3rd week in London

Hi again Yeah its Sat 26 Jan and its blog time again. Its 9.30 am and I am in an administrators office at Bellerbys College on a grey overcast day ( what else is new: Hey I have seen the sun but only briefly then it pops back behind the grey covers ) about to write this.

Last Sat I went out to Eltham in the morning looking for this leisure centre. I found it but not before I had walked to the old one which is now closed down then I had to backtrack and walk to where the new one is. A nice complex but different from NP Aquatic centre. Had a good look around but couldnt swim because I had forgotten my togs in my satchel and shops in Eltham didnt have any to buy so I flagged it and did some shopping ( couple shirts ) checked out their market place bought some food and just cruised before coming back to my unit in Greenwich.

Then it was off on my next adventure to travel to Twickenham to see Harlequins play Staide de France ( both quality sides ) but alas, my timing was out and I miscalculated how long it would take to get there and to make matters worse there were delays on the trains / line works just on my route and I was dropped off at Richmond and had to wait 3/4 hour at Richmond awaiting a special bus to get me to Twickenham, then the walk and seeking directions to the ground.

By now I knew the game was probably over. Yes it was but I kept going cause its all part of learning the routes to take for next time. The game had been played at the Stoop ( Not Twickenham ) but I did get a peek at Twickenham though.

I sneaked in ( a security man let me in for a preview ) and saw the field. I will hopefully see a match there at some stage this year. I also had a pee ( in a corner cause the toilets were locked and it was dark by now so thought I would fertilise some hallowed turf ) I cant imagine too many have done that.

I eventually arrived at the Stoop and everyone was leaving ( I was the only one arriving but I scored 2 really big hamburgers ( free ) with my cheek and had a chat to some people and then went under the East stand where the supporters were drinking. A Band was playing as well ( couldnt believe it. ) Even Abba music which I like so it was an enjoyable couple hours before the return journey.

On Sunday I decided I would see parts of Greenwich I had not yet seen ( The Observatory in Greenwich Park ) so took a walk up there and saw all the key parts there ( Stood on the dividing line between East and West ) for time recordings and had a few hours there just cruising around.

I then checked out the o2 ( o2 is a cell ph company ) millenium stadium in North Greenwich ( Massive place with plenty of cafes / beer places and a skating rink / stadium where major shows are ) Neil Diamond is due in June. ( Would love to see him perform, Tickets are almost sold out now so somehow doubt it ) The Spice Girls were on Monday night. No tickets though. They all get sold out months in advance but I had a good reconnaisance out there and know the ropes now so I am sure we ( June and me ) will visit this place sometime. Thats all I did on Sunday. It doesnt sound like much but with all the walking and bus travel the day / evening soon goes. Its just the way it is. You have to allow plenty of time.

The week ( Mon - Frid ) has been a regular teaching week. Just the normal stuff teaching and emails / cafetaria eating and washing clothes / housekeeping stuff.

I got a surprize on Mon with an email from BBC Radio Cornwall who asked me if I would like to do some sideline reports on a Rugby match this weekend in London ( Mounts Bay ( Cornwall ) v Rosslyn Park ( A london side )

It is National South Div 3. I said yes so today ( Sat 26 jan ) I will be reporting for BBC Radio. Hows that !! ' This is Kevin Gledhill reporting live from Rossyln Park for BBC Cornwall.' Kick off is 2 .30 pm so will leave here soon so I get to the match with plenty of time to get organised.

On Tues afternoon ( no classes scheduled ) I travelled to Eltham for my much awaited swim. Picture this. I had just dived in and had put my trusty flippers on when this attendant said. No flippers here mate. What!!. Why mate was my response. Its a health and safety issue. What !!! So that was that.

