It is almost the end of the year. or four funerals and a wedding.

It is almost the end of the year and that funny time in between Christmas and New Year, but I am back at work already yet still in slop around and eat too much mode.   It has been in many ways a fantastic fantastic year,  especially with regard to trips.  It started early as I went to Luxembourg for a weekend in the cold and then went to Malaga for a weekend in the warm to see if if I could find somewhere to live nearby.   I enjoyed both trips but did not find a home.  Then I went to Portugal, then I went to Portugal again, still looking but failing to find a home and more recently I have been to Portugal again.  I also got to France twice,  though  my French does not seem to benefit and loved visiting Genoa on route to Nice, and Cannes.     There have also been more trips than normal up north again trying to work out if I might want to live there, and to Brecon partly for the same reason. Yet here I still am in the south and having to work to keep living here, but it does mean easy access to the delights of London including my friends who live there.  There have been trips to the theatre (On the Town for example) to see musicians e.g Cambridge Folk Festival and Barbara Dixon in Brecon and rare but interesting visits to the cinema e.g. Portuguese film at the film festival, the Olive Tree up in Berwick and Barnum which is my type of indulgence this Christmas in London.    There was even a trip up to Warrington and Manchester for a lovely wedding.  But this year has also had great moments of sadness but also of memories.    Four special women have died this year.  Sheila Powell,  Nathan's grandmother, Greta Brunning and Jacky Francis.     So the year is dedicated to them.  Sheila and Greta both matriarchs who welcomed the whole family into their hearts for example weekends away, holidays etc.  Nathan's gran who I could not talk to but who nevertheless welcomed me.  Revisiting Kenya to say farewell to her was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with the rest of the family and to feel so proud to be with them.  And of course Jacky who was Nathan's second child minder and a great friend if mine for the last 28 or so years.   WE used to live on the same estate in London,  I have had holidays with her,  in Spain and in the UK, we went to see Celine Dion together and at the millennium we stood on Highgate Hill together to toast and pray she would make it into the next century.  Yet she did, and we managed to enjoy a lot more time together despite the death sentence than hung over for the last four years.     She was buried just before Christmas just after her 58th birthday.    I will miss them all and dedicate this year to them, and their surviving families.

Just what a holiday needs - work and rain.

I got a bit carried away this year, I thought I am free from regular teaching I can go away,  but I forgot that that needs an income, hence my pleasure that I am able to sit in my Lisboa hostel and teach. 

I am also pleased it is raining - because after the fear that Ryanair would cancel my flight came the fear that the bus company would cancel my bus as there are fires all over the north of Portugal.    Of course that is a much more serious issue for those tackling the fires and those trying to save their properties, but of course I do not want to be engulfed by danger, whilst trying to visit an old friend.

The joy of this trip is that I have a bit more time. For the last two years I have done lots of trips, which has been fantastic, but they have also been very short trips. This time around,  forgetting as stated above that I needed an income,  I booked to go away for two weeks.  So I am currently in Lisbon and then heading north to Figuiro Dos Vinhos and then to the south to Monte Sahaj and my son, before a quick trip to the Algarve and then back up to Lisbon to fly out.  If I had been more oganised I would have flown out via Faro, but at the time of booking - months before I realised that work seems to have disappeared or that my search to find a tenant would be fruitless - returning to Lisbon seemed the best option.

I am just pleased really to get a chance to come and be here and potter and enjoy.  Visiting a capital city is always a privilege, now on my third visit, I was vain enough last night to congratula


te myself on knowing my way round only to immediately get lost and find the only two people in Lisbon who did not know the directions or speak English.  However, I got back in time to avoid a torrential downpour and to gain two hours work. 

Today it is raining again but this morning it was lovely.  I finally got to the Fado musuem, which has left me knowing virtually no one than I knew when I entered, but having got to the doors twice, only to not have time to go in, I can at least say I have been in and now I know that it was probably not worth going.    I kept thinking I must have missed something and maybe I did, but as far as I can see it more or less said it is the music of the people and gave some examples of people who sing Fado, but nothing of their history.  The most interesting bit was the description of making the Portuguese guitar.

