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 United Kingdom

Webmaster, 9 December 2008
 United Kingdom Harby, Leicestershire

Week 19 in England

01/11 - 08/11
Bonfire Night

After a night in a cramped bed with two people. I was really exhausted in the morning. A quick shower renewed my strength. I can’t say I was miss Sunshine. Well, after such a rough night it’s no wonder that I wasn’t able to smile. Anyway we stayed in the bed until 12 o’clock. When finally everyone was dressed in their daytime outfits, we left the hotel and tried to eat something. My brother and friend had found this magnificent place downtown. Il Berttolina was the place that caught our eye. I had a really good pizza with German Salami. We shared a garlic bread together. Something tells me that spicy food is always a tasty treat whilst recovering from a huge hangover. We sat down in Café Nero and we wandered off in the city. At a certain point I had to go back to Harby. I was sitting on a bench at the railway station. My train to Skegness would leave at 15.50. My brother and friend had 30 minutes to go all the way to their hotel and then join me to go to Harby. I was sitting nervously in the train, waiting for them to come. However the train was going to leave within a few minutes. They were there just in the nick of time. Joy filled my heart, but that would soon vanish. There was an announcement that the train wouldn’t go to certain places. We got out of the train and talked to the conductor of the train. The man told us that we would still be able to go on the train and we would arrive in Bingham. My worries were about to fade away. All was good again! We continued our journey and arrived safe and sound in Bingham. We had a look in the co-operative, that’s a supermarket for the middle class. People in England have a lot of different associations with the supermarkets. For instance: Harrods is a retail market for the rich. Prizes are really high for food. Mark’s and Spencer is for the pretentious lot, who would like to show off. Then you have the Morrisons, not so cheap as the co-operative or Iceland but certainly not expensive. Next one in the list would be a joined place for the co-operative and Iceland. Finally for the common people in England, Tesco and ASDA are the places to be. It took me a while to figure out what would be the cheapest option. Although this would be either Tesco or ASDA, you can’t get there if you don’t have a car. After 15 minutes Myles came in his brand-new Alfa Romeo, a really smart car. At home we had tea and I prepared my bag with clothes for the others, in order to take it along with them to the Netherlands. We left the house at half past 5 to go to the Village Hall. We were finally encountered with the traditional Bonfire Night. I saw my lantern again and used it for the parade. The one for Becky didn’t last long and would be the first lantern in years to have caught fire. I was so ashamed, but luckily could prove the people that mine was still working. After walking in circles with our lanterns, it was time for the fireworks. Myles had to lit the fireworks, after 3 hours in the pouring rain he decided to call it a night We enjoyed ourselves big time with all the mulled wine. Despite the fact that there weren’t any teenagers in the Village Hall, we still met Georgie and her friends. After a short get-together with the locals, we went to Nottingham in a taxi. The weather was terrible, it was chucking down and we didn’t feel like going out. So we went to Tesco and bought a bottle of wine and some crisps. A night-in for 3 party people, life can really change you.

The caves, finding Robin Hood

In the morning I felt like I had a good night sleep. No crying babies or noises that keep me up all night. After a shower, I got dressed and waited for the others to do the same thing. We decided to go to the castle and start a quest to find Robin Hood. A quick baguette with chicken and bacon helped us to gather the energy. Our first stop was: the caves of Nottingham. There’s a labyrinth of caves hidden underneath the surface of Nottingham. Many people have never heard of this cities secret. In the medieval times people used to live there and start a tanning business. Just imagine how life would have been beneath the city, people carrying barrels with wee and pooh. All for the leather. The entrance of the caves was in the Broadmarsh shopping centre. Apparently they built the shopping centre about 30 years ago. They discovered the caves and decided to open it for visitors. We had to wear helmets for safety measures. The tour was rather short, but we were allowed to walk through the caves on our own. There were 2 guides, who told us about the life in the caves in the medieval times and in World War 2. After the tour we went to Nottingham Castle, for me this was the second visit, but nicer than the first one. I had a grand tour through the castle, this time I had more time to pay attention to the paintings and their techniques. We walked from the castle through all the castle gardens to the city. We decided to have a drink at a Starbucks café. Myles picked me up at 4. After a long 4 days it was time to say goodbye to my dear brother and my dear friend. At home it looked like it was an ordinary Sunday. We had a roast dinner and to me it seemed like ages ago since I saw Robbin and Rosalie.

