tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51733799497961680732024-03-14T05:51:11.556+00:00More or lessDeborah Spiers: English language teacher and creative writer,Debralondonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995355895107472388noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-28899704233300785742013-03-02T21:45:00.001+00:002013-03-02T21:45:10.109+00:00last postThis blog was mainly about my time living in Madrid and my return to London in 2010. I will not be updating or adding to it from March 2013.<br />
<br />
I have started a new blog to focus more on my creative life at <a href="http://peckhampoet.blogspot.co.uk/">peckhampoet.blogspot.co.uk</a> <br />
<br />
Thanks for following me. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-49097198858813507512012-04-10T19:02:00.001+01:002012-11-13T01:01:09.143+00:00What is different about teaching ESOL (compared to EFL)?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAc3bBX9CV2Z-F2vjCT4OTvzjDA3EpJEJt6twGeNqwYca-rQyHcQGzkLoyJLBXJlFSpZAUvotC49qHl7TDH1qZvcnLGzgIEkeJBRN440EU79ruzX_ROKldBYEa8U2kyyZ-BH4gfJcpNl_/s1600/march+2012+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAc3bBX9CV2Z-F2vjCT4OTvzjDA3EpJEJt6twGeNqwYca-rQyHcQGzkLoyJLBXJlFSpZAUvotC49qHl7TDH1qZvcnLGzgIEkeJBRN440EU79ruzX_ROKldBYEa8U2kyyZ-BH4gfJcpNl_/s320/march+2012+069.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Someone asked me this not so long ago and I have been giving it some thought. Here are my conclusions. ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) is for learners who live in an English speaking country and need it for everyday life. Their needs are often urgent and they are keen to learn but they are often dealing with many challenges.<br />
<br />
The learners I teach are usually in the age band 30-60 but I also have some that are 70+. They will have come to the UK for a range of reasons and many will be asylum seekers and refugees from countries like Iran and Iraq, the Congo and Somalia. They often have extended families and some will be dealing with court cases regarding children. Without English, they struggle to deal with health, education and job seeking. Tragically many older women never had the opportunity to go to school in their native countries. As well as learning English, they have to learn how to be in a classroom and how to listen and interact with a teacher and each other.<br />
<br />
Most of my current learners are Muslim and I have had to learn about their faith and how it affects their lives. I now understand far more about the customs and practices - especially with regards to dress and the wearing of the hijab.<br />
<br />
The English that I teach has to be functional and I do role plays so that learners can practise making telephone calls and talking to a doctor about their problems. They now call me Doctor teacher and I have given advice on medication they have bought without knowing what it is and have also administered plasters to cut fingers and advised on rashes and bruises.<br />
<br />
I love teaching ESOL because I can be creative and I am surrounded by a wealth of resources. When I was teaching in Spain, I would often wish for access to realia like leaflets and adverts for example. I can use the classroom and the external environment for my lessons. My school is in Tottenham and to say it is vibrant is an understatement. There are frequent police raids on the drug dealers outside and incidents involving the kids from the local school. Nowadays, I simply shrug my shoulders and say "That's Tottenham!" and the learners nod in knowing agreement. It is a tough place and they have tough lives but I am truly inspired by them all and celebrate their daily progress.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-72031550702633289502012-04-10T18:33:00.000+01:002012-11-13T00:47:31.249+00:00Easter time...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjU4-3OYixTvGYnaZKYYB5nOiEg4qWgaYc8XJK9rWTHO1zMucLASsm59KfaXQFptQ7LFtjfhldRTV1tpQNlJHs9C_sUC1dROGY4F70ICGvYlaClPomq5r-M1SLMbKuL0tS_LkSoc41zyU/s1600/march+2012+079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjU4-3OYixTvGYnaZKYYB5nOiEg4qWgaYc8XJK9rWTHO1zMucLASsm59KfaXQFptQ7LFtjfhldRTV1tpQNlJHs9C_sUC1dROGY4F70ICGvYlaClPomq5r-M1SLMbKuL0tS_LkSoc41zyU/s320/march+2012+079.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I fell in love with this box of chicks in Poundland. They do make me smile and were a great way to decorate the cookies I made for friends. I have given up eating chocolate, biscuits and cakes as part of my recovery programme so I am keen to get some of the sugar that is so addictive out of my flat. Hence the cookies!<br />
<br />
I made a basic shortbread mix from 2oz of sugar, 4oz of butter and 6oz of plain flour and a bit of love. It is one of those recipes that works every time and I was very happy with the bunnies and chicks I made. I had some cute cutters and enjoyed cutting them out and baking them at 150 degrees in my oven. I still have a few left so I hope to see people tomorrow who would like them. Happy Easter, chicks!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-89002403837258678902012-04-10T18:08:00.000+01:002012-04-10T18:08:50.577+01:00Beetroot anyone?I read an article about this rather neglected root vegetable last week and it inspired me to buy some from my local market. Apparently beetroot is good for people with blood circulation problems and also for athletes who are trying to improve their performance. It does wonderful things with the blood capillaries to improve the oxygen flow in the body. Faced with three red raw roots today, I decided to get creative and adapt a couple of recipes to my own taste. I have made potato latkes in the past and also onion bhaji so how about a beet version of both?<br />
<br />
Here's what I did. I grated a large beetroot and a similar amount of carrot. I mixed in some cumin seeds, some salt and pepper, a couple of chopped spring onions and a crushed garlic clove. To this mix, I added a good slug of chickpea flour and then combined it all with half a beaten egg - oops almost forgot the half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to make it crispy. I then heated some rapeseed oil in my wok and put big fat spoonfuls of the mixture in to cook, turning after a couple of minutes. Result? Nice yummy veggie snacks.<br />
<br />
