Visiting White Birds

Sheep. Again I start with sheep. But, I am fascinated by these happy mammals. With as much puff and fluff surrounding their rumproasts, and the way they joyfully munch in one direction and their blue bums! What's not to love? You read that right! Many of them have a spray painted bum. It is not just another form of guerrilla graffiti. No, this determines which flock they are from in case of escapees.

Okay, so hello dear and gentle readers! Okay, if you are reading this, perhaps you are not so gentle! In any case, life has been full of business as usual, except for maybe the REALLY FUN weekends we've been having!
But first, news on the homefront. We survived another round of Teacher/Parent interviews. I feel as if I know the parents better now so we could actually fill a few minutes of the interview with personal chit chat. Always a stress reliever. And I finally figured out how the marks work here. They are actually called 'levels' and the students are aiming at achieving a certain level by year's end.

For example, my Year 5 students would like to achieve a level 4 in all of the subjects and Year 6 would like to achieve a level 5. I suppose that the only difference is that in Alberta we test the students on everything as we finish, but here it seems more to be a test every term on all we have covered. It works. I do wonder though if I should be giving more tests because...because...because...it uses up class time and well, I'm just used to it. Here, we spend more time on teaching and working out stuff. Hmmm. Test skills or spending more time on lessons. I don't know which is better.

Daffodil delight!

The last few weeks have been very occupied by preoccupiedness--try saying that one 10 times fast! Emma's birthday in itself, has been a planning nightmare! Mainly because we are NOT planning it! This is the first time in 12 years that we haven't had to organize reams of giggling games, crafts and snazzy loot bags. Presently as I write this, there are 5 relatively calm, mobile phone carrying pre-teens in the front room watching movies and eating junk. Plus Bonnie and a friend of hers that will sit in and learn the lessons of life. This is one thing that I'll be sad to uproot Emma from in August. She has made some clever and sweet preteen friends and they share secrets and belittle boys together. Thank Heavens for not-so-little girls.

A report of our weekend fun is needed at this point. A few weeks back now, we had a visit from our Canadian friends, the Markos. Janine, Isabel, Emma and Bonnie are a force to be reckoned with. Especially becasuse we went to Cadbury World in a place south Birmingham called Bourneville. Of course chocolate and the production of it is always exciting, but probably the most interesting thing that I learned was that the brothers that concocted the Dairy Milk bar were Quakers. Thank goodness for drinking, smoking and coffee. Those Cadbury boys decided that since they couldn't indulge in things that us make all of us pagans happy, they would invent a suitable substitue. So, Bourneville was born. First a small factory, then with the addition of homes and leisure facilities, the idea became a town. In the end, we saw the history of chocolate, the factory lines of 3 km rolls of wrapper paper, the lines of factory machines and boxes of chocolates. This was

quite amazing. And, the shop which sold misshapes and rejects. Ya, I spent a few pounds and added a few at the same time. Bonnie bought a big box of 100 chocolate fingers and then proceeded to eat half of them on the train ride home. Need I say what happened later? Funny thing about chocolate is that you can eat it and eat it, and even after suffering a bad hangover, eat it again! Not like Sambuca.

Beating up girls in Bath.

Now, I have to tell about mosquito machines. We have these in Alberta. They are bug zappers. Bye bye bugs. But here they are not the same things. No, these eliminate teenagers. Before you get all worked up, these machines do not electrocute our youth. They are just buzzing machines that shop owners put up outside. Supposedly, these machines emit a high buzzing noise that causes anyone who still has good and acute hearing to run for their lives. It breaks up the coterie of teenagers who hang out in their hoodies with their bad dogs. But, the trouble is that babies who go into shops to buy smokes for the parents are also under the influence of the buzzing sound and this leaves them in tears! Well, I suppose if you don't want any business, this is the way to do it. Thank goodness I am partially deaf and can still buy cheese and chocolate without needing earplugs.

Now, last weekend we had an extraordinary time in Looe. Nick and Andrea and their lovely girls met us in Looe on Friday night, west of Plymouth. We drove down in the evening and arrived to a quiet cottage on rolling hills and in the middle of seemingly nowhere. Night time provides a deceptive cover as you cannot see beyond your headlights. But, in the morning, after a glorious snooze in beautifully decorated and cozy beds, we awoke to a world of wonder that I've only ever seen on calendars. Yes, the rolling hills, the faraway sheep and the centuries old trees with their gnarly branches reaching out for kids to climb upon were awaiting discovery. Oh my!! I don't know about you, but walking in silent hills with a glorious cup of American freeze dried coffee is nothing to snort at. Call it dreamy, call it glorious.

