9th April 2009

The weather has been kind since the last entry, with some lovely sunny days and the occasional chilly night. I managed a few days at school, including an afternoon compering a children’s talent show. Seeing things from a different perspective was certainly eye-opening, especially when the teaching support assistants performed Mamma Mia, with Richard Blewitt making a guest appearance as Meryl Streep! Did I look that much of a prat in last year’s Spice Girls performance?

Less amusing is the school’s financial situation, which is now firmly up the creek, though I can’t say I’m surprised. Redundancies among the teaching staff are now necessary to bring the budget back into line. As you’d expect, morale is low, and a few staff (even “Meryl”) have come to me for advice.

On the brighter side, I managed to referee a full rugby match without so much as a twinge, and I’ve been discovering new off-road bike routes daily. The Leicestershire countryside is particularly pleasant this time of year when you make the effort to explore it. The recent news of the earthquake in Italy is of some relevance, as the day before it hit, I had just booked a trip to Santa Vittoria with Roger Woolnough (on Ryanair). We’re taking up an invitation from Joan, former Head at Farndon Fields, to visit. Their house, though near the epicentre, is still standing, and so far, the trip (scheduled for the 23rd April) is still on. We’ve even been asked to bring a consignment of teabags.

At school, Sue made it to the Easter break without succumbing to illness, and also managed a couple of days away visiting her Uncle Stan in Manchester. She enjoyed the trip, and thankfully didn’t have to talk too much, as Stan (who lives alone) did most of the talking! He seems to have a very generous nature, though Sue suspects the neighbours may be taking advantage of it.

Last Saturday, we tried a new restaurant in town with friends. It was quite posh and more than a little expensive. One of the rugby coaches I’ve spent many years with had done the arranging. Despite the price, it was a lovely evening, catching up with people I hadn’t seen for some time. We had fine food and good conversation. Uncharacteristically, Sue ordered a steak, and when it arrived, I wished I had too!

Jamie is heading to Bournemouth next Friday with some friends; it’s his birthday on the 19th. I’d arranged for a friend to weld the exhaust back onto his car (£20 well spent), but typically, the next day in Northampton, a taxi ran into the back of his car at a set of traffic lights! He’s now busy getting quotes for the repair. Fortunately, the damage is only superficial, and hopefully, it stays that way on the trip to Bournemouth.

Sarah has returned from her trip to RAF Rosslare, and it’s fair to say she had a brilliant time. She was texting throughout the week and loved every moment. She came out top on the flight simulator and, astonishingly, they even let her take the controls of a real Nimrod mid-flight! Considering there are only six of these aircraft still flying, letting Sarah loose on one seemed a touch risky… I’ve seen her in control of a quad bike and a jet ski on holiday! She was also the fastest at stripping, cleaning, and assembling a rifle. But the biggest surprise of all? She won first prize for keeping her room tidy! For those who know our little swamp rat, that is truly astonishing.