29 October 2011

Okay, so now here is the thing - and another of my "first experiences in my life", just to confuse the situation!

So the situation tonight is that all the clocks in the UK are going back an hour in line with daylight saving. So, I am trying to come to terms with the whole thing of time being an hour different to SA, and now all of a sudden, by some decree, it will be two hours different. Am sure I will get my heard around it, but have to confess that despite everyone around here talking about it as if it is as natural as getting dressed, I am going to have to get used to it. So, there you have it - another of my firsts - spending time in a country where they have the clock change for the daylight saving!

We really have been having weather that is just up my alley - even if most of the people around here look at me as though I am mad - which is probably a pretty accurate assessment in any event. It is crisp, and I have to confess that I am enjoying that. How I will adapt when the cold starts to take hold properly, will probably be another story, but for the time being, I am quite happy with this.

Tomorrow morning (Sunday) I will be doing yet another first - going for a walk with my uncle and cousin, while they play golf, on a proper golf course. Golf has never been something that has appealed to me in general. I have a suspicion that it will be a case of (if I try to learn to play it) it will kill me or I will kill it. I do not think I have the personality for golf.

However, my cousin Peter, and my uncle are going to be playing 9 holes at a course that is apparently beautiful, so I will entertain myself with taking pics, taking in the views, and if it all gets a bit much, I will find my way back to the 19th hole, where I am sure they will serve a lovely hot chocolate or something like that!

This last Thursday (as with all Thursdays), my aunt was babysitting my other cousin and his wife's two children, Luke and Emma - 3 and 18 months. First off the bat, I HAVE to say that she has my complete admiration in terms of stamina and ability to keep the two of them focused and on track at all times. She is incredible. I was exhausted and didn't do more than about a quarter of what she was doing!

Having said that, the two are really lovely kids. Emma is a smiley happy baby. I loved watching her when my uncle walked in at lunch time and greeted her. Her whole face came alive as she smiled broadly and that smile resonated all the way through her and was abundantly clear in her eyes. She has gorgeous chubby cheeks - and the most beautiful eyes (as does her brother!).

Although I had brought over a jersey to knit, I have not been all that happy with the way in which it is working, and so the other evening trawled the net and managed to order patterns for all sorts of things (mainly books, so I have a range of patterns that I will be able to use.) They were dropped off on Thursday by the post man - how efficient is that! Anyway, I have a colleague whose wife is preggy with their first child and so wanted to make something for them. I found a lovely pram cover - which I will probably make into a cot blanket and so bought the wool and so forth in order to make this. I was knitting it on Thursday, when little Luke came up to me and asked what I was knitting. When I told him, he was first most confused about the expectant aspect of the baby, but once we had that cleared up, I was then asked why I was not knitting something for him. Well, I could not resist, and so we have found a pattern and bought the wool yesterday, and I have been trying to "get into" that pattern over the last day and a bit, in between other things.

Last night we went around to visit the family, and when Luke noticed that I was now not knitting my jersey, not knitting the baby blanket and knitting something bright blue, he wanted to know what I was knitting once more. Finally I asked him what he would like it to be, and he said he would really like it to be something for him. I relented as this gorgeous little boy looked so earnestly and stated that he would like it to be for him, and informed him that I was indeed knitting for him. Having got approval of both the colour wool and the pattern, we were set.

I went through to get my dinner, and was called back and asked why I was not knitting. A little later when I was messing up the pattern again and so put my knitting aside for a while, I got asked once more why I was not knitting. There is just a certain delight in the manner in which innocent minds work!

Well peeps, I think I am going to call it a night. I have to get up a whole hour earlier tomorrow - and I have to confess that I am not too sure how that will work as my phone automatically changed time zones when we travelled from France to the UK, so will it reset itself for daylight saving, or do I need to set it?



So, I guess I need to work that out instead of writing - so:

24 October 2011

Wasn't really planning to write tonight, but I guess I felt I needed to share a little!

