Uh Oh Ofsted AGAIN!

You wouldn't read about it, but just over 12 months since our last one, we've got Ofsted again!

How ridiculous, they're coming to investigate "creative learning in lessons"... what a croc!  So its back to working late, working early, and sleepless nights for the next few days...

The Queue!

With the previous week having been such a busy one, I decided last week that it was time to do something for myself for a change.

Seeing as it is the end of June, that can only mean one thing in London - Wimbledon.  As seeing as I am such an avid tennis fan (surprise, surprise, especially as I sooo have the physique for it - couch potato tennis, that is!) - well I simply had to go!

There's only one problem - getting tickets.  Wimbledon is one of the very few sporting tournaments in the UK where it is still possible to buy tickets at the gate on the day.  Ordinarily thats a good thing, except that there are only a limited number of tickets available on the day for show courts, and as a result, people have to queue.  And queue.  Overnight, if you want to actually get any sort of decent tickets - there's only 500 Centre Court, 500 Court One and 500 Court Two tickets available each day... and much, much, more than 1500 people wanting them.  And your chances of being in the first 500 are usually pretty slim - because people start queuing for the next day's play any time after about 7am, especially if the weather forecast is good...so if you have to work that day, your chances of getting to the queue at any useful time is pretty slim...

Fortunately Jane and I managed to get to the queue relatively early on Friday night in preparation for Saturday's tennis, and we were given queue cards at numbers 363 and 364 - thus being guaranteed of Centre Court tickets!  Woo hoo!  And this year they're trialling a new system, where instead of having the queue snaking along the streets of Wimbledon, outside people's houses, causing disruption and inconvenience to the neighbours, this year they made one big queue inside Wimbledon Park.  This was an excellent idea because in keeping everyone in one place, they also kept the feeling of comaraderie and unity of purpose.  There was such a party atmosphere in the queue, it really isn't that difficult or boring to be in the queue.  Most people think you're nuts if you tell them that's what you're going to do, but actually, because of the queue cards you don't have to be there every minute, you can leave for short periods to go to the loo, or get refreshments and stuff.  The only problem was, Jane and I didn't really want manky hamburgers - so we sneakily did up the tent and wandered off into Southfields to get dinner in one of the local pubs.  They had the tennis on there too, so we got to see the tail end of Friday's play!

Anyway, we headed back to the queue and the rest of the evening went without much ado, except for at 1am some louts had to be chucked out for queue-jumping or something.

The next day they got us up real early, 6am, to pack up the tents and condense the queue.  From then on it was pretty quick moving, and it seemed like in no time at all we were receiving our wrist bands to determine which tickets we would get.  Then we had a bit of a wait, and it was during this time that I practised up a bit of my Japanese as the couple behind us in the queue were having trouble re-confirming their hotel reservation that evening - so I helped out a bit, in my very bad, faltering Japanese.

Anyway in next to no time at all we were inside the gates and heading off for the Wimbledon experience - the Wimbledon shop, strawberries and cream, exhibition games on outside courts - before the main event kicked off on Centre Court at 1pm.

First match:  Jelena Jankovic vs Caroline Wozniacki.  Eventually Jankovic won this, but not without drama - the trainer had to be called for Jankovic for an injured knee or something - and then it was on to the next match - Andy Murray vs Tommy Haas.  Now personally, I was really interested in this one, because Tommy Haas is absolutely gorgeous, and a fabulous player to boot - but unfortunately Murray (the most miserable looking tennis player on the planet - seriously dude, you could afford to smile every now and then) won in 3 sets. Alas.

Finally, in failing light, it was time for Nadal vs Kiefer.  Personally, again I wanted Kiefer to win, on account of he is very nice eye candy, but alas, it was not to be.  But I have to point out something that you wouldn't normally see on the TV.  Nadal has the most unfortunate habit of picking his bum just before every serve, or every return!  Its awful - and became a real joke, especially around where we were sitting, as everyone just started laughing each time he did it!  Honestly, boyo, you need to sort that one out - its gross!

Anyway, it had been a fabulous day, we had a brilliant time and I was so pleased that I made it yet again to Wimbledon for another year!

Here is a little slideshow of what we saw:

Now the only thing is that videos uploaded to blogger often are poor quality - so here's some of the better pics for a clearer view...

Jane

The queue

Jankovic

Wozniacki

The lovely Tommy Haas

Miserable Murray

Nadal

Kiefer

Stop pickin'!

