Thursday Morning

The day was better than forecast so we got a good walk in early today and were rewarded with the sight of the two roe deer shown in the photo but the wallabies were having a lie in and were more difficult to see, hence the awkward photo. The garden continues to look great and Maisie loves barking at everything that moves whenever she is out. That's when her fitting through the catflap is a nuisance as she tears off to bark at nothing.
The geranium and sweet williams look well on the patio but I didn't get too far with gardening as my new toy arrived. The playback is 4 hours for video as you correctly surmised, Paul, and I've put a few films on now - Dracula for Glen to watch as we listened to the unabridged audio book on the way to and back from Plymouth, Blood Diamond, The Departed, Perfume, Cars, The Last King of Scotland. Display is very clear and I can get back to listening to Mark Kermode on a rant while walking the dogs through the podcast from Five Live.
The last photo isn't too great, taken from the window of a great spotted woodpecker feeding on nuts in the front garden. Unusual to see one in our garden which is why I tried to get a decent picture.

Holiday time

I've got back into going to the gym over the last couple of days after a bit of a break due to pressures of work (no smart comments!). The rain has put a bit of dampener on things but it has stopped long enough today to allow some more time in the garden moving some plants and changing a path near the woodland plant area. In the process I've cut my arms to pieces as one of the shrubs is very thorny. Never mind.
Whilst waiting for a break in the weather I was checking out mp3 players on the internet and have opted for a creative zen vision 30gb player which not only plays music but also apparently shows photos, has a radio and plays videos too. As we're off to Yorkshire at the weekend I've downloaded a few films to keep Glen happy during the journey as the battery is supposed to last 4 hours. The screen is colour but only two and a half inches wide although I think it will be great anyway.
It will be delivered tomorrow so I'll get to play most of the day.

Plymouth trip

We had a two day visit to Plymouth over the Bank Holiday and managed to get quite a bit achieved in Morag's garden during that time. We started in the afternoon by trimming down the foot tall grass covering the front garden (a lot taller in places!) and then started taking off the top layer of turf from the lawn and slinging that over to the raised bed on the right hand side of the garden. It was soon piled high and looking pretty messy but we had to call it a day as the rain started to pour down.
After an evening watching White Noise 2, we were out and about early on Monday in warmish sunshine and finished taking the turf off before digging the garden over again. Jamie leveled it off with the rake and we smoothed out the pile of disposed turf before covering it with black liner to encourage it to rot down over the next couple of months.
Meanwhile at the back of the house, Morag, Alison, Wayne, Charlotte, Emily, Grace, Rochelle and Glen were sorting out rubbish and the back lawn as everyone mucked in together to get as much done as possible. Chrissie came over with Lilly, just a few weeks old, and we got a lot done including some repairs to the side gate.
We had a good journey back and I took Glen to the hospital to give the crutches back as he has recovered from his injury at school last week.

Verwood win at last!

Having begun to consider myself something of a Jonah of late with regard to sporting achievement, I was pleased to be part of the first win of the season for Verwood in a thrilling climax to the game against Ringwood. They were top of the league and must have fancied their chances against us in view of our struggles with the bat. That feeling must have increased as they posted 177 although it wasn't the total they looked on course for early on when they batted with great confidence and ease.
The bowlers came back well including me and we were pretty pleased with our efforts in the field. We made a slow start to our reply but Charlie was in good touch and began a match changing partnership with Jerry as they clubbed their way to a 70 run pairing. Charlie ended up on 94 but his departure sparked the famous Verwood collapse.
John was out for 12, Nigel for 2 and Mark Andrew for a first ball duck leaving just two wickets and ten runs required which should have been an easy ask. Jerry was out though after hitting two runs and their fast opening bowler was back on and in the wickets.
I edged two and Chris J saw out a maiden over against the good bowler leaving me with the job of trying to score the winning runs without getting out. A leg side ball was nudged off my hip for two more before a dot ball wide down the leg side. The winning moment came with just 4 balls to go in the game as I swatted a short ball for four and victory.
8 not out meant we took our first win of the season and moved off the bottom of the table.

Morag's Garden

Just a few photos with more to follow tomorrow. Spent Bank Holiday weekend making the garden over, initially in the rain but in sunshine today.

Bird box update

i had a bust late afternoon and evening cutting the grass and trimming back the hedges round the whole garden. What a way to spend the start of the week long break. Exciting or what! While I was doing that there were 6 blue tit chicks in the garden all calling and managing to avoid the 3 cats although I did see a dead chick by the front door yesterday.
Looks like all the feeding effort was worthwhile for the birds in our box.

Arn's blog

Would any Welsh readers, or readers residing in Wales, care to post their blog address so we can check out what's happening in the valleys. My sister and family are up in Cardiff over the half term on their annual football tour with three games to play having played in Dorset last year.