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Well, the Conference ended on Saturday evening, after the majority of the delegates, adults and kids, ran what is called "The Wellington Race" on Saturday morning (through an icy lake and up a 45 degree hill (guess who didn't

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Yip, gave that one a miss, but have to say everyone really did well!

Then in the afternoon things were pretty relaxed as well, and the evening was initially a "Night at the Proms" kind of affair with the orchestra from Wellington - where the kids were really not all that interested, the adults enjoyed the music a good deal, and kids were waiting for the live band and the chance to dance the night away.

Fortunately the "night" was cutailed by them being called outside, where it was a tad chilly, and then we were given a fireworks spectacle. Some incredible fireworks, and I must say - either the tiredness or the madness in me talking, but I was quite surprised at the way in which some of the fireworks are designmed to go off in a rather comedic or cheeky fashion - a flash of colour before the grande finale - but then I have not seen that many fireworks displays.

The next morning it was a case of trying to pack things and an early-ish start after the late night. Then went down to the dorm in which I was staying and enjoyed the last moments of peace (and watched three squirrels playing in the trees just in front of the house in which I was staying beforehand - who were obviously also enjoying the peace and quiet). The group was going into Reading, and then would return later in order to gather their luggage and catch a bus to the airport. I received a message from Christine at about 4:30pm today, so gather it was about 3:30pm SA time, to say they had all arrived safe and sound.

It was wonderful to see and finally meet (for the first time some of them!) my aunt and uncle, and then a little later all the family barring my one cousin and his family who live in Denver, USA. I had a chance to go walking with my cousin who I have never met and who is just the most generous and wonderful person, Denise, as we walked along part of the main road through the village I have now discovered is called "White Chapel" (I think!), accompanied by Luke (Denise's nephew - and so not too sure what that makes him to me) she then pushed the stroller in which little Emma was buckled in. They are really both gorgeous kids, and have the most beautiful eyes!

Denise is in the process of training for her first half-marathon, and I have to say I admire her. Mind you, anyone who runs for pleasure and not because they have to deserves a medal of some sort in my book! Running really is not for me! She had managed a good run the afternoon before, and so on the way back, she and Luke challeneged each other to a run through a small clearing and back. He won, needless to say, but it was lovely to see. He also has a wonderful vocabulary, and no shortage of confidence. When I congratulated him for something that he had done and told him that I thought he was a very smary boy, he reassured me that he was indeed smart. These pics give you and idea of both the area, as well as this "training run" for Denise!





You can't really see all that much detail of Dee and Luke, but you get a sense of the lovely area. I will take more pics and put them on as soon as I do. It is very beautiful here.

This is a little better as you get some of Luke's face a little clearer. He is gorgeous.




Last night was a battle for me to stay awake, and eventually at 8 I called it quits, only to discover that everything was basically still in bags and cases and so spent about half an hour unpacking and trying to sort myself out. Then collapsed into bed and slept until 8am. A good night's sleep.

This morning we had breakfast before jumping into the car with the two pups and off to one of the walks along one of the canals. Beautiful - and a chance to see one of the "locks" on the canal, as well as eat blueberries straight from the bushes along the side of the canal!

Then this afternoon was another long snooze. I have to confess that I seem to be doing a fair amount of that at present, but I guess that is what happens when things have been so chaotic all year through.

I will have to start getting my thoughts gathered together in terms of plans for this trip, or the time will run away with me, and poor Aunt Pam and Uncle Dave will find me staying with them the entire time and my not having done a thing!!!

Well, all for the time being. Aunt Pam has some work to do tomorrow, but we will probably take the dogs for a walk (and this time I will take my camera as well) and I might then venture out into the village and do a little sight seeing as well as taking some pics in an effort to try and capture the beauty of the area.

Well all for now. Lids are heavy and sleep is calling.

All my love
Wendy

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21 October 2011

I am trying very hard to be diligent!