After we got our gear, we did a cliff walk along the coast to Polperro. Like the locals said, It's a good thing you are here in the winter. In the summer, its wall to wall humans. I can believe it because it is extraordinary and very isolated. Little blue and white tall skinny houses lining

streets that only human traffic can manoeuver about on. After a mile of walking, we decided to wait for the tide to recede and headed for the Blue Peter pub. Nothing like a pint to pass the time. The tide finally went out and the girls had a blast collecting bits of blue willow china and shells. I don't know why the blue willow was being washed ashore, but the pieces are small, smoothed and like bits of jewel.

Perhaps there was a ship that sank long ago and just now, the shards of broken plates were washing up. Or, some late night pub crawlers smashing plates? In any case, the girls gathered bits with glee and we left with a big bag of treasure. Brian figures we will have to have a whole suitcase just for these things we are collecting off of the beaches.

Upon our return to the cottages, we had high tea in the mansion with Pam. She is the owner of the mansion and her daughter is the proprietor of the cottages. It was splendind. The mansion that Pam lives in was built in the Georgian times--I'm guessing 1700's. When you walk in, you are immediately floored, literally, by the 2o foot high ceilings with crowning of such detail! Then, over the windows which reach from floor to ceiling, there are intricate coverings over the tops. Interestingly, these are made out of tin that was mined in Cornwall. Makes me wonder if there may have been tin miners in my family history. So, we sat in front of the grand fireplace sipping tea and eating sponge cake and apple cake. Pam's lovely cat Jasper and dog Bowser, a happy shaggy Australian sheep herding dog joined us. She said that he wasn't particularly good at sheep herding, but sure did enjoy herding all of the girls!

Pam with Emma, Brian and Andrea The girls playing WW2 in the olde giant tree

Then, the funnest thing of all happened. We were all sitting around after a delicious chicken dinner and the girls convinced us to play 'Sardines'. This is a reverse of Hide and Go Seek. Only one person hides and then we all count. We then run off in all directions and when you find the hider, you hide with them. The last person to find the pile of hiding human sardines is the loser! Now add the element of a peaceful noiseless night in the rolling hills of England, because we played it outside in the dark and died laughing! Luckily I live to tell this marvelous tale.

Sunday we had Brian's famous blueberry walnut pancakes in our cottage and the doves showed up. A pair of white doves came tapping at the window and enjoyed the feast. Then we wandered the beach in Looe and wrapped up our fun weekend with one more visit to Pam's.

A photo of our cottage.

A few weeks back, Brian came back from Edmonton. Please don't let me let him drive after coming home ever again. We were on our way to another exploration on this particular Sunday and all looking forward to some family time. Then, with his instinct to hug the left curb, we lost 2 hubcaps and ended up with a flat tire. Changing the flat wouldn't have been such a problem, but we found out that our 'new' car had no wrench. So, it was a 2 hour wait for the service. Now, talk about family bonding time. And, to boot, we had a few great people postcards. The guy with the dogs, the elderly woman and then the knight in shining armour who actually changed the tire for us.

And so we are off to Ben's parents house this weekend to visit Warwick Castle and Stratford Upon Avon. And to make matters funner, I'm off for a whole week long camp with my class to Devon. Most teachers would cringe with fear and despair, but let me tell you that there is a 'Library' for all of the school teachers to meet in at night whilst your school children are happily supervised by the staff. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about! I'll you in on the details in a couple of weekends.

And of course, Mousse at her finest. She's playing a quiet game of Road Cone here.

And another school dinner joke. Don't worry, I'm not making these up! The students tell me them. Why is eating school dinner chips like having a history lesson? Because they were cooked in Ancient Grease!

Also, a couple of notes from Dundry School. The other day at lunch all of the students came rushing in to tell me--MISS, MISS!! They's horses in the parkin lot!! Well, it turns out that yes, the parking lot was filled with horses. I guess they had escaped from someone's nearby field and some concerned Dundrite? coralled them into the parking lot. She managed to nab 6 or so, but I guess the other 5 were heading down towards the M5 on their way to London!

