Thirteen days...
...since my last post. Does that make me a bad person? Or just a bad blogger?
Anyway, the adventure has been so adventurous that I've had no time to write about it (and no access to a PC either, but that's another story; actually I suppose it is this story - suffice to say, I'm online now in the wonderful new library in the fantastic new Ardnamurchan High School).
We (lots of us) came up to Ardnamurchan on the 14th of August - again, another story, see the Banana Bus blog for details - and I was left to my own devices from Monday the 16th of August. I suppose some people, sensible, normal sort of people, would suggest that it's perhaps not the best idea in the world to move stop one job on a Wednesday, start another on the Monday, move house and for that move to be to a completely different way of life...but we generally tend to ignore those people. As Billy Connolly once said "---- the begrudgers!"
(I was going to censor myself there as I don't feel swearing's really in keeping with this blog but (a) I don't believe in censorship; and (b) censoring Billy seems somehow unacceptable to me.)
Anyway, the 16th was an in-service day, for which I was to be at Acharacle primary (which will be my base every Monday and Tuesday) and on the Monday morning I had my first set of names to remember - something which has become a feature of the last 8 days or so. Thankfully it was only staff who were in, but still, I've not caught all the names yet!
Tuesday followed, much in the way that it tends to do most weeks, and I had the joys of a "planning day" in order for me to work out how best to divide my time in the school. It's hard to get my head around all the different things I'll be expected to do in the six schools at the same time as trying to settle into a new home, without my family with me and with all the stresses attendant in trying to buy, sell and move house.
Wednesday gave me a trip to Lochaline. Although I've been over to Mull a few times, I've never taken the ferry from Lochaline and I was taken aback by the stunning view from the classroom. I've just tried to Google for a picture but to no avail, I'll have to take one of my own. The children at the school were very well mannered and seemed to have a tremendous lack of attitude, so perhaps there is something in the whole rural lifestyle debate...
Thursday morning began with a rather arduous journey, I had to go all the way across the car park in Strontian to the front door of the school - some 75 yards! This was my first experience of "the Gaelic" in a classroom - even though Acharacle has two Gaelic Medium classes (one large, one small!) I'd not seen any of the kids. I was pleased to be able to catch the drift of what was being said (admittedly it was only a P1-4 class but having never really heard it spoken I enjoyed being able to pick up "good morning, how are you?" and "fine thanks very much" as the teacher went round the class.)
I had my first taste of the social life of the peninsula on Thursday evening - a get together with teaching staff in the Resipole Farm restaurant (which I'd been in twice at the weekend, but no matter) - the subject of local housing, or more properly the lack thereof, was the main topic of conversation. I' astounded by the seemingly nonsensical approach to things - why build a fantastic new high school if staff there have nowhere to live? Two of the staff on the night out were staying in the (under utilised) pupil hostel!
Friday saw the relatively short trip to Ardgour, to what is a fairly new (at only ten years old) school with a lovely staff. For me the best thing about this school - and this is not to take away from it in any way - is its proximity to the Corran Ferry, as I have to drive back to Edinburgh on a Friday night and I can get to the ferry in about 90 seconds from the school.
That was week one that was. Other than school and the night out, I finished reading Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure, which was only marginally less exciting than the stage show. I also spent an evening clearing part of the loft - the chap who's selling us the flat also owns the shop and there appears to be somewhere in the region of thirty years worth of old shop fittings in the loft. AS I type this, we're into week two, and last night (Monday 23rd) was spent clearing the rest of the loft - I really must get a digital camera, as words can't do justice to some of my findings: a Caravan and Camping Club "Listed Site" sign - that's going in my bus! - and a floor polishing machine to name but two.
Anyway, the adventure has been so adventurous that I've had no time to write about it (and no access to a PC either, but that's another story; actually I suppose it is this story - suffice to say, I'm online now in the wonderful new library in the fantastic new Ardnamurchan High School).
We (lots of us) came up to Ardnamurchan on the 14th of August - again, another story, see the Banana Bus blog for details - and I was left to my own devices from Monday the 16th of August. I suppose some people, sensible, normal sort of people, would suggest that it's perhaps not the best idea in the world to move stop one job on a Wednesday, start another on the Monday, move house and for that move to be to a completely different way of life...but we generally tend to ignore those people. As Billy Connolly once said "---- the begrudgers!"
(I was going to censor myself there as I don't feel swearing's really in keeping with this blog but (a) I don't believe in censorship; and (b) censoring Billy seems somehow unacceptable to me.)
Anyway, the 16th was an in-service day, for which I was to be at Acharacle primary (which will be my base every Monday and Tuesday) and on the Monday morning I had my first set of names to remember - something which has become a feature of the last 8 days or so. Thankfully it was only staff who were in, but still, I've not caught all the names yet!
Tuesday followed, much in the way that it tends to do most weeks, and I had the joys of a "planning day" in order for me to work out how best to divide my time in the school. It's hard to get my head around all the different things I'll be expected to do in the six schools at the same time as trying to settle into a new home, without my family with me and with all the stresses attendant in trying to buy, sell and move house.
Wednesday gave me a trip to Lochaline. Although I've been over to Mull a few times, I've never taken the ferry from Lochaline and I was taken aback by the stunning view from the classroom. I've just tried to Google for a picture but to no avail, I'll have to take one of my own. The children at the school were very well mannered and seemed to have a tremendous lack of attitude, so perhaps there is something in the whole rural lifestyle debate...
Thursday morning began with a rather arduous journey, I had to go all the way across the car park in Strontian to the front door of the school - some 75 yards! This was my first experience of "the Gaelic" in a classroom - even though Acharacle has two Gaelic Medium classes (one large, one small!) I'd not seen any of the kids. I was pleased to be able to catch the drift of what was being said (admittedly it was only a P1-4 class but having never really heard it spoken I enjoyed being able to pick up "good morning, how are you?" and "fine thanks very much" as the teacher went round the class.)
I had my first taste of the social life of the peninsula on Thursday evening - a get together with teaching staff in the Resipole Farm restaurant (which I'd been in twice at the weekend, but no matter) - the subject of local housing, or more properly the lack thereof, was the main topic of conversation. I' astounded by the seemingly nonsensical approach to things - why build a fantastic new high school if staff there have nowhere to live? Two of the staff on the night out were staying in the (under utilised) pupil hostel!
Friday saw the relatively short trip to Ardgour, to what is a fairly new (at only ten years old) school with a lovely staff. For me the best thing about this school - and this is not to take away from it in any way - is its proximity to the Corran Ferry, as I have to drive back to Edinburgh on a Friday night and I can get to the ferry in about 90 seconds from the school.
That was week one that was. Other than school and the night out, I finished reading Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure, which was only marginally less exciting than the stage show. I also spent an evening clearing part of the loft - the chap who's selling us the flat also owns the shop and there appears to be somewhere in the region of thirty years worth of old shop fittings in the loft. AS I type this, we're into week two, and last night (Monday 23rd) was spent clearing the rest of the loft - I really must get a digital camera, as words can't do justice to some of my findings: a Caravan and Camping Club "Listed Site" sign - that's going in my bus! - and a floor polishing machine to name but two.
