The head of my department at the University took on two foreign students but he did not have the patience to supervise them. He wondered how the young, green lecturer would cope. I came to be supervisor of two Egyptian men ‘of mature years’ as it is quaintly put. That is, older than most students reading for higher degrees.
It took them a while to overcome the culture shock and get their English up to a reasonable standard. [Read more…] about Immigrants
I have just gone through a period of losing things. At least I hope I have gone through it and will not lose any more essential and valuable objects. Some years ago odd socks would appear and no matter where I looked the partner for it never turned up. After hanging around in my sock drawer for a while I would throw the sock away.
The next day the other one would turn up. [Read more…] about Lost and Found
“I was a young scared single mother-to-be, my baby (Josh) was 2 weeks overdue and I had been booked into Winchester hospital to be induced.”
“Things didn’t go according to plan and I had an emergency C-section…”
Today I’m going to share with you a moving story from Michelle Meehan from Eastleigh. [Read more…] about Southampton Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Walking to Andersons News in Hiltingbury yesterday morning, my son and I saw this notice in many places:
“My Yorkshire Terrier Ruby was attacked at Hiltingbury Recreation Ground by a lurcher / greyhound-type dog.
The attack happened on Wednesday 14th May at approximately 11:15 and… Ruby is very poorly [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Dogs
I promised to give a breakdown of the costs of my holiday flying a glider.
The glider is a Duo Discus, 2 seater and near the top of the range in terms of performance.
I travelled down alone but came back together with my co-pilot and the glider in its trailer. [Read more…] about Gliding Holiday Costs
Twenty years ago, our daughter Lisa was studying at Charing Cross Medical School. She once wrote a letter to say that she had just been to an oncology lecture and was very alarmed by the high incidence of women’s cancer and at a relatively low median age.
In the letter, she said she looked around the lecture theatre and wondered who would not be around at the age of 40. Prophetically, and bitterly sad, but [Read more…] about Lisa Clark’s Legacy
A clear blue sky with not a cloud is sight suggested a difficult day of soaring. Thermals are usually under clouds and if there are no clouds, are there any thermals and where are they?
Thermals are large bubbles of warmer air which rise from the ground. If you have ever watched a lava lamp you have an idea of how they work. Unlike a lava lamp you cannot see the bubble. [Read more…] about Soaring The Pyrenees
Last weekend it was my privilege and pleasure to visit Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk for the annual conference and AGM of the Guild of Church Musicians, and particularly so as the Guild was making me one of several new honorary fellows (Hon. FGCM for short).
About 150 honorary fellowships have been awarded in the past 25 years or so, some to clergy (including Archbishop Desmond Tutu) [Read more…] about The Guild of Church Musicians
After a six-hour drive through France and Northern Spain beneath low cloud and many showers of rain, I passed Pamplona and the weather changed. The cloud broke up and the sun shone from a blue sky. The weather improved over the next 50 miles to Santa Cilia.
Met with my colleagues who sadly had not been able to fly as the wind was blowing at 27 knots [Read more…] about Sharing The Sky With The Vultures
Holiday – No Holiday? That is the question.
All set to go gliding in the Pyrenees from a small airfield called Santa Cilia. We stay in the village in a typical stone Pyrenean house run by a wonderful lady called Toya. She looks after all the glider pilots and many pilgrims who are walking the trail to Santiago de Compostella. [Read more…] about Holiday – No Holiday?
We all have turning points in our life: the first kiss, marriage, having kids, divorce, or, coming out ……
Two weeks ago my son was officially discharged from Southampton General Hospital by his oncologist, Dr Ramya Ramanujachar, after a 10-year follow-up as an outpatient.
My son is only 13. His illness 12 years ago was undoubtedly a turning point in my life. [Read more…] about My Turning Point: Why Communication Matters
On Saturday 12th April 2014 Chandler’s Ford born and bred Rowan Esther Catherine Cameron wed Robbie Stewart Weir at Weetwood Hall in Leeds. With names Cameron and Weir it was no surprise to see guests turning up in highland dress with kilts, black barathea jackets with silver buttons, sporrans and ghillies on the feet.
Modern political correctness meant that the sgian-dubh was not worn but [Read more…] about Wedding of Chandler’s Ford Girl
Isn’t meeting someone you’ve always wanted to meet just so cool? Not just celebrities, but people from the past or fictional characters like Batman? Imagine how cool it would be to meet Batman!
But today, I’m going to be talking about people who I’ve always wanted to meet. And luckily, I’ve met a few! OK, only two. Technically three. [Read more…] about People I Want To Meet
Note: The writer of this post is 13 years old.
Today’s post isn’t going to be a coherent one, but – as you guessed, a rant. But it’s a rant I’m sure everyone can agree with, especially drivers.
As I can’t drive, I don’t know many problems about driving and silly motorists, [Read more…] about Be Safe: The Story Of Fred And Jim
The Fall of Singapore happened on the 15th of February, 1942, on the Chinese New Year day. It was the largest surrender of British-led forces in history.
Singapore was supposed to be an impregnable fortress.
Older people in Singapore and Malaysia still remember the hardship [Read more…] about From The Fall Of Singapore To Prosperity