Not too much to report, 'cept the school email is working again, but have been having some hassles logging in to the wifi at Wellington. Amazing how we can become sooooo dependent on technology.

Mum, I had to laugh at you comment re the speakers at the conference in your email - and that for the news and the words of encouragement. I really am spoilt having such a wonderful mum!!! I will try and write you a proper mail tomorrow, as the one meeting we had scheduled now won't happen as we have all the matters covered that needed to be discussed in the Rep's meeting. I can't see that I will get much chance to write until during the week next week, after I am finally collected by my wonderful aunt and uncle!!! So exciting!

We had an incredible speaker today. Her name is Karen Darke and she has written a book called "If You Fall ... It's a New Beginning". So Inspirational!!! And I have bought her book as well as I was really impressed by her.

She climbed mountains as a hobby, and came crashing off one just after turning 21. That resulted in her being paralysed and so she spent an age in a hospital bed looking at a ceiling - as she also broke her neck in the accident. She is now training for next year's Para-Olympics and will be entering in the cycling race.

She was so down to earth and unassuming. She also told things as they are. I reckon that at the London Olympics next year, she will have approximately 1 000 extra fans cheering her on after hearing her speak today!

Do yourselves a favour and have a look at her website: http://karendarke.com/

It has her story in it - plus more than what she told us this morning.

Truly inspirational!

The day ended in a very different way to what usually happens with regards Round Square Conferences, in that Wellington is a traditional Church school, and so decided to include a spiritual component in the Conference. Quite a feat when one considers that we have people of such diversities of faith in the organisation - and so we had a multifaith celbration and meditation. It was really all rather lovely - and then I dicovered that I could get Rooibos tea here - except they call it "Red Bush Tea". Yay!!!

Okay, so tonight is going to be something of a record - almost 10pm, and I am about to call it a night. The kids are still busy with something called "Cool Britannia", after which the adults have what is euphemistically called a debrief session, and all it is is a chance for everyone to have some down time with alcohol flowing without kids around. Not my scene, and I have to confess that this year I have not been to a single one of the evenings - I simply do not see the point of them!

Ah well. All for now, wonderful people.

Much love
Wendy

20 October 2011

Yesterday was not a good day - fortunately today was somewhat better! Long, but relatively constructive, which was pleasant.

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As you have probably noticed, I am having a fair amount of fun discovering all these silly additions that I can add to the blog. They do need sound - Mum, you will need to turn yours on!

I had a most interesting thing happen today. Last year at the Thailand Conference, I approached the school that had just been brought in as a global member to Round Square from Denmark, and spoke briefly to the rep about the chance of us being able to link up and do exchanges. She was so curt and effectively did the fly swat above about the whole thing.

Today, we had our next reps meeting, and she came running over to me (which is something, since she is probably all of 25-30, about my size, but with an image that I neither have nor care to have in terms of wearing the high heels, etc, etc.

I am most disappointed that my new "toy" of gadgets doesn't have a "Betty Boop pic, but, so be it, I guess - that is the kind of image she portrays!

Okay need to dash off and check my washing quickly!

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Okay, back for about an hour as I wait for the washing to dry now!

So, little Miss Betty Booper, tells me last year that she has been approached by so many people that she really doesn't think she would be able to accommodate me. This year, she rushes up and tells me that she has been speaking to other reps in the European region and has a boy wanting to go to SA, and they had suggested that she touch base with me.

So, I hear her out, listen to her story, discuss potential dates and that I like exchanges to be reciprocal, and finally accept a boy she thinks would work for us.

Then ... she tells me that she really needs to let me know that the school allows the kids to have a beer or three, there are few rules regarding boys and girls in each others rooms (I have since discovered that that is the case until about 10:30, when all are supposed to return to their own bedrooms, and that the kids are allowed to smoke!). So, I am now caught in something of a dilemma.