Cuddling is what I do best …

I woke up at 7.55 Although I was tremendously late, I was the first one downstairs. Today Justine would try out the first walking school bus in Harby. This means that all the children would be accompanied by 2 or 3 parents. Initially all the parents believed Justine and I would walk with the bus. So the first week would be a trial week. At half past 8 we were ready to go and the children were on time. I felt sorry for Justine, because the other parents just left their children on the doorstep. I predicted this would happen. When I was younger, I would go with two friends and we would cycle to school. I was about Izzy’s age when I started to go on my own. Will was quite early for the bus, but today Izzy was the slowpoke. So when I got back from school, I had to pick up Izzy and walk back again. On my return, Lynn and I had our weekly conversation, we call it our meeting. This time it was about my departure and about all the time I have left. It made me realize that I will have a hard time saying goodbye to everyone, in particular the children. I know they are not lovely twenty-four seven, but most of the time I consider them as a part of me. My first job of the day was ironing the sheets. We have a wonderful system: every other Monday I iron the sheets and then a week after ironing the sheets I put them on the beds. Most of the time I know what to do, but sometimes I get mixed up. Ironing sheets takes me about 1 ½ hour and is not so bad as ironing clothes. What I never understand is that sheets need to be ironed? They get scrunched up after one night and when I put the beddings on the beds, I can’t tell the difference if they have been ironed or not. The next thing for me to do is .. relaxing. My daily programs were on the tele and I watched all three of them Today I had 3 long cuddles with Dylan. When I hold him, he feels at ease with me. Lynn made sure to tell me that the family will miss me and that they will always remember me. I know I will miss them and they will be a part of me for a lifetime. In the afternoon I picked up Will from school. Izzy took Lauren with her to play at our house. I had to watch Becky, while Will went to swimming. Everything was under control, so I put away the washing. Lynn came back and soon after her arrival, my shift was over. In theory of course, because I always do something extra. In some way I regard my work as necessary, sometimes the small things do count. Whenever we eat something, I’m always the one who cleans up afterwards. In the weekend, when I’m not at home I can see the dishes piling up. I decided to hang in my bedroom. Struggling to decide about going to Susan’s aerobics class. I just wasn’t in the mood. Although the class is normally really good for your health and well-being. I decided, after pondering to go and just try to do my best. During the lesson, we had to use a rubber band. I used the pink one, because that was the easy way out. Don’t judge me, because I still decided to go. So I expect I should earn some credit for that. My brother and friend left the country at 4 o’clock, I realized my stay is going to be less than 4 weeks.

It’s the final countdown...

It’s official, just a few weeks left! I’m going to miss a lot of people, the family and Harby. Today I was the first one downstairs again. Izzy followed me and we had breakfast together. She’s usually very late in the morning, because she likes her sleep. In some ways she really looks like me, with her habits. Will was the last one for breakfast and I had to make sure he was on time for school. A typical morning would be: Will looking desperately for his socks and shoes. Lynn and I yelling at him, making sure he would rush. Obviously he wouldn’t and we would end up late. People from the neighbourhood were used to it. I hoped that they would tell the difference when I took them to school, or when Lynn had to do this. Today I was the one, who had to volunteer for the school bus. Will was walking in the end of the row. I focused on him and Nathan. Nathan is a complicated boy, he has influenced Will in a bad way. I had to be very strict with Will. Will, however, was really stubborn and tried to kick and punch me. Justine helped me and corrected Will’s behaviour. I was furious! I felt really agitated, because it took me such a long time to help Will being good. I walked back with all kinds of angry thoughts. Once at home, I started cleaning. Luckily Becky went to pre-school and Lynn went to the hospital with Dylan. I watched a film and ate some lunch. My lunch was potato mash, leek and gammon. Lynn was too late to pick up Becky, thus I went to the Village Hall instead. Apparently there was a gas leak in the Village Hall. I was shocked to find an empty Hall. Unbelievable, they had moved the children from the Hall to school. I knew School tried to ring us twice, but I never pick up the telephone. I was so glad Becky was safe! When I approached the school, all the children were standing at the gate looking at me. Luckily mr. Simpkin (headmaster) opened the door for me. Becky was there with all her teachers. She had a good time at school and Will and Izzy paid a visit to see her. They ate lunch together, that is good to hear and quite touching. I remember the time when I was 7 and my brother was 12. He was in year 8 and I was in year 3. He played with his friends, occasionally he would say hello to me, or play with me. But because of the age difference he didn’t bother about me. I didn’t want to play with him either, because I had my own friends. Nowadays we stick up for each other and we hang together in the nightclub. I think it is easier for him to accept me as his little sister, although we go out in the same place. When Becky and I stood next to the school gate, waving at Izzy and William. Lynn arrived by car. She took us back to the house. There I had some food. I tried to feed Becky, while Lynn did the same with Dylan. Becky was just too tired to do anything. Every Tuesday she’s exhausted and desperately needs her nap after pre-school. I was tired as well, so I took a nice long nap. Lynn knocked on my door and said she was going to get Will from school. We were all united in the family room at 4. I just went into the kitchen and Becky walked behind me. She was annoying me, so I told her to find her siblings. Later I regretted what I said to her, because she was looking for them upstairs. She fell down and I saw it happening. I put away something I had in my hands and tried to catch her. It looked like footage from a film, in slow-motion. I know it wasn’t my fault, because she had something in her hand while she walked on the stairs. I was very concerned, more than Lynn because I saw her falling down. She was perfectly fine, which amazes me. Izzy went to piano practice and we stayed in. I went to Badminton in Hose. I had a brilliant night, 4 out of 5 games in my favourite.

