Flattened by 'flu but I never miss a blog post: awfulrigourswretchedpay.com/2025/10/03/a...

I have flu 🤧🥵🥶🤒

#RIPJaneGoodall I was very sad to hear of the passing of this giant of primate biology, ecology and conservation. As a young student, I studied her work as part of a module on Mammalian Ethology. Jane Goodall was also hugely compassionate and humble. 1/2

Last week I spent a worthwhile Saturday at the #OpenCity #OpenHouseFestivalLondon2025 Here's my report: awfulrigourswretchedpay.com/2025/09/27/a...

If you work in a school, if you have any kind of influence, please consider offering to host a school placement to a trainee teacher. Better than that, to two. Paired placement students support one another and ask less questions. It also allows them to get going by team teaching.

New blog post : awfulrigourswretchedpay.com/2025/09/19/a...

As you all know that I hold controversial opinions, here's another one - autumn is not all it's cracked up to be. Here's why: awfulrigourswretchedpay.com/2025/09/12/a...

First afternoon done. Trainees reflected on their own education journey thus far, I outlined the history of computing education and then fed them the latest context. In terms of GCSE results and access to A level, the West Mids lags behind London and the South East.

I made some sloe jam yesterday as an experiment and because someone gave me a huge bag full. I've made sloe gin, and that's lovely. But sloe jam? No, just don't.

@eurostarjustin.bsky.social Was looking for our Amsterdam flag yesterday would you believe, but found this instead - the menu from our first family trip to Avignon. I think it was the inaugural year, and when the train went to Avignon Centre. Can't remember the year but a long time ago.

Have a nice day everyone. I'm outta here.

In this week's blog post, I discuss the virtues of edible flowers, along with some truly dreadful late-night photography! awfulrigourswretchedpay.com/2025/08/15/f...

Come on Eurostar, no coffee? Seriously? After a week of drinking strong French coffee, I'm kind of addicted. Bit of a disappointment 🙄

@seatsixtyone.bsky.social I'm the woman in seat 61 again! I didn't choose this seat and my original train was cancelled. I am allocated this one a lot!!

I haven't found any southern French ancestry yet - all of mine seems to be from the North East, Belgian border so far as my research has gone....but, you never know 😉 This is Menton again, the Hotel de Ville and fabulous gardens.

No filter! The sea is like glass. We seem to have endless scandals about sewage being released into the sea. When did we stop aspiring to this? This is France, our nearest European neighbour - I'm proud of their exacting standards, good for them.

The landscape is stunning - this was taken from the train at Eze. No wonder this is one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world - quite right too!

This is such a southern French scene. It's late afternoon in Menton. The restaurant has finished serving lunch but it's not yet dinner time. There must be hundreds of squares like this- all beautiful with real character. They come alive when the sun sets.

Sunsets in the South of France are amazing. The sun sets quite quickly but, because you can see a lot of sky, they are always impressive. I've been visiting Saint Raphael for many years, frequently on my own. It's a lovely place full of families and older people. I care about this place a great deal

Apart from the fact this is too short a glass, I adore pastis. This is the drink of the South. Sit, cool down, and take your time. Enjoy all that Vieux Nice has to offer-swallows swooping overhead, a hilltop waterfall, bustling market and beautiful terracotta, sand and sage buildings - santé!

I have a loooong wait for my Eurostar to London, so have been looking through my holiday photos to select the best,most impactful for me. Number 1 comes from L'île Sainte Marguerite, just off the coast of Cannes. Fort Royal housed prisoners detained at the King's pleasure, including Huguenot pastors

Slightly controversial post this week. A few weeks ago,I visited London Zoo. I am still conflicted about the need although I concur that some animals are less affected, or even aware of their captivity. With great apes, it is far more difficult to justify: awfulrigourswretchedpay.com/2025/08/08/a...

Ok, I have now calmed myself. For two years, I have tried, and failed, to scan an official SNCF Connect app ticket QR code to board a train. Last year, a member of staff let me through (as I had a valid ticket), this year, I had to buy a second, paper one to a nearby station, just to get through.

