest!
Yo- Ho- Ho and a bottle of rum! '
It won't take long to read this book.
But , what a classic!
Without doubt one of my favourite films of all time, but I had never read the book!
Now I can't put it down.
'15 men on the dead man's chest!
Yo- Ho- Ho and a bottle of rum! '
It won't take long to read this book.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Great Ayton twinning Cake Stall
Anita and Sheila selling their cakes in Ayton to raise money for the Twinning Association.Biet fait mes amies!
Jessica and her Mum in class
A few weeks ago Jessica and her mum and Serge visited us in class. we are discussing our project ' Amigos en Guadeloupe'.E-Guides Sharing and Sharpening Award - Text from CHIPS [NIACE] magazine December 12th. 2011.
This year's E-Guides Sharing and Sharpening award was presented to Peter Samson from Middlesbrough with Runner up prize going to Elly Swanson of Derby. The awards which were sponsored by LSIS were presented by NIACE's patron HRN Princess Royal at Learning in a Digital World conference.
Highly Commended certificates were also awarded to Simon Waldron, Pamela Goodall, Lynn Preston, Pam Morgan, Theresa Rowland and Dominic White.
Highly Commended certificates were also awarded to Simon Waldron, Pamela Goodall, Lynn Preston, Pam Morgan, Theresa Rowland and Dominic White.
Australia August 2011
Fishing in the Creek at Coff's Harbour, August 2011, there is a pelican in the background. Fantastic memory!Rolando Ugolini and Alan Peacock
Living Legends!I met Alan Peacock and Rolando Ugolini at Uno Momento in Stokesley.
I thought that he would be fluent Italian, but he has the strongest Glaswegian accent that I have ever heard!
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
The Princess and I !
A proud day!
November 1st 2011
I was presented the E-Guide of the year Award by Princess Anne at the 'Learning in a Digital World Conference', which was held at the Mary Ward House in London.
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Pak Doo Ik
I have found this Spanish version of the famous match at Ayresome Park in 1966 when I was nowt but a kid!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Australia - part one
Coffs Harbour
What must Cook have thought, when he landed in this amazing country?
The colours and sounds are like no other that I have ever heard or seen!
Beautiful!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
La Coruña ---- Seminario Grundtvig, “El español a través de su cultura”.
My Presentation in La Coruña
Have a look at this video.
Chris Rea is from Middlesbrough.
Make of it what you want!!
The Road to Hell.
La Coruña ---- Seminario Grundtvig, “El español a través de su cultura”.
Día cinco – viernes 24 junio 2011 – Salida a Cee - Corcubión – Finisterre – Ezaro.
La Coruña ---- Seminario Grundtvig, “El español a través de su cultura”.
Día Cuatro – jueves 23 junio 2011 – visita al Acuarium Finisterrae.
La Coruña ---- Seminario Grundtvig, “El español a través de su cultura”.
Día tres –Miércoles, 22 junio 2011 - la casa del hombre, Susana y yo.
La Coruña ---- Seminario Grundtvig, “ El español a través de su cultura”.
Día dos - martes 21 junio 2011- la torre de Hércules y Susana explica.
La Coruña ---- Seminario Grundtvig, “ El español a través de su cultura”.
Día uno - lunes 20 junio 2011 - Un banquete internacional,
The Tornado comes to Battersby!
The Tornado comes to Battersby.
This amazing new! £3 million! Steam train arrived just as I was working in my allotment, what a life!!!!
You know you are getting old , when......
.........when you start taking photos of beetroot shoots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, July 03, 2011
50 books to read before you die. no 11 Harper Lee - To kill a mockingbird
Stared reading this today, seem to remember a really good film . Good story, problem is, I really enjoyed reading the first of Bernard Cornwell,s Sharp series. Sharp's Tiger.
Can't wait to get the next one.
struggling with the Great Gatesby!
Can't wait to get the next one.
struggling with the Great Gatesby!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
In der leitze Zeit
In der letzten Zeit
In der letzten Zeit habe ich über das Aelterwerden nachgedacht.
Ich werde jetzt 56 und ich glaube, Veraendeungen treten ein.
Ich begegne Aussagen, zum Beispiel ...
Sie wissen, dass Sie älter werden, wenn ...
