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.
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.
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.
2 comments:
sounds like your doing really well in a mixed up messy kind of way that only you could pull off, I love reading the weekly update of K J Gledhill madness that is your life, getting things all sorted at this end for leaving to Auz - coming round sooner than expected keep up the excellent work,
love Paul
Hey Gleddy
I hear you're over here in the UK! I have been over here for a few years now studying up in Manchester. I believe you're doing some teaching over here?
Blair Prescott
NPBHS 00-04
Post a Comment