Outside though there was jolly atmosphere and a band, which I was itching to dance to, but everyone else was just taking pictures so I chickened out.  I saw a similar but different band yesterday and last time I was here and each time I can picture couples dancing and having fun, but at no time does it actually happen.  Lisboa promises much and is indeed a nice place to potter around in,but at times it does frustrate.  For example I went up to find the coach station today as it is in a part of Lisbon I do not know, only to find that I wondered in all directions from the train station, did not find a single sign post, yet when I eventually followed a coach and found the back entrance, discovered I had been 5 minutes from the place 40 minutes earlier but there were absolutely no indications as to where it was.  I can only say thank goodness I did not just go up there tomorrow carting a heavy bag around with me and getting more and more anxious.  Hopefully tomorrow all will go well. 

I have not taken many photos but there are some signs that the promised re-birth of Lisboa is happening.  A lot of shops and many restaurants still seem to be closed down, but there are also signs of building and rejuvenation too.

The trendy place to eat.  

If this is correct is a British University blocking useful research?

Even asking questions is now ‘transphobic’
janice turner

Wanting to know why more people are choosing to change gender is seen as an act of aggression by trans activists

A surgeon friend told James Caspian that in one year he’d performed two reverse gender reassignment operations on patients who’d swapped gender then changed their minds. “This is new,” he said. “Someone should research it.” Caspian, a psychotherapist at a private gender clinic, discovered no one ever had. So he enrolled on an MA course at Bath Spa University with the intention of writing his thesis on “detransition”.

No one could accuse Caspian, a slight, thoughtful gay man, of being hostile to trans people. He is a trustee of the Beaumont Society, a national transgender charity, and in 16 years as a counsellor had hundreds of patients who, after working through childhood and emotional problems, concluded that “changing their gender presentation makes them more free to be themselves”.

There was another reason Caspian wanted to research detransition. A few years ago his patient profile changed from mainly adult men to younger women, many with complex mental health problems including social anxiety, self-harm, depression and undiagnosed autism. Some had been sexually abused as children. Many were lesbians, often fearful of coming out. But they saw changing gender as a panacea.

He’d read accounts by US women who, after having mastectomies and taking testosterone, had reverted to living as female. He feared that as the number of women patients increased so would regrets. “But I want to stress I didn’t know the answer: I just wanted to find out.”

He outlined his detransition thesis but was told by Bath Spa it must go before the ethics committee, which last November issued an extraordinary judgment. “Engaging in a potentially ‘politically incorrect’ piece of research carries a risk to the university,” it said. “Attacks on social media may not be confined to the researcher but may involve the university.” The report expressed concern that Caspian would suffer psychological damage. “It’s ridiculous,” he said. “I’m in my late fifties, I’m an expert in my field and I’m not even on social media. I’m not frightened at all.” Nonetheless his thesis was rejected.

So why is detransition a “politically incorrect” subject, likely to attract online attacks? Because, says Caspian, it concerns the issue of “gatekeeping” by medical professionals. In previous eras, trans people endured cruel, undignified battles before doctors permitted them treatment. Campaigners have succeeded in making this process simpler and more humane. But lately trans activists have argued that any requirement for psychological counselling is insulting. The mere fact they “self-identify” as the opposite gender is proof enough.

Detransition therefore is heresy. It suggests some “gatekeeping” is required: that it is misguided to allow ever younger people to take sterility-inducing hormones and have life-altering surgery without professional constraints. Detransition undermines the whole push towards instant, early diagnosis demanded by groups such as Mermaids and administered by Helen Webberley, the Welsh GP interviewed this week in The Times, who is under investigation for giving cross-sex hormones to 12-year-olds.

“We have to ask questions,” says Caspian. But trans activists label all academic inquiry as transphobic. An event organised by the London think tank Opus entitled “Attacks on Thinking in the Age of LGBTQWIIAP+” was, ironically, cancelled this week after an online petition and threats of disruption. Since I’ve been writing about this subject, I’ve been contacted by doctors, psychotherapists and concerned transgender people themselves, desperate to speak out on the trans phenomenon but terrified to do so for fear of abuse or even losing their jobs.

Caspian, who has left the field of gender counselling, is prepared to be the whistleblower. “We are seeing,” he says, “what Jung called a ‘collective complex’.” He compares this mass hysteria about being trapped in the wrong body to the “glass delusion”, an odd medieval phenomenon where people believed they were made of glass and might shatter. Other clinicians mention the 1990s faux scandals of satanic ritual abuse and false memory syndrome. But unlike them, gender anxiety is supercharged by the internet.

