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!!!!

La Coruña

Jueves 30 junio 2011
Betanzos
Un día fenomenal, el ultimo día del curso.

You know you are getting old , when......

.........when you start taking photos of beetroot shoots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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!

LA CORUNA

Just recovering from 10 wonderful days in Galicia.
Me encanta Grundtvig!

Photos to follow.

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.

My favourite Spanish phrase at the moment.

Tengo mi cabeza en la Luna de Valencia.

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!

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!

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!

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'

Уроки русского

Здравствуйте.
Меня зовут Петр.
Большое спасибо , Галина, Малгожата и
Данута.

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.

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]

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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?

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?

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.

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.

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!

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.

De Brus Centre / Skelton

Yesterday was spent with a lovely group of Pickle enthusiasts!
We spent the day making Chutney and jams at the De Brus Centre in Sunny Skelton.

Thank you for the kind words and enthusiastic feedback.
Here is the recipe for the Chilli Jam.

Simple as you like!

5oz Chillies, any size any type, depends how hot you like it!
5oz Red Pepper.

Chop them up roughly, including the seeds!
Put them through a food processor.

Take 1/2 litre of CIDER VINEGAR
Desolve 1 kg. of preserving sugar in the vinegar on the heat.

When the sugar is dissolved add the purree of chilli and pepper.

Heat to setting point, it will look quite runny, but it always seems to set!

And that's it!

Eat with whatever you like! Especially a Petch's Pie!

Cushty!

You are never too Old!

Today was the first day of my Language degree at Durham University!

God , it brought back some memories of my first degree more than 20 years ago.
The anxiety I felt then and today of being a mature student.

The students seem so young! But then again , they are!

I wil also never get over the buzz of the first Lecture and the Lecture theatre. A learner enquired the other night, ' You really must love learning, Pete'. You are damn right I do!

Somehow, there seems to be a little less stress than in the past, but I am sure that is to do with my confidence, and AGE!

Vic's wedding

What a day, can you ever imagine me tongue tied ?

Beautiful!

KILDALE SHOW

I love this photo from last year, I was stood in the river Loire on a red hot evening.

It won first prize for the section, 'Tales of the Riverbank' .

Along with third prize for my painting of a swan, I'm pretty chuffed with myself!

Time for an update

Never enough time!!

The end of term is here and my visits around the North are under way.

A very busy summer lays ahead, Victoria's wedding, Summer Shows, Sailcamp.

Planning for next year is also under way, Latin in redcar and CHinese in Middlesbrough! Exciting stuff!

Pigeon Impossible

Merci Dedene! C'est marrant!

Pigeon impossible

Tinca Tinca

El otra día estaba pensando en un poema alemán, que se llama,
‘Sommer’. En español ‘el verano’.
Estaba pescando y pesqué mi primero ‘ Tinca Tinca’, [Tenca en español], del año.
El poema alemán tiene tres versos con tres preguntas.

Weiβt du, wie der Sommer reicht?
¿Sabéis cómo huele el verano?
Weiβt du, wie der Sommer schmeckt?
¿Sabéis cómo sabe el verano?
Weiβt du, wie der Sommer klingt?
¿Sabéis cómo suena el verano?

This is my version of the poem; I thought that you would like to add to it, your own personal verses?
¿Sabéis cómo huele el verano?
Para mí el olor del verano es;
El olor del amanecer, humedad y hierba.
¿Sabéis cómo sabe el verano?
El sabor de café de un frasco.
¿Sabéis cómo suena el verano?
Cuando el cucú está cantando.

Powerboat Course

It's been another weekend of boating!
On Bank Holiday Monday, I went to Scaling Dam Sailing Club to complete my level 1 Powerboat Course.
It was freezing!!



But! The cuckoo is back and today I am going fishing.
Pictures to follow.

Una aventura en alta mar.

Hace dos semanas fui a Blythe en Northumberland para comenzar una aventura en alta mar. Íbamos a Edimburgo.
El viaje empezó a las 13:00 a Stockton, entonces fuimos una hora en coche a Blythe.
El barco de vela estaba en puerto, éramos cuatro marineros y teníamos el fin del semana para ir a Edimburgo.
Teníamos también mucha comida, whisky y pastillas para el mareo.
A las 16:00 salimos a Blythe en una tarde buenísimo de primavera.
El capitana John dice que había suficiente de viento, pues cancelé el motor del barco.
Después dos horas de navegación, John intentó arrancar el motor, ¡no había motor!
Tenemos que cambiar nuestro destino. Pues nos quedamos en un pequeño puerto se llama Low Newton.
Al día siguiente volvimos a Blythe, sin motor.
Finalmente, fuimos al mar para ir en Escocia.
Ahora éramos un tripulación de tres, porque un marinero estaba enfermo.
Durante el viaje, vimos muchas focas y aves marinas.
Llegamos a Escocia a las cuatro de la mañana, en la oscuridad. Por la mañana anduve a la playa y vi el escollo!

