Yet another glorious day in Manchester. The breeze is a bit fresh but there's nary a cloud in the sky, brilliant sunshine and we're yet to feel the pitter patter of rain on our heads. The forecast is such we may yet make it to the end of our stay (for now) on these shores without any precipitation - who'da thunk!
For the most part I've been inside doing the serious business while the family has taken strolls around the inner city. This afternoon there's a gap in the proceedings so I'm going to join them for a few hours in town while the NATE A.G.M drags on. Not that we're going to buy anything!!! Apart from not wanting to lug it around Europe in already bulging suitcases, the cost of living here (as we were warned) is pretty jolly expensive. The Cook is continually in cringe mode and gives audible winces as he buys lunches and dinners for OC and YC. Subway yesterday. Lunch for three. 14 pound, which if you said was $NZ14 it'd feel about right, but of course 14 pounds is $NZ42 Jesu Maria!!! I think it'll take The Cook some time to really come to terms with it all. Bring on the baguettes and fromage in France!
The staff at the hotel here are in the main, East Europeans. And indeed about the streets one can hear quite a few eastern European languages. We read some 500 000 folk from those parts have migrated to England in search of roads paved with gold. It appears they end up doing the low-end service work and there are grumblings that locals are being displaced and that the newbies are working for less than the minimum wage. Of course this sort of attitude would NEVER be heard of in New Zealand would it ;-)
The conference, like any conference you go to is turning out to be a mixed bag. I have experienced the best of the best in terms of inspiration, and then some stupifying, melatonin-inducing research presentations. Perhaps it's because I'm a fush out of water. It is hard to judge.
We watched the first episode of Season 3 - Dr Who last night. It was the OC's first real viewing of a whole show and it gave her the obligatory nightmares a few hours later. She has been initiated. She shall be immediately scared the moment she hears the opening wail of the theme song. We are content.
These two little 'shout outs' were taken in Manchester on our first day. The OC dearly wanted to be 'taped' so here we go.
To be able to see it clearly at home with limited NZ broadband, click play, turn the sound down and go and make a coffee. Then come back and replay it after it's downloaded without the stopping and starting, coughing and farting. That's what I'd do anyway.
And for Db...
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3 comments:
Hi again
As you can see I now have it working. You sound like you are true Liverpuddlians. OC - the Vid is very cool - you truly are a star. Glad to hear that you are having a fantastic time in schools - it sounds all so inspirational. Glad to hear that Ken and Deidre are even bigger in their home town - good to see that they didn't disappoint.
I can so clearly imagine the cricket episode - just glad I wasn't there - don't think I could have contained myself.
Have had rain here - complete with thunder on Saturday - very exciting. Cricket is not doing much to keep us entertained and rugby is also struggling.
Take care and enjoy.
Nell
Hi to all,
Sorry I cant hear you Alex dear but sure you are having lots of fun. Was good to speak to you the other night/day and will do so tonight hopefully.
Guess you take after your mother a bit Kathryn when it comes to sport watching - she has trouble with her mouth as well!!!!!!!!!!! That from your Dad!!!!! xxx
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