Rio de la Miel

We stopped in a sheltered part of the bay.
After standing in the cold wind all morning
it was a relief to escape the constant buffeting.
I sat on the edge of the shingle
and the only thought in my mind was
"if this isn't nice I don't know what is".

that was the night that was

On the last night
it is time to go out and relax,

a drink in an Irish bar,
a game of pool

then off to the clubs,
raucous and full of life

where there is dancing
until late, late, late

followed by a quiet stroll home
through palm-lined streets.

5am and all's well.

(just for the record)

We took 127 first year students to Spain
and it was a huge logistical challenge.

What I shall remember from this trip
is the extraordinary teaching
I was lucky enough to watch.

My academic colleagues talking without notes,
answering challenging questions,
communicating their passion for the subject

I stood in a mountain layby
while a memorial to the unnamed victims
of the Spanish Civil war was interpreted
and it was impossible not to be moved.

Later, I watched as a group of students
explained their plan for project work
and were helped to design questionnaires
to interview people who do not speak English.

Here is a translator working with a student
to transcribe an interview which will
form part of the data set
for a presentation and report.

Not everybody had to contend with a breakdancer
but all of the teaching I watched was inspiring.

I wished, yet again, that I had studied Geography.

Paella on the beach

Cooked over charcoal.
Served by pirates

Hungry?

Blog post! Blog post!

Last week I was in Spain,
sitting next to a mountain river,
watching students measure flow rates.
It was raining and very cold
but I was with my friend Jenny
and she is a good person to be with.

At some point that day,
even though I was cold and wet,
the creative switch in my brain
that has been turned off
flicked on again.

At the end of the afternoon
I took off my gloves and said
"would you like to see me
take a blog photo?"
Jenny laughed because
it was only a dried up brown shrub...
I don't think she believed me.

*****

for Jenny

all there is

Sometimes
the perfection of it
hurts your heart:

the whiteness of the light,
the blueness of the sky,
the blackness of the trees,

and you must pause,
there is no choice.

*****

I'm taking a break from blogging

I have things to do
and people to see

in the meantime
let's turn up the volume

my love to you all
x

Five go to Skyfall

Julian
Dick, go ahead with Anne
through the secret passage
and out onto the moor.
Don't use your torch,
that's a beginner's mistake,
the baddies will see you
and shoot Anne.

Anne
I'm afraid
because I have the body
of a feeble woman.
Also, I'm wearing a skirt.

Dick
It's not a skirt, it's a kilt,
but we all understand,
fieldwork is not for everyone.

What shall I do next?

Julian
Go to the old chapel.
In the meantime
I will fend off the baddies
armed only with cherry cake
and ginger pop bottles.

George
I will send Timmy the dog
to show you the way
through the dangerous bog.

Julian
But what about me?
How will I find the way
when I need to escape?

George
Don't be a cissy, Julian.
There will be plenty of light
to see your way across the moor
when the house is ablaze.

Mwahaha...
Welcome to Scotland.

(just for the record)

The Annual Lecture

The Head of Department was so pleased
with the success of last year's Annual Lecture
that he decided to go large for 2012.

'Invite a celebrity speaker!
Book the biggest lecture theatre!
Invite as many schools as possible!
Make a huge publicity splash!'

And we all set to work

MrsM booked the biggest lecture theatre,
Schools were delighted to be invited
and the Admissions Tutor, the Lady Professor
and the Academic who is a very youthful 43
invited a speaker from Another University

On the big day the Head of Department
looked around and was exultant...
the lecture theatre was full
of the brightest and best sixth formers
enjoying the anticipation.

And then the Celebrity Speaker started

After the wine reception
MrsM thanked the catering staff
and took a deep breath...
it had been a bit awkward when
part of the ceiling fell down...
thank goodness the Annual Lecture
was over for another year.

orange

Today

I am planning
to eat
my body weight
in satsumas

Look away NOW!

brown

I know, I know...

don't tell me...

I spoil him.