That is not to say any experts I’ve met dispute the existence of gender dysphoria or the need for better treatment and social tolerance of trans people. But they feel what they call the “trans trend” needs analysing as a cultural phenomenon as much as a medical one. “St Paul’s School suddenly has a lot of non-binary girls,” said one child gender expert, “but when I was growing up, that’s where all the anorexics went.”

There is no blood test or pathogen to diagnose you as trans; it is solely a matter of interpreting human experience. With children, the dominant interpretation that is currently shouting down all others is that, say, a boy who enjoys “female” toys or clothes must really be a girl.

And now trans activists are pushing for the American treatment strategy called “affirmation”, where doctors cannot challenge a patient who declares they are trans. Trans activists are lobbying hard to change an NHS policy document called the “memorandum of understanding”: they want to extend a ban on gay “conversion therapy” to include gender identity. In other words, a counsellor could no longer suggest that a patient’s belief they are in the “wrong body” is, for example, anxiety about being a lesbian or a reaction to sexual abuse. They would be silenced or risk malpractice suits.

James Caspian expects to receive abuse and threats. But he’s had enough of ignoring a phenomenon that is growing exponentially, may damage many lives, yet is barred from public debate and academic inquiry. “Asking questions,” he says, “is not a hate crime".

I hope to try and get in touch with Bath Spa university to see if they have really blocked this resear
ch.

Good and bad news - re company.

The good news is that in principle my accounts as above have been accepted by Companies House which is good as if they are not in by the end of the month, I will be fined.  The bad news is that whilst they have been approved by one member of staff at Companies House, another has rejected them!

The good news is that it has finally been agreed that the company can close.  The bad news is that the date of closure is not until after the accounts are due in, so I can still be fined up to £100 a day for failing to get my accounts in properly!.

The good news is that having spoken to a friend who has some knowledge of accounting procedures, they have agreed notes can be a vital part of accounting.  In addition as a public document the information will be available to anyone checking up about the company, its directors and signficant people (MrB) which is why the notes are especially relevant.  I am hoping that there will only be good news and no more bad news.

Absolutely furious - threatened with an unlimied fine for trying to do the right thing.

having applied to have the company set up by Mr Banjo closed as it is just a nightmare, I have now received this information.

As the company is required to remain on the register, the proposed strike off action has been discontinued.  The failure to file accounts within the statutory time allowed is a criminal offence but I will defer any prosecution action for 28 days from the date  of this letter.

If the company record is not brought up-to-date by that time, the directors may face criminal proceedings.  Conviction for this offence will result in a criminal record and a potential unlimited fine for each document not delivered on time.

Please note that this deferral of prosecution action does not extend or alter the original statutory filing deadline.  As the accounts are already late, a civil late filing penalty will automatically be incurred when they are received and accepted at Companies  House.  The amount of the penalty increases with the length of delay in delivery and is separate to any criminal proceeding being considered against the directors.  Failure to comply with the filing requirements of the 2006 Companies Act in consecutive years  will result in the penalty being doubled for the current year’s accounts.


So whilst I battle trying to make sure that I am getting the right information to Companies House - which I have been trying to do for several weeks, Mr Banjo who has the company money in his account - seems to be untouchable.    Curse the day I met you Mr Banjo. 

No movement on Mr B.