Centre Court

Agnieszka turned up later in the day and we got her in on Centre Court

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Tonight I went to see the new Indiana Jones movie, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull".  Again, like "Sex and the City", I'd heard mixed reactions from various friends who had been to see the movie, but I really enjoyed it.  Most of the criticism I'd heard surrounded the rather far-fetched storyline - but let's be honest, just how much more far-fetched is an Incan storyline about the possibility of Martians on earth compared to, ooh, let's see - a tribe of Thuggees who just happen to like ripping peoples hearts fair out of their chest (with no knives or tools or anything, no - just their bare hands!) or - how about this one? - drinking from a cup (the 'holy grail') in order to receive immortality... come on, these Indiana Jones plots are just about as far fetched as you can get!  That's the joy of the movies - a bit of escapism...

So anyway, I really enjoyed the film, if you're an Indy fan too, and you haven't seen it yet - then what are you waiting for?  Click here for a preview of the trailer...

West End Live

So after the visit to the London Transport Museum, it was on to Leicester Square, for West End Live.  Every year the various theatres around the West End and their shows get together to present snippets from the shows for free to the general public at a special stage set up in Leicester Square.  Its very popular with the general public - and this year was no exception, it was absolutely packed.

I was there for a few hours in the afternoon and saw King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys, Jay Johnson and The Two And Only (he was an amazing ventriloquist - drew a picture on a board, somehow it animated and he held a full on conversation with the "drawing" he'd done!), and a few snippets from Avenue Q.  They also had various other small stalls set up - a photography stand so you could look like you just arrived at a premiere, some stands promoting films coming out soon (King Panda or something)... generally all good fun and a lot going on!

Here's a video snippet of what I saw:

A Day Out At The London Transport Museum

On Saturday I decided to do something I had never done before, and went to the London Transport Museum.  It was pretty good, too - it provided an excellent history of transport in London over the past 200 years...

Sex and the City

Tonight I went to see "Sex and the City" with Michelle from church.  Now I have to say I've heard lots of reports about this movie from various friends, and the general consensus has been that it's alright, but nothing to really rave about.

I have to say I beg to differ.  It was exactly what I thought it would be, Manolo Blahniks, Jimmy Choos and a whole heap of pretentious escapism - and I totally enjoyed it.  To be, for a split second (or an hour and a half) in a world which I could only dream about, of fancy clothes, expensive labels and so on - well that's what the movies are all about.

So if you get the chance, I recommend you go and see it and make your own mind up - but don't be expecting a great plot - enjoy the chance to live as the other half do for a little while...

Massive Attack's Meltdown

On Monday night, as part of the South Bank Centre's Meltdown Festival, I took a bunch of kids from school along to participate in the performance by a band called Elbow.

The girls were brass players who had been asked to play on Elbow's track "Starlings" - where they play strategic brass "blasts" throughout the piece (6 times to be precise).   They were to be hidden in the boxes around the stage and then suddenly the lights would come up on them and they would just randomly play their concert G chord in the middle of the piece.

The concert was spectacular, the performance amazing, and what an opportunity for our kids.  Here are some comments from the Elbow message boards afterwards (all typos their own!)

"If I never go to another gig again I could die happy after last night!
From start to finish an amazing night, Fleet Foxes supported and were brilliant, very funny and very talented guys.
Then Elbow, Guy walked on wearing all black and a trilby (this is relevant for later), started with Station Approach and that set the tone for the rest of the show, the fact that the venue was seated mad no
difference to the incredilble atmosphere. Guy waved to his family who were in the Roayl Box, then we had Bones of You, Leaders of The Free World (dedicated to George W), Grounds for Divorce, Mirrorball (with 3
mirrorballs sitting on the stage, creating a great effect), The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver and Great Expectations.
As Great Expectations finished, what sounded like a tape of Any Day Now started in the background, it was a choir of 35 blokes, dressed all in black wearing trilby's. They had all been recruited specifically for
this show and had 2 days practice. Guy called them Geoff not sure which.  Geoff stayed for the rest of the show.
Next was Starlings, with trumpeteers in 4 of the boxes at the side of the stage as well as the guys on the stage, and the mixing desk man. Followed by a song they had only played once live before, because "we are s*** at it, and if Geoff wasn't here we wouldn't try it" Presuming Ed (Rest Easy). Some Riot was next and a storming version of Newborn which got a standing ovation. Geoff was still joining in with every song.
Then Grace Under Pressure, which Guy cocked up after Geof had started it off, the song finished with Geoff and Guy giving each other the finger Stops was the penultimate song, before the whole crowd stood up for One Day Like This, which blew the roof off the Festival Hall.
I didn't think I had the words to describe this gig, but I have waffled on now. Amazing."

