Sporty weekend

To prepare for the ski mountaineering week next month, I went on a 32km bike ride near Wildboarclough in the Peak last Saturday. 1150m ascent and atrocious weather, just what i needed - windy, rainy, sleet/hail with sunny spells.





This ride had lots of fast singletrack to start with, ups and down. I manage to get my money worth from my knee pads with a spectacular tumble, flying other the handlebars landing well in front of the bike. My knees still hurt 3 days latter although there's no blood. Strange feeling!



I had been lucky with the weather up to that point, the wind had been pushing me but now it was time for the return leg. Here you may be able to see the weather front sweeping past from the right. I had to cycle right through it.



When the worst was other i stumble upon this burger van. Home made cakes, home made burger, cup of tea. I was ready for the last push up to the start



There it is, the last hill. The car is parked near the building on the right.




Sunday was climbing day, with Mike. It's been a year since the last time we climbed together. We went to Blackrock, and had a warm sunny afternoon cruising VSs:



Cruising? Well we can't see clearly on the picture that Mike had the rope wrapped around his leg there!

Harwick Hall

Louise and I took our mums to visit Hardwick Hall. It's an interesting contrast to see the ruins of the old hall right next to the restored new one. I especially liked the old plaster work, still hanging on to the walls, more or less in the open:

Meanwhile, some of the old stoneworks shows sign of wear. Or even erosion!

We had a great time. If you want to see all the pictures, click here

Maman vient nous voir

Maman a passe une semaine avec nous. J'ai recuperer les photos qu'elle a prise pendant son sejour.


On a beaucoup cuisine. Avant meme de sortir sa valise j'ai du vider les courses:

On a eu le temps de beaucoup discuter le lundi. Mardi, je devais faire des demandes:

Maman a profite du jardin:

C'est la saison des grenouilles:

Yes i was working:

Le samedi, Louise nous a emmene visiter Hardwick Hall

La maman de Louise etait avec nous:

Bien sur, j'ai pris plein de photos:

Le lendemain, j'etais un volontaire pour une course d'orientation.

Et l'apres midi, on a lu, plante des graines, joue au triominos. Une tres bonne semaine, merci Maman!

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Heather wants to know about Goldfrapp

My friend Heather has tagged me an interesting list of questions to be answered with song titles from one band of my choice. Here it goes:

Choose ONE ARTIST ONLY. Using only SONG TITLES, answer each question (cleverly please) .
If you are tagged, it’s because I want to see YOUR list!

Pick Your Artist: Goldfrapp



Are you male or female: Number 1

Describe yourself: Human

How do you feel about yourself: Time Out From The World

The worst thing about you: Ooh La La

The best thing about you: Happiness

Describe where you currently live: Utopia

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Felt Mountain

Your best friends are: Little Bird

Your family is: Happiness

Your favorite color is: Deep Honey

You know: Slippage

What do you love the most: Some People

What do you hate the most: Some People

What's the weather like: Twist

What are you wearing: Paper Bag

If your life was a tv show, what would it be called: Time Out From The World

What is life to you: Black Cherry

What is love to you: Cologne Cerrone Houdini

Do you believe in an afterlife: Road To Somewhere

What is the best advice you have to give: Train

Worst advice you’ve ever been given: Strict Machine

If you could change your name, what would it be: pass - no names in their song titles

If you were a Superhero, your name would be: Oompa Radar

The title of your Autobiography would be: A & E

Your favorite food is: Happiness

What do you fear: Clowns

What will your Epitaph say: Lovely 2 c u

Your last words will be: Let It Take You

What are you going to do later today: Ride a White Horse

What is your dream: You Never Know

Lecturer!

I am now a part-time lecturer at a local college! (pour les francais: lycee professionel)

This will give me access to teacher training in further education, and then i will be able to apply with other colleges, for teaching jobs for which they think i am suitably qualified. It's a step in the right direction.

Because at the moment, i'm only doing cover for the sports department. And this department does live to students expectations of sports education: For my first lesson, i had to make a class watch a DVD then write down some analysis. One of the students was blind, nobody in the department spotted the mistake. Hmmmm....