I took the bus from Sokesley to Osmotherley to begin the 11.37 mile stage.
 |
| At the top of Sutton Bank on my way to Clay Bank |
 |
| At Clay bank at the end of the stage, with Molly,[ Who didn't walk with me] |
Friday, September 13, 2013
Cleveland Way Stage 3 August 22nd. 2013
What a day to choose the third stage. Its my 58th ! birthday and a beautiful day to walk across the North Yorkshire Moors.
I took the bus from Sokesley to Osmotherley to begin the 11.37 mile stage.
I took the bus from Sokesley to Osmotherley to begin the 11.37 mile stage.
Cleveland Way Stage 2 August 8th. 2013
At last! Months after I started the Cleveland Way, I have got myself organised to continue.
So, Christine took me to Sutton Bank where I finished the last stage in the snow, back in March.
12.14 Miles ahead of me, Osmotherley on the horizon.
So, Christine took me to Sutton Bank where I finished the last stage in the snow, back in March.
12.14 Miles ahead of me, Osmotherley on the horizon.
 |
| At the start of stage 2 , Sutton Bank |
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
I don't like cricket, oh no. I love it!
My 2013 debut for my cricket team, Ingleby Greenhow finally came Saturday against Craythorne.
We won!
What a game, it was a beautiful day for the most English of sports.
I can not think of anything more traditional, cricket on a summer's day, cricket tea folowed by a couple of beers after the game.
Fantastic!
My second outing was in the village cup at Great Ayton last week. I can't believe that I scored 20 runs! Not out!
I loved every minute, we all had to bowl 2 overs. Ok, we got beat, but what a brilliant night we all had!
The final test in the 'ashes' start today and to finish off a wonderful summer of cricket, England could win 4-0 , which has never been done before.
COME on England!!
We won!
What a game, it was a beautiful day for the most English of sports.
I can not think of anything more traditional, cricket on a summer's day, cricket tea folowed by a couple of beers after the game.
Fantastic!
My second outing was in the village cup at Great Ayton last week. I can't believe that I scored 20 runs! Not out!
I loved every minute, we all had to bowl 2 overs. Ok, we got beat, but what a brilliant night we all had!
The final test in the 'ashes' start today and to finish off a wonderful summer of cricket, England could win 4-0 , which has never been done before.
COME on England!!
Golf. A good walk spoiled?
This week was the Monthly meeting of our Golf Society, ' Battersby Putters'.
We played at Durham City course on a beautiful day , followed by a couple or 3 ! beers
and a meal.
Our Society has now been in existence 19 years and we are celebrating the 20th. anniversary in 2015.
Discussion has started in how we will mark this date, including a possible trip abroad to Bulgaria or hopefully Spain!
My very good friend Gordon Snowball, who is no longer with us, was the inspiration and reason for the Society and he would have been very proud to see the Society last as long as 20 years!
Tomorrow is my birthday and what did I ask for? A new golf club of course, a driver, the only problem now is , How do I use it?!
We played at Durham City course on a beautiful day , followed by a couple or 3 ! beers
and a meal.
Our Society has now been in existence 19 years and we are celebrating the 20th. anniversary in 2015.
Discussion has started in how we will mark this date, including a possible trip abroad to Bulgaria or hopefully Spain!
My very good friend Gordon Snowball, who is no longer with us, was the inspiration and reason for the Society and he would have been very proud to see the Society last as long as 20 years!
Tomorrow is my birthday and what did I ask for? A new golf club of course, a driver, the only problem now is , How do I use it?!
Saturday, July 27, 2013
A week of memories
Thornton le Moor.
When you return to a place where you had your 21st. Birthday, your wedding reception and to where you worked. The memories are bound to come flooding back!
37 years have passed since I worked at the Black Swan at Thornton le Moor.
I remember how proud I was to have my own kitchen and not quite 21 years old.
I had just qualified with my City and Guilds and I was asked to run the kitchen in a new pub / restaurant out near to Northallerton. It seemed miles away! My girlfriend lived miles away, my friends were miles away, I was playing for a football team which seemed to be miles away.
But my friends came to see me, my girlfriend came to see me and I went to see her and I had the most memorable year of my life here.
We had a meal and I met some of my guitar playing friends and we had a great night!
Simon's 50th birthday.
You know the saying,' You know you are getting old, when.......'
Well an old friend has just turned 50 and even worse! My youngest brother is 50 next year.
Scary!!!!