These are great served with creme fraiche and can be spiced up with any combination of spices. Next time I am going to use water instead of egg as I do for my bhajis and I am going to add fresh chopped coriander or maybe even some horseradish for a Scandi twist. They can me made ahead and reheated in the oven to crisp them up. I would have put a picture up to illustrate mine but they seem to have vanished. Next time!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-74281345240530929782012-03-18T00:56:00.000+00:002012-11-13T00:48:13.287+00:00Spring is coming..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqCwOD7_oQF5bBy0RLrM4jkv7KWmrNNoTrA_PNt31UunjJBTJ5u1YCxb9pclgbo0LdKNKhXmtmMG4qBoABtYOGejJmFXmN2bovmQIVnLa2mGKVDRgVCmkmYy9UZqQ4gXptOsOtfEyncJk/s1600/February+2012+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqCwOD7_oQF5bBy0RLrM4jkv7KWmrNNoTrA_PNt31UunjJBTJ5u1YCxb9pclgbo0LdKNKhXmtmMG4qBoABtYOGejJmFXmN2bovmQIVnLa2mGKVDRgVCmkmYy9UZqQ4gXptOsOtfEyncJk/s320/February+2012+028.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> evening sunshine on the Elephant and Castle</b></div>
The spring equinox is here in two days time and I am excited and relieved! Another winter of survival and now it is the time of new beginnings. I plan to make, do and mend in every way in my little flat in Nunhead. I am going to be painting, sewing, wallpaper hanging and generally getting crafty. I have some great ideas and just need the time and the energy to put them in place.<br />
<br />
I might even share some of the results here. Happy spring 2012 wherever you are!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-43859412916832432102012-03-18T00:44:00.000+00:002012-03-18T00:44:17.120+00:00Winter walking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCXFpuhObgBPeCSBlQHTy2QmwxjfOwjQHkIOkAsUpbl39tzUwiWD9_ptQLV0Q7QbpfFVTfMoWbMiAihpiQ-K6sUIJyEMht-iKdOOVt4QyNI5Z_y5nHWS0PYjGaJ5zk-YY_3HhyL9Lj7Sb/s1600/February+2012+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCXFpuhObgBPeCSBlQHTy2QmwxjfOwjQHkIOkAsUpbl39tzUwiWD9_ptQLV0Q7QbpfFVTfMoWbMiAihpiQ-K6sUIJyEMht-iKdOOVt4QyNI5Z_y5nHWS0PYjGaJ5zk-YY_3HhyL9Lj7Sb/s320/February+2012+021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A winter walk in the Walworth Road</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am always looking for interesting, cheap or even better, free things to do in the SE area at the weekend. I picked up a leaflet for the Growing communities Winter Walk, culinary workshops and events leaflet from the local library and decided to give it a go. The "walk" kicked off at the beautiful venue of the in-spire cafe in St Peter's church which is a place I am very attached to after my time as a creative writer in the Cryptwriters writing group a few years ago. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We were given winter drinks of non alcoholic mulled wine and spicy ginger beer as we learned more about some of the inspiring community projects. Warmed to the core, we set off for an amble around the church gardens and across the busy road to look at some community planting and allotments where bee hives were in evidence.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_UX-nGF1GGVwfEff8SRV076a_3OJiSK4g5ocVuwjWMEp83CLKb-iaBnufehViv4zLUC4UoxNu5Dgg4zhZtERFnSZI1lofX78E9saDqomEYZlwLnRtkFKa_YHLmFDbUe_1XrT_DmDAMpu/s1600/February+2012+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_UX-nGF1GGVwfEff8SRV076a_3OJiSK4g5ocVuwjWMEp83CLKb-iaBnufehViv4zLUC4UoxNu5Dgg4zhZtERFnSZI1lofX78E9saDqomEYZlwLnRtkFKa_YHLmFDbUe_1XrT_DmDAMpu/s400/February+2012+009.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The monkey garden at in spire are beautiful at all times of the year and in all weathers! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7OJCgI7iNlOgFNizZ1PJ2QsxxFLXGnaV2gNYkpeL12hQ1WnTeE-Nc2e_n-lOw3p32fZqp6f3bP1eBWEaOdhryFZRH031gFRzTeeBpKDEa5BPJalmLw-d4mfNkY3R-3sxdfgCE_9s_PuG/s1600/February+2012+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7OJCgI7iNlOgFNizZ1PJ2QsxxFLXGnaV2gNYkpeL12hQ1WnTeE-Nc2e_n-lOw3p32fZqp6f3bP1eBWEaOdhryFZRH031gFRzTeeBpKDEa5BPJalmLw-d4mfNkY3R-3sxdfgCE_9s_PuG/s200/February+2012+024.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t12utrhjpOZ53NBNS3nweU_VgKYg1WtaejByjKXFxdCoyr5ASxF0llON6D1Nk6QFHviBSSN33dLl-qTbH7i0YFgV0igA1AnF432Jqzqe0Z9IiY390eAZeNt3Xuk_Nqjf022919ct7LqI/s1600/February+2012+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t12utrhjpOZ53NBNS3nweU_VgKYg1WtaejByjKXFxdCoyr5ASxF0llON6D1Nk6QFHviBSSN33dLl-qTbH7i0YFgV0igA1AnF432Jqzqe0Z9IiY390eAZeNt3Xuk_Nqjf022919ct7LqI/s200/February+2012+016.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9f-EWDWTJOiE1dohKjfEO-4Db96RxVqLo9d-3-DmBUpWB8_p-k4bDD7lM1bu-tRY7VBAOOgJSnysqx5R8CyuKJ_v4Eyo1khRo7RTToTia0ek3z3pNtUK0Fy3MYSMRGttbf4-x__dZxp9/s1600/February+2012+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9f-EWDWTJOiE1dohKjfEO-4Db96RxVqLo9d-3-DmBUpWB8_p-k4bDD7lM1bu-tRY7VBAOOgJSnysqx5R8CyuKJ_v4Eyo1khRo7RTToTia0ek3z3pNtUK0Fy3MYSMRGttbf4-x__dZxp9/s320/February+2012+015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
we found palm trees, bee hives and wonderful homemade hummus and chutney along the way ...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5cA8wspMPUdGs0VzwDN7GqrYPTlCrEfb9jYeBiOyJTqHG_vS0DRPYT4faS36lp4a61NKgZVZgzdBbmHuSq96SsPrEvhb00s6My8b1VWQCBwsBubkDflEZbDWPRtQ-TGU8olf-7vht6S4/s1600/February+2012+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5cA8wspMPUdGs0VzwDN7GqrYPTlCrEfb9jYeBiOyJTqHG_vS0DRPYT4faS36lp4a61NKgZVZgzdBbmHuSq96SsPrEvhb00s6My8b1VWQCBwsBubkDflEZbDWPRtQ-TGU8olf-7vht6S4/s200/February+2012+017.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTUmcocL63TlyA8QU2Or7caZ-mfp6mmM_tYrV9KWeoRQ4LmzLDHu7tJE8HSL-LJwwmdexg4wSwkyX3ppAqvhh2hWgRiBnxp3zaOIZnCFsBabzLyyDZx5uBdQv1KX43i2XkfsdRtI1vvFB/s1600/February+2012+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTUmcocL63TlyA8QU2Or7caZ-mfp6mmM_tYrV9KWeoRQ4LmzLDHu7tJE8HSL-LJwwmdexg4wSwkyX3ppAqvhh2hWgRiBnxp3zaOIZnCFsBabzLyyDZx5uBdQv1KX43i2XkfsdRtI1vvFB/s200/February+2012+027.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0v_Z_iN1ujcJrsImW_x4xQ6sFffc3H0WpE4KbHMYqR-dvyarbPiGLPvW367VkrGtrWmKmOvDQeX61HmBknuyWi-3mGlPzA9yyReSp0H0Itth51ui8ueq8lMn4kKtBw0szIzwaMQnimlVc/s1600/February+2012+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0v_Z_iN1ujcJrsImW_x4xQ6sFffc3H0WpE4KbHMYqR-dvyarbPiGLPvW367VkrGtrWmKmOvDQeX61HmBknuyWi-3mGlPzA9yyReSp0H0Itth51ui8ueq8lMn4kKtBw0szIzwaMQnimlVc/s200/February+2012+014.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKCUkg94nmFXrLVyinZXsuONVjmZMOQ6bSGTqP7r2IbB4exEZB19nljfvTSslV5XzayCAegKtyQnFX4duEYwUJ9V9SG9AZXAJKcphSmWytXxDb9PzLO2KYp89TZ6_8RdVFF9yqiEtQaPG/s1600/February+2012+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKCUkg94nmFXrLVyinZXsuONVjmZMOQ6bSGTqP7r2IbB4exEZB19nljfvTSslV5XzayCAegKtyQnFX4duEYwUJ9V9SG9AZXAJKcphSmWytXxDb9PzLO2KYp89TZ6_8RdVFF9yqiEtQaPG/s200/February+2012+020.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-57263070895498652992011-12-27T12:12:00.001+00:002012-11-13T00:49:00.228+00:00Festive Nunhead...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6BTmSK2Vjcc/Tvmzuq_eimI/AAAAAAAAAb0/5A0rmt7uO6s/s1600/December+2011+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6BTmSK2Vjcc/Tvmzuq_eimI/AAAAAAAAAb0/5A0rmt7uO6s/s200/December+2011+012.