Sie wissen, dass sie älter werden, wenn Sie sich im Garten eine Laube bauen
Pirates of the Carribean
Went to see the latest Pirates film last night.
Dissapointed! But I still enjoyed the film generally, I think the problem is that the previous films were just genius!
There seems to be a spate of new films from DC comics around this year.
Thor / The Green Lantern and Captain America!
Brilliant, I can't wait, I just wish I still had my comics.
Amancio Ortega
Amancio Ortega vive una vida secreta en La Coruña.
Quiere vivir anonimato, sin conmoción sin estar reconocido.
Este hombre, el fundador de la marca Zara es el hombre el más rico en España, [¿más rico del rey?]
Por lo visto, vive en un piso en el centro de La Coruña.
¿Mi reto?
Una entrevista, ¡es muy poco probable! No ha nunca dado una entrevista.
Unos pistas, lleva nunca una corbata pero lleva siempre T-shirt y bluejeans.
¡Este reducir los posibilidades!
¡Estén pendientes, les mantendremos informados!
Mi misión empieza 19 junio.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
My favourite Spanish phrase at the moment.
Tengo mi cabeza en la Luna de Valencia.
Translated as, my head is in a shed!
Translated as, my head is in a shed!
50 books to read before you die no 10 The great Gatesby. F.Scott Fitzgerald
Although this is a very short story, I am sreally struggling to get into it.
It has occurred to me how 'elitist' reading can be. This selection of books is a simple list that I have found and not the, 'definitive list'. Reading is personal and not something that can be prescribed. Of course there are 'Classics' but one person's classic is not another's. I could argue that even the early Superman comics are classic!
It has occurred to me how 'elitist' reading can be. This selection of books is a simple list that I have found and not the, 'definitive list'. Reading is personal and not something that can be prescribed. Of course there are 'Classics' but one person's classic is not another's. I could argue that even the early Superman comics are classic!
first Italian post
Una rondine non fa primavera.
One swallow doesn't make a summer.
Interesting! Swallows clearly arrive in Italy earlier than North Yorkshire, well it is nearer to Africa.
Our House Martins are here now!
One swallow doesn't make a summer.
Interesting! Swallows clearly arrive in Italy earlier than North Yorkshire, well it is nearer to Africa.
Our House Martins are here now!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
50 books to read before you die number 9 Mark Haddon. The curious incident of the dog in the night-time.
I think that the greatest accolade I can give this book is simple, I passed in to my 12 year old daughter who read it in a couple of hours.
The story of Christopher an autistic 15 year old, who sadly experiences the break up of his parents.
Christopher is a mathematical genius and he uses this skill to get by in life, I think to distract him from the chaos of his family life.
This is a wonderfully told yet far too true story of the breakdown of family life in a town like any other in England.
Apparantly , another film is on its way, could be difficult to portray this very complicated young man.
Excellent book!
The story of Christopher an autistic 15 year old, who sadly experiences the break up of his parents.
Christopher is a mathematical genius and he uses this skill to get by in life, I think to distract him from the chaos of his family life.
This is a wonderfully told yet far too true story of the breakdown of family life in a town like any other in England.
Apparantly , another film is on its way, could be difficult to portray this very complicated young man.
Excellent book!
50 Books to read before you die No 8 George Orwell. 1984
I seem to remember reading this at school. Yet I do not have as many memories of this book as I have of Animal Farm.
Having seen where Orwell wrote this book on the island of Jura, very close to the Cory Wreckon Whirlpool, I can imagine how he came up with such a dark and terrible story.
There are so many prophesies in this book that are so current in today's society, especially some of the technological ideas that he used.
Voices from the wall and cameras everywhere, how true is that of today's world with satellite and radar traps. You really do not know who is watching you.
George Orwell had a great influence on me as a young man, I suppose that after reading, 'Down and Out in London and Paris' so many years ago, the image of 'Le plongeur' the poor kitchen porter in the huge Parisien hotels has always given me the reality of how bloody hard it is sometimes to get by.
1984 is without doubt one of the very best books I have ever read and it has given me the inspiration to read some of his other work, especially 'Hommage to Catalonia' as I really should understand more regarding the Spanish Civil War. I also remember another wonderful book, 'The road to Wigan Pier'
Monday, April 11, 2011
Película española 2 Barrio
Una película española.