When you return to a place where you had your 21st. Birthday, your wedding reception and to where you worked. The memories are bound to come flooding back!
37 years have passed since I worked at the Black Swan at Thornton le Moor.
I remember how proud I was to have my own kitchen and not quite 21 years old.
I had just qualified with my City and Guilds and I was asked to run the kitchen in a new pub / restaurant out near to Northallerton. It seemed miles away! My girlfriend lived miles away, my friends were miles away, I was playing for a football team which seemed to be miles away.
But my friends came to see me, my girlfriend came to see me and I went to see her and I had the most memorable year of my life here.
We had a meal and I met some of my guitar playing friends and we had a great night!
Simon's 50th birthday.
You know the saying,' You know you are getting old, when.......'
Well an old friend has just turned 50 and even worse! My youngest brother is 50 next year.
Scary!!!!
Thursday, July 04, 2013
My week- in Germany
This week is our meeting in Germany for the project Ultreia y Suseia.
Leinfelden - Enterdingen is on the outskirts of Stuttgart in Baden-Württemberg in the south of Germany.A successful visit was had, we are now almost ready to start the second year of our project.
Of course, the visit was a mixture of work and a little tourism, a lot of singing and a little beer and a little Ouzo!
Go to this LINK to listen to the students singing in Galego! Pure magic!!!!!
 |
| In the Stuttgart Volkshochschule. |
VHS Volkshochschule Leinfelden-Echterdingen
At a time when Community Education is going through a worrying transformation, I was seriously impressed by the German Volkshochschule System.
 |
| A visit to the Beer Garden |
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| Beweis für Arbeit |
Friday, June 14, 2013
Exam week and Поехали!
Michael Gove promises challenging exam changes. BBC Link
Poor Abigail and year 10 and 11 have been revising and studying for their GCSE exams. I feel for her when you consider that she is only 14 years old!
I myself have also had my final GCSE Italian exam and I really admire all students young and old who are currently swotting, cramming and generally stressing out!
And yet again the government are saying that the exams are too easy!
 |
| Yuri Gagarin |
Поехали!
A very beautiful quote by one of my childhood heroes came to my attention today in my U3a Russian class.
Облетев Землю в корабле-спутнике, я увидел, как прекрасна наша планета. Люди, будем хранить и приумножать эту красоту, а не разрушать её!
- Orbiting Earth in the spaceship, I saw how beautiful our planet is. People, let us preserve and increase this beauty, not destroy it!
At a time when we are apparently all under surveillance,
 |
| Jason Bourne |
I have decided to watch the excellent 'Bourne Identity' and the trilogy of films, 'Bourne Supremacy and 'Bourne Ultimatum'.
Goodness knows, my childhood world of 'George Orwell's Big Brother' and Space travel is now reality.Or is it all a conspiracy?And maybe Sir Richard Branson works for the CIA?
Beam me up Scotty!
A fishing week with ducks everywhere!
 |
| Me at the middlesbrough 5k. |
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| Beaten by a duck!! |
It has been a week of Ducks and fishing.
If you compare the two photographs, I would suggest that the duck looks a lot healthier than I !
However, it is a long journey to full fitness at my age!!
But we are on the way.
 |
| Mallard duckling |
The whole point of going fishing is to be outdoors and see all sorts of wildlife such as this gorgeous little Mallard Duckling!
The fishing season has started with a really good day ,my friend and colleague Mark and I had a great day catching lots of fish!
It helps when you are catching superb Carp, such as this specimen.
 |
| Happy as a lark! |
Another interesting Royal story this week is that our future King William has DNA links in India.
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| Prince Phillip the Duke of |Edinburgh |
NEWS LINK
Monday, June 10, 2013
A cookery week.
A week off work!
It started great! A bit of fishing, tidying the garden, then the rain started!
It seemed like the rest of the country was dry and warm, but here! I should start to build an Ark!
England beat New Zealand in good preparation for the Ashes and our football team managed a draw 1-1 against Ireland, this in preparation for the game Sunday against Brazil, a miracle is needed to beat Brazil in Rio de Janeiro.
If anything or anyone would inspire me back into catering it is Jamie Oliver. We went for our lunch in York on Wednesday and it is simply perfect! Wonderful innovative dishes with excellent service and impeccable surroundings!
No golf tomorrow, unless a new sport Aqua Golf is invented!
So as it is still raining today, I have spent the day in the kitchen, creating a mess and some reasonable curries and a Chilli.