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nunhead almshouses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zKP7SHoVrA/TvmzyEH1NZI/AAAAAAAAAb8/OEYwyMv1F-A/s1600/December+2011+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zKP7SHoVrA/TvmzyEH1NZI/AAAAAAAAAb8/OEYwyMv1F-A/s200/December+2011+013.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nunhead Green</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-181Yx8CmxdA/Tvmwu8KGfsI/AAAAAAAAAbI/1e57bGrcX_0/s1600/December+2011+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-181Yx8CmxdA/Tvmwu8KGfsI/AAAAAAAAAbI/1e57bGrcX_0/s200/December+2011+009.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Soper's fishmonger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8SyxSBBk2g/Tvmw9ecz8TI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/Ifp5omnWyNM/s1600/December+2011+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8SyxSBBk2g/Tvmw9ecz8TI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/Ifp5omnWyNM/s200/December+2011+006.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ayres bakers' window display</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r9WkUyRJe78/TvmxKzQS3DI/AAAAAAAAAbY/zm352kuBEbE/s1600/December+2011+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r9WkUyRJe78/TvmxKzQS3DI/AAAAAAAAAbY/zm352kuBEbE/s200/December+2011+008.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spruced up florist</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlB-U42mu0o/TvmxL3WDX9I/AAAAAAAAAbg/l5gniuOzKW8/s1600/December+2011+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlB-U42mu0o/TvmxL3WDX9I/AAAAAAAAAbg/l5gniuOzKW8/s200/December+2011+011.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of Nunhead's pubs </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This is where I live and these are some of the places that make up the High Street which is totally independent with its fishmonger, butcher, greengrocer, florists, baker and super new delicatessen. I will be adding to this set of photos as I want to share the secrets of Nunhead, the best part of SE15!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-76846435827637806232011-10-25T01:01:00.001+01:002011-10-25T01:04:54.368+01:00Wake up, London!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-64P1F2-P0WYWNRQpN2xkXE4PR3mDDB9ALmeYHWH6mH0_MLcqqlY8HDtoO7nXJxD2zeCBXm13yQtMsHAtskt9NAHerjTDDJycZ75GXLeu3mZqrZJiwYHY0hksiaU04yIREOTjocYvO8S/s1600/beware+people+coming+out+of+their+comas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-64P1F2-P0WYWNRQpN2xkXE4PR3mDDB9ALmeYHWH6mH0_MLcqqlY8HDtoO7nXJxD2zeCBXm13yQtMsHAtskt9NAHerjTDDJycZ75GXLeu3mZqrZJiwYHY0hksiaU04yIREOTjocYvO8S/s320/beware+people+coming+out+of+their+comas.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>St Paul's Cathedral, London 16 October 2011</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">What is happening? A few months ago, we witnessed people rioting and looting our High Street stores. Last week we saw the peaceful and organised occupation of an area of the City of London. People are waking up and realising that they can have an impact by acting and speaking out. I don't condone violence and law breaking of course, but I am heartened to witness people speaking out and questioning the way things are done. It is time for change. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I haven't been back to St Paul's since the first weekend of occupation when I smiled at the organised tent city with signs for just about everything - indicating where to get food and where to recycle for example. There was no violence and there was no squalor. People wanted to speak and be heard and must have been surprised by the warm welcome they received from the Church.<br />
<br />
Now it is a fortnight later and the mighty cathedral is closed to tourists and losing its financial lifeblood of circa £20,000 a day. The tent city has to move on but is not showing signs of uprooting. The PR aspect of the story is interesting. Tales of "Swampy" and his mates, of "lentils for breakfast" scroungers abound.The reality is that these are people just like me. People who are sick of seeing the way that their future has been sold off and their children's futures hang in the balance. We have all been sold down the line with the ransacked pension funds, colossal student fees, impossible mortgages and ever increasing fuel bills.<br />
<br />
We have a government that can't do anything constructive to help the 99 per cent who are suffering. A government that is more out of touch with reality than ever before. It makes me weep to hear that nearly 3,000 people died last year because they couldn't risk turning their heating on! They reckon it will double this year - and yet some people had their winter fuel benefit cut.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">How can that be right?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-55743663819264924552011-09-25T23:12:00.000+01:002011-09-25T23:12:59.907+01:00Teaching ESOLIt's been three weeks now and I am loving it! I have a teaching job at a friendly training centre in north London where the learners need to learn English to improve their work prospects. I am teaching a three-hour pre-entry level afternoon class and a two-hour entry level 3 class on Mondays to Fridays. The learners are all local and mainly either Somali or Turkish in origin. I am learning as much as they are! This is my first time teaching ESOL and I am busy with schemes of work, lesson planning and teaching. Soon I will be doing ILPs and tutorials and before you know it, it will be half-term!<br />
<br />
The only problem I have at the moment is that I don't earn enough so I am looking for extra work either in teaching or admin or publishing. In fact any part-time work is considered! I have mornings available so if you are reading this and have any ideas do let me know. I am particularly interested in doing support work for people with sight loss as this would make use of my skills and experience.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-90735552824126727792011-09-01T00:30:00.000+01:002011-09-01T00:30:12.217+01:00It's 1 September!Those who know me well know that I suffer badly from seasonal affective disorder or SAD as it is helpfully known. Last winter it almost finished me off but this year I am not going to let that happen despite my decision to stay in London and not return to the bright light of Madrid. So what does that mean? It means dusting off my light box and using it every day, getting up and outside as much as possible, watching my diet, lots of swimming and lots of doing good things that make me happy. I am not going to fall into the trap of moaning about it if I can. I am going to try and stay positive and keep fighting it.<br />