I proceeded to do 2000 m ( 25m pool ) without this aid. Tough going but stayed there long enough to get a workout. I argued my case as only I can ( all reasoned and so on but no deal ) and will get in touch with some official to make a reasoned individual case later. ( some staff agreed with me but most didnt. ) Apparently all London pools have this ruling. So stupid and bearucratic all this PC stuff. The only good thing was the water ( no chlorine issues ) I saw some pathetic swim coaching going on as well ( young kids swimming with heads and arms flaying all over the place and never corrected )

I have now got a brightly colourd ironing board ( borrowed from Cleaning staff ) which I can have for my time here which is good. Will now be able to iron my gear.
I was doing ledger work this week with one of my classes and when naming the debtors ledgers ( For all you accounting - knowlegable types ) You'll know what I mean I said P Smith R Jones K jackson then I said I suppose I should use one of your names as well and then said This ledger could be yu Brown. No laughter at all ( except me under my breath ) and so I quickly changed that as I silently chuckled away to myself.

My first Gledhillism or faux par and it wasnt even noticed. You should see the names of my students. They all have English christian names to make it easier on everyone but their surnames are a mission to pronounce.

A few beers on Friday completed the week with some teaching colleagues in Greenwich and thats the week all done and dusted. Thats all for now. I have to go. I have a BBC appointment. Signing off for now. Cheers.

2nd week in London

It is now Sat 19 Jan and it is time to update this blog. It is cloudy and grey skies above and windy but certainly not cold for me. I have my jeans and Taranaki hard core t shirt on as I write. Last sat I watched Blackheath Seniors play Halifax at Blackheath and it was an average match. Nothing to get excited about ( Div 2 ) and the quality was average. It was really cold though and I did feel the cold on this day.

I met up with some supporters and general manager and a NZ player in the team ( Matt Vaughn ) after the game and have been invited to attend some trainings which I will do. I was due to go on Tues but training was cancelled and they said to come along next Tues which I will.

On Sunday I went to Canary wharf ( Jan sales ) and spent a good few hours there just wandering around and buying stuff I needed ( Iron, jug, radio/alarm/ pillows/ and a suit ( £ 99 ) and a shirt ( £ 10 ) Travelled on the trains and I am pretty comfortable with the whole system.

Teaching this week has been good. I am getting a rapport with the students I teach and seeing them smile n laugh is a good sign cause they are rather serious in facial expressions. The content is fine.

The week has been mostly just teaching and relaxing in my unit / reading and emailing and so on. On Tues afternoon ( I have no classes scheduled ) so I went into Canary Wharf again and splashed out on a cell ph. I am up and running now and learning how to use it ( Vodafoan ) It cost me £ 20 and have loaded it up with an initial £ 25.

Because it gets dark by 4.30 pm and teaching finishes at 4.45 pm most days ( Tues excepted ) for me anyway, you just finish up and wander back to your place, do some emails, buy some groceries or whatever. Thats my week schedule at the moment.

There have been exams also and I have had to supervise ( the word they use here is to Invigilate ) so you become an invigilator. The exams are held in Jan for students who began courses in Sept. My classes are all students who began their courses in Jan bar 1 class who began in Sept and that class has had their exams this week. ( Unit 1 ) I am teaching them Unit 2 now and the Jan starters I am teaching them Unit 1 of the syllabus.

Its a good system. I have access to past exams and this can help in teaching what is needed. Text books as well.

I have been in touch with Murray Grimwood, Steven Owen and Rik Knight ( all ex NPBHS teachers who are teaching here ) as well this week. Steven isnt too far away and will meet up with them all sometime.

Have written a long letter to my Mum ( she doesnt have email access ) and now I have to go to a Post office today and get some stamps. Just for you Mum. ( I love ya Mum )

I enjoy the cafetaria at lunch here. A chance to talk with fellow teachers and relax. 3 hour teaching stints are quite tiring and lunch is a welcome break before you are straight back into it. I have 1 day ( wed ) where I have a full 6 hrs and I was quite tired that day and slept well that night.

Yesterday ( Friday ) I had a few beers in Greenwich with 3-4 teachers in a nice quaint pub. Walked from school and bused back at 11 pm.

