Hebden Bridge

Spent the morning at beautiful Hebden Bridge, about 30 minutes drive across the Yorkshire Dales from here. According to the Lonely Planet (never wrong) it is the lesbian capital of the UK! We didn't do a survery to find out. It is certianly very alternate (a cold Nimbin)and is incredibly beautiful, especially today as it was covered in a blanket of spring snow.

the next day

These photos are of the same place ie just outside the back door, the next morning.(note the snow on the table). We saw a great film yesterday called My Blueberry Nights....highly recommended by us.

the sun shines

All the good folk of Yorkshire are emerging from their winter hibernation and the sun has obligingly emerged on Good Friday (but not for long according the Met Office which is predicting snow and ice). We snuck outisde this morning and took a few photos in the spring sunshine while it lasts. On Tuesday we leave for a week or so in Bath, London and Paris. The conventional wisdom with teaching exchanges is that if you can survive till Easter, then the rest is your reward ie warmer weather and travel. So we have survived and are now going to cash in...

Manchester

No work today so I hopped on a train and went to Manchester, a city that has always had a fascination for me as it is the home of the greatest football (soccer) team in the world today..it has been since I was a kid. Okay, its just another city with the usual cathedral dating back into the mists of time but there's a lot of modern glass and concrete too. Every English city has its "wheel" ie giant ferris wheel from which you can view the whole place and I went for a ride on it. It kept going round and round and I wondered just how many revolutions were required to fully appreciate the vista! I had a few hours to fill in on my own (sigh) so went to the Museum of Science and Industry which is a bit like the Powerhouse in Sydney. I paid a few extra pounds to see the "Bodyworlds" display which is an anotamical exhibition of real (!) cadavers, which I had seen before on TV. This is seriously interesting and somewhat disturbing at the same time. How fragile human life really is (profound thought). I'm working tomorrow (what a contrast)and after that .....who knows!

meditation in the pool

I got a bit carried away yesterday at the Heath Club in the 25 m pool. Every time I go there I swim a few more laps than the previous visit. Yesteray I scored a century - 100 laps without a break. That's about equivalent to a Wategos swim. It's a bit obsessive I know but it's like a meditation. I think of nothing but counting the laps. Next week we take off to Bath, then London, then Paris, then Normandy. Sounds exhausting doesn't it. Oh well...that's why we came...

which Mum's mine?

I had a very intersting experience a week or so ago. I was called to a school called St Phillips which I though would be a C of E enclave in the middle of Bradford. It had the most elaborate security I have seen anywhere. However it turned out to be completely Asian with most of the girls wearing head scarves. (Why was it called St. Phillips?) I was a little apprehensive at first but the children turned out to be the most polite, respectful kids I have encoutered anywhere. At 3:00 the parents started to gather outside the classroom as they do everwhere to pick up their kids but nearly all of the mothers had the full veil with only their eyes visible. Amazingly the kids instantly recongnised Mum through the rain and mist! The parents (and grandparents) I spoke to were very dignifed and polite and interested in my story. Quite an experience which has been repeated on several occasions since.

computer problems

We've been off-line for a few days with some technical difficulties ie wireless broadband, which seemed to have been resolved. I am working harder than ever with only the odd day off every now and then. Today is one becuase I turned down a Reception ie Kinder class! I'm getting fussy and I'm not prepared to take them on. We are busy planning our next trip to Paris in the next break ie 2 week's time. I'll have to brush up on my French which is a bit rusty.... I've bought a striped T-shirt and beret though.

Fair Scarborough

We have just returned from a weekend at beautiful Scarborough which is on the east coast between Whitby and Hull. We were amazed to find a thriving surfing community or were they seals...? The sun was out, the swell was up and the temperature was...down! The photos show surfing...English style. We really admired their dedication and enthusiasm. We are soooo spoilt! The B&B we stayed in had the most amazing views over the coast north of Scarborough. If you plan to visit us you'd better book now as the bookings are filling up fast.