Agreed about the tactics, Paul. I thought Liverpool were cruising first half till the lucky goal. How we could do with one of those on a Monday night! Who do you fancy signing? (Liverpool I mean - not sure Iscape can afford an actual fee).

Liverpool and Iscape

The two teams seem inextricably linked as despite dominating large parts of the game, Liverpool were unable to turn their superiority into victory. Exactly like Iscape apart from dominating, superiority and being able to score at least one goal. Never mind.
Dougie was at least able to watch in the States in temperatures of 32 degrees which must be a plus because whoever he brings back to play for us will be ready for those balmy July nights in Wimborne when you can stay outside the Coach and Horses till almost 10 in the heat of the evening without having to turn to patio heaters and so on.

A nightmare on losing street

Once again the opposition scoring meant Iscape would emerge pointless in the latest defeat last night. On a drizzly night in Wimborne, we set out once again as unfamiliar outfit with Dom still missing despite making up with Kev and Hen, Hen out through partner's illness and Dougie stateside looking for talent. I'll let you make your own minds up about that.
In came a trio of Ironsides with Matt, Pete and Darren all playing alongside Kev, the returning Matt C, Nick a new keeper rom Witchampton, and myself. The drizzle meant a speedy surface but a closely fought first half saw the teams turn round level at 0 - 0. Kicking downhill we fell behind to a well worked goal which culminated in a ball across the area and a tap in quickly followed by two more goals without reply. The defensive solidity was admirable for long periods but we are completely toothless going forward and have yet to score after 4 games which must be coming close to some kind of record.
Coupling the football with the cricket and I am 7 and 0 in American terms. No wins in 7 games. Good job these are team sports or else I'd think it was me and my fading fitness!

Blue tit

I spent some time on Sunday watching the blue tits going in and out of the nestbox and got a few pictures but they were generally too quick for me as they dashed in and out. My reactions are definitely slowing up! I was able to take a few good shots of a goldfinch too and was impressed with the one in flight which looks pretty spectacular.

Springtime

Sunday was a lovely spring day with plenty of sunshine captured in the photos above. The highlight was discovering the reason why our tadpoles have become so few with the finding of a newt in the pond. I'm never quite sure how these creatures find their way around so many gardens and roads to end up in a small pond like ours. It was quite exciting to see it anyway which is a bit sad when you think that is one of the highlights of the weekend!

Bransgore Cricket

Verwood again managed to compete without troubling to go all the way and win. We bowled Bransgore out for 132 which was a decent effort given their high placing in the division last season. I took 1 for 27 but have a sore right shoulder following a diving stop in the field last week which affected my bowling considerably.
A good start saw us reach 50 for one wicket but thereafter it was a steady decline with me in at number 10 but managing a swift 5 before being last out, caught spectacularly in a diving effort high to the right. It was a genuinely fantastic catch and cheered me up no end to see it taken.
We were all out for 104 and should have gone on to win from the position we'd managed.

Garden

The garden is full of flowers at the moment with the recent rain bringing on new growth quickly. The top photo is a blur of a blue tit leaving the nesting box where, judging by the cheeping everytime the parents arrive with food, there must be a lot of chicks. With 3 cats eagerly waiting their first flights, we'll have to keep an eye on them when they leave the nest.

Friday

It was a deeply depressing day at school today as everyone begins to realise the writing's on the wall as far as the competition to run the school is concerned. On the plus side though theYear 11s are working well and using the revision room we've tried out this year for the first time. It's meant fewer of them wandering around with nothing to do which leads to problems.

I did get away early and was home by 3.30 although I worked out that I was in school for 55 hours this week without counting work at home and travel time. Got the grass cut after the wet weekend last week and will put some photos of the garden up later.

We're away at Bransgore in cricket tomorrow and I'll be hoping to score a whole run at some stage. Nothing in either football or cricket - what might that be indicating? Mind you, I've got the best bowling figures so far. I expect that'll all go tomorrow when I should be home watching the cup final. Hope Man U win and that Liverpool win on Weds.

Good to see the westcountry doing well - Yeovil in the play off final, Bristol City up (well done Matt), Argyle and Saints in the championship, Bristol Rovers in play off final too. makes a nice change. However, only one team in the league from Devon now with Torquay getting relegated.
I think Exeter are in the play off final for the Conference though - I'm hoping they don't quite make it!!

School future

To say the outcome of the horsetrading at Southampton City Council was disappointing in its outcome is something of an understatement. A liberal councillor has become an independent in order to keep Labour from taking control and allowed the Conservatives to lead with the result that they are very likely to favour the establishment of an academy school in the west of the city, the least desired outcome for Oaklands.

Consequently I will be looking for a new job next year with a different school because I don't want to work for an independent school particularly when our school is doing so well at the moment. We are likely to be one of the top 200 schools in the country following the GCSE results in August and that is not something the academies are used to. They take over failing schools and use Government money to pour millions into improving matters which would happen in any school where resources are thrown at you.