Also, I found out that the first motorcar to drive up to Dundry in the 1930's or so, had to drive up---backwards! That's my question for the week! How come the motorcar had to make its grand entrance going backwards?

Happy thoughts,

beth

Penultimate Little Deer

Believe it or not, the robins are here! And so are the daffodils in bloom. And various other signs of spring. The sheep graze with newly sprouted baby lambs. I'm rather enjoying the green grass and happy sunshine. In fact, I much prefer it to the -40 something that has frozen everyone back home. Ok, I'm done bragging.

Brian has been gone for 2 weeks, soon to be coming home. The girls and I were reminded by Sarah Coumantarakis, the exchange coordinator in Alberta, that there are only 23 more weekends to go and not a minute to be wasted. So, the morning Brian left, and panicking like I was missing an important train, I got on the Internet and looked for an adventure. We found the Forest of Dean and thought it would be fun so off we went. We were heading toward Gloucester. As usual, we got lost. But, when we get lost now, it's something to look forward to because we have uncovered many treasures this way. We happen to drive by a stunning cathedral (see picture above). After a few times around it and finally realizing which exit to take, we move on. Only to find out a few days ago that the Harry Potter movies were filmed here. I guess this is where the Hogwarts Hall is.
We finally arrived at the Forest of Dean. It probably has the most evergreen trees that I have seen so far this year!

This is a rather magical place. Very full of history and beauty. The girls enjoyed running around in the museum looking for the hidden faeries. There were quite a few that we spotted and they live in this condo complex.

We also spotted these lovely pigs that enjoyed smiling for the camera! After spending a few hours there, we decided to venture off to Dick Willington's Park Extraordinaire!! There's nothing like a home grown family amusement park/petting zoo/junky souvenir establishment to tickle your senses! Now, I have to tell you that Dick's place was pretty much what I would expect in a family run farm park. But, what I wasn't expecting was the absolute uproarious laughter being heard by us Canadians. Perhaps it was one of those moments, like in church when you are supposed to be quiet, but something sets you off and you can't stop. E and B and I were splitting our sides. First of all there were the naughty shetlands.

Dick's son was sent up to get them as it was getting late in the afternoon. They were in a field and when he went up, they immediately ran to the other side of the grass. He then pretended to leave and they would run towards him as if saying WAIT!! WE'LL BE GOOD! But, once again, as he approached, they'd bolt. Finally, he'd had enough. Much like a mom in a souvenir store with 2 little girls--I'VE HAD IT!! WE ARE GOING!! He marched over to them, very business like and seized them by their bridles. Well, if that didn't trigger a shetland stampede. They finally were wrangled up and brought down the hill. What stubborn sassy little shetlands. I had no idea that they could get so worked up.

This is another one of their buddies that actually behaved himself minus the fact that he took off with 3/4 of our chocolate muffin.

Then, we wandered around chasing guinea foul and a few other odd creatures, but we then came upon this handsome creature! He was rather large and in charge. I wanted, no, NEEDED to pet him. Of course, realizing that they'd be orphans rather quickly if I were to be gored, E and B wouldn't let me near him. But, just look at that fur!!


And then, the second last acquaintances for the day are definitely ones to go in the history books. First of all, it was strange to see these little creatures wandering a huge rolling green hill in England. But secondly, it was because of this!
This is a herd of Japanese deer. Cute as little buttons, but when this particular one came up to us, we thought we'd died and went to bad hair heaven! This little misfortunate got his antlers are tied up into a brilliant red bailer twine and then to boot, added a long lone log from some field! All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names---you get the idea! We told Dick's son, and he said that Yes, he was all decorated with twine, but wouldn't let anyone near him. So, they hired a vet to come out and give him a little snoozing potion in order to remove the unsightly accessory. I don't know, but I think Dick could make a quick buck with a little advertising about the deer who self decorates!
And, lastly, the puss. Yes, what would a distinguished family run petting farm be without a tempting cat to lead visitors astray. Look closely at this one. He has some distinguishing characteristics. Can you guess what it is?
I've been collecting a few phrases that we hear, and now repeat occasionally too!
Wait for it! -Essentially means what it says. In class though, I'd be more likely to say, Stay seated until it's your turn!