FOOD BANK RELIANCE IN THE UK TRIPLES!
On the subject of food and cookery, our government has released figures, suggesting that people in the UK are relying on Food parcels, as during the War, I reckon that a simpler action would be to teach people how to cook!
It started great! A bit of fishing, tidying the garden, then the rain started!
It seemed like the rest of the country was dry and warm, but here! I should start to build an Ark!
 |
| The Ashes |
England beat New Zealand in good preparation for the Ashes and our football team managed a draw 1-1 against Ireland, this in preparation for the game Sunday against Brazil, a miracle is needed to beat Brazil in Rio de Janeiro.
 |
| Jamie Oliver Website. |
If anything or anyone would inspire me back into catering it is Jamie Oliver. We went for our lunch in York on Wednesday and it is simply perfect! Wonderful innovative dishes with excellent service and impeccable surroundings!
No golf tomorrow, unless a new sport Aqua Golf is invented!
So as it is still raining today, I have spent the day in the kitchen, creating a mess and some reasonable curries and a Chilli.
FOOD BANK RELIANCE IN THE UK TRIPLES!
On the subject of food and cookery, our government has released figures, suggesting that people in the UK are relying on Food parcels, as during the War, I reckon that a simpler action would be to teach people how to cook!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
A sad week and a good week.
It is a sad week in the UK.
A young soldier was killed , whilst off duty in England.
The murderer was a crazed Extremist.
I feel for the soldier's family and friends.
On a happier note, I ran my second Park Run of this year and 'Smashed!' last week's time. It looks like the ' no pain, no gain' training regime is showing some profit.
When I am training in the gym, I usually listen to my i Pod.
I decided to put my i Pod on 'Shuffle' which means that it chooses random tracks and plays them one after another.
After about 20 minutes, I began to realise what the inside of my head must look like!
The first track was in Russian, the second in Spanish, then some classical music, then a track by the Rolling Stones, then some Northern Soul, then more Russian followed by some Italian!
Is there any wonder that I often say that ' my head is in a shed!
We have the Whit Bank Holiday this week and Abigail is off school. This means lots of spending money and shopping!
It's also a good week for gardening! We have had a couple of lovely days and my leeks are coming on great!
The football season is finally over with a German team , Bayern Munich winning the Champion's league.
At least one German team lost at Wembley!!
Crystal Palace won the biggest prize in British football by beating Watford in the Championship Play Off final and acquiring a place in the Premiership.
Here's hoping my team Middlesbrough can do better next season!
A young soldier was killed , whilst off duty in England.
The murderer was a crazed Extremist.
I feel for the soldier's family and friends.
 |
| Lee Rigby British soldier murdered in London. LINK TO BBC Story. |
On a happier note, I ran my second Park Run of this year and 'Smashed!' last week's time. It looks like the ' no pain, no gain' training regime is showing some profit.
When I am training in the gym, I usually listen to my i Pod.
I decided to put my i Pod on 'Shuffle' which means that it chooses random tracks and plays them one after another.
After about 20 minutes, I began to realise what the inside of my head must look like!
The first track was in Russian, the second in Spanish, then some classical music, then a track by the Rolling Stones, then some Northern Soul, then more Russian followed by some Italian!
Is there any wonder that I often say that ' my head is in a shed!
We have the Whit Bank Holiday this week and Abigail is off school. This means lots of spending money and shopping!
It's also a good week for gardening! We have had a couple of lovely days and my leeks are coming on great!
The football season is finally over with a German team , Bayern Munich winning the Champion's league.
At least one German team lost at Wembley!!
Crystal Palace won the biggest prize in British football by beating Watford in the Championship Play Off final and acquiring a place in the Premiership.
Here's hoping my team Middlesbrough can do better next season!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
My week
I am trying to get fit at the moment, going to the gym, cycling and on Saturday morning I competed in my 3rd. park run. This is a 5k race/run in a local park, Stewart's Park in Middlesbrough.
We have them all over the UK, all ages can compete and you can track your times and results through the use of a Bar code that you are issued when you register with Park Run.
It was absolutley 'chucking it down' ! I was completely soaked to the skin , when I finished and not surprisingly I had completed my worst time of 41.42. But this has made me more determined to do better in next weeks Park Run!
The cricket season is well under way now with England playing in a test match against New Zealand. Cricket is usually associated with summer!