<br />
One of the things that really helps me is meditation and reiki healing. If I give healing, I get it back threefold and it really does make a difference. Last week I attended a healing event in central London where I gave healing to around eight different people. I was on a natural high for at least 24 hours. Then Saturday involved a flash meditation mob meet up in Trafalgar Square and this was also fabulous. Despite the rainy weather that day, it stayed sunny from the start to the end of the meditation session. There was a beautiful energy in the group with people from all walks of life gathered in front of the National Gallery. I have never done anything like this before and it is kind of addictive! If I can, I plan to go to the next one on 21 September in Marble Arch which is for International Peace Day. It will be beautiful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBaEkBN9M2TlPtQJxRLeMFvcmwalptfXi-qCzjG1y4no1raYFjFiM6b8jiJ0X1ljwf3XqzsGpanITxlMKR7HNrdFTX-9F-fCCwJZfUrlZGnS_VdV9A2zfWLwf0WjcouiUcQimOPdLJMT_/s1600/family+june+2011+151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBaEkBN9M2TlPtQJxRLeMFvcmwalptfXi-qCzjG1y4no1raYFjFiM6b8jiJ0X1ljwf3XqzsGpanITxlMKR7HNrdFTX-9F-fCCwJZfUrlZGnS_VdV9A2zfWLwf0WjcouiUcQimOPdLJMT_/s400/family+june+2011+151.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-71232112254963759572011-08-25T00:25:00.000+01:002011-08-25T00:25:22.544+01:00London calling!I had a great time in Canterbury and discovered that I simply love teaching! I taught most days for a whole month and wanted to carry on as it was going so well. It was a challenge teaching summer school as it is an ever changing feast. I would start the week with 15 students and each day some would be taken away and new ones added in an attempt to get the balance right. Apparently this is the norm with continuous enrollment and it was good to see how I coped with it. It was a bit of a lifesaver with my first class as it was literally made up of mainly 14-year-old Italian boys who were on a mission to outdo each other. One in particular was incredibly annoying with his obsession with "Turkish kebab" which was the answer to any and every question I threw at him.<br />
<br />
Summer school was a great opportunity to try out lots of activities and teaching games that I had not done before and it is great to have come away with lots of ready made lesson plans that can be easily adapted in the future. The school I taught for provided course books which made life easier but the material often needed to be enriched with my own ideas and I really enjoyed this part of the teaching. The classrooms were well equipped from an IT point of view and I made good use of the video projector. We were discouraged from using photocopies and so I made it my policy to get students doing their own materials as much as possible. Sometimes this meant writing but often it meant producing drawings that could be exploited in speaking activities. I soon generated a lot of material that ended up on the classroom walls.<br />
<br />
A highlight was the day that I doubled up with another class and we showed the film Kung Fu Panda with a great follow up activity where the learners created their own animal action characters and film plot which they had to pitch. Very amusing and a great way of activating their language. I will never forget "polar beers".<br />
<br />
So now I am back in London and looking for more teaching work as I have decided to stay here for a while. I am working on some writing projects at the moment and need to be in London for a while but then I will be heading abroad again. Hmm where will I go?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-78417607467896169392011-07-05T20:42:00.000+01:002011-07-05T20:42:04.774+01:00Summer schoolAt last! I am teaching at a summer school for teenagers who come to the UK to learn English and have fun away from the watchful eyes of parents. I am at the University of Kent campus in Canterbury which is sprawling with architecture that reminds me of Milton Keynes circa 1980. It's very green with rabbits skipping across the paths in and out of the woods.<br />
<br />
I have never stayed at a university. I have a room in a shared house and it's been good to meet other teachers who are returning from their year abroad teaching in places like Seville and Sardinia. This is what language teachers need to do to earn money in the summer months and it is good to find somewhere that is close enough to London and also nice and rural. I am looking forward to getting out to the coast some time soon and exploring Whitstable and Herne Bay - both are a twenty minute bus ride from here.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of schools taking place here and at times it seems like a battle zone in the canteen as everyone tries to get fed as quickly as possible. The food is better than expected but is on the carb heavy side. I am trying to get as much fruit as I can under the watchful eye of the catering staff who make sure the fruit or pudding rule applies at all times - and only one piece of fruit. <br />
<br />
I start teaching the syllabus tomorrow and have chosen to teach upper intermediate. I will be teaching three hours a day and will have the afternoons free to lesson plan or head off to explore. I am here for a month and will update soon on how I am doing with my Italian teens!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-16767792879725654762011-06-27T20:30:00.000+01:002012-11-13T00:49:47.445+00:00Water pistols at dawn!On the hottest day of the year - so far - I almost lost it today. Most of the time I put up with all the little niggly things in life and shrug them off but today was hard work. Then I thought, what if I got myself a big fat water pistol and used it. That woman who drove past me with a mobile clamped to her ear would be the first to get it! The young man standing next to me who thought it was ok to spit at my feet was going to be second. Then there were the schoolboys on the bus who couldn't communicate without shouting at each other who were doing my head in. I imagined how it would feel to take a water pistol out of my bag and give them all a good soaking. If I didn't get arrested for having an imitation fire arm I am sure there would be some other offence the Police would soon do me for. In the mean time if anyone wants a water fight I'll meet you at Peckham Common at dawn! May the best squirter win!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-40061649093718482492011-06-19T17:13:00.000+01:002011-06-19T17:13:24.301+01:00Volunteering makes a differenceDoing something for love is a true gift. I am volunteering as an assistant teacher at a charity in Lewisham that supports refugees, asylum seekers and minority ethnic communities. Action for Refugees and Asylum seekers in Lewisham <a href="http://www.afril.org.uk/">www.afril.org.uk</a><br />