Director Fernando Léon de Aranda. 1999
Críspulo Cabezas, Timy Benito and Eloi Yebra.
Esta película es sobre tres jóvenes hijos en Madrid. Viven en un barrio trabajadora y suenen de una vida mejora.
Aunque esta película es bastante gracioso, es también muy triste.
Esta película muestra el lado escuro de la vida en un ciudad española, personas sin hogar, uso indebido de drogas, la violencia doméstica y alcoholismo. Me gusta mucho una escena con un esquí acuático que es totalmente inútil por los chicos, pero representa nuestra sociedad de consumo. Uno otro chico que esta desperezara para trabajar se convierte un repartidor de pizza sin motor de scooter por consiguiente todos de los pizzas están sobre frio!
Una buena película que es muy triste.
50 Books to read before you die No 7 The Color Purple
What an amazing book! This selection of books has probably given me the chance to read a book that I would not have normally chosen. Why not The Color Purple? Simply because , I had always thought it was a book about women, written for women. Which of course, some of this is true, it is a book about women, but it is much more that I had thought. The book is written in the form of letters, letters to God and letters to sisters. It is a tragic story of the plight of women and another example of the shocking situation in Africa during the colonialism period, especially by us the British! Well the British upper Class!
I now have a copy of the DVD to have a look at the comparison to the book.
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
50 Books to read before you die. No 6 Heart of Darkness
Joesph Conrad's classic is but a short story or a novella in a book with 2 other very readable stories about the sea.
This story influenced one of the most famous of all War films, 'Apocalypse Now' with Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando.
Written in the 1890s by Conrad who in fact was born on the Ukraine,I was convinced he was American.
Themes are rampant in the book, Modernism, Imperialism, God knows slavery and racism and the more I think about the appalling European treatment of Africa, it's people, the Ivory trade, it is quite horrendous.
An amazing story, thought provoking, moving, frightening, genius.
Next book, equally anticipated because of my memory of the film, Alice Walker's 'The Color Purple'.
Pelicula española 1 . Te doy mis ojos. España Director Iciar Bollain.
Esta pelicula es de 2004 y los actores principales son, Laia Marull y luis Tosar.
Es una historia muy triste sobre la violencia doméstica.
Yo no conozco los actores pero creo que Laia Marull da una interpretación ¡fenomenal!
Para mí es un tema muy sensitibo y desgraciadamente muy común actualemente en nuestra sociedad.
Me parece que el cine española es una mina de talento y tendré que investigar y descubrirlo.
Mi película próxima sera el Barrio, una película española dirigida por Fernando Léon de Aranoa[1998]
Es una historia muy triste sobre la violencia doméstica.
Yo no conozco los actores pero creo que Laia Marull da una interpretación ¡fenomenal!
Para mí es un tema muy sensitibo y desgraciadamente muy común actualemente en nuestra sociedad.
Me parece que el cine española es una mina de talento y tendré que investigar y descubrirlo.
Mi película próxima sera el Barrio, una película española dirigida por Fernando Léon de Aranoa[1998]
Frankenstein the Movie 1
This version of the film, directed by James Whale is from 1931!
80 years old! Incredible!
The monster, Boris Karloff used to frighten the life out of me on a Friday night, when I was a kid and to be honest is still awesome! As with Moby Dick, the story from the book is very loosely portrayed , however, this does not in any way affect the film. The film is just simply a classic !
Kenneth Branagh made a version of the story in 1994, starring Robert de Niro as the monster. I have ordered a copy, as I understand that he has tried to keep to the story, but there are some awful write-ups on the film. Watch this space for mine!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
50 Books to read before you die No 5 Frankenstein
The second book from the 19 century with a similar theme to that of Moby Dick. Revenge! This book of course is one of the forerunners of Gothic Horror stories, interestingly I always thought that the Vampire story was based in Bram Stoker's Dracula, It seems that Lord Byron had a lot to do with the beginnings of the tale.
I also always thought that ' The Bride of Frankenstein' was a bit of a joke Hammer Horror sequel, but how wrong I was, Mary Shelley has poor old Doctor Frankenstein ditching the future Mrs. Fiend in a basket in the waters somewhere near the Orkneys. I have ordered the oldest DVD film (1934) and hopefully nearest to the story of Frankenstein.