Whats on my agenda today. Complete some emails. Read over the instruction manual for the cell ph and I am looking at heading to Eltham ( no its not Eltham as we say it It is Elt ham. I asked someone what bus I would need to go on and they didnt understand. Its all in the pronounciation eh There is a flash swimming pool there which I am keen to use my flippers in.

The Blackheath rugby team are playing out of town so I may look to going elsewhere to see some rugby or give it a miss and do some exploring this afternoon. I am keen to see some Heineken cup matches, I have a schedule now of games still to be played so will see to that also at some stage.

On Sunday it is my daughter Sarah 's 19th birthday. Have a good one Sarah. I miss ya and will be thinking of you.

Well thats all for this update. All is going well. I will now get out and about in amongst it all. Cheers for now. Kevin

First week in London

Hi all. Well I have just completed my first week in London so its time to start this blog. I am writing this on Sat morning ( Jan 12 ) at the college while my washing / drying of my clothes is taking place.

I arrived Thurs 3 Jan about 12 noon and it wasnt until 3-4 pm before I was away from Heathrow.

The travel over here was pretty uneventful. My large suitcase though did not arrive on my flight. I had to wait another couple hours before it arrived on another flight.

Then it was onto Piccadilly line. off at Holborn and onto Central line stopping at Bank then onto DLR and eventually Greenwich. My accommodation was pretty basic and small. It was a Bed and Breakfast.

Almost like a prison cell and no chair / table just a bed toilet and shower close together, with some cupboard space. I stayed here 5 nights. My first couple days was getting organised.

Meeting the Academic director at Bellerbys College ( where I will be teaching Accounting ) for the next 5 months and meeting up with the Teaching agency that secured the job for me. Also getting used to the train and Bus systems to get around.

I had a good walk around Greenwich and also checked out Blackheath RFC on Sunday as well as looking for my 2nd accommodation spot I had booked. ( Tonys ) What a mission. Took me a couple hours or more of wasted time but thats life.

Decided against it as it was too small yet again and too far from where I was to start work on Monday 7 jan. Booked into a hotel in Greenwich ( more expensive ) but then a lucky break came my way.

An opportunity for a twin unit at the accommodation block where the students reside suddenly was available and I was lucky enough to be in the right spot at the right time to sign up. Had to pay 5 months up front necessitating a trip to Bank ( More travelling time ) and getting my suitcases from the B and B and eventually settling into the unit ( G Block quite appropriate for Mr G Hill ) I am on the 6th Floor Room 6.

Now it was time to purchase certain essentials such as loo paper, linen and cutlery and so on. The room is spacious and ideal for me and June. June will be over her by Feb 10. No TV or radio or iron or coathooks just yet.

Further trips were necessary since Greenwich is mostly a tourist area and caters for eating and cafes mostly. A trip To lewisham solved that for a couple of shirts for teaching.

My first day at the school ( jan 7 ) was relaxing allowing me some time off to attend to all this stuff ( Classes werent finalised and so it was an orientation day and becoming familiar with the College.

I have been full on since Tues Jan 8 in the classroom with my classes. I must say I am enjoying the teaching and being here. I have some small classes which is great and I teach in 3 hr blocks ( 9.15am - 12.130 am with a 15 min break taken when I decide.

Then it is 1hr for lunch ( 12.30 - 1.30 pm ) and classes again ( 1.30 -4.45 pm with a 15 min break again wherever I decide. I have 25 hrs teaching and 5 spare hours of the total of 3o hrs ( 6 hrs per day )

I look forward to the lunch ( Main meal of the day ) and it costs me $ 2 ( hot meal ) so thats what I will be doing I reckon. Cuts down on costs elsewhere at this stage anyway.

On Friday I had a few beers with a couple of staff ( Firstly in Greenwich ) then on to a boat moored on the Thames in central London Quite an experience which involved a train trip into London via Charing Cross station and a late night return. All good stuff.

Today sat 12 jan I am going to see Blackheath RFC play this afternoon . Complete this blog and a few emails and purchase a few things for my unit and I 'll take it from there. Will sign off now. The first week in London has been a buzz. Cheers Kevin