Saturday night Christine and I went to Whitby on the train. We went to a 'Soul night' , this interestingly enough, is on the same night as the Eurovision Song Contest. A comment was made on the radio about how British music is and was much more influenced by American music than European.
I can honestly say that my own musical influences are from Tamla Motown and Soul music and not from the Eurovision song contest!
We have them all over the UK, all ages can compete and you can track your times and results through the use of a Bar code that you are issued when you register with Park Run.
It was absolutley 'chucking it down' ! I was completely soaked to the skin , when I finished and not surprisingly I had completed my worst time of 41.42. But this has made me more determined to do better in next weeks Park Run!
The cricket season is well under way now with England playing in a test match against New Zealand. Cricket is usually associated with summer!
Saturday night Christine and I went to Whitby on the train. We went to a 'Soul night' , this interestingly enough, is on the same night as the Eurovision Song Contest. A comment was made on the radio about how British music is and was much more influenced by American music than European.
THE BEST! SONG EVER WRITTEN
PERFORMED BY
THE BEST GROUP IN THE WORLD!
I can honestly say that my own musical influences are from Tamla Motown and Soul music and not from the Eurovision song contest!
 |
| Molly pretending to be a 'Leek' in my allotment. |
I spent most of Sunday in my garden and as you can see I was helped by my dog Molly.
[Molly is a Jack Russell]
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
My week
A busy weekend! I spent most of the afternoon on Friday in the garden. I have a small allotment, where I am trying to grow some vegetables. I have a greenhouse and I have planted all sorts of vegetables and flowers.
I have also planted some Russian seeds which I smuggled back from Kostroma!
I hope to grow giant pumpkins and courgettes.
I spent Saturday afternoon in a Safety boat on Scaling Dam , where Abigail and I are members of the Sailing club. It was freezing! I am so glad that I was not sailing!
Saturday was also the F.A. Cup final and the underdogs Wigan Athletic beat the rich club! Manchester City, Excellent!
Sunday, Abigail decided that she wanted to go to the gym, so we went on the morning and I cooked lunch as Christine was at work.
Watched a film called, ' the Impossible' about the Tsunami last night. Very sad.
Monday and back to work.
I have a French class on a Monday evening and we are working hard with French grammar.
Tuesday.
Talk about ups and downs!
Wigan Athletic F.A. Cup winners have now been relegated!
I have also planted some Russian seeds which I smuggled back from Kostroma!
I hope to grow giant pumpkins and courgettes.
I spent Saturday afternoon in a Safety boat on Scaling Dam , where Abigail and I are members of the Sailing club. It was freezing! I am so glad that I was not sailing!
 |
| Roberto Martinez and Wigan Athletic celebrating their F.A. Cup win. |
Saturday was also the F.A. Cup final and the underdogs Wigan Athletic beat the rich club! Manchester City, Excellent!
Sunday, Abigail decided that she wanted to go to the gym, so we went on the morning and I cooked lunch as Christine was at work.
Watched a film called, ' the Impossible' about the Tsunami last night. Very sad.
Monday and back to work.
I have a French class on a Monday evening and we are working hard with French grammar.
 |
| Roberto Martinez Manager of Wigan Athletic, looking quite miserable! |
Tuesday.
Talk about ups and downs!
Wigan Athletic F.A. Cup winners have now been relegated!
Friday, May 10, 2013
My week
This is the first post of a weekly review of my life in England for my students, colleagues and friends in Russia, France, Spain and wherever else you may be!!.
So what's happened in the last week?
Last weekend was a long weekend, because Monday was a Bank Holiday.
Most of the UK would be spending time in the garden or stuck in traffic jams on their way to the seaside!
The weather was great, quite hot for May.
Saturday was a busy day, ironing followed by tidying the garden , then a couple of hours fishing!
Sunday was a family day, Nanna, Grandad, Aunty and nephews all together for lunch, followed by a walk by the sea.
Bank Holiday Monday had the usual Car boot Sale, hundreds of people including me! All searching for a bargain, I found a couple of pieces of excellent fishing equipment, so of course I had to go fishing on the evening to test them out!
Back to work on Tuesday for a short week. Taught German on Tuesday night, planning my visit to Germany at the end of June.
Wednesday saw the opening of Parliament, our Queen makes a speech and there is a lot of pageantry and tradition.
Our Prime Minister is in Russia talking to President Putin, no doubt discussing the terrible situation in Syria.
My friends tell me that it was Victory day in Russia and it is also a Bank Holiday.