@seatsixtyone.bsky.social I have given SNCF Connect my feedback, via the app, but will also email a formal complaint. Why have an official app if the ticket doesn't open the barrier? I've travelled across other Western European countries on e-tickets and never had this anywhere else! No staff either

@seatsixtyone.bsky.social Two years running I haven't been able to get through the barrier at Nice Ville with a valid QR code ticket in the SNCF Connect app. Tonight, I had to buy another single ticket to a nearby station, just to get through. I saw lots of others with exactly the same issue.

I've had a lovely break. Tomorrow is a beach day then Saturday, it's the trek up to London, via a four hour stop in Paris ( Eurostar cancelled so catching a later one). I think dîner will be in order

Enjoying a well-earned Ricard in Ma Nolan's, Nice, after a hard day's shopping. Mission accomplished!

I haven't kept up posting on here but here's what I have been up to:

Les vues de Grasse. The white hanging things are "testers" of different perfumes. They waft in the breeze to release their scent.

First one of the holiday

awfulrigourswretchedpay.com/2025/07/28/e... This week's blog post

@eurostarjustin.bsky.social there you go!

Wearing my "I really haven't had enough sleep" look - off to St Raphael again. Morning again @eurostarjustin.bsky.social I've just checked, it was October 2019 when me and the lad were off to Munich. Unfortunately, as teachers, we missed Oktoberfest by two weeks 🥺

Here!

It's been a long old academic year. Out of Office replies on. Enjoying a cold one ....

When my my dad died, my mum was very dependent on me. I dealt with all of the paperwork to minimise her upset. When my mum died, I did it again. But this time of course, I was winding everything up and closing accounts. Some were straightforward and genuinely drives to make everything easier but....

I just can't let it go. TV licensing got back to me and said thanks for the information, we've updated our system. Good, says I, when will your enforcement officer be round to interview me under caution as per your multiple letters of escalating threat? Game on TV licensing, game on.

TV licensing. My late parents' house is empty but sale completion happens this week ( yay!). Went to clean up again today. Plenty of junk mail plus a few "to the occupier" letters. I have previously confirmed the house is empty that's clearly not good enough for them.

In this week's blog post, I went to Birmingham: awfulrigourswretchedpay.com/2025/07/25/a...

I don't know where to even start. You know when you start something and wished that you hadn't? Yeah, that.

Here's this week's blog post: awfulrigourswretchedpay.com/2025/07/19/a...

You know that feeling when one event leads to a cascade of others. My bathroom water heater is leaking. Not badly, but annoyingly. It has an MDF shelf on top, on which I stack towels. I also stack make up, belts, scarves, bits I don't have anywhere better to put - lordy, it was a messy heap!

Apologies, just like a train, I'm late again! I began reviewing my theatre trips so far this year, and quickly realised that even the first three months would hit my self- imposed 1000 limit awfulrigourswretchedpay.com/2025/07/11/t...

This is a really concerning trend in schools where it happens. We need older teachers to stay and, by definition of their years of years, they will be on higher pay. It shouldn't come down to money - but it does and it's wrong. In my personal experience, this is a fact.

Today I visited London Zoo. Zoos are contentious places but I do feel that the habitats have been dramatically improved since my last visit eons ago.

At Regents Park Open Air Theatre for Noughts and Crosses.The weather is gorgeous. Last three times, I've been so blessed. We don't talk about 4x ago ( it rained!) Such a magical place

I watched King Richard last night. I still don't know. Clearly a good coach and definitely socially aspirational for his children but...... Does pushing kids hard lead to happiness? Or pressured young adults? We want children to be intrinsically motivated, which clearly the Williams sisters were

I can think of better things to do with my weekend than having a sort out. But, it will all be worth it......I am telling myself

In this week's blog post I have written about the campaign to save Liverpool Street station led by @thevicsoc.bsky.social I objected to the proposals, as I did to the last. Here's why: awfulrigourswretchedpay.com/2025/07/05/p...

I've just made another batch of jam. I thought I'd make about one jar. I made 5. A handful of strawberries, two handfuls of blackcurrants, about three of Worcester berry (or whatever it's called where you live - basically a black, small gooseberry with lethal thorns), and handful of gooseberries.