I have also since discovered - helps to be able to spend time with a couple of the heads of schools from SA who have been chatting to the head of the Danish school - and they tell me that he had been telling them that he and his school are starting to realise that this is a problem for some schools, and they might have to rethink things. So, do I let a boy go to the school, with my parents knowing that this is what their son will be exposed to, or do I make this an experience where we take her young man (who may well be put off when he discovers that we have a few rules that are pretty strict, and that he will have to abide by them!) and then see what happens.

The joys of being a "glorified travel agent"!


We spent much of the day in one meeting after another, while the kids were off on their adventure activities - which were not all really stretching the kids - the one trip was a visit to Oxford and a walk around the place - which I later discovered was something of a damp squib, as they arrived a little too late at each place to do anything worthwhile there. But, I guess they had the chance to visit Oxford.

I also had to explain to two of my boys that they had not made it onto the final Prefect Body. Both took it badly - as one would expect, but I will make sure that I can work something for them if they wish it that way.

Apart from that, this evening was an evening where we had various groups of kids doing traditional dances. Interesting to see the differences and similarities in these!

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And now, I think I am going to go and see if I can actually get my washing from the drier and call it a night. Tired - and late again!!!

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10 October 2011 - some more pics

Having been unceremoniously tossed from the "service" option that I was trying to get involved in, and no doubt because I am tired I am miffed, I have decided to come and camp at the coffee shop and write a little more. I actually cannot get over the attitude of the arrogant overaged-trying-to-be-hip-teen-middle-aged-man who seemed to think that he could be as objectionable as he wished.

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Okay, that over - see that the castle at the end of the road did not upload correctly, and try as I might, I discover that I cannot get in to edit my post - so herewith the pic that belongs to the castle from last night's posting!



Just gone and got myself a realy decadent hot chocolate - so I am sure that things will improve in the tiny mind of Wendy Robb!

So, to continue the journey - well the parade. All the key figures and I think the main films were featured on the various floats - much to the joy, excitement and at time absolute awe of the children and adults congregated on the sidewalks.

Some reflections and memories recalled on 19 October 2011

And, for once I write at a more reasonable hour of the day - or at least make a start on it.

We had the hurdler, Colin Jackson speak to us today - and he and the woman from Save the Children, who spoke yesterday, both sent one main message that I fould really worthwhile. Success for them was partly achieved through their own belief in themselves, their training - but for both, it was in a very large way, the fact that other people had confidence in them and believed that they could do things. It is something that has really resonated with me, not just because I am a teacher and thus in the business where we need to believe in our young charges, but also because it is often those people in whom I have placed my confidence and belief that have always risen to the occasion - and never been afraid to stop along the way and ask if in need of direction, but on the other hand, knowing that I believe that they can do things has empowered them - just as I had been empowered (and continue to be so) when people have told me how much they believe in me. Special indeed.

So, back to Euro Disney and the trip.

The parade that we watched was really over the top in such an extreme manner - but just resonated with all that Disney seems to be about. There was a scene where the people were gathered from the crowd and had a chance to dance with some of the Disney characters, but for the most part, it was a case of trying to balance experiencing the experience in real time, and then through the eye piece of a camera.

It is something I have spent quite a bit of this trip working at - trying to find the balance of being "in the moment", but also being able to take pics so that I have very real memories from the moment too!

Brief comment about 18 October and then - "Back in time - 10 October 2011"

So, I know that people are looking at this - but there are no comments being left - feeling neglected!!

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Today has been a case of going from something like what felt like 300 kms an hour to 10 - and I am feeling more than a little whiplashed as a result. We have spent most of the day in metings and discussion groups,and despite the fact that we did not have to wak at my usual early hour, I basically slept through my alarm that went on "alarming" for 45 minutes until I switched it off at 6:45. I only discovered this when I sat down to have dinner with Christine Ashton, who has the room opposite me, this evening, and made the comment that I had battled to wake this morning. She then said that she had heard an alarm going off perpetually, and had thought that the girl in whose room she is sleeping, and who had left some of her stuff in the room in a suitcase under the bed, must have left something that had an alarm, and she had hoped that the thing would effectively have flattened its battery by this evening. So, I guess a case of, "Boy was my face red!"