Muchas Gracias Paty,

Molly Pup

Molly , 18 hours work at least, but I am very pleased with the result.

Eyemouth Eiderduck

I love the colours on this Sea Duck!

The Motley Crew

Back on Terra Firma, after the trip form Blythe to Eyemouth. John and Chris navigated us through the Farne Islands and around Holy Island into Eyemouth Harbour in the Bloomin' dark!

Ca'olila

Eyemouth Harbour

Trip to Eyemouth

 

After an eventful trip from Blythe, we arived in Eyemouth at 04:00. Yes ! 04:00

BECTA WINNERS!!

Middlesbrough Council Community Learning honoured as a digital innovator.


I was absolutely delighted to represent the team at Becta's Award ceremony at Birmingham's ICC on Monday evening, 8th. March 2010.


As a Middlesbrough boy, I feel it is it really is important to showcase the excellent work across the Organisation in such an arena. This is the second consecutive year that we have received the award, last year as part of the Teeeslearn team.

Middlesbrough Council Community Learning has been named the winner of the prestigious Adult and Community Learning category at the second annual Next Generation Learning Awards. These awards from Becta, the government agency for technology in learning, aim to reward technological excellence in the Further Education and Skills sector. They celebrate the very best practice across the country and are one of the most important and respected awards in the sector’s calendar.

Drückt mir die Daumen

Drückt mir die Daumen!

Wir gehen Montag nach Birmingham zum .
Next Generation Learning Awards: Technology Excellence in FE & Skills


Wish me luck!
Next Generation Learning Awards 2010 - Shortlist
Adult and Community Learning

Aston Pride NDC
Middlesbrough Council Community Learning

Huile?

La guerre de l’huile ! ?

Hier, on était en train de discuter les ; ‘ iles de Falklands’. en francais , Malouines et espagnol les Malvinas.
J’ai expliqué que en 1982, il y avait une guerre entre l’Argentine et le Royaume-Uni--- a cause de ?
La souveraineté ?
Alors, c’était l’époque de Margaret Thatcher et beaucoup de gens ont été tues ! Très triste !
Maintenant les problèmes ont réapparu, il y a une nouvelle tension entre nos deux pays.
Pourquoi ?
Parce que nous, les britanniques avons décidé qu’il y a beaucoup d’or caché sous la mer ! sous forme de ‘
{Huile !]
Et c’est a ce moment que ma jeune assistante a dit une guerre de HUILE !!!! ?

Évident, maintenant que j’aurais dire ‘ Pétrole’ !
En fait l’histoire des ‘Falklands’ est incroyablement compliqué ! Regardez les liens pour Louis Antoine de Bougainville.

Talking Dog! Merci mille fois Dedene, c'est chouette!

A guy is driving around the back woods of Montana and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house: 'Talking Dog For Sale ' He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard.

The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there.


'You talk?' he asks.


'Yep,' the Lab replies.



After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says 'So, what's your story?'
The Lab looks up and says, 'Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA. In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping.'
'I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running.. But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals.' 'I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired.'

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.


'Ten dollars,' the guy says.


'Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?'

'Because he's a liar. He never did any of that shit.

St. Valentine

Here is the link to the article about St. Valentine.

Burns

While we sit bousing at the nappy,
An' getting fou and unco happy
We think na on the lang Scots miles,
The mosses, waters, slaps and styles,
That lie between us and our hame,
Whare sits our sulky sullen dame,
Gathering her brows like gathering storm,
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.

Thank you Joan, I suppose we must look at the linguistic values. I think we should ask you to read this with your Scottish accent.

Russian Winter Festival

Just to advertise the , Russian Winter Festival'.
This will be held at 'Van Mildert College', Durham.
Saturday 27th. February 2010.
12-4
Expect to see traditional guest speakers and support the Russian Orphan Fund.

I am hoping to go as I have had the wonderful opportunity to visit Kostroma in Russia on two occasions.

C.I.E.H. Professional Trainers' Course

A big hello to delegates on the CIEH Trainers' course. Good luck for your presentations and don't forget to access your resources on www.cafepierre.eu.

Y en espagnol por Miguel, !buene suerte!