I must admit I did enjoy this book and I am glad that I made the effort to read it. I know there are lots of messages about the industrial revolution and Godwinian philosophy, but its still a really scary story!
Where next? Well, it's time for a short story and one I do not know anything about, including the writer.
Joseph Conrad and 'Heart of Darkness' To be followed by a film (but not a book) that I do know, Alice Walker's The Color Purple.
I also always thought that ' The Bride of Frankenstein' was a bit of a joke Hammer Horror sequel, but how wrong I was, Mary Shelley has poor old Doctor Frankenstein ditching the future Mrs. Fiend in a basket in the waters somewhere near the Orkneys. I have ordered the oldest DVD film (1934) and hopefully nearest to the story of Frankenstein.
I must admit I did enjoy this book and I am glad that I made the effort to read it. I know there are lots of messages about the industrial revolution and Godwinian philosophy, but its still a really scary story!
Where next? Well, it's time for a short story and one I do not know anything about, including the writer.
Joseph Conrad and 'Heart of Darkness' To be followed by a film (but not a book) that I do know, Alice Walker's The Color Purple.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The King's Speech (2)
(2) ? Because it is the second time I have seen this film in the cinema and to be honest I think I would go again!
I can't remember the last time I watched a film twice? Life of Brian?
I love this film, I love the history and the humanity of the story. It deserves every honour it gets , Oscars , the lot.
I can't remember the last time I watched a film twice? Life of Brian?
I love this film, I love the history and the humanity of the story. It deserves every honour it gets , Oscars , the lot.
50 Books to read before you die No 4. Moby Dick
Excellent!
I watched the DVD straight after I had finished the book. The book is just so detailed and of course the film tells the story of the Whale and the chase.
Yet I was beginning to think that the amount of detail would detract from the story of Ahab's revenge. I was wrong.
I found myself looking for the detail described in the book in scenes in the film. Small details, but what a difference it made to my enjoyment of the film, which I had seen before, probably many times.
So , on to the next book. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
I seem to be stuck in the Gothic period, but I must be honest I loved Hammer Horror when I was a kid.
I watched the DVD straight after I had finished the book. The book is just so detailed and of course the film tells the story of the Whale and the chase.
Yet I was beginning to think that the amount of detail would detract from the story of Ahab's revenge. I was wrong.
I found myself looking for the detail described in the book in scenes in the film. Small details, but what a difference it made to my enjoyment of the film, which I had seen before, probably many times.
So , on to the next book. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
I seem to be stuck in the Gothic period, but I must be honest I loved Hammer Horror when I was a kid.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
50 Books to read before you die No 4. Moby Dick
Some thoughts on Moby Dick.
I am about half way through the book now and I must admit, it has really surprised me in the sense of the style of writing. I guess I expected a book that would be written in a more simple style, probably because of my memories of the film and knowledge of the story. Well I couldn't have been more wrong!
In one sense this is an encyclopaedia of all things Whaling. Detailed accounts of species and equipment, all things nautical, of which I can only imagine how these amazing sailing ships worked.
I love the writer's short chapters, especially when describing the Crew which represents the Human race.
Clearly recognised as a classic novel, it is more than obvious that this will jump to number one of my top 50, when I have finished it!
I am about half way through the book now and I must admit, it has really surprised me in the sense of the style of writing. I guess I expected a book that would be written in a more simple style, probably because of my memories of the film and knowledge of the story. Well I couldn't have been more wrong!
In one sense this is an encyclopaedia of all things Whaling. Detailed accounts of species and equipment, all things nautical, of which I can only imagine how these amazing sailing ships worked.
I love the writer's short chapters, especially when describing the Crew which represents the Human race.
Clearly recognised as a classic novel, it is more than obvious that this will jump to number one of my top 50, when I have finished it!
Voces inocentes.
Thanks to the amazing Dvd library at Durham University, I can now access material I would never have found.
This week I found a Mexican film directed by Luis Mandoki.
This film called Voces inocentes, is set in El Salvador in the 1980s. Politically, the film comments on the American involvement in the Civil war. But the message for me was the shocking use of children in the guise of Child soldiers.
More worrying probably to me is, what the Hell did I know about it at the time and to be honest, did we really care?
This week I found a Mexican film directed by Luis Mandoki.
