The crazy that was July...

Started the month by officially resigning from MAGS, wasn't a surprise to most people I don't think, but still wasn't as easy to do as I thought. Lots of good friends there and good memories, but still can't abandon what I've the new role and job I have here so soon. Never know what the future holds, but pretty sure this is the place for me for now.

Major news of July was the Murder of my cousin Scott in Fielding. A month on it is still no clearer who did it or indeed why. It seems to have gripped the country as one random act of violence against someone who to all accounts was an awesome guy, superb husband, father and friend to many. Thanks to all the people who passed on support and messages. Hard for the family here to be so far away at times like this.

Latest news on it, 60 minutes documentary on it.
Death at dawn - 60 Minutes - Video - 3 News

Finally managed to find myself a new bike. A really nice Yamaha R1 (2004/5 model) the guy I brought it from hardly used it so it had only done £7000. So good to ride.

Also spent some time that weekend with my parents and an aunty exploring the Cotsweld area in England. It's an awesome bit of England with a lot of history and old buildings.

I have applied to begin the process of becoming British qualified, kind of exciting, but it will be a little odd feeling like a trainee for the next year. Hopefully it all goes smoothly.

The school year finished, summer break has started. So it seemed like I should go for a trip to test out the bikes touring ability. Figured it was about time for a swim, so packed up and headed to the east coast around Norfolk. Travelled through a number of small and large towns on the way & had my swim. Was a good bit of fun and the bike did well as a bit of a pack horse, but might need some extra padding on the seat for long trips in the future.

And just to prove that I did actually swim in the English sea (and it wasn't as cold as I expected it to be).

Right finally back up to date, well almost, but I figure August can wait till the end of the month.
Much love...

June,

6th months after leaving NZ I finally sold my CBR600RR (or alternatively in pirate CBR600agrRagrrrrrrR) in NZ, didn't quite get as much as I hoped, but it is finally sold so that is all good.

Also on a driving front, I have now swapped my driving licence for a full British one, It just makes it easier to travel around the place.


Went to see Powderfingers farewell concert in London, it was an awesome night out. Went with 2 lovely British girls, which was good cause otherwise it was mainly Australians. Was amazing how load the crowd was, at time you could hardly hear Powderfinger themselves and the growd was distorting in your ears.


Also caught up with Hayley's parents as they had come across from NZ to go on a trip round Europe. Was lovely to see them and spend some time pretending to know my way round London as a tour guide.

Along with the gear Hayley's parents brought the rest of my hiking gear arrived, so the plan was to go motorcycle touring. That was until the VTR1000 got stolen from outside my flat. Was very gutted as that bike had really grown on me and had a lot of soul. It was never the fastest or best looking bike I had, but it was fun to ride and had character. So the search was on for a new one.
Photo: Space left where the VTR was, also shows the tire marks where it was dragged away :'(
Shortly after the bike theft my British driving licence arrived, fell slightly more like I belong here, but it seemed a bit useless without the bike.

The Football World Cup started and although it was sad to see England get taken out (felt sorry for my British friends), it was awesome to see New Zealand in it and pull off the most amazing draw with Italy.

Another highlight of the month was going with dad to the MotoGP at the new silverstone track. It was awesome to see live, those bikes are seriously quick.

The last photo is the car park (well more motorbike park outside the MotoGP) so many bikes!!! was half tempted to wander though them and see if my stolen bike was there. Note the bike in the foreground BTW.
Lorenzo won by a long way.

I brought a mountain bike off a firend to get me back on two wheels. It may not have a motor, but at least I could get around a bit faster while I hunted for a new motorbike.

Playing catch up - May.

Been a bit remiss with this, just been reminded of it... I'll catch up over the next few days.

May.
Summer Hockey started in May and we had many a game in colder conditions than winter hockey in New Zealand, but it did warm up reasonably quickly and we had some beautiful evenings to play in. Spent most games playing midfield. Managed to set up a few goals and score one myself, pretty happy with that. Mostly though it was just good to be out playing again. Although summer hockey here is a bit different is is full field, full team, mixed gender and a full length game, I think I prefer the 7 a side version better, but this was still good. Now I just have to wait for the winter season, not far away now. Also played a bit of badminton with a few different friends.

Had a few good nights out both in Milton Keynes and a little place called Leighton Buzzard (or just LB), which coined the term 'wang ukulele' it's a variation of air guitar (works well you should try it).

May also became the month of the passive aggressive note, my land lord stepped up his note campaign with his best effort yet that outlined the dangers of dish washing incorrectly and the long term side effects of dish washing chemicals... sigh.... I'd scan the note if I still had it, it was epic. Haven't had many more since I started writing replies.

Had another ALD with school, helped take a group of Y8's (I think it was) to Warwick Castle. Wasn't a bad day, watched some falconry and the trebuchet in action. Have been there before a while back with Hayley and my Sister and kids, so wasn't all new, But seeing the trebuchet fire was pretty cool as it wasn't on the day we went.

22nd of May the whole family went to Legoland for Kathryn's birthday and as a bit of a farewell for my sister before she left for America. Was a fun day and as always just good to be out with the family.




Then the weekend after was the short trip down to Heathrow to farewell, Amanda, Philip, Kathryn and Matthew to America, bit of a sad day to see them go after finally being able to spend some time with them and the kids, but it is a huge opportunity for them and is now a good excuse to visit Texas.

MAY Day!!!

April has gone by, it has been a busy, but very enjoyable month. I'll rewind.....

After spending the first week after Easter in Scotland, I got back and just spent a few days relaxing and honestly procrastinating about work (Woo-hoo procrastination (WWMFW!!!)). Went to Alton Towers in the second week of the break (www.altontowers.com), It's like rainbows end on steroids, a lot of steriods, ok really it is nothing like rainbows end, it destroys rainbows end with the first step in the door (Not that that is hard). NZ really needs a better theme park. Anyhoo, managed about 11 different rides, most being roller coasters or other thrill rides, not sure on a favourite they all had there moments, mostly because of friends. The photo was a run away train thingy that shortly into an attempt was made on my life!!!, there are other photos which mostly involve waiting in cues with slight looks of terror.

First day back at school was a teacher only day, thank goodness. First week wasn't bad, somewhat more relaxed without having nagging in my ear most of the time and I'm now officially lead teacher of Physics (I think). I also finally met the principle. She's been away... Anyway, I went to a lead teachers meeting, arriving a little late, cause I was talking to my PGCE (student teacher) and sat at the back. The principle was half way through saying something looked at me stopped... "who are you?", "I'm Paul