Peter

Who was St. Valentine ?

Who was Saint Valentine?

St Valentine was a Christian priest who lived in Rome during the third century AD. He was executed by the Emperor Claudius II.

His execution was during the Roman festival of Lupercalia, a celebration of Juno, the goddess of fertility. This is why Valentine became associated with lovers.

It is said that the bones of St Valentine were owned by a French family. This family gave the bones to Franciscan friars in 1868. The bones were taken to Glasgow, Scotland and are kept there in a Franciscan church.

There are other churches all over Europe which also claim to hold the bones of St Valentine.

Perhaps only those truly in love can spot the real ones!

Written by Joan Kavanagh

Hero?

I love this !!!!!

HERO

Thank you Tara!

Mis deberes españoles

¡Mi semana, fue una semana muy interesante!
Fíjate, el lunes, martes y miércoles, tuve mis clases de Francés. Alemán y español, muchas reuniones y trabajo, ¡normal!
Pero el jueves y viernes tuve dos días fenomenales. El jueves por la mañana fui a las nueve al Gisboro Hall.
¿Por qué?
Estoy en el equipo de Middlesbrough AE, y somos ejemplas con la trabajas tecnológicos para la Education.
Fuimos la sede de la conferencia ejemplar, para trabajar con nueve organizaciones.
Hay organizaciones de Cornwall, Devon, Lincoln, Derbyshire, Doncaster, Londres, Darlington, Shipley y Middlesbrough.
Comimos a las once y todas las organizaciones dimos una presentación. Hubo mucha de discusión y preguntas. Después tuvimos dos horas de tiempo libre. Nos quedábamos en el hotel así que mi duché y descansé. A las siete nos reunimos en el restaurante para cenar y continuar la discusión.
Hablamos mucho de Moodle y del trabajo, hay muchas personas muy interesantes. Cenamos y bebí dos o tres vasos de vino.
Fui a la cama a las once y media. ¡Fíjate, estaba muy cansada!
Por la mañana me levanté a las siete y caminé en el terreno del hotel.
Desayunamos y fuimos al centro de MAES.
Viernes, trabajamos hasta las dos de la tarde.
Después comimos, nuestros nuevos amigos salieron para la estación.
¿ Y ahora? El proyecto continuara ‘en línea’ y tengo que visitar Cornwall y Derbysire, discutiremos y trabajaremos hasta el fin del proyecto en julio.

This is the finished product of my Spanish Homework, Muchas gracias Paty!!!!

Exemplar Conference at Gisborough Hall

On Thursday and Friday of this week, I had a rest from my teaching commitments. Middlesbrough Adult Education Service have been recognised as 'Exemplar' providers in the use of Technology with teaching and learning. This meant that we had to organise a Residential Conference for our, 'Mini Network' of providers. We chose the superb Gisboro Hall to hold the Conference. Situated on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, we were only 20 minutes away from our offices in Middlesbrough.

Partners from all over the UK were present, Cornwall, Devon, London, Derbyshire, Doncaster, Lincoln, Shipley and the locals from Darlington and Middlesbrough Colleges were present.

Excellent Networking took place with future events planned in Derbyshire and Cornwall.

Memories of Summer

I was looking through some photos and came across this wonderful image. I took it on a beautiful evening by the Loire in August 2009. I must have been walking for hours , because my host came looking for me. I think he probably thought I had fallen in the Loire.
Can't wait to return , hopefully in July for the Comice!!

Army conscription in Austria

Austria
Austria has mandatory military service for fit male citizens from 18 to 35 years of age. Since 2006, the period of service has been six months. Conscientious objectors can join the civilian service (called Zivildienst) for nine months. A 12-months participation in the Austrian Holocaust Memorial Service, the Austrian Social Service or the Austrian Peace Service is regarded as an equivalent to the civilian service.

Since January 1, 1998, females can join the military service voluntarily.

Taken from Wikipedia
Peter

NOUVELLE LOI SUR LA CEINTURE DE SÉCURITÉ >
Elle devient applicable dès 1er Octobre 2009 dans TOUS les Pays .
Le Conseil Mondial de la Sécurité Routière a fait des tests sur une Nouvelle Génération de ceinture de sécurité.
Les Résultats montrent que les accidents peuvent être réduits de 95%, quand la ceinture est correctement installée. >
L'Installation correcte est illustrée ci-après...
S'il vous plait, faites suivre à vos Amis et à votre Famille.
CELA PEUT AIDER A SAUVER DES VIES !


Cela peut réellement sauver des vies et réduire la tension artérielle de 40%
JE SAIS....TU SOURIS ! ! !