So what's happened in the last week?
Last weekend was a long weekend, because Monday was a Bank Holiday.
Most of the UK would be spending time in the garden or stuck in traffic jams on their way to the seaside!
The weather was great, quite hot for May.
Saturday was a busy day, ironing followed by tidying the garden , then a couple of hours fishing!
Sunday was a family day, Nanna, Grandad, Aunty and nephews all together for lunch, followed by a walk by the sea.
Bank Holiday Monday had the usual Car boot Sale, hundreds of people including me! All searching for a bargain, I found a couple of pieces of excellent fishing equipment, so of course I had to go fishing on the evening to test them out!
Back to work on Tuesday for a short week. Taught German on Tuesday night, planning my visit to Germany at the end of June.
Wednesday saw the opening of Parliament, our Queen makes a speech and there is a lot of pageantry and tradition.
Our Prime Minister is in Russia talking to President Putin, no doubt discussing the terrible situation in Syria.
My friends tell me that it was Victory day in Russia and it is also a Bank Holiday.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Jim Platt
I was lucky last week to meet a hero of mine.
Former Middlesbrough and Northern Ireland goalkeeper, Jim Platt.
Kostroma Town Hall April 2013
I love flags, here I am in Kostroma Town Hall during the visit to Russia.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Modern English Writers
If we look at modern English writers, it is difficult to know where to start.
However, I will start with my Dad's era, he was born in 1926.
Therefore he would have read, Enid Blyton as a child, he would have known about the Famous Five and Noddy. He would have also read the Wizard of Oz written by L.Frank Baum.
Most of his friends would have read Biggles written by W.C. Johns. At school , texts and readers would include, Dick and Jane, by William S. Gray and Zena Sharp.
Looking at my own childhood , I read books such as, A Kestrel for a Knave, written by Barry Hines.
We studied 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell and 1984 by the same author.
A really big influence on my reading and that of my brothers had to be comics. We bought hundreds of them, Batman, Superman, Spideman, Captain America, to name but a few.
I also read Tolkien, the Hobbit was a favourite and it is now a major film, along with the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
I like to read books by Charles Dickens and I would say that one of my favourite books and films of all time is, Greatest Expectations.
We also read and watched stories such as Bram Stoker's Dracula, this frightened the life out of me, but we would always watch the Frankenstein movies from behind the chair!
Books such as the Railway children by Edith Nesbit and My friend Flicker by Mary O'Hara were also very popular.
As a teenager, the diaries of Adrian Mole written by Sue Townsend was very popular and still is!
I have recently revisited some of my favourite books of all time and they include the timeless, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stephenson . This story of pirates has of course become very popular today because of Captain Jack Sparrow and the Porates of the Caribbean with Jonny Depp.
I have also recently read Moby Dick by Melville, this is quite a difficult book, but well worth the effort!
Today's writers are as famous as Dickens, J.K.Rowling and her Harry Potter books are known throughout the world and rightly so! They are wonderful stories, timeless and I am sure will become classics in their own right!
So what about today's writers?
The Boy in the striped trousers written by John Boyne is a very important text that is being read by young people as a text for study.
Twighlight by Stephenie Meyer is a huge hit both as a film and a text. It seems to have folowed in the footsteps of the class Dracula stories.
The Hunger games by Suzanne Collins is also typical of the trending idea of turning the book into a film and then a computer game.
The Life of Pi by Yanni Martel is without doubt one of my favourite books of all time along with the thought provoking The Curious Incident of the dog in the Night by Mark Haddon.
Kostroma April 11th. 2013
However, I will start with my Dad's era, he was born in 1926.
Therefore he would have read, Enid Blyton as a child, he would have known about the Famous Five and Noddy. He would have also read the Wizard of Oz written by L.Frank Baum.
Most of his friends would have read Biggles written by W.C. Johns. At school , texts and readers would include, Dick and Jane, by William S. Gray and Zena Sharp.
Looking at my own childhood , I read books such as, A Kestrel for a Knave, written by Barry Hines.
We studied 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell and 1984 by the same author.
A really big influence on my reading and that of my brothers had to be comics. We bought hundreds of them, Batman, Superman, Spideman, Captain America, to name but a few.
I also read Tolkien, the Hobbit was a favourite and it is now a major film, along with the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
I like to read books by Charles Dickens and I would say that one of my favourite books and films of all time is, Greatest Expectations.