Sleeping on the … bus?

A day in a new world. Barrack Hussin Obama has won the elections and is now the first coloured President of the United States of America. I knew it would be a close race, but this close? 52-47 % for Obama. His opponent McCain is willing to help him throughout his campaign. In the morning I woke up at 8 o’clock. I waited for everyone to leave the house. I took the bus from 10 and arrived in Melton at half past 10. Then my feet walked me into a café and I ordered a scone and tea. Cheap, but good enough for me. I left my tea, because I was disturbed by a few disabled people, who hurt themselves. It was just awful to see them bonking their head on the table. I walked to the school, Ankle Hill is no problem anymore. Most of the times I just think about life without realizing how far I still have to go. Once at school, I met a new Aupair. She’s called Anne-Marie and is German. As soon as class was over, we went (with the three of us) to Melton and had a lunch at the same café, as I went to in the morning. Anne-Marie left quite early and Celine and I stayed behind in Melton. We went to our new discovered tearoom. I had lovely cherry/cinnamon tea with a chocolate gateau. I feel a bit different now, when I talk to her. I still remember our weekend together, but I held no grudges. After a while we set off our different ways back home. I took the bus at half 3. The time in England is different of course, they say it’s half 3 when they mean it is half past 3. We would say half 3: it is half past 2. It took me quite some time to get used to this. Anyway on the bus I just closed my eyes. I knew I was really tired, but I actually fell asleep! I woke up in Stathern, which is about 2 ½ miles away. So I waited for the last stop in Bottesford and asked the busdriver if he was going back to Harby. The busdriver was really kind and he said I didn’t have to pay for the way back. I saw my neighbour Alex, I haven’t seen his sister for ages. Currently she’s back in college. In the evening I had to go to Long Clawson. Helen Colbourne picked me up. Tonight our side of the sopranos had to sing without the strongest voice (:Allison). This time I was able to hear myself, so I had to step up my game. Bob, on the piano, gave me a tap on the shoulder and a huge compliment. I was thrilled when he said: ‘that was some good singing. I could hear you from where I was seated. Well done’.

Sleepy time

Thursday; I woke up late, but just in time to be the first one downstairs. It seems to me that I’m very consistent this week. Mornings are always very hard for me and it takes me quite some time to regain my strength and understanding. Every morning I face the same problem, I wake up extremely tired. I think it has something to do with external facts, like children bouncing up and down the stairs and Dylan crying. I managed to be on time for the school bus and we all walked along to school this time. We had to face roads with dog pooh. I just can’t believe people don’t clean up after their dogs. I have a vague idea, who is responsible for the mess. Every morning when I come back from school, I see an old lady walking her dog. She’s ever so kind, but her age brings difficulties for her body and she’s not really bendy. I can’t blame her, but I do know that she could be a suspect. Sometimes when I think of the little alley with the dog pooh, I think of the Ponsonby house. After cleaning up the house, the children can produce so much litter in it that I can start all over again! Tidiness gives me serene calmness and makes me feel at home. Children are reluctant for cleaning up after they have played. I would love to have a crystal ball and see how the family would remain their house tidy. After walking the children to school, I got back safely. I started putting away the washings. That took me quite some time, sorting it all out. Sorting the socks drives me insane! Sometimes I can’t tell the difference and I always have odd socks. A lot of the laundry was waiting for me downstairs, I got on with it and after 3 hours my job was finished. At least that’s what I believed. In the kitchen I found a list with jobs for today. Apparently I still had to do: dusting, hovering and cleaning their bedroom. Afterwards I cleaned the bathrooms. I felt drained and ready to go to bed. Life went on, all the things the children do on a Thursday were on our schedule. Everyone was very tired and no one seemed to be happy. So straight after dinner we all went to bed.