Dining with Dinosaurs

The official dinner of the World Forum was held at the Natural History Museum.London. Probably the most unusual venue that I have ever eaten a meal, and it was excellent. 600 guests, Ambassadors, Ministers, Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen and little old me from Middlesbrough!

World Forum January 2010

WORLD FORUM INTERVIEW

Thanks Stan and Phil our'Expert' Learners.

Well done to all for attending 'L'atelier' yesterday at the Southlands Centre.

Thank you very much Stan and Phil for your help.

As you know we have been nominated for the 2010 BECTA 'Next Generation Award' and your help was very important.

At the same time, this will now encourage the 'Atelier' to continue and hopefully explore the resources available through the Emporiums.

Merci mille fois

Pierre

L'atelier

Sutton Bank -Today Sunday 6th. December 2009

So you're an artist as well!

When someone said that to me yesterday , it made me think! God, I suppose I am! The slideshow is my total work as an artist.
It goes to show that you should never underestimate your possiblities!
I can't remember such a feeling as the first card I sold last week at Danby. It made me feel so proud and has given me a real goal to improve and experiment with other mediums and materials.

Sixteen world-class further education and skills providers to share technology excellence

Link to BECTA article.
MAES achieves Exemplar status!

What an achievement! MAES is the only Adult Education Service to achieve this status and I am chuffed to be part of the team!

Thanks Gloucester

A delegate commented after my presentation that, 'it was like a breath of fresh air'! I must admit, I really did enjoy the Event. Well done Jane and Jane! You did a wonderful job in making RARPA interesting and accessible for all involved.

It's about time.

Yup it's about time for a rant!

Week 4 and I am starting to feel like there is a routine?

This term is a challenge like no other, keeping on top of 3 languages and managing the areas is a real challenge.

I am very disappointed with NING, some Clown got into the system and started to send stupid messages to the members.

It makes you wonder how sad these No-hopers are! Have they got Sod all else to do?

On a sad note, ~I sent off the final report for our Grundtvig project today, 'Apprendre Virtuellement en Europe'.

What a journey that has been!

Thinking back on the experience, I should have logged the whole journey better. The most frustrating 'product' that has arisen is the Short sightedness of those who can not see the point in taking the project any further.

What a shame! 

 

Welcome to the Languages Emporium!

Welcome to the Language's Emporium.
All things are linked , it seems.
This Blog to the VLE, the VLE to Ning, Ning to twitter , Twitter to Facebook.


Where will it end!!!??

Twitter thingy

Not quite sure what to make of Twitter, but should have  a look.

CIEH going well, I think!

It's now May , so where did April go?

What a month!
I need a blog to capture my experiences, just in Valencia.
Photos and stories to come, including David Villa's goal for Valencia v Seville! Great game!
Unlike Boro at the moment! We're doomed!
All sorts going on at the moment!
Gardening, Spanish, Sailing, Stamps, Oh and work!
If I eventually manage to complete all of my projects at the moment, I will be able to boast the following;
Peter Samson B/A [Hons], M/A[ED]
Ok I am showing off with that! But!, do I care?!
SLC. SLCNF, E-Guide, ALC, A1 Assessor, eCPD thingy!
What does it all mean!?

E-Guides Conference March 2009

Chris and I returned to the home of Robin Hood and the same venue , where 2 years ago, a group of Bandits robbed our car and stole our Levis!
Well at least this time we came away with the Booty!
I was 'Highly Commended' for the Tony Burgess E-Guide award. Having met Tony 2 years ago up in Middlesbrough, I think this made the award even more special.
As usual we were involved with our group asking questions and nattering away, to the point where I nearly missed my presentation!

Very embarrassing!

Where did March go?

Oh that's right , I know, into the SLCNF Networks.
What a month and it's not over yet!

It started off in Warwick, 3 days training;
Then to Branston near Burton upon Trent, [Nice Pickle!]
Then to RAF Cosford, Telford, East Midlands.
Nottingham, West Midlands,
St. Helens, Merseyside,
York College and on to the most amazing Conference Centre in America Square, London.

Nearly there!
The last of the six is at the Life Centre in Geordieland, next Monday.
I must admit that I have enjoyed the experience.

Looking forward to the Summer Networks in June!

February films

15th. Burton-Upon Trent.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Worthwhile just to see Penélope Cruz.!

Directed by Woody Allen, I thought it was going to be a real girly film.

But, I was somewhat surprised! A good story, beautiful people in a beautiful city.

Now I will have to go to Barcelona!!!