I have in front of me a repurchase contract note for £3000, it is partly how I funded a small bit of fun, that turned into a nightmare a couple of years ago.  My stepfather wisely says do not risk money you cannot afford to lose,  but this time as I had suddenly inherited or was about to inherit some money, I thought yes open your purse for once have a bit of fun - your friend and future employer is buying an auction property he is asking if you want to have a share just to see how the process works why not.   He set up a company, explained that owing to a conflict of interest, it was better if my name was on the document, and having a limited liability seemed sensible as any monies from the property would be more protected.  Little did I know.  That move by him,  saved me a lot but ....  He opened the company account. We both, in theory, put in £6000 each and with that money he paid the deposit on the property - and that left money in the bank for other expenses connected with the sale e.g. the auctioneer, finishing work on the flat. My boss was going to pay for the solicitors - except that he did not.    My boss had arranged the loan, but it turned out he had used my name, even before I had come on board with the deal, so once I contacted the company and found all this out, the loan was removed.The company failed to buy the property.  The hotshot, who had shown me pictures of himself with Beyonce, and with his children and his famous nephews, who showed me the house he had bid over half a million on,  who showed me his successful businesses, the man who claimed to be doing God's work,   as he was working in Nigeria with farmers to bring e business to their efforts, the man is only listed on the net in connection with anti fraud methods, turned out to be ... well not what he seemed. Needless to say,  I have never seen  the money again, nor has the auctioneer and I had to pay the solicitor.  Luckily I was protected from his actions to a certain extent by the creation of the business but I am still waiting to hear if it has been wound up, but as I have failed to get the accounts in on time (how do you do accounts for a company that you have no access to its bank account)  I risk being fined £100 a day for non compliance.   Most days one has moved on, but when you come across a document that reminds you of your foolishness it is annoying, especially as I would like that money back.  So Mr B how about it?

Mr B is still in theory being investigated by the police, but they do not even bother to reply to my emails, Companies House do not care if a company was set up potentially to cover odd goings on let's say, they just care that there paper work is done,  Action Fraud, said the case was not traceable even though that was not the case - so there is no incentive for people like Mr B to change.    Meanwhile when I tried to find out more about the person,  via the net,  I was at risk of being charged with libel by him!

I am lucky, luckily I did not leave my job, despite having taken up his offer of work, I panicked that I would not have the skills to do it! and apologised for letting him down so it could have been much worse, but if anyone recognises some of my story and thinks that something similar has happened to them if we can all get together then maybe some action will happen.

Blogger and AirBnB

One of the things in life that annoys me the most is the many in theory reputable companies who are virtually impossible to contact online. Instead they have in built systems that send you round and round and round.  Given that many organisations even when you do get in touch reply to a question you have not asked so necessitating more and more frustrating communication you can see why they might hope that no one will get in touch at all and of course if there were no problems with these organisations then that would be relatively fine, but in my sad experience even the best organisation can be useless at times.  Blogger for example has a life of its own, it regularly will not allow me access telling me that I do not have the right account, and I have never worked out who to contact about the issue or how to resolve the issue and that might have spared the world this blog as I almost gave up on it, but as I can get onto the site as often as I cannot get onto the site, I can stil use it.

AirBnB is a new issue. Having joined so that I could go on a trip that ironically was then cancelled, I have decided that I also ought to just see if being a host suits me. So I  advertised my flat for just a week at the end of July/beginning of August.  When I revisited my site just to add pictures, to my surprise my availability had increased, but luckily no one had tried booking. I reset the calendar and so when I got a request for the booking immediately assumed all was okay and texted the enquirer back to that effect, however, I then realised that the date he had asked for was a date I knew to be incorrect as I am away then.  When I got home I discovered that according to AirBnB I was now available not just for one week but for the whole of August right the way through to October.  So my first potential guest I have had to turn down, which is not very encouraging but worse I have struggled to find a way to resolve the calendar problem as there is no direct way of contacting A ir BnB that I can find. Initially I sent a feedback message as I could not find a contact us button but I have had no reply to that, I also went on the community site, but have not had a response as far as I know, but I do not know how to check.  I went on Facebook to see if anyone knew, but no and tried to follow the instruction video online to find the contact us button, but I still have not found it, so this is why I am hoping someone might pick up this blog message and help me, otherwise I will give up on AirBnB as it is costing me more in lost work to search for answers on their site than I have earned as I have not had any visitors so far and need to know that it is easy to resolve any issues, which based on my experience so far is not the case. AirBnB have loads of fans so hopefully one of them can help.



POSTSCRIPT - I finally found an administration email and contacted that, and they replied - but had not understood the problem, but I then re-iterated the problem and they have given me a contact number should the problem arise again and that way they can investigate - so that seems hopeful and gives one more confidence in the organisation.