<br />
I teach three days a week and, being me, have also taken on the task of writing their summer newsletter and helping out at fundraising events. Who knew I would be adding face painting to my skills portfolio! I have fun and work hard. I enjoy playing with the children of Chinese, African and Sri Lankan parents who all need the extra attention they get at the project. Now I often meet people I know when I am out and about on my local buses. I particularly enjoy the Talk Shop sessions. These are opportunities for people to practise using the English they already know and building on it. The learners are all keen to be heard! Some of them have come from early morning shifts as cleaners and will go back to work later. They smile and are keen to learn as much as they can so that they can improve their work prospects. <br />
<br />
If you are thinking of changing career, volunteering is a great way to try something different. You may get opportunities to do training and invites to events where you represent your organisation. I have been to a report launch for another charity and also gained a unique insight into teaching ESOL the REFLECT way - a learner centred method drawn from International Development work. <a href="http://www.reflect-action.org/reflectesol">http://www.reflect-action.org/reflectesol</a><br />
<br />
So it is Refugee Week 20-26 June and I have two invitations to look forward to. I now know more about the issues that refugees face and I am doing something to help make a difference.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-21998015124107562782011-06-14T19:41:00.000+01:002012-11-13T00:50:12.734+00:00Blocked?<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have you ever done any life coaching? Had the conversation that goes something like, "well, I don't know what to do. I feel stuck. Blocked really. I can't move on for some reason. Help!" This is a very familiar conversation I have on a regular basis either with myself or with some of the amazing people who have tried, and often succeeded, to help me. This summer it has been particularly hard to get out of the block or the holding point as Becky Walsh, my intuitive guide, reminds me. "What is a block after all but a holding point as we wait for information to come in to take us forward."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know I am not in the right place and I also know I have to be here for a while longer. Intuition is a powerful tool that we often ignore at our peril. I am trusting mine a lot more and it tells me to hang in there. So what does this have to do with my blog? Well it has also been blocked and needed a refocus so here it is in its new format. As I shape my life as a teacher and writer, I will be using my blog to keep the conversations going - and try and get them out of my head! I will also use it to explore my EFL and ESOL career and as a place to publish some of my creative writing. It feels good to be back. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-86963314307812160662011-01-27T16:39:00.000+00:002011-01-27T16:39:40.127+00:00A random act of kindness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVPgwBwEjBw99mOII76N-xyNZoQgasZuDKAF6GpWlGBvC9pc5DgrZV0-p54LDzp1nz5grj3WIcy_veoAUgHr1B2dTKiKNQqdo7FQhXDS_4t0NdrGKnxC0eSFzg7K6pRdHNQmtQ_ReLUrE/s320/balloons+on+the+tube.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Balloons on the Hammersmith and City Line, London</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a grey Saturday in January and we were battling with the usual problem of trying to go somewhere by tube on a Saturday. There were engineering works on some lines and there was a strike on the Bakerloo Line. We needed to be in Maida Vale and it was turning into an epic trek from south east London to the north west. Three adults, one toddler and a buggy were on a mission. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eventually we boarded the final carriage on a Hammersmith and City line train and were delighted to discover it was all done up for a party. There were balloon animals strap hanging from the rails and heart shaped balloons were bobbing in front of our eyes. The toddler giggled and raised his hands out in gleeful expectation. The adults smiled and took photos. How did they get there? Why were they there? Who knows. I do know that this random act of kindness made up for a lot that day. It reminded me that it is the small things in life that often make it all worthwhile. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, what random act of kindness will you do today? </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-35118918129140861072010-12-14T23:30:00.000+00:002010-12-14T23:31:58.526+00:00... a different view<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzyH_4uP_1yK_IJBpptCZWBQ8eMBbh_nEcqgu3qh7GAVd85Q23NdzcjpJl_ur2NsGo0zdrknBvQdX4r6guBokwrqAmot-SMilNzxOxY0PaN4K-JaWyUzLJsTAkJR2MxjQVJJDemp-vDeq/s1600/Flipped+Nick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzyH_4uP_1yK_IJBpptCZWBQ8eMBbh_nEcqgu3qh7GAVd85Q23NdzcjpJl_ur2NsGo0zdrknBvQdX4r6guBokwrqAmot-SMilNzxOxY0PaN4K-JaWyUzLJsTAkJR2MxjQVJJDemp-vDeq/s320/Flipped+Nick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>On the rocks at Porthleven in Cornwall</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I spent a week in Cornwall with my friend who is a bit of an expert in the field of renewable energies. It was an opportunity to find out more about the burgeoning solar, wind and wave energy industries. The south west region is working hard at switching to new ways of doing things. There is money out there from the EU and from our own government and builders, electricians and engineers are getting skilled up. There is a real appetite for solar now that domestic generators can sell their unused energy to the grid. It is not surprising that landowners are offering up their fields.<br />
<br />
I went to a public consultation for a project that a local farmer is planning with a solar company from "up London". It was a formality as it seems no one is worried about fields of solar panels. It's the wind turbines that people object to - much to my amusement as I find their presence somehow reassuring and they are a hundred times more attractive than the electricity pylons that romp across the landscape. In fact there was only N and I at the exhibition which was in an off season seaside town community hall. There was an exhibition to study with its spin - lots of photos of happy sheep grazing around the panels. There was a truly pointless questionnaire to complete and there were leaflets to take away. We stayed for over an hour and I enjoyed chatting to the farmer who is evangelical. The field is now used for arable but has a poor yield and it will be interesting to go back in a year's time to see the final product. Will it be a new wildlife haven for birds? A place to stop and reflect? <br />