Director / Uli Edel

The last of my trio of films is the 'Sehr kompliziert'! film.

Der Baader Meinhof Komplex

This was another flashback for me at the Arc in Stockton.

It is definitely the sort of film that I need to watch again and maybe even more .

Although in German, the subtitles were great , it is just the whole political angle that is so confusing. I can't have taken a lot of notice in my teens, but there was a revolution going on!

As a Geman tutor, I feel that this was an insight to an era that I really should know more about. Needs some more research!

Great film!

The second film of my January Season is Danny Boyle's \Slumdog Millionaire.

I got chance to slip off and see this at 'the Gate' in Newcastle.

Fantastic film! It has got everything, it is hilarious in places and tear jerking in others.

Love it!

3 films

I have recently had the chance to go to the Cinema quite often.


The first film I have seen recently was a film that I saw back in the 70s.



I was in London and had an hour or two to kill when I noticed the film advertised ' Bring me the head of Alfredo Garcia'.
It was part of the Sam Peckinpah season at the National Film Theatre on the South Bank.
I loved it!!
I have always thought that it was a weird title for a film, but having seen it again after God knows how many years, it confirmed the violence that I vaguely remembered.
Great film!

World Forum.

It's not too often that you can gaze out of the window where you are working to see Big Ben!

That was the case last Monday in the QE11 Conference Centre,London.

I was showcasing the Grundtvig project and I realised that I was just around the corner from Parliament.

What's a Greek Urn?

What a fantastic time in Edessa! This means that I will now need to learn Greek!
I have been gobsmacked over the last couple of weeks by my visits to Turkey and Greece. The sheer amount of history and tradition is awesome and impossible to get to grips with in such short visits, but I am sure that I will be returning to both countries as soon as I can.

Istanbloodybul!!!

I can't believe it but I am off to Istanbul! Watch this space for photos and stuff. Just the thought of this city brings images of mystery and danger and Aladin!

CORRYVRECHAN July 22nd. 2008

Entering the Corryvrechan Whirlpool, this was my first time on a real yacht!!! Thanks John!!!!

LES INVITES DE ST HUBERT

Les Invités de St Hubert on the High Green Great Ayton, Sunday morning 24th. August 2008.

The beautiful North

We have just returned from a wonderful holiday at Haggerston Castle and it reminded me that we have so much to see in the North!

Having spent some time in Scotland earlier in the summer, I am convinced that I/We need to discover what is virtually on our doorstep.

Only last night we were on a deserted beach in Northumberland, what more can you ask for?

The weirdest part of the holiday was taking a bottle of wine with us and not even opening it! I was so worn out with an overdose of fresh air that alcohol was not required!!

Bloody Hell How long!

I can't believe it has been this long since I wrote even more drivel!
Is blogging going out of fashion? I hope not.

Here's an entry to launch my new website. I would never have believed, not so loing ago that I would be able to offer my own resources in such an organised and accessible way. But with Moodle it is now quite simple.

I am sure that life begins at 53, doesn't it? I had such as surprise today after trying on my jodphers to go riding, they stretched enough to fit!!

Bloody hell, maybe I should dust of my football boots? Or then again!

Encore de drivel

God, doesn't everything happen at once!
After going on Alex Hall's radio show last wednesday [Top lass!]. I was invited to go back on this Saturday to review the newspapers.
Typical! Stokesley show day/Members tent/Boro v Mackems and to rub it in I had to turn down the opportunity of having a stall in the Craft tent.
My old boss used to say that he was suffering from CRAFT!
[Can't remember an f..........in' thing!] The way I'm going I'll end up with CRAFT!

C'est la vie.

Stokesley Show

Already Stokesley Show week, the rides are moving in as I write this drivel.
I was trying to explain what Stokesley Show means to local people the other day and to be honest it means that many different things to different people.
For me it has always meant one thing, GRAFT!
Yet even though I am still involved, [I'll see you in the Members tent!] It means that I will see so many people that I probably haven't seen since last Stokesley show.
The only thing is nowadays, when people say, 'you're looking well', doesn't that mean, God you've put some weight on and where did your hair go?!!!

State of the art Technology

If you have visited my website you have probably seen the 'State of the Art Technology' video on the home page.

This is created using ustream.tv This is a tool that needs to be explored and I am the man to do it!!

I will be working with our friends in France to create some online lessons and somehow, I will!! create Café Pierre TV.

Things are hotting up for the start of the Academic year and I will be attending a graduation in November, MINE!!!! I somehow scraped through my M/A in Education. God knows how, in between Gurkhas, pickles, dogs, kids etc.