We also read and watched stories such as Bram Stoker's Dracula, this frightened the life out of me, but we would always watch the Frankenstein movies from behind the chair!
Books such as the Railway children by Edith Nesbit and My friend Flicker by Mary O'Hara were also very popular.
As a teenager, the diaries of Adrian Mole written by Sue Townsend was very popular and still is!
I have recently revisited some of my favourite books of all time and they include the timeless, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stephenson . This story of pirates has of course become very popular today because of Captain Jack Sparrow and the Porates of the Caribbean with Jonny Depp.
I have also recently read Moby Dick by Melville, this is quite a difficult book, but well worth the effort!
Today's writers are as famous as Dickens, J.K.Rowling and her Harry Potter books are known throughout the world and rightly so! They are wonderful stories, timeless and I am sure will become classics in their own right!
So what about today's writers?
The Boy in the striped trousers written by John Boyne is a very important text that is being read by young people as a text for study.
Twighlight by Stephenie Meyer is a huge hit both as a film and a text. It seems to have folowed in the footsteps of the class Dracula stories.
The Hunger games by Suzanne Collins is also typical of the trending idea of turning the book into a film and then a computer game.
The Life of Pi by Yanni Martel is without doubt one of my favourite books of all time along with the thought provoking The Curious Incident of the dog in the Night by Mark Haddon.
Kostroma April 11th. 2013
Friday, April 05, 2013
50 books to read .
Time to reflect on my reading again.
I have been reading some Russian novels. I have joined a reading group in Guisborough, which is for Russian literature.
We have read books about Catherine the Great, a really good story called 'the Concert Ticket' the writer is called Olga Grushin, which reflects the times in Soviet Russia when people queued for anything and everything.
Fascinating!
Recently I have read some poetry by Ann Akhmatova, this was translated into English, I would prefer to understand her work in its original language Russian, maybe one day!
I have also read the last book written by Solzhenitsin 'Apricot Jam'.
At the moment I am reading a book called 'Happiness is Possible' . This is written by, Oleg Zaionchkovsky and is about life in Moscow.
Report to come!
I have been reading some Russian novels. I have joined a reading group in Guisborough, which is for Russian literature.
We have read books about Catherine the Great, a really good story called 'the Concert Ticket' the writer is called Olga Grushin, which reflects the times in Soviet Russia when people queued for anything and everything.
Fascinating!
Recently I have read some poetry by Ann Akhmatova, this was translated into English, I would prefer to understand her work in its original language Russian, maybe one day!
I have also read the last book written by Solzhenitsin 'Apricot Jam'.
At the moment I am reading a book called 'Happiness is Possible' . This is written by, Oleg Zaionchkovsky and is about life in Moscow.
Report to come!
Kostroma April 2013
Here I am again in Russia!
I sometimes have to shake my head to make it clear that I am here again!
We arrived in Kostroma late Wednesday night after a long journey starting at 3:30
am from home.
I am staying again with my Russian family, Max, Larissa and Katia.
Thursday was a busy day, we met the Mayor in the Town Hall in Kostroma, then we went to Gymasium number 1 to meet teachers and students. I was a judge at the annual language competition. The standard was excellent and it was a memorable visit.
In the late afternoon we met our students at the Kostroma Institute of Education, I have a wonderful class of 16/17 year olds.
Friday , we left the Institute at 8 am to go to Volgoresenchk. The wonderful Natalia was there to greet us at her school and we visited classes and then we were judges for a Limerick competition.
The students then took us to the music college where we watched a wonderful concert with dance and music
We then returned to Kostroma and to the Institute do Education.
Saturday
This is the third and last day of my English course.
I sometimes have to shake my head to make it clear that I am here again!
We arrived in Kostroma late Wednesday night after a long journey starting at 3:30
am from home.
I am staying again with my Russian family, Max, Larissa and Katia.
Thursday was a busy day, we met the Mayor in the Town Hall in Kostroma, then we went to Gymasium number 1 to meet teachers and students. I was a judge at the annual language competition. The standard was excellent and it was a memorable visit.
In the late afternoon we met our students at the Kostroma Institute of Education, I have a wonderful class of 16/17 year olds.
Friday , we left the Institute at 8 am to go to Volgoresenchk. The wonderful Natalia was there to greet us at her school and we visited classes and then we were judges for a Limerick competition.
The students then took us to the music college where we watched a wonderful concert with dance and music
We then returned to Kostroma and to the Institute do Education.
