Needle & Thread

A few days ago, I enjoyed attempting to stitch the long, loose thread into its pattern on the duvet cover which had been used for 20 sleeps. It was after 7 sleeps that the thread came loose.  Very annoying! Guests complimented the John Lewis product! On a whim, as I couldn't wait for A.N.Other for sewing repairs, I did it!  

Wheel hubs

Mindful that one of these had fallen off after it had been knocked off by someone hitting the corner of my vehicle, causing minor damage whilst parked on the road outside of my house, AND when I'd replaced it but it fell off again, (I know not where), I managed to pass the motor vehicle scrap yard whilst it was open.  Not knowing the French words even to begin to ask for what I needed,  I mentioned 'couverture' and 'roue' and the very polite young man with neat, dreadlock hair who was wearing welly boots came to look at the car.  Off he went in search of what I needed.  Then I  looked at my car which is not something I often do and noticed that a second and a third were also 'abimé'  ( (worn out! - damaged)  and ah, maybe I needed two or three, or, oh, FOUR wheel hub covers!  There I stood for an exceedingly long time, thinking how annoyed he might be if he arrives with one but I need more... and whilst I stood there, I considered how much one might cost and how much I might like to pay, bearing in mind it IS a scrap yard where everything has its value to those who need it!  Imagine my joy when this intelligent man arrived with four. They were a different pattern yet were for a Clio! I understood all of that but not heard a word that I could translate... This happens a lot more recently.  I don't know EXACTLY in words what the French person has said but I can reply!

So we agree to try them to see what they look like... and I noticed that as he passed the second wheel he too had seen that the second was broken and wouldn't last long.  He had made another comment which words escaped me but translation didn't.  Something to do with the driver scraping the car hubs on the pavement ... but he didn't say that of course!  He said he'd noticed that two were required! Well, I asked how much and he said 15e for the four. Without batting an eyelid, asked for 'baisser' svp.. but I struggled to remember that French word which he supplied!  Yes, that's it!  So, I got the four for 10e.  At the time, another language process happened. I interpreted that he meant each when I knew he meant for the four.   As he fitted them I said I had to keep the car on the road.  He commented 'comme tout le monde' ... I panicked, not wishing to cause offense and so, wasn't sure whether to tip him or not... there was no receipt, so I hoped he took a cut!  It's hard to make a moral decision without someone to discuss it with.  Afterwards I felt a bit mean because I then remembered my earlier thoughts and the minimum-maximum cost I was prepared to pay!  Scrooge! Ah.. humbug! 

Book Review: The Dead School: Patrick McCabe

Dust. 
Dead.
Days. (Larkin)
Living.
Loving.
Loss.
Death.
Dying.
Disintegration.
Destruction.
Depression.
Deviation.
Dearth.
Destiny.
Dreams broken.
Betrayal.
Madness.
Macabre.
Ancient.
Modern.
Ireland.
England.
Deeply Disturbing.
 "all the  precious moments... shared... down the years... well they weren't really anything at all now, were they? ... you certainly couldn't call them precious moments ... A better name for this might be something like: DUST!"
Two characters clash, contrast, come together.
Two or more levels of craziness.
Teachers and pupils.
Catholicism.
Ah.. I remember it all very well.

I confess.
My Days have certainly passed when I as a teacher became long-in-the-tooth and went from being outstanding to not. When I was head-hunted to when I was hunted-to-be-dismissed. Oh my, did they give me the best gift ever which was early retirement by at least five years of bliss and heaven... for if I was a year or two later it would not have been allowed! My bacon and sanity were saved .. although some may think the last ten years have been a hard time!   
Raphael Bell should have taken his freedom before teaching sent him to the brink.  
Like Raphael I thought I was important with my status and power...but now I am wiser, less arrogant.  I learned at the end of my career that I was irredeemable and not irreplaceable, even when the governor, on my final day before the blow, in front of a class of eleven year old children said "ah.. you are still surviving!" and I replied: "Yes I am a survivor!" 
Now I believe I am less self-centric, aware of my failings.  I am almost DUST and shall be when all my days have ended.
Who would be a teacher?
I would again, if I knew that what I was doing was making a positive difference to education, but if not, then I would get out quick, and do something more beneficial for my inner soul and for others.
Ironically, I have chosen to publish this on the day children return to school in UK and I didn't realise a new curriculum commences. 
It is A BRILLIANT BOOK. 
I read it before when I was numb because I don't remember any of it!
I haven't read THE BUTCHER BOY but was shocked out of the skin within seconds of watching the movie with a friend who couldn't stand it, who walked out! I made him return to the nightmare, even though I didn't wish to, and sit in the Hertfordshire cinema to brave it out! It didn't get easier to watch! Brilliant Movie! I would like to read more of his literature.

Cognac: Streets, Museums, Gardens

Rose window outside in and inside out:

 Exhibitions of beautiful bottles with display of creativity:

Films in the museum were extremely interesting and an excellent modern approach to make stuffy museums vital-alive!

More vintage bottles - these were analysed samples!

A stairway motif:

Bottling

Corking

Labelling

Sales to China were the most!

"Advertising in the Family!!! (Family humour - I am a descendant of "The Royal Scotts Equestrian Circus" and proud of it!

Above a doorway - probably to signify what the owner made!

Beautiful architecture

My number one girl! I shall remove photo if she tells me to!

The seedy side of town

Patina

L'eglise

Un café

Almost symmetrical

Evidence of ricochet on end church wall

Disused

Low down to the pavement graffiti

Missing statue

Asymmetry

Ghoulish

Dragon

Interesting architecture on the building with the dragon

Curves

Blackened stone from trees and humidity where sun and light can't penetrate!

Former grandeur: two hotels in 1889 became the town hall and the museum in the grounds of botanical gardens where the Cognac Blues Festival is performed,

 

Another feature of French museums is that they provide jigsaw puzzles where one can sit awhile for the attention of the child to take the mind away from ancient artefacts.

My friend has one of these!

I'd like a room with flooring and deep skirting panels such as these!

L'orangerie

A good brood!

Can't remember

She sure can swing! One does not wish to stand in the way of this determined young lady!