And a comment too from Guy, the lead singer:

To everyone at charles edward brooke school and the centre for young musicians last night was one of the greatest nights of our lives. Thanks for your skill, absolutely perfect. All our love elbow x

Plus a few pics taken by the professional guy in the rehearsal.  If you look close you can see yours truly with a tenor horn...

The One Where Kevan Comes To Visit

Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of a visit from my brother in law Kevan for a couple of days.

Originally he was going to arrive in London on the Thursday, but the pull of my obviously wondrous charm was just too much (hehehe) and he arrived a day early.  Unfortunately for him I was working at school til late with Concert Band rehearsal, but we made arrangements to meet up at Charing Cross to go for a stroll on the river and a nice meal before returning to Chateau La Jean's.

It was a pleasant evening, although poor Kev has been suffering the effects of jet-lag the past few days so he wasn't really up to much.  We ended up in Chinatown for a bit of food, then headed back home.

The next day Kev hit the town and I hit the school.  But crashed.  Very tired.  Kev is staying in my room and is a bit of a snorer!  Although he told me to wake him up if he snored, I couldn't do it.  I just put my earplugs on instead - and they worked a treat!  Actually, I'm not being fair to Kev, it wasn't that bad...

Anyway, he did the London Big Bus experience, and then we made arrangements to meet up in town again for food and a show.  We went to my favourite place, Wagamama's (Beck, Kev has now been indoctrinated to the Wagamama's experience, and guess what, he actually liked it!) and then we went to see my favourite show, Avenue Q.  Now before you think that I dragged poor Kev to all the things I wanted to do, and didn't give him a say in it - let me tell you that is completely not true!  Kev wanted to do all these things too - and he really enjoyed Avenue Q - although it wasn't until Friday afternoon driving down to Portsmouth and listening to it in the car that he got some of the jokes, because the guy doing the sound mixing in the theatre really was quite rubbish.  But he really enjoyed the show no less - so much so that on Saturday night in Portsmouth he wanted to try and find more theatre to see!

Kev tries Wagamama's

So Friday.  Kev headed out to Greenwich to see the Royal Observatory, and I headed off to the munchkins at school.  We met up at the Oval after school and set off for Portsmouth, in search of a B&B.  Do you think we could find one?  I mean, we arrived quite late because the traffic, to be fair, was absolutely diabolical, so that immediately made it a bit more tricky to just rock up somewhere, but the other reason we had trouble was, do you think we could actually find any?  There just didn't seem to be a definitive area where the B&B's were!  Eventually we found a place - but it was a hotel B&B - and the only room they had was a double!  It was good though - the B&B had wi-fi - so the two of us sat there on our laptops being terribly antisocial!

Saturday morning saw us, after a gorgeous breakfast, heading off to the Historic Dockyard to check out Nelson's Victory.  We had a wonderful time too - it took most of the day to be fair - we saw the Victory, the Warrior, the Mary Rose, checked out the Maritime Museum, the Mary Rose Museum... and then did a tour boat trip of the harbour!  It was really good, we had a really good time.  By mid-afternoon though we were starting to flag a little, and seeing as the place we'd stayed the night before only had that room for one night, we had to find somewhere else to go - so we headed off again in search of more B&B's.  This time though, we went to Tourist Information first and found out where they would mostly be.  We found a nice little one (twin this time) and had a bit of a rest before the evening's adventures.

Basically, Kev had suggested on Saturday morning that he'd enjoyed Avenue Q so much, that he wouldn't mind seeing something else.  The only problem was we couldn't see anything that was actually on in Portsmouth - but then I saw a sign in the window of the Salvation Army thrift shop - "125th Reunion Weekend of Southsea Citadel Band" - yep, you guessed it - we went to a band programme!

I would love to say that it was wonderful, the music astonishing - but let's be honest, for starters the average age of the bandsmen would've been 150 not out!  In fact, Kev and I brought down the average age of the audience too.  Actually the programme was pretty good, the bandmaster played the xylophone and he was pretty amazing, and the soloist David Daws was very good on the cornet.  The other soloist, David Duffey, was actually a bit past his prime, but he gave a fair stab at it.