In theory

This time of the year I get to be aquainted with new theories or reminded of familiar and unfamilar ones.  The digital era has resulted in a huge range of new ideas. I thought they might stick in my brain more if I put some up here.  The resultant list also shows the realms of intelligence that current media students demonstrate as all of the ideas for this bit have come from their work.
Filiciak - is a gamer theorist. His ideas related to concepts of post modernism.
Digimodernism and the death of the postmodern by Dr Alan Kirby.
danah boyd (lower case) technology and social culture sort of, has written on changes to the music industry structures.
A value chain is a set of activities that a firm operating in a specific industry performs in order to deliver a valuable product or service for the market. (Michael Porter orginator) Kevin Kelly 8 generative strategies for film directors.Pippa Norris on the digital divide.  Theorists come from a wide range of backgrounds - for example Manuel Castells, from Spain, who has written on the rise of the network society. Internet activist, Eli Pariser, on the filter bubble situation. 
Charles Leadbetter on social innovation. 
Mozorov is sceptical about how far net has created more creativity.
Katheryn Russell-Brown The Color of Crime
I think that this is the first time I have seen a student use the theory around stereotype threats - I found this theory very exciting when I first came across it. 
Capitalism explored by Zaretsky 
Benedict Anderson, Imagined Community.
Dignital natives - Prensky
Video Games effects theory
Rosalind Gill on postfeminism
Blackwell collective identity
Mediated by Zengotita.

Portugal and Portugal 2014

My first visit to Monte Sahaj was accidental.  I visited a house near to Monchique, which had been lovely felt just right, but it had no water and the valley it was in was very isolated, but it had something about it.  The person selling it had given instruction as to where to catch a free community bus to the valley so that was fantastic, but to identify the bus stop to actually get from Portimao to Monchique itself i had to call a friend in England to check out the maps as there was no bus stop insight.   In theory N had promised to try and connect with me whilst in Monchique but I was almost out of the door ready to return to my accommodation in Faro, when he finally rang and halted me.   About an hour and a half later, he and his friend appeared, and it was over lunch, they had the idea of dragging me off to Monte Sahaj rather than letting me return to Faro.  And so it was that I met Mooji for the first time,  the feeling was one of great warmth and that first fleeting visit was both unexpected and charming.

Familar faces appear across the square in Monchique 

A few weeks later, though I was back in the country, this time to see my friend David and to inspect a property near his house,  it was interesting but sadly it sold before I could return to see more of the area.  It poured with rain on the visit, making a tour of the area virtually impossible.   David was returning to the Uk before me, so I spent the last night in Porto, where I discovered their striking photographic museum.  

The Full Monty and the Empty Purse and shortage of students.

The Full Monty was one of my favourite films, but seeing Ashley Banjo promoting a new version filled me with the usual doubt on hearing the word Banjo - however, the resultant programme on TV undertaking a charity performance in support of prostate cancer sufferers was heartfelt and fun.   Ashley Banjo clearly has a big heart, unlike his conniving uncle!    Conniving uncle hears coffers filling with libel money, but I think that I can substantiate that in court and right now wishing I had the money that disappeared after an association with a certain Banjo.  So let's hope one day I get the money back, trying to sort out the paper work with Companies House is certainly still challenging.  

I am feeling very happy, very lucky and all sorts of positives these days, but having that money back could just help with something I am considering especially as my online students seem to have vanished recently three no shows this week alone, and two late cancellations. Definitely no trips for a little while and have to hope things pick up over summer.   But when the weather is so glorious all over England perhaps that is not a bad thing. 

Kinship in Kenya.

It started with a message, get in touch, but I knew what the message would be and why I was being contacted, Nathan was in a silent retreat but he was needed in Kenya to start his grandma's journey home.   His initial response was that he had no means to get there and I wondered if I would have to go in his place, in the end we both went, me from England, Nathan from Portugal via France and we landed within an hour of each other and were both met by Sam, who did not seem to have changed from 10 years earlier.  Despite the years, despite the children, having all grown up,  despite his grandma's sad passing, despite houses having being built,  this feeling of in some ways of everything being just as it was remained,  my family there made me feel important and at home, both of which was lovely. Sometimes the sheer volume of people was overwhelming as I live alone and come from a culture which no longer regularly shakes hands, but the intelligence and interest with which I was met was intoxicating.

The funeral followed a similar path to Nathan's grandfather, so we knew that there would be a lot of sitting, a lot of speeches, a lot of waiting,and even a requirement to speak ourselves but some things were new. The visit to the mortuary, the open coffin,  being carried by Nathan and his cousins, the shrieks were expected with Douglas again being especially affected.   This time we all dressed in a family outfit and this time the family had expanded as we were joined by Nathan's half sister - they have such a wonderful bond and when it came for all the families of all the children to stand and say our farewells I was very glad to have one more family member there to represent Shem's line.    I have lost count of how many people I am auntie too but we are definitely the smallest group.

