Scotland and back

Monday 9th and Rahab brought over her book for a bit of proof-reading but she has added, on the publisher's advice, a chapter on her life before she became politically active, and why she did. Fascinating stuff and adds a new dimension to the book. (That was last week and it has just been announced that the International Criminal Court is going to prosecute 4 of the leaders - we await with trepidation what the reaction will be in Kenya).

Squash on Monday and table tennis on Tuesday and, now Matt is getting in to the running, Jim is getting more serious and drags me out for a run in the cold and wet when he gets back from a late shift at 11 at night. All three of us are signed up for the three Jane Tomlinson 10k runs this year but the lads have gone a stage further and applied for the Great North Run half marathon. A step too far for me - well, about 6 miles too far.

Friday, and Matt and Sam (and Bones) come over to join us for the York Panto. Mad as ever and just as popular, its a York tradition.

Thursday night and its the first in the new module, 'The Psychology of Intelligence'. Mostly the same class as before but three new faces. I'm reading 'Frames of Mind' by Howard Gardner rescued from Margot's library. Quite old (1985) but it introduced the idea of multiple intelligencies that I like the sound of. I tried to read some Piaget but I think he may have been writing in French as I barely understood a word and gave up.

Having watched the movie of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, the got hold of the BBC series from Matt, Margot found me a copy of the John le Carre book in the charity shop hoping it would all begin to make sense. I'm about half way through and it is becoming a bit clearer but I may have to watch the film or TV version again before it all falls into place.

On Friday Margot and I went to the Old School Picture Gallery for an event (and free champagne) to mark the Holocaust Remembrance Day. http://www.schoolhousegallery.co.uk/exhibitions-current A terrific gallery of photo portraits by Matt Writtle of survivors with their life stories plus some ceramics and a rather strange delivery of the Declaration of Human Rights. The woman concerned had memorised all 30 Articles plus the Preamble and recited, rather laboriously, as she has done in 31 location or so around the country with another 10 or so to go. It was good to be reminded of what they are, but the memory feat came across as a bit of a stunt and if anything a distraction from the text itself. Also, considering she had done it 31 times she did make a lot of mistakes. Still, well meaning and certainly a damn sight better than I could do.

Only half the portraits - which were stunning, just faces but with very strong lighting and slightly over life size so you could scrutinise them in a way you obviously wouldn't do with the real person - were there. The rest were at the University and we saw them today (Monday) after an interesting panel discussion about the Holocaust and how it is remembered - or not. There was also a film event based on interviews with three of the Human Rights defenders at the Centre for Applied Human Rights. One, from Burma was there on Friday and has invited us to visit him when he goes back to Burma. The film had been at the Friday event but hadn't worked very well on three old TVs. Today it was projected on the University's 360 degree viewing room with four 20 foot screens and was much more impressive.

In between we had popped up to Scotland. A nice meal out with all the family - Alec (with whom we stayed), Chris Mary and Noah (and future baby brother), Martin and Lyn, and Edna and Alan. Moira joined us for coffee and afterwards we wandered along to the Police Club for a couple of drinks.

Sunday we met Christine and Stuart for a 5-mile walk in the Pentland Hills. Brilliant sunshine and an icy cold wind but fantastic views across the city from the top. That evening we had a Burns supper with neaps and tatties and veggie haggis (oh yes, and whisky). Very nice.

And so back home.

Not the M25 Tour

Well it was a quiet New Year with just Margot and me in front of the TV watching Jools Holland's Hootenany. Liked Jessie J and Imelda May but experience tells and Betty Wright and, above all, Ruby Turner were outstanding.

On Tuesday we headed south, staying overnight with Ann and Alan. Next day up to Dulwich Picture Gallery to see the "Tom Thomson and the Group of 7". I was brought up with prints of these on the wall but the real thing is altogether different, incredibly vibrant. And the variety - 120 paintings in all, some sketches done in the wild, but all the famous ones too. We saw a few in Toronto a few years back but the galley was only part open and I don't know if Canadians have been able to see such a comprehensive collection at one time in one space. Lucky us.


My mother worked with Arthur Lismer in Halifax and in fact he offered her a job when he moved back to Toronto, but by then she had met my dad so turned it down - lucky me.


We had met Rosie and Richard at the Gallery and afterwards drove them back to their new home near Faversham. With oast houses down the road it's in typically Kent countryside and with the coast a few miles away they are very happy with the move, but we were on a tight schedule, and spent too much time chatting so didn't get a chance to see any of it. Another longer visit is promised.


We were having lunch with Pat, my last remaining contact from Essex University. Her husband, Andy, who died some years ago was my best mate there and we spent a fun but ultimately futile year learning Portuguese together. Planning to go back to Portugal soon, after 40 years, so we will see if I can remember any of it.


Pat's computer warned us that the M25 Thames crossing was closed due to the high winds so we headed back into the centre past the O2 (Millennium Dome as was) and through Blackwall tunnel. As we had gone to Dulwich through the centre as well, we ended up avoiding the M25 altogether and in fact the traffic was not bad. Also gave us a chance to see the Olympic Park. It amazes me how well it seems to be progressing and we recognized a few of the arena (plural arenae?). We've got tickets for Mountain Biking which is in Essex where they are presumably building a mountain too as I can't recall there being any there last time I looked. Our only ticket on the main site is 830am Round 1 Hockey but at least it will give us chance to  take a look at the site once its finished. Not quite carried away with Olympic fever yet but beginning to feel a bit positive. We're going to take the camper to the nearby camp site and cycle in.


Our objective that evening was supper with Jeff and Debbie. A very tasty meal and it was good to see them. Debbie's base is closing down (peace dividend?) so there was talk of moving to the south-west where Jonny works and where Jeffs parents are - just a few miles from Pat and Kate.


Back to Ann and Alan for the night and the following day when we went for a walk in beautiful weather (can this really be January?) along the Grand Union Canal for a tasty pub lunch and then out for evening 'tapas' at the White Lion in Great Missenden. Spoilt for choice now in GM eateries but White lion is my favourite though the music suggests they are looking for a younger clientele than us.


Saturday and on to Malvern to stay with John and Monica - friends from London in 70s, and my best man. Weather still great and we had time to walk along the Malvern Hills, near Roman Camp. It would be sacrilege to visit without walking along the hills. Time for a beer and then an Indian meal in the town. John and Monica are getting ready to go to New Zealand where their daughter and son-in-law are working.  Jealous, moi?


Spent Sunday morning showing them how to use Picassa and Blurb ( the one-eyed man in the land of the blind...) and then back North in time to check Jim's house in Wakefield. He is now living with us while looking at houses to rent in York.He has just signed up for the 10k runs this year so dragged me out around the streets twice this week.


I had onlya few days to finish my on-line TEFL course but I managed with hours to spare and now am proud owner of a certificate though not sure if its worth anything as the course is not yet accredited. But it was cheap. The idea was we might go and stay a while in Spain and use this to pay the rent but it needs a bit more thought. Finished just in time to start back at the University tonight. This module is Psychology of Intelligence which looks interesting - mostly the same faces from before but a couple of new ones.

Somehow found time finish Marilynne Robinson's "Home". It took me awhile to work it out but it follows the same characters, place and time as "Gilead" which I read a few months ago. I loved both of them and will go back and read her first one "Housekeeping". There's a Guardian review at
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/oct/04/fiction

Matt and Sam and Jim are all here this weekend and tomorrow we go to the Panto of which more next time.