No SS

Friday, no SS. That sounds like I’m talking about World War II, yet I’m not. This is the abbreviation we use for Singing Sally’s. Sally is a kooky lady, with a lot of imagination. Her voice should be under construction, not the Village Hall of Waltham. I don’t particularly like going there, but Becky loves it and it depicts the end of the week. It helps me practicing some nursery rhymes and songs. Becky has two sides in her character, just like Jekyll and Hyde. Last week she was brilliant and enjoying her time. It is never consistent. This week Sally will go on a holiday to the US. After reading her website I now know that it makes sense. Lynn and I waited at home. At 10 o’clock Lynn left the house and went to her gym class. I had to babysit Becky, basically entertaining her. We played together with her tea set, sang songs, watched Barney (our purple dinosaur from the US), made some craft and had a little lunch. I took her to bed and soon afterwards Lynn came back. At least I taught Becky a valuable lesson and she is used to eat her meal. I have noticed that I make Becky eat her meal, but whenever someone else gives her food, she never finishes it. in the afternoon Lynn picked up the children from school. She left Dylan with me and I had to make him happy by bouncing (or balancing) on a Swiss ball. 30 minutes later and she was still not back, so I kept on doing my task. When she got back, the peace and quiet was over. The other notorious boy from school (Ben) was going to play with Will. When Ben was gone, the household was hectic again. Dylan was still on my lap, Izzy had to go to Karate and Becky and Will were very tired, cheeky and had to go into bath. I cleaned the kitchen and when everyone was gone, I cleaned the floors and really made an effort to make it look clean. I was really fed up, because it was the second time this week that I was doing it. However when it was ready, I was ready
Information on her website: Singing Sally’s

Sally is a qualified NNEB since 1982, who worked as a nursery nurse in a small NHS day nursery. She has also been a nanny in both the USA and London.
Whilst nannying in London she completed three years of drama training.
Sally set up the "Lets Sing Together Club" on her own in 1995 on Fosse Road South.
She has used her experiences form both childcare and drama training, to produce fun and educational groups for children to enjoy.
Using both well known and new songs and rhymes, the sessions encourage children to join in with action rhymes, hands-on activities and role play.
Each session leader uses their experiences and knowledge to ensure individuals get the most out of each session.
Sally has developed "Singing Sally's" to ensure it fulfils various stages of a child's development.
- Fun approach to learning
- Imaginative
- Multi-sensory
- Meeting many Early Learning goals
- Enhancing children’s development


Peterborough (or Peterbo’ro)

7 am An early morning wake-up call. Things we do for our deepest desires. In my case my calendar. The Christmas fair of the East Midlands brought me to Peterborough. I was in Melton at about half past 8 and I was just too late to catch the train. I had a cup of tea and a scone at my favourite tearoom. Normally I would go to the other one, the tearoom for the community centre. After my tea, I felt ready to go to Peterborough and continue my journey. My ticket to Peterborough was only 7 pound, with reductions of course. I was so thrilled that I forgot to ask which way of the tracks I had to stand and wait. My train was on time and I had a good seat. I arrived in Peterborough and recognized some street names on my map, but to make sure I was heading into the right direction, I asked someone on the street. So far so good and I tried to find it all by myself. I did have some difficulty by finding the right bus to go to the other side of Peterborough. At first I thought I could walk the way to the showground, but the showground was nearby the high way. I was miscalculated (as my pop idol Kelly Clarkson once sang). When I asked someone else, he showed me where to go and which bus I had to take. We had a lovely conversation and he complimented me with my English. He couldn’t tell where I was from. I took the bus from the coach station 24a. the bus stopped somewhere between Eaton and Peterborough. No way I could have walked so many miles to get there. The bus dropped me off on a roundabout. Dangerous, but luckily I am used to the traffic in England. I walked through a grassy bit and when I tripped, a bus came to save me. A free ride to the showground. Inside the actual building were a lot of stands. I felt so much Christmas cheer running through my veins. A lot of people were pushing each other to have the greatest and cheapest bargains. A men’s choir was singing Christmas carols and I was singing the carols in my chair. At 2 I had bought enough bargains, mince pies and chocolate milk, so it was time for me to get back into the town. The bus passed by a lot of cottages, some reminded me of the ones in the story Hansel and Gretel. It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Adorable town! In Peterborough I felt I had to do some more sightseeing. My eye caught hold of a cathedral. There was just something about it. What I didn’t know about the cathedral, was that it is the last burial place of lady Katheryn, she was married to King Henry IV. He was married to 6 women, but Katheryn was the first one. According to the history of the cathedral, Queen Mary queen of Scots is buried in the church, but was removed to a different place. Let’s not forget to mention the ceiling of the church. It is one of the biggest significant ceilings in Europe. I lit a candle for my grandparents, the ones I can’t remember. After my visit to the church, I went inside John Lewis, MS and shopping centre. I was dead tired and decided to get back early. Once at home, I went to bed before the godfather of Becky came. Everyone was so noisy, with my headache that was so difficult for me.

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