Yer winding me up!-Heard at all playtimes! Means that someone is giving you the gears, doing your head in, or just basically being a pain in the ass.

Oh, just sor' it out. -It's what I tell all of those kids who are winding each other up!

As I've been driving to work these last two weeks, I have been listening to BBC4 radio. It's the talk radio. There's BBC 1, BBC2, BBC3, and probably a few others after 4. But, there is always something interesting to ponder as I drive through Yanley Lane. Firstly, the Education Board has been wondering if children start school too early here. They say that British children are the youngest school starters in Europe at 4 years old and that when compared to other children who start later in other countries, they show no marked advantage over any other place. I guess I have to wonder about this. I mean, gosh o golly!! I didn't start school until I was a whopping 6 years old in Montana and I got to play for 2 extra years and still turned out ok. Then, the same broadcasts are always talking about lack of strong fundamental skills in the higher grades. Hmmm...add 2 + 2. Could we take all of those teachers in the wee grades and put them to good use in upper grades? I dunno. Just a thought.
Then, there is the issue of 'Calling to Prayer' in Oxford. All I'm going to say is that there is dissension over the Islamic followers having their Call to Prayer announced over the loudspeakers in Oxford. Interesting... someone stated that it is just as troublesome to hear the church bells ringing daily in this spiralled city.
Then, the big Cadbury factory is closing down and setting up shop in Poland. It's cheaper to employ people there. An iconic building, just miles from here, closing. Lots of upset people. Makes me sad because everyone around has stopped eating Cadbury's chocolate as protest. Except me because I'm a closet Cadbury chocolate eater!! AHHHH!! I've just disclosed information that will end me up in trouble!

Frost on the windshield is something I don't blink an eye at, except when there are NO scrapers to be found. Living along the Avon River and pretty much as sea level can leave a car in a frosty state in February. So, E, B and I used our smarts!! And we didn't even start school at 4 years old!! Imagine! Tupperware containers now are multiuse. We just each grab one out of the cupboard and VIOLA the scraping begins! Ok, perhaps we should have started school at 4 because the neighbors came out laughing at us. Watch this, they said. They bring out a bowl of warm water and pour it on the car. Two in one! No frost and yesterday's gull poo--Gone!

You know when you see people walking dogs? You think, gee, they actually look like their dog! Well, I have talked about many animals in my blogs, but I must mention one more that intrigues me. That is the BBB's with hoodies! This is an easily recognizable acronym for Bad Boy Brits. And, the majority are always walking mean looking pitbulls. What is with that? There are an awful lot of these dogs around and they scare the hell(o) out of me! Not only do they look fierce and stupid, these guys that walk around with these dogs don't have faces! Seriously, you can never see their face! Ok, hopefully no BBB's will be outside my door tomorrow waiting to let their dogs snack on my Cadbury thighs!

Then there's the Best Before dates. In Edmonton, we know that anything past it's Best Before still has a good week left in it before we barf upon consumption. I think that is because we'd rather be sick than go out in that gosh darn awful weather to get new food! Well, the little Dundry kids, who have School Hot dinners/Packed lunches came up after lunch one day as rambunctious as always. (I doooo luv them)! Anyway, as they were settling down to an afternoon of vigorous learning, one of the students says--I'm sick, Miss! Didn't you see the Best Before date on the yogurt?! Suddenly the classroom is in near riot! ME TOO! ME TOO!! So, trying to remain calm and sane, I ask, And, Yes, what was the date? Well, I'll be darned...if it wasn't yesterday. Appeasing a group of 10-11 years olds who have just declared food poisoning isn't the easiest task. I just said, Let's see who barfs first then we'll send them home. Speaking of barf, what is the difference between a school dinner and a pile of poo? A school dinner comes on a plate!
The nice thing though, is that all of the infants get a piece of fruit at playtime. I love it! The fruit seems to drop from heaven at the front gates of the school every once and a while, and who ever has the least to carry brings it in. I think this is a splendid idea except for when the oranges arrive and there are 10 little 4 year olds asking Can you peel me orange Miss?

Emma's school put on a grand performance of the musical Grease this week! All I can say is those drama and music teachers must live at St. Katrines. It was extraordinary! So well cast! Now the thing that most impressed me was the American accents that they all had! Only once in awhile, could you hear a bit o' britian sneak in. Plus, it had students from year 7 (Emma's grade) all the way to 6th form. Sixth form is like precollege classes.

Bonnie was rather sad yesterday when she came home. Once again, the big commercial holidays are overlooked and rather devastating in the eyes of a Canadian child, I must say. Bonnie went to her room and holding Loopy tight, had big ol' tears rolling down her cheeks. I asked what was wrong and through staggered chokes, she replied that No one gave her a Valentine. Now, all mom's would know this feeling--Lemme at the little bastards who left her off their list!! But, no, they just DON'T give Valentine's here. It's not the red and white icing bonanza that we have in Canada. It's just a day that passes by with small mention of a few 'who likes who'. That's 2 reasons we miss home now. Halloween and Valentine's day. (Just so you know, the girls and I have started a list of what we miss about home, so that when that dispiriting day comes knocking, we have something to look forward to. Don't get me wrong, we miss friends and family IMMENSELY!)

Last weekend we had a marvelous time! I was telling you all about how I met Julie and she had invited us to her parents' home in Charmouth. Well, had I known that Charmouth was only 1 hour 10 minutes away, I would have gone there sooner!
Let's recap. The girls and I drove to Julie and Dave's lovely home in St. Georges. They ever so thoughtfully hung a Canadian flag from their window! Then we all loaded into their ever so lovely BMW and drove through beautiful countryside to the coast. We arrived at Julie's parents' home and they greeted us with, yet another Canadian flag and American flag!
Right away, I felt like I'd known them for many years, and we all chatted like family over a cup of tea. Julie's mom Pauline is from Ontario and her father John is originally from London. Their home overlooks the Golden Cap on the English Channel and is absolutely breathtaking!
Then, we all got 'wellied' up and walked down to the beach. Charmouth has the distinguished place of being on a World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast. It was interesting talking to John and Pauline. John was a child in WW2 and was evacuated from London to the South of England. He told me that they didn't have many toys and that they used to go and watch the unexploded bombs being collected and thrown into bins. Shrapnel was something that they liked to collect as well.
We walked down the hill to the museum/fossil centre and joined a fossil tour with a very talented guide named Sam. He talked to the group, then took us on a verbal and visual tour from 185 million years ago. This coast was once a
tropical sea and coast inhabited by long lost creatures--although some are still around today!
We learned about how the cliffs are full of fossils and in the winter tides, one can easily find pieces of this long ago history by just walking and looking along the ground.
He showed us what kinds of animals left remains behind, what kinds of minerals created the fossils and how to look for clues in the rocks. Common finds are ammonites, belemnites, or possibly a fragment of ichthyosaur bone. The group then ventured down to the empty beach and started looking.
This little dog was also looking for dinosaur bones! His name was Ruffy and I told him that he'd be famous!

Here's a picture of Pauline, John and Dave.
Within minutes, we all found belemnites. Soon, Bonnie found ammonites preserved in iron pyrite, and then Sam, the guide came over. In his hand, he had discovered the luckiest find of all. A vertebrae from an ichthyosaur. He so kindly gave it to Emma and Bonnie! Julie and Dave also found an amazing assortment of things. Later on, I found a scallop shell skeleton. It became rather like gambling...You'd go awhile without winning, then suddenly discover a triumphant jewel from the past! Then, you were hooked.
After 2 hours of fossil surfing, we played and then went on to Lyme Regis. Another amazing place which reminded me alot of Luneburg, Nova Scotia. The Cob, a walk where Meryl Streep was the French Lieutenant's Woman was filmed curled around the seaside. A few ice cream cones and a couple of shops and we went back to John and Pauline's for a hearty and delicious dinner. Now, where would we ever have met a couple like that if we had not come to England? I love the fact that you can meet totally and complete strangers and be welcomed into their family home with no questions asked. I hope we can return the favor one day! Here are some of the fossils we found.

So, that's about all for now. A few people got the quiz answer from the last blog! Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch means St Mary’s Church in the hollow of the white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of St Tysilio of the Red Cave. The Barracloughs and the Markos got that one!

Here's this week's question: Why do people have backyard stamping parties? That is, they all stamp around and jump up and down. I haven't seen one yet, but I've heard that they can get quite out of hand!

And, we're off for a week for 2nd half term break! AHhhhhhh....
Until next time,
Cheerios!
beth
ps. A trick I discovered--you can double click on a picture to see it better!