And Back to School

It was strange going back to work at the beginning of a new term. Been a long time since I did that!

I quickly remembered just how much children can forget during a 2 week break, and especially at Christmas time.

I am having a rethink about the strategies to use this term. It would appear prudent on today's evidence to go back to the first lessons on the Fast Phonics with the Primary 1 and 2 children, and to use the check up material in the teacher's folder with the older groups.

Already I have been told that Wednesday's timetable will be abandoned as I will have to cover a P6 class while the teacher is on a course.

It was a busy day today. Strange not seeing our retired colleague in the staff room. There is a replacement teacher, someone I once taught years ago. But he will not be here long as he has agreed to go full time in another school next week.

Apparently Catholic schools are finding difficulty appointing temporary staff right now, so I might be here for a bit longer.

Gretna break 2012

Tomorrow we will be heading home after our short break. We have had a really good time.

The journey down on Tuesday was difficult due to the storms. We were diverted off the Motorway due to overturned lorries. When we got back on the Motorway at Abington, we were suddenly into a blizzard.
But we got to Gretna safely, and settled in.

Yesterday we went along Hadrian's Wall....again. It is still there. The Roman's did an excellent job. We ended up at Hexham, did some shopping, had a coffee and then back to Gretna.

Last night the storm winds returned.

Today we set off with no particular route in mind. We headed on to the M6 south and just before Penrith passed 2 overturned HGVs on the road.

We stopped in Penrith for an hour, then headed towards Ullswater and the Lake District. The sun was shining, though it was very cold. The lakes were full of water, right up to the roadsides.

We had a very pleasant drive through the stunning landscape of the Lake District, and ended up at Windemere. After a coffee, it was back north to Scotland and the hotel.

Gretna 2012

Tomorrow my wife and I are off for a short break to the Borders. We are staying at Gretna.

Gretna is the last village in Scotland. It is famous for weddings at the Blacksmith's by eloping couples.

It is a short drive from Carlisle, and Hadrian's wall is withing easy reach. We will be staying at the Gables Hotel. We have stayed there before, and enjoyed it. Looking forward to the break.

We had a quiet new year. We watched a movie then went to bed. We don't really bother about the New Year. Christmas is much more important to us.

The weather forecast is not looking good for tomorrow. Wet and very windy. There is sleet tonight here. But we will have a nice time I am sure.

I enclose some pics from our last visit to this area.