My favourite day probably was the quieter day when we could all talk more and walk around the farm, but I had some brilliant conversations the other days and it was lovely to see familiar faces.  I also enjoyed a day just to myself pottering around Hesbon's huge house.  It was in the process of being built when I visited 10 years ago and still isn't complete but it is a lovely relaxed place in which to stay.

On the last day in Nairobi Sam took me to the animal orphanage,  I have some disquiet about feeding animals though in this instance can see it may help them be less bored, but it is such a privilege to be so close to a cheetah that you can hear it purr and to be licked by a leopard that disquiet went out of the window. Feeding a lion is not something I do every day.  

In the time I have been away from the little I saw Nairobi has grown into one enormous traffic jam - the middle class districts do not have decent roads even so the air of luxury that is potentially there is undermined.  I realise that sand, which is what Senegal has, seems more decorous. Neroka and Kisii were busy and buzzing. Loads of young men on motor scooters.  Cows everywhere though too, but not a giraffe in site the whole journey.  Everywhere was looking really lush with the rains and the temperature was perfect in Kisii.  Having been told mozzies should not be an issue, and despite my long robes and ghastly smelling spray and nets, I did get bitten and have been ill since my return but do not think it is anything serious.

Nathan's grandma was a very special person, the shamba still has a lovely peace about it and the views over Kisii are lovely,  but her presence will be really missed. A giant, this tiny person had 12 children who lived to adulthood. Many of her grandchildren have degrees and good jobs, and family, despite the families humble beginnings and most importantly they are all lovely decent people who are a great inspiration.   It was lovely to be back.

Frankly marvellous France and gorgeous Genoa February half term 2017

This was such a lovely break, such a positive experience.Genoa was a great place to start.  It is a big old lumbering place in some ways but you go round a corner and there is a stunning medieval building. The port is great. There are wonderful winding streets each with a local tart hovering in it. Meanwhile the museums were virtually empty. There wasn't even a guard in some rooms.  Nuova Strada.  But also the youth hostel was just wonderful and the mix of ages and nationalities made it a great place for discussions.

A short coach trip bought me to Nice, which is a really lovely town - very multi cultural and with a great vibe.    I visited the Matisse museum and the local town museum.  But the time was dominated by the Nice carnival.  I was a bit panicked by the police presence and potential mad men but held on had a great time.  Cannes felt a bit flat in comparison and I felt alone for the only time in the week but on my return to Marseille and a jolly hostel there it was once more great chats between me and two young Germans and a Canadian living in France,

Painful Portugal and positive Portugal. 2017

I have been searching for access to the site and have just realised one can now get in from the actual blog!  So that is different.

Having had a wonderful time in Brecon just before Easter, I have now just come back from Portugal.  It was the first visit since having to pull out of the purchase of a property there and several other very stressful events so that might explain why despite many wonders - the flowers, the sun, my son, my Dad, Mooji, Monte Sahaja, the food, the company, our accommodation, storks - I felt deeply disturbed whilst there. Apart from a lovely first day revisit of Silves it did not really feel like a holiday instead it just felt distressing.   So not what one wants from a trip abroad at all.  It is a long time since I have holiday shakes and ones that have lasted so long.  Luckily when I returned a month later, I was fine,  clearly I am just no good at holidaying with others - or something like that, but I had a lovely time really getting to know Silves and debating if I could live there and then just having a real holiday lying on the beach in Tavira,  a typical Portuguese town having both a river and seaside,  yet one with several Indian restaurants too.

Glam Youth Hostel in Tavira. 

Storks in Silves

Waiting in Garvao

Marvellous Malaga and hello, Alora. January 2017

I first visited Malaga when I was about 15.   We had rented some of the first properties being built in Torremolinos so Malaga was there in the background, and apart from a visit to the market with my son on his first trip to Spain 23 years ago,  it was once again in the background of a holiday just up the coast, so this weekend, with a detour to Alora was lovely.  The area had been flooded and then snowed upon recently but on my visit the sun shone just as it had 23 years ago.   With stunning architecture, and interesting museums and real warmth Malaga was a lovely place to potter about in whilst the trip to Alora, with its Moorish castle, tapas bars and guitar melodies,  gave a much better idea of Spanish life in Andalucia.