Feeling pretty angry about the whole process.

More Iscape Woe!!

Not only did we lose 2 - 1 having failed to score in the previous two games, but the goal we scored last night was an own goal. It was pretty dreadful all round with a reorganised side put together at short notice in the absence of Matt C, Dougie in America and Dom withdrawing his services as the result of an upset with Kev and Hen.
It was a game against opponents we usually beat but with chances at a premium we were always looking second best after conceding a scrappy goal which could have been cleared but sheer weight of numbers prevented a proper connection. A second followed immediately after half time and despite a consolation goal from a long throw in which glanced in off the defender, it was no surprise an equalizer could not be found.

Interviews

Alison stayed at home today to ensure she's recovered from the hospital visit on Friday. Back at school it was straight into teaching Year 10 and an absolute first. I had an essay waiting for me but the strange thing is that it was something I haven't even finished teaching with the class let alone told them what their essay is about. That leaves me wondering which internet site it was downloaded from!
The remainder of the morning was spent interviewing candidates for our learning mentor positions. We appointed 2 this time last year and have decided to double their number as the results of their work has been fantastic. We've got more to see tomorrow before making a decision but they were all good calibre candidates.
As is often the case, the ones who appeared good in the informal part were less impressive in interview and vice versa while the students who met them had a different take as well. Some hard decisions to make after our visit from the school improvement partner.
Drama exam performances beckon for the evening and then it's a late night Weds too to participate in the delights of the school finance sub-committee!! At least tonight's trip is pleaure related - football!! On second thoughts pleasure might be pushing it a little.

News

We were at Salisbury Hospital on Friday for the amnio test, the results of which take about 10 days. Consequently, Alison has been resting for a few days in order to minimise the risk of miscarriage but there is always a risk involved in the test so it is an anxious time.

That measn I've been reacquainting myself with the kitchen and a number of household gadgets which are normally things of mystery to me. I've even been cooking bacon!! That's a first for me. Glen has some ham or similar during the week so I got him some bacon and cooked him bacon and eggs for breakfast yesterday morning.

The week ahead looks busy with exams getting under way properly at school and an evening performance on Tuesday of the drama pieces. It's also back to football on Monday where we will be below our usual peak of fitness following a few weeks off. Lots of interviewing to be done at school as well and I don't think I'll be teaching anyone until Friday as a result. Our school improvement partner is in on Tuesday to focus on leadership and management. That should be interesting!

Cricket

In a small window of opportunity, Verwood managed to play the second game of the season as the rain relented for a few hours. After the heavy defeat of last week at BAE in Christchurch, we were looking to improve with the first home game.

Last week we were all out of 59, a total that was managed for the loss of no wickets, so it couldn't get much worse this week. In that game I bowled 3 overs for 8 runs and was LBW for no runs.

This week we bowled first which at least meant a longer game. Jerry, a new player who has moved from Coventry, took the first wicket of the game but it was a slow scoring pitch in which not a lot was happening. We restricted Bashley to 159 which we thought we had a chance of attaining ourselves. Ali took 2 - 37, John got one wicket and I took 2 - 15 off 7 overs.

The run chase was abysmal though and although we managed to claw our way past the low of last week, we were all out for 77. Not very impressive. I was pleased to get another zero. I was bowled trying to smash the ball as hard as I could in a very premeditated shot. It was hopless by then with batsmen 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 all getting a duck!!

Perhaps a downpour would have been better.


However, we have gone up a division and the opposition spent the first half hour after their arrival warming up and I really do mean proper warming up. They even had a post match warm down and chat in the outfield. They take it very seriously.

NPQH

It was the school based assessment part of the qualification for headship which meant I had an assessor in for the day in a very formal 6 hour inspection to check lots of documentation I'd had to gather together over the past 6 months and to interview three witnesses in addition to an hour long interview with me. I hadn't expected the visit to be quite so thorough or rigorous and the woman conducting it was completely without humanity! That much I'd be warned of to be fair but it was strange to have so many people come up to me after I'd taken her on a tour of the school, saying how intimidating she was.

I feel confident the work I've done stands up to scrutiny but some of the questions she asked were totally unexpected such as the fixed items in the school budget and their proportions. My answer to the latter was at least correct but I was left feeling that at least passing the thing would be of some value because up to that point I'd thought it was just a paper exercise given the desperation for potential headteachers. I don't hear the outcome for a while, probably the start of the summer holidays which, despite the way, Matt and Dougie etc feel, are still some way off. I mean we don't have another holiday for at least another three weeks!

The next part will be a residential visit to a hotel in the New Forest in October followed by a final assessment which won't be as demanding as this. She did ask when the residential was and when I told her Alison was expecting then she advised me to let the centre know as soon as possible which may indicate she thinks I'll be put forward for it.

Cricket starts tomorrow and hopefully the weather will hold for another day before the Bank Holiday rain strikes.