This film called Voces inocentes, is set in El Salvador in the 1980s. Politically, the film comments on the American involvement in the Civil war. But the message for me was the shocking use of children in the guise of Child soldiers.
More worrying probably to me is, what the Hell did I know about it at the time and to be honest, did we really care?
Sunday, March 06, 2011
50 books to read before you die, No 3 Life of Pi
Total genius!
The next time we get a cat, he will be called Richard Parker. This book is going to be made into a film 2012 ?
It will have to be a hell of a film, to represent this amazing story!
What a story, I couldn''t put it down. Surely that' s a sign of a really good book. I took it everywhere with me, it is so good to have a good book to take out of your bag and read with a coffee, for example in a cafe.
Definitely my favourite so far, so this is the rating.
1 = Life of Pi
2 = The Catcher in the Rye
3 = Money
Now a total classic, that I have never read!
The great leviathan himself.
MOBY DICK. Even in the first few pages, it seems to me that another book on the list needs to be read. The Bible! Immediately, references to the Old testament are a really important part of understanding the text. Could be one of my most interesting reads?
The next time we get a cat, he will be called Richard Parker. This book is going to be made into a film 2012 ?
It will have to be a hell of a film, to represent this amazing story!
What a story, I couldn''t put it down. Surely that' s a sign of a really good book. I took it everywhere with me, it is so good to have a good book to take out of your bag and read with a coffee, for example in a cafe.
Definitely my favourite so far, so this is the rating.
1 = Life of Pi
2 = The Catcher in the Rye
3 = Money
Now a total classic, that I have never read!
The great leviathan himself.
MOBY DICK. Even in the first few pages, it seems to me that another book on the list needs to be read. The Bible! Immediately, references to the Old testament are a really important part of understanding the text. Could be one of my most interesting reads?
Friday, March 04, 2011
50 books to read before you die, no. 2 Money. Martin Amis
Ummm
Not quite sure what to make of this book?
I must admit it was quite funny in places, the main character John Self, reminds me of a few people. It also reminds me of the 1980s Bloody awful decade!
Anyway, I am well into a much better book now.
The Life of Pi.
Not quite sure what to make of this book?
I must admit it was quite funny in places, the main character John Self, reminds me of a few people. It also reminds me of the 1980s Bloody awful decade!
Anyway, I am well into a much better book now.
The Life of Pi.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
50 Books to read before you die . 1 The Catcher in the Rye
Excellent!
Swell!
I really enjoyed this book, although set in a time and a place, I do not know. I can relate to a lot of adolescent experiences in J.D. Salinger's novel.
I love the language, swell! Goddamn kills me!
I can also appreciate the tragedy in the story, thank God I am not a 16 year old again!
Definitely recommended,
Number 2
Money by Martin Amis, should be totally different, set in the 1980 's. Some fairly odd critique, but I'll give it a go.
Swell!
I really enjoyed this book, although set in a time and a place, I do not know. I can relate to a lot of adolescent experiences in J.D. Salinger's novel.
I love the language, swell! Goddamn kills me!
I can also appreciate the tragedy in the story, thank God I am not a 16 year old again!
Definitely recommended,
Number 2
Money by Martin Amis, should be totally different, set in the 1980 's. Some fairly odd critique, but I'll give it a go.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
A visit to the Guildhall
We have done it again, getting invited to all of the best places!
Mark, Phil and I in our posh suits. MAES was shortlisted for the E Gov awards and the presentation was at London's Guildhall.
What a place!
Photos to come!
Mark, Phil and I in our posh suits. MAES was shortlisted for the E Gov awards and the presentation was at London's Guildhall.
What a place!
Photos to come!
50 Books to Read before you die.
After visiting one of my favourite places in the world, The British Library.
I bought myself a little souvenir, a bookmark with
50 BOOKS TO READ TO READ BEFORE YOU DIE
Among the list, it has to be said are some of my favourite books.
Over the next few months, ( or maybe Years! ) I will tell you the books on the list and track my progress.
To start with, a short one.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.
I bought myself a little souvenir, a bookmark with
50 BOOKS TO READ TO READ BEFORE YOU DIE
Among the list, it has to be said are some of my favourite books.
Over the next few months, ( or maybe Years! ) I will tell you the books on the list and track my progress.
To start with, a short one.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.