Saturday
This is the third and last day of my English course.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Cleveland Way Stage 1
HELMSLEY TO SUTTON BANK
The first stage of the 110 mile Cleveland Way on a freezing day -1 degree!
 |
| Steven, Victoria and Millie at Helmsley Market Place for the start |
 |
| Me and Victoria |
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Ironopolis
IRONOPOLIS
Where alchemists
Were born
Below Cleveland's hills
A giant blue dragonfly
Across the Tees
Reminds us every night
We built the world
Every metropolis
Came from
Ironopolis
A poem by Ian Horn
Friday, February 22, 2013
Greatham Creek
 |
| Slavonian Grebe |
It never ceases to amaze me how diverse and wonderful the wildlife is in this area of Chemical and Heavy Industry. Each time I have visited Saltholme, I have discovered another little hidden jewel among the pollution or at least the Power Station and Cooling towers.
 |
| Red Breasted |Merganzer |
 |
| Shellduck |
 |
| Little Grebe |
 |
| Oystercatchers |
Sunday, January 13, 2013
RSB Saltholme
Saltholme Guided Tour today!.
Fantastic tour of a wonderful venue, thank you to the team of volunteers,
.
 |
| Fox last Sunday near to SealSands. |
 |
| Lapwing |
 |
| Snipe |
 |
| Female Kestrel |
 |
| Red Breasted Meganser |
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
La credencial esta preparado
Busca al Moodle para la primera version de la credencial, y me puedes decir lo que piensas!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Sinking into the oblivion of confusion
Where will it all end?
I seem to be sinking into the oblivion of confusion!
I am trying to cope with all of the demands related to my work and getting nowhere!
I seem to starting a task and then , getting waylaid and then going around in bloody circles!
Most of it of course, is related to the sodding bureaucracy that I need to adhere to!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
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| Peter and Martha Reeves |
Ever since I heard the Temptations sing 'My Girl' way back in the 60s, I have been a total fan of Tamla Motown and Northern Soul.
When I heard that Martha Reeves was coming to Stockton, I had to go!
She is 71 years old and a 'Legend'!
As you can see I got the chance to meet her after the gig and talk to her for a while.
She sang all of her classics and every single person in the audience was on their feet when she burst into 'Dancing in the Street'.
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| Martha Reeves and the Vandellas |
Thursday August 30th. 2012.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
2012 Twinning visit from Ouzouer sur Loire
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| Agnes and Peter |
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| Where's Abigail? A great week was had by all! |
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
MCLS new logo!
Cricket tomorrow, Golf with the Rabbits at Hunley Hall ,then Golf with the Battersby Putters at Malton and Norton , then Fly fishing at Lockwood Beck. Whew!!
Thank God the sun has come out!
Mark and I are off to Luton to work with the team there on IT and Moodle issues.
Then Chris, Ab,Ellie and I are off to Tenerife!
Then Chris, Ab,Ellie and I are off to Tenerife!
Fenomenal!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
GUM Department store in Moscow's Red Square
Such a beautiful building, full of over priced goods!I have many reflections regarding my stay in Russia.
Many stereotypes have been eradicated and I am afraid some have been confirmed.
Including 'Dancing Bears', I could hardly look!
The Pushkin Museum of fine art was very interesting with sculptures from Michaelangelgo and paintings from Rembrant and Rubins, stunning!
The jewel in the crown so far has been the amazing 'Russian Museum of the Revolution'.
Very educational and also lots of memorabillia from my childhood including excellent examples of Communist propaganda.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Why are Pirates called Pirates?
Because they ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRE!
LOVE IT!
Treasure Island has got to be one of the best stories ever written!
I loved the recent TV adaptation with Eddie Izard, but I have just received the classic 1950 film with Robert Newton as Long John Silver.
Blind Pew used to frighten the life out of me, nothing has changed!!
Clearly this version is also nearer to the
original book, Black Spots and all!
Captain Jack Sparrow?
Never heard of him!
LOVE IT!
Treasure Island has got to be one of the best stories ever written!
I loved the recent TV adaptation with Eddie Izard, but I have just received the classic 1950 film with Robert Newton as Long John Silver.
Blind Pew used to frighten the life out of me, nothing has changed!!
Clearly this version is also nearer to the
original book, Black Spots and all!
Captain Jack Sparrow?
Never heard of him!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Golf is a good walk spoiled !
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!
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!
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!
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