Perfect Pula. 2016

I was introduced to Croatia from A Place in the Sun and the recent history of the Balkans, but it is not an area of Europe I know.  However, normally when I looked up flights they were very expensive, suddenly a return to Pula appeared online for just £25.  I was in real need of a break and time by myself so was delighted to find a self catering room for four nights for just £75. What I had not expected was to find somewhere so serenly beautiful. I just loved sitting on the beach, being quiet, visitng the Roman remains,  it was fabulous.

Wonderful Warsaw. winter 2016

If you are going to be cold in winter, why not go really cold, but actually Poland was warmer than expected.   I benefitted from a really good deal on a hotel and was right in the centre of town so enjoyed walking around in the evening as much as in the day.  The food was great, very filling, after years of teaching Polish students and hearing about their food it was great to try bigos, pierogi, and cheesecake in situ.  I liked the  statue of Adam Wickiewicz' Poland's great author, who I had only heard of because of my students.   Warsaw was a mix of Moscow type buildings, lovely decor, and interesting history e.g. Copernicus and Curie.

Latest journey to Luxembourg Januar7 2017

To start the new year, I felt it was time to head off, but where to?  I decided on somewhere that has never appealed before but post Brexit seems a more relevant place to consider on my weekend to Luxembourg City, I found desolate modern buildings that really do not make the most of the countries place in Europe, but lovely old buildings that are a testament to how connected this place is to Europe.  It seems to have come under France, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, etc etc,  and now with its dual languages and  multinational residents (many of the youth hostel staff for example were from Portugal)   it is an interesting melting pot.

Return to KG 2015

This beautiful felt yurt nicely expressed the positive and at times challenging relationship with KG. It was a touching and unexpected gift,  but how to get it home as it is big1  Luckily with all clothes shoved inside it and then it shoved inside my case,  with minor damage it now has pride of place in my room and is a favourite toy for my niece to play with.   The damage to my health working in the British education system post KG means I am now not sure I will ever work in a classroom ever again, which is a shame as I would like to return if possible at least once more to work with my inspirational Kyrgyiz colleagues.  I am still hoping to find some volunteers who might consider a trip out there too, so please pass this on if you know a teacher who might be interested.

Oslo 2015

Just one of the most iconic images ever and one that says so much about travel, our interconnected history, adventure, beauty.  Lovely just one of many treats that resulted from being shown about Oslo, by my Dad's friend Liv and her husband.

Portugal and Prague - 2015.

 Despite the early time in the year, Lisbon was blisteringly hot. I could only walk downhill not up and had to stop every few minutes.  I fell asleep on the river beach.  I did get to Belhem but need to revisit that whole area. I then went down to Sao Martinho and the quiet of Alentejo.

If possible August in Prague was even hotter which is why spending a day in the shade in the castle was so great, but so was pottering in the shower of water being sprayed to make it all bearable. Lovely city. The town was more touristy than I expected, and very busy, but I loved the atmosphere, the art nouveau properties and the food - a nice mix of fruit with the meet.  I listened to Smetana on the little river boat trip, and talked with the boat man about the Prague Spring and my memories of that time, whilst his parents had been stopped from escaping. I also visited Dvorak's museum and the one on Mucha.  This showed more of his print work than I expected, but actually explained a lot of his history.

60 60.

I am wondering if over the course of the decade from my 60th, I could make it to 60 places, places abroad, and do I could repeat visits.  Just thoughts at present, but made me think I should upload some pictures from these lovely places. So I start in London on my actual 60th.

How I am spending the New Year

It has been a wonderful Christmas and now after several days unwell I am once again trying to meet the Police's request that I revisit all the evidence in my potential fraud case.  There is so much correspondence in connection with it,  it needs going through in great detail.  I have been rechecking everything for 2 months or more!  Some evenings the entermainment has been watching Jordan Banjo or Ashley Banjo which I always find fascinating.   And so as the new year turns - the old year is still in my mind.      It does not anger me so much now unless I think about it, having to find the evidence for the police means it is in my mind more than I would wish for.   Now if only that money just came back, how wonderful that would be.    Wishful thinking?    Well at present yes, but who knows.