The sad thing about the whole experience was the way we were treated when we arrived.  It was right on the start time, and the hall was packed, and as we walked in, a bloke said we could have the last 2 seats (which were in the front row).  We went to take them but the lady on the door jumped up and practically hyperventilated that we hadn't paid our admission yet.  Of £2.50!  Seriously!  Like they wouldn't have been able to recognise us later on and get the money then... we were the youngest there...

Anyway, the next day it was unfortunately time for Kev to head back home, so we chuffed off to Heathrow, enjoyed a coffee and another d&m conversation on the way, and then it was time to say goodbye...

I have to say I really enjoyed Kev's visit - if you're ever this way again Kev...

At the Warrior

At the Victory

Salvation Army Southsea Citadel

Big Brother 9

Lock up your TVs!  The worst bunch of derro wannabes are back on the box!

Yes, it's Big Brother 9, or should I say Big Boring Whine!  I can't stand this show, it's full of the most socially inept whackos and wierdos on the planet!

Now that being said, normally I wouldn't have even wasted the blog space on this complete and utter mundane drivel - but shock, horror - one of the "contestants" (read: misfit miscreants) is a girl I taught at CEBS a few years back!  My worst nightmare - 24/7 CEBS on the box...

What a success story she totally was, ending up on Big Drivel.  What a fabulous role model and inspiration for all the others back at CEBS.  Listen, do us all a favour love, get off the box!

Canal Boat Wrap Up

The last few days on the canal boat trip were pretty uneventful except for a few things.  We got through the 29 locks at Caen Hill relatively quickly on Tuesday (just over 2 hours I think it was), and then it was time to say farewell to Stella at the town at the top, Devizes, where we did a little bit of necessary grocery shopping.

The afternoon was spent moseying along the canal until we didn't want to drive anymore.  The weather was relatively nice, so we pulled up for a bit of afternoon tea and then it was decided we would video our dramatic re-enactment of Makeda's run in with a psycho ginga on the canal a few days before.  Turns out Makeda had accidentally hit the ginga's boat on one of the narrow bits of the canal, and the woman had turned it into such a palaver, screaming out about how this is her house, we wouldn't like it if she hit our car... yada yada... and then getting her mate "Dave", who happened to be just wandering along the path, involved too.  It was apparently quite amusing, this altercation - so much so that we just had to immortalise it in film.  Unfortunately we haven't finished the edit yet, but when we do - stay tuned, it'll be posted here.

On Wednesday morning we negotiated the turnaround and started on our way back to Bath.  This meant that on Wednesday afternoon we had to contend with the 29 locks at Caen Hill again - but this time we were on our own and often had to fill the lock first before we could go in, so it meant that it took much longer, more like 3 1/2 hours or so.  We moored up and that evening played several renditions of "Things", a board game Erik brought from Canada, which is very funny and very good.  Oh and "Articulate".

Thursday was a relatively easy day, nice enough weather, good company on the boat and all.  We ended up mooring up at Bradford-Upon-Avon for the night.  As the weather had been nice during the day we decided to have a BBQ - but just as we got the BBQ lit, the heavens opened up - and we had to cook our food underneath the shelter of an umbrella and finish it off in the oven!

On Friday the weather was nice again, so much that no-one really wanted to drive - everyone wanted to stay on the roof and enjoy the sun - so we spent most of the day still moored at Bradford.  I started to go a little stir crazy mid-afternoon so I went for a walk into town - such a cute little town too, lovely architecture and cute shops.  Late afternoon we set off as we realised the boat had to be returned Saturday morning, 9am, so we needed to be in striking distance of Bath.  Turns out we had underestimated how far out we still were, so we decided we would need to be up early on Saturday to make the last hour or so for 9am. 

The only problem with this was that when we got up Saturday morning, the engine wouldn't start.  At all.  So we had to phone up Anglo-Welsh and they sent out an engineer to fix the battery.  We'd actually had quite a lot of problem with electricity on this boat, unlike last year, and many times we would have no power if we hadn't revved the engine enough during the day.

Suffice to say that it took a while for the guy to fix the problem, and we didn't end up getting back to the marina until around midday.  It had been an enjoyable trip, but now we had to face the long drive back to London...

Anyway, here's a slideshow summary of the trip: