What is she smiling at?

When Mamilein looks at you like this you know she’s up to something.

Turns out she was actually just having a quick chat with the Big Man in the sky.  I, on the other hand, was up to no good in the house of God!  

Travels with the Crinklies - Blackburn

“For Dirky!”  That was the message of the day as we explore Blackburn.  

First the football ground, then the indoor market and then the Cathedral.

It was nice but I’m not sure I’ll go back.  I can get everything I need in nicer places.

Travels with the Crinklies - Halifax

First day and they wanted to do it all.  They needed to go to the bank to activate their cards, needed weed killer for his “brother” and some sort of gut drink for another.  I decided to take them to Halifax as it had everything they needed.  They weren’t too impressed initially but then I took them to the Piece Hall.  

As we had to visit a supermarket that was quite out of the way I took them the scenic route home.  They loved it, although they didn’t want to stop to look at the view until I stopped and they saw the view.

They’re here....

By here I mean they are in the country, somewhere, they’ve been travelling up the M1 for about five hours.  So the waiting continues.

Let the waiting begin

So Mamilein and Papichen are on their way, they have decided that rather than pay more money and drive for a few hours they would pay less and drive up the country for five hours.  They “landed” at 20.00 and should be in Tod at 01.00.  GO is at his works do, so as it is roasting, I have decided to sit outside and relax. Fairy lights; on, anti mozzy candle; on, audible; on. 

Half an hour

I sat outside with GO and the Minlaw formhalf an hour and got burnt to a crisp.  I cannot believe it.

Butterflies

I wanted to do something for the wildlife, make our backyard butterfly appealing and it is with great pride I noticed today that it has worked.  All of my plants have been visited by

bees and butterflies, success!

I made it, we made it, and relax

What a year!  

I started this academic year on a sort of extended holiday as I had not managed to secure a position long or short term. Then I had a couple of trial days in the Academy.  It was a tricky school, I also had an offer of a school nearby that was much more up my street; quite arty and one form entry.  They wouldn’t need me full time until January and I couldn’t think about anything other than the money.  I took the academy position and literally put my life on hold for nine months.  This school has almost beaten me, the regime is tough, it needs to be.  For years it has been neglected, not literally.  The new principal has extremely high standards and expects all of his staff to have them as well.  As much as I think I have high standards I am also realistic and I had quite a tricky cohort. I worked hard, there were times that I wasn’t working smart but I now know what the school is looking for.  As much as they say we should be doing it for the children there is a culture of what do the big bosses want to see. I literally wore myself out and nearly fell at the finish  line, but I made it.  We all made it, mostly in one piece.  There have been casualties only the strong will and have survived.  We need this break, we deserve this break.  We will come back stronger in September until then, breathe.