A Day late....

...but they finally recognised our arrival *tsk*

We awoke this morning to find this had moved in It reminded me of the book "Marion's Dreams" because last night, it was safely over the other side of the dock.... Today it gradually lit up over the day to become this - right under our window:


Today after a hearty breakfast, The Cook, my son, his chair, and my daughter, and I parted ways. I went off to Broadgreen High School, while they stayed behind to be entertained by CBeebies (aka the Brit children's channel) and a walk around Liverpool.

It was with a bit of trepidation that I entered Broadgreen High School this morning. Two locals had raised eyebrows and seemed a bit bewildered as to why I’d want to visit this ‘inner city school.’ I was of the feeling ‘just bring it on!’ – I was not fazed in the slightest but arriving in a taxi to be met my two yellow-coated men wanting to know my name and who I was visiting put me a little off guard. I am still unclear as to whether they were teachers or bouncers but they waved me right through.


From that moment on I entered what felt like a very ‘usual’ school. The students were boisterous and good natured and each class I visited was focussed and a delight. The school ‘felt good’ and that says a lot on first impression I think. Memo to Mr Durrant, I have virtual gifts for you from the MFL of Broadgreen High. I visited a great Spanish class working on revision with the Smartboard and they were also being shown how to access their V.L.E so they could revise over the Easter break.

A very VERY cool school with yet again, open, friendly international colleagues who shared their knowledge and are fully paid up members of the school of collegiality. It's kind of cool to be part of a network that has an empathy towards, and a dedication to ensuring that our next generation does better than the last. That people go so far out of their way does me good, it brings my heart to a stop and I hope I repay in kind albeit across the other side of the world.

I was impressed by the laptop scheme which enables any student without internet access at home to hire a laptop for 10 pounds (approx $30) a month. Like Longfield the interactive whiteboards were in full swing and another key function was their work with the 24 deaf students at their school. A Smartboard is a vital tool for teachers of these young people. Along with an entertaining Spanish class I was able to view a tutorial with a young deaf lad who was having extra sessions in science for his GCSE's. The Smartboard was at the forefront and he was also interacting with it under guidance from his teacher.

I was looked after for the day by a wonderful network manager called Brian who fed me with chocolate from the ongoing stash the computer team had up and running for dealing with worms and the like. Here is that team working hard. Note, Mr Smith, that there are more of them. They seem to clone themselves every hour. Why can't we clone Mr Smith. They seem to be able to do it.
And here's one just for you Mr Murley...
Met up with the family at the end of the day. Had a quick wander about town. Seems Liverpool is the European Union Cultural Capital for the year. Suits me! Suits the family. We all managed to dine out alfresco on some pretty nice kai from the markets. That we managed to kind of serendipitously move in next door to the Liverpool branch of the Tate Gallery is another bonus that you just run with. So we did that as we walked to our hotel room - as you do!

The media is full here of the navy/military folk who are now resident in Iran. Wall to wall stuff really, and actually no different than CNN and Fox and it's all about ratings at the end of the day. One has to wonder if they really cared, they'd be talking about the hundreds of thousands killed in Iraq, the millions displaced and the WMD's that presumably the navy/military folk were busily looking for.

The other biggish thing that's about the media is the 200 year anniversary of the abolition of slavery. It ranges from folk demanding an apology to folk falling about the floor laughing about it (as seen on some decent Brit satire tonight which only made me hunger for immediate satirical talent on our own screens...one can dream). And on a very local front, some real dispute that went all the way to the House of Lords (where it was narrowly defeated) - a Super Casino for Manchester (fighting against Blackpool). Has anybody ever been a winner?

PS It still hasn't rained. Ha Ha!!

And the Chinese Sculpture sits eerily outside our window, making no noise whatsoever, it better not be hunting us down. But just in case we are consumed by the glowing orbish thing, we're meant to be in Manchester tomorrow - just putting it out there. Actually we are more likely to be consumed by smoke coming through the air conditioning - it remains the lowlight of our stay so far. Could everyone please just go outside!