Back to the trip before the Conference and some of what I experienced.

Okay, so for those of you who diligently follwed my Facebook postings there will be some repeats here, as I think I do need to chronicle things a little - especially for when I one day get Altzheimer's - like my Mum

10 - 11 October - EuroDisney

This has never been a place that I have had a craving, or even a simple desire to visit, and yet when Helen suggested that we might wish to go along there since we were going to be going to Paris in any event, it became something we thought the kids would enjoy, and certainly then became an item of interest for me.



This is the entrance to one of the two theme parks that they have at the centre. I think it is also a hotel (there are apparently about 9 or 11 hotels in and around the actual park - and then there are a maze of parks that are a little further off - but serviced by a bus shuttle to and from the park for free every ten to twenty minutes.

I have to confess that both Christine and I felt completely overwhelmed when we encountered this. We actually arrived and had to look around at the three entrances (two to the two parks and the third was the entrance to the place that was home to various restaurants and a massive cinema complex, which we discovered on the Tuesday morning, mainly showed French films.

We then walked into the one theme park itself and that was even more of an "information overload" for us.



This was what was called "The Main Street" - and along the top "floor" there ran a train that Christine and I thought might take us around the park and give us a chance to discover the various sights of the park. We later discovered that this was actualy not the case, but it was not the end of the world - we enjoyed the time off our feet!

We passed under this and were greeted by a main street and at the end of that a massive castle - very "Sleeping Beauty" or such like.



The street was lined with a myriad of shops trying to sell their various Disney wares. We soon discovered, after walking around with Mickey Mouse ear eyes, that each shop basically had similar merchandise, with one or two things a little different to another shop. Although, here and there there were shops selling slightly more specialised goods - such as crystal encrusted jewellery or other such like things. But there were more than just one of each of these stores too.

As anyone who has been to Disneyworld will know, there are a number of different themed areas, and soon Christine and I discovered ourselves in what was called something like the "Frontier Park" - an aspect of the park dedicated to the whole American frontier discoveries.

I had made a promise to myself that I would ride at least one ride, and finally convinced Christine that we would ride the "Big Mountain" ride - or something to that effect and so we went on this funny train like affair -that we discovered was controlled remotely - and was a kind of roller coaster. Unbeknownst to us there is a camera somewhere along the ride, so at the conclusion, as one staggers out of the area, there is an old fashioned photo type stall where they sell copies of the pic that was taken digitally during the ride. We made it to the front of the pic - white knuxckles and all - and rather interestingly both commented that until that point we had never understood why people scream while on those kinds of rides. Well, we now know - you just do!



Christine also manged to lose her old reading glasses that you can see secure around her neck in this pic, but at the end of the journey, all that was left was the string that kept them around her neck. Fortunately they were her old ones, and fortunately she had brought the new ones along, so while it was a loss, it was not monumental.

We had lunch at the Toy Story section of the park, where we had a hamburger, fries and a coke for ten euros. The two former were not at all warm either!

That afternoon we meandered the streets, took the train ride around the outskirts of the theme park, but saw very little of the actual park itself, and then made our way to the street leading up towards the castle, in preparation for the Disney Parade that takes place at 5 each afternoon.

Marshalls, in a relatively (and possibly for the French very) polite manner kept people from standing in the street to catch close ups of the parade and made sure we remained on the sideewalks. We snapped away - Christine and I.

And so for the grand entrance of Mickey and Minnie:



And a rather larger than life Donald Duck:



And then we had the whole caboodle of Alice in Wonderland:



Followed by the green soldiers and then "Toy Story" characters:



And now, dear people - my washing ought to be washed and dried, and so bed calls - before midnight - hard to believe!!!