<br />
I like the stillness of solar panels and as a sun worshipping SAD sufferer, I find the concept interesting. Whether the farmer makes the money he is promised remains to be seen. There is a lot of maths and stats required to forecast the returns and it will be a while before results are known. One thing is for sure, there are going to be a lot of these sites around so look out for them. The solar power race is on. It's good news - low impact, non polluting, minimal visual impact, quiet, employment creating and pretty reliable since it is powered by daylight on both sunny and cloudy days.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-6002831124540199512010-12-12T14:28:00.000+00:002010-12-12T14:32:35.465+00:00Rainbow's end... Geevor tin mine<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRTcWhlQ4Bb6VL1dgd_X4NrTQ689ChUGPD-E0QY2Fc8U4c-6ZrLHRCAZdHk75jQp8WKtAD7ctB2N4k2EiDhB-PLGy-ZvMDwAHzzq2yPeQdLB5ZbaL6GDpdOM4PqB_MjrWeCOvBcUNI79j/s1600/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRTcWhlQ4Bb6VL1dgd_X4NrTQ689ChUGPD-E0QY2Fc8U4c-6ZrLHRCAZdHk75jQp8WKtAD7ctB2N4k2EiDhB-PLGy-ZvMDwAHzzq2yPeQdLB5ZbaL6GDpdOM4PqB_MjrWeCOvBcUNI79j/s320/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+037.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Geevor mine and rainbow</strong></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have always wanted to go down a mine. So when I announced this and B got excited, my fate was sealed. As I am in Cornwall, the mine in question was a tin mine and it is located on the coast just north of Lands End. What I have learned about Cornwall is that it is like living on an island with a micro-climate that changes within minutes. This was one of those days when it changed from sunshine to hailstones with no warning. It suited my ever changing moods.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwlenrSAx-omMcFolEs1wT8OcaMGl0gmy9CB0R8kwvu7BVIFbFo3kNwtXxpTOVPBu5dHIaE5gpTRol93O2frJEqW6OXEfnFSQmcxST7GjSdrU6NHTGBjF5MBTJXJJqXaF44ranar7cDx-/s1600/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwlenrSAx-omMcFolEs1wT8OcaMGl0gmy9CB0R8kwvu7BVIFbFo3kNwtXxpTOVPBu5dHIaE5gpTRol93O2frJEqW6OXEfnFSQmcxST7GjSdrU6NHTGBjF5MBTJXJJqXaF44ranar7cDx-/s200/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+029.jpg" width="200" /></a>There is no longer tin mining in Cornwall - Geevor was finally closed in 1990 after a fight. It is now a designated World Heritage site - along with other mines in the area. The mine is a popular tourist attraction for families in summer but this time of year it attracts people who have more than a passing interest. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5lImE2glKa7fNEeEwHuIyUDldfuX9xYETje46ZrnTrhfetWzC9ggP2lOXD3r8jVOL966okIC-LBuco8RotY5_0B3oxw00ZjBz3JCIeX_qrZGfPQZdIbHtiGh-tWhy0fnshlHGreUVN9L/s1600/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5lImE2glKa7fNEeEwHuIyUDldfuX9xYETje46ZrnTrhfetWzC9ggP2lOXD3r8jVOL966okIC-LBuco8RotY5_0B3oxw00ZjBz3JCIeX_qrZGfPQZdIbHtiGh-tWhy0fnshlHGreUVN9L/s200/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+065.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We were soon kitted out in hard hats and heading off for the "on the hour" underground tour with Mark. It was interesting to learn about the process used for extracting tin and other minerals from hard rock. It was strange to walk through spaces that would once have been ringing with the sound of machinery and mens' voices. Some of the heavy kit has been sold off but what remains is lovingly cared for and the brass plaques gleam with polished pride. It was wet and cramped when we went underground and I was glad there was just the two of us with Mark as we could take our time. </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKIwL6fl8RcoBlGoLkuHGWHpoFezzrcPAo17Qdi6oR31iL3h0GGj7APKInUNgg_JFRrDBW-ek4f6XU6ThLpKOuxZGiSVK9EMGxXz5LTjVBPUApXPUDzTjxVXvu5oM3Ho2Rt4OffaUL6s7/s1600/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKIwL6fl8RcoBlGoLkuHGWHpoFezzrcPAo17Qdi6oR31iL3h0GGj7APKInUNgg_JFRrDBW-ek4f6XU6ThLpKOuxZGiSVK9EMGxXz5LTjVBPUApXPUDzTjxVXvu5oM3Ho2Rt4OffaUL6s7/s200/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+064.jpg" width="150" /></a>We heard tales of what life was like hundreds of years ago when the men and boys had to walk miles to the workings(unpaid) and then risk their lives as they rhythmically chipped away at the hard rock to extract the tin. We also found out more about the traditional pastie. For these men, it was no delicacy but a nasty barley flour pastry with basic ingredients. The pasty needed to be tough enough to survive a drop in a pit so I guess it was not going to be very edible. The men would take a short break to eat - known as "mossel time" and may have eaten pasties with "afters" - a sweet portion created from hedgerow fruit or appless.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The "dry" area pulled me up and it is hard not to shed a tear here. The lockers, some with personal effects intact, the showers, a rusting vending machine and walls lined with portraits of hundreds of miners. The hastily scrawled graffiti, the silence, the chill of the wind as I found myself wanting to hear their voices. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are signs to make sure that visitors respect this space and there are annual reunions for the men and their families. I am so glad I went to Geevor. One day there will probably be tin mining again in Cornwall but it will never be labour intensive like this. The days of communities built around industry are fading in Britain but thankfully the memories and experiences are being held for future generations. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.geevor.com/">http://www.geevor.com/</a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-41701966464272450502010-11-22T13:28:00.000+00:002010-11-22T13:28:29.285+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMS5hOqueqkOvVusrYbtgfwYJ77EnztB1tDFIBbYifbg2_jkMNGKAf8LF1W3sf_iVE3qmgXHUM3gMYXJSE-NC1196bdKnxdZ7Qa2EqwHHA47SEGDcoccrXHvOW7Z6SPisKS1FjVvmklMzO/s1600/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMS5hOqueqkOvVusrYbtgfwYJ77EnztB1tDFIBbYifbg2_jkMNGKAf8LF1W3sf_iVE3qmgXHUM3gMYXJSE-NC1196bdKnxdZ7Qa2EqwHHA47SEGDcoccrXHvOW7Z6SPisKS1FjVvmklMzO/s320/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Carn Brea </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a monument to a former mine-owner, Baron Basset, in the Redruth area, located on the site of a neolithic monument. These days people come to visit the Castle restaurant which is apparently candle-lit as it has no electricity, serves up middle eastern food and a limited wine list (red or white house) and a drum beat serenade by moonlight. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We came here to look at the views and it was a great opportunity for me to test my knee out with a hill climb. If I make it to the restaurant I will review it. This is a great site with a fascinating history - see the wiki entry. It is great to get off the beaten track in Cornwall and this one track that meets that criteria. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carn_Brea">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carn_Brea</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-7910216616850649682010-11-22T12:29:00.000+00:002010-11-22T12:29:41.780+00:00Country cousins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTN_Wx8EGU6cFZkWeCbdTj3VBi4iuUl1SehMW4kcEsdNqhXUiYHJVcQ462zB0QK6dKx0tsWBn7FZIFMY9HMnDUgPd2yoJFuw1sj0uB0kDm0Qdf8ygYTtK6-Z7NRRbhegd2MFA3y1nFM85/s1600/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTN_Wx8EGU6cFZkWeCbdTj3VBi4iuUl1SehMW4kcEsdNqhXUiYHJVcQ462zB0QK6dKx0tsWBn7FZIFMY9HMnDUgPd2yoJFuw1sj0uB0kDm0Qdf8ygYTtK6-Z7NRRbhegd2MFA3y1nFM85/s320/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Chicken pie?</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's Saturday and we are in Penzance for a mooch around the art gallery and shops. I love Penzance - the Egyptian house, the arty crafty shops, the sound of seagulls. We started the morning with coffee in the cafe at the new art gallery and it was bad. My cappuccino was tiny and the foam faded to sludge. Artfully presented with a spoon filled with chocolate coffee beans, it did not live up to the presentation. I get tired of places that try so hard that they miss the point. When I want a coffee, I want it now and I want it to be good. This is what the cafes and bars in Madrid do effortlessly. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2Wh7SevDVlpMPYDD-1MZH0GFOzyzsw9IGNDlsfgJAi9CTDbOZp2QYS8kC_ZHlh8svUZIFdJEL4BNvc6gMXTFJ7L4SN5g8zxxe6ri_Qs5a3EGgWCPrrI2kZ-cGngKktUu5NpCwxxyFBl0/s1600/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2Wh7SevDVlpMPYDD-1MZH0GFOzyzsw9IGNDlsfgJAi9CTDbOZp2QYS8kC_ZHlh8svUZIFdJEL4BNvc6gMXTFJ7L4SN5g8zxxe6ri_Qs5a3EGgWCPrrI2kZ-cGngKktUu5NpCwxxyFBl0/s200/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+022.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">So when it came to lunch we decided to take a punt on the intriguing cafe across the street called "Country Cousins". It is caught in a time warp with prices to match but it offered home cooking and that steamy welcome you get when the food is served up hot and to order. OK the decor was interesting. Lots of beams, oilcloth tablecloths and the ubiquitous tiny white vases with yesterday's flowers. There is even a stuffed rooster on a shelf above the counter alongside the insect zapper. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My piping hot lunch of roast pork cost less than four quid and came with an extra vegetable to the advertised "three vegetables" and N was very happy with this "Hungry man's breakfast" (I take it hungry women don't eat breakfast?). I would go back and especially as they have wi fi and a licence! Just don't let any TV makeover people in or it will be all stripped floorboards and blackboards before we know it - with prices to match!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-34564578086023558302010-11-20T00:34:00.000+00:002010-11-20T00:38:10.729+00:00Pie and mash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CBjvCEYHR1KEKq8NocUV2OidmI-0LqLX0QjtpOtGgsM_kjRphjv1Nu9wHZzFy87deTQnlUlJcBVGE49_7oFuqgRPgfLjTvDI-NM9ft2EJmdl5gnORFN01M4xjG5FTtDf_iL-or6TPLyu/s1600/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CBjvCEYHR1KEKq8NocUV2OidmI-0LqLX0QjtpOtGgsM_kjRphjv1Nu9wHZzFy87deTQnlUlJcBVGE49_7oFuqgRPgfLjTvDI-NM9ft2EJmdl5gnORFN01M4xjG5FTtDf_iL-or6TPLyu/s320/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Peckham blues</strong> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4hyavwy_jqlrCEzw2UypsJs3yh-08Pxd-I7C9jxafW6BMr7vOe9Bk7xQeXL1qFJzaS5_hTLOA1to4Ds2ssw4aOm4WT4oIgsJg7WZm1QBpxxYJ7ZeFNEeLdiTnp-AvtTL04DrSLuUFvcw/s1600/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4hyavwy_jqlrCEzw2UypsJs3yh-08Pxd-I7C9jxafW6BMr7vOe9Bk7xQeXL1qFJzaS5_hTLOA1to4Ds2ssw4aOm4WT4oIgsJg7WZm1QBpxxYJ7ZeFNEeLdiTnp-AvtTL04DrSLuUFvcw/s200/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+003.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboh5q2U2Is1dpNn4Z2iojkuxy0_aYbyMbkcfDIpMGV4EMC0LBNMcCOyN2ChGkz9fAg8B4dBXOLTw_XdFIkHRbm8OqPZUwM1YS59D1D05027xoFo-FWgu3pmcTHiaeEkYn3-aQ45OYaZzW/s1600/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboh5q2U2Is1dpNn4Z2iojkuxy0_aYbyMbkcfDIpMGV4EMC0LBNMcCOyN2ChGkz9fAg8B4dBXOLTw_XdFIkHRbm8OqPZUwM1YS59D1D05027xoFo-FWgu3pmcTHiaeEkYn3-aQ45OYaZzW/s200/pie+and+mash+and+cornwall+002.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was Monday and I had the blues. Big time. I realise now, with the benefit of hindsight, that I was experiencing SAD blues and they were taking their toll. Within an hour I had my suitcase packed and was on my way south west in search of light and laughter with a visit to my oldest mate who lives in Cornwall. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Stopping off at the library in Peckham en route for the station, I needed tea and lunch before the long journey so I popped into the nearby pie and mash shop. This is a first. Years of living in Peckham and it is only now that I have ventured into this world famous emporium. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It did the trick... classic comfort food... and set me up for my journey to the home of the Cornish pasty. I dutifully tucked into a pasty on Tuesday after a walk on the beach at Portleven and sorry Mr Manze, the Cornish version was best. SAD means carb cravings. Pies and potatoes hit the spot! Hopefully I will be back on form soon.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-81812055744552399542010-11-19T15:57:00.000+00:002010-11-19T15:57:44.559+00:00Ballroom boot fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3t2PqMLJUDqd_bkdWpc-j0N4EwVrrfOhTZ9qz14KpE6QsdLtkso5mK9DbSwty8ImJgwQz1p4LORg7yT5ulunH4-b6HkNans_rBHgiCmEp4IcOkY4WD9vNCA10lMHVzFklRfjJFu4nUIIm/s1600/Ballroom+bootfair+view+from+my+pitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3t2PqMLJUDqd_bkdWpc-j0N4EwVrrfOhTZ9qz14KpE6QsdLtkso5mK9DbSwty8ImJgwQz1p4LORg7yT5ulunH4-b6HkNans_rBHgiCmEp4IcOkY4WD9vNCA10lMHVzFklRfjJFu4nUIIm/s320/Ballroom+bootfair+view+from+my+pitch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>View from our stall</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you are going to do a boot fair, do it in a pub! That is my top tip. Who wants the stress of getting up at 6am on a Sunday morning and lining up at a freezing cold outdoor venue? Especially if there are no guarantees on return of that investment. My local pub has been running indoor bootfairs for a few months and this was our second appearance with an eclectic mix of vintage goodies. In my case, it was a chance to get rid of a stack of books, some old clothes and a few bits of jewellery. My mate A. is a seasoned pro and was selling vintage clothing, bags, accessories and the star item, a Pelham puppet ventriloquist's dummy.<strong> </strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The fair was 12-5 and it was an agreeable way to spend a Saturday. With vintage jazz and blues to entertain those cheery punters seeking that elusive £43million Chinese vase and an on-tap supply of food and drink, I was a happy soul. I easily made £50 and felt the difference as I packed up my suitcase. This is the last vintage stall I am doing before I go back to Spain. I have however booked a stall for December to sell some Christmas gift items so I have to get the sewing machine whirring over the next couple of weeks. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=118055748228276">http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=118055748228276</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-83220650164811327142010-11-10T21:14:00.000+00:002010-11-10T21:16:10.229+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MQcLOWIDvRv-ty9thXNq0CFlb7gmMwctg7oaDk23SMY1CVn2dqg0ORA6LPJN4xFADMOFVJFXi069H8m8iAuxaidnp05Zs0V4QdlpMlEu-7TF9y9YYQ8W_Fj7NrAl0zUMXiwsK_TnxQDK/s1600/My+flat+and+Vinnie+again%2521+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MQcLOWIDvRv-ty9thXNq0CFlb7gmMwctg7oaDk23SMY1CVn2dqg0ORA6LPJN4xFADMOFVJFXi069H8m8iAuxaidnp05Zs0V4QdlpMlEu-7TF9y9YYQ8W_Fj7NrAl0zUMXiwsK_TnxQDK/s320/My+flat+and+Vinnie+again%2521+031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Getting crafty</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have re-established my relationship with my sewing machine and scraps of fabric, random ribbons, pots of beads and buttons and I am up-cycling and making all sorts of crazy crafty things. It is great therapy and it is a way of de-cluttering my flat. The goal of all this activity is a stall at the vintage ballroom boot fair that is taking place on Saturday in my local pub. I had a trial run last month and it was great fun selling stuff to people in such a cool setting. Plus there was coffee, booze and food on tap too. The Ivy House is a brilliant place and has a rather quirky and funky wood-panelled ballroom. It is home to comedy and cabaret nights and it is a real gem in my neighbourhood. Free films on a Monday and they have just started doing Sunday roasts too! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have been making a lot of purses and bags from leftover remnants of fabric and I hope to get rid of them on Saturday. If they go well, I may do a Christmas stall in December. I am enjoying making things again and getting the old sewing machine going. I still have a lot of fabric left though ... cushion covers anyone? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ivyhouselondon.com/">http://www.ivyhouselondon.com/</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-370163625566595562010-11-10T20:56:00.000+00:002010-11-10T20:56:21.235+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvQDK4eZtLiRZRdJhdAcAQQGzKRAE2ukgublrB0R-aqI42cRC_teZW2zhqwFabe597J1crtDivuBd_EXyokV6i6uSGoLpB07SatQ4XK0ZG0tLNPyFR-bdecml5GSIrtqD8cKn1vc0u-bx/s1600/My+flat+and+Vinnie+again%2521+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvQDK4eZtLiRZRdJhdAcAQQGzKRAE2ukgublrB0R-aqI42cRC_teZW2zhqwFabe597J1crtDivuBd_EXyokV6i6uSGoLpB07SatQ4XK0ZG0tLNPyFR-bdecml5GSIrtqD8cKn1vc0u-bx/s400/My+flat+and+Vinnie+again%2521+026.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Postcard from Henry</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is too good not to share. When I left RNIB my colleagues made me some fab postcards for my Tate calendar and this is part of Henry's drawing of me in Spanish splendour. It's the prawns that I like best! Oh and my smiley face of course after the sangria.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5173379949796168073.post-14324140909990662722010-11-10T20:50:00.000+00:002010-11-10T20:50:26.594+00:00Tate Modern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHUnvEJhaQAGmVZNSTIt2MCtdsNqw4lo_365kX13RKlYY2EsGqW3KKETgVO9jamT-YQOOIiStV52CewPXraJ4eQOLtF1ZClP8uc___94EzwOL-nLNSxixwMyvPQIovmkf884lk52ihJxa/s1600/My+flat+and+Vinnie+again!+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHUnvEJhaQAGmVZNSTIt2MCtdsNqw4lo_365kX13RKlYY2EsGqW3KKETgVO9jamT-YQOOIiStV52CewPXraJ4eQOLtF1ZClP8uc___94EzwOL-nLNSxixwMyvPQIovmkf884lk52ihJxa/s320/My+flat+and+Vinnie+again!+040.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>View from the members' room balcony Sunday 31 October 2010</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">This is so London in autumn! Wet and grey and everyone seems to be wearing black or shades of. I met my friend C. for a visit to the latest blockbuster exhibition at Tate Modern which was Gauguin and it was the perfect tonic for my post-op blues. The exhibition is worth a visit and I especially enjoyed seeing his still life works from his early career and learning more about an artist that I have mixed feelings about. We had a late lunch and a one-for-the-road glass of vino before heading off to start another week. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sadly the big installation by Ai Weiwei in the Turbine Hall had to be closed and it is dispiriting to see billions of tiny hand crafted porcelain sunflowers just lying there. No one thought about what would happen when hundreds of people rolled and ran around on this china beach. Hard to believe. The dust clouds proved too hazardous and so the fun was halted. The seeds are going to lie there until May 2011. Seems a shame. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/gauguin/">http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/gauguin/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/gauguin/"></a><a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/unileverseries2010/default.shtm">http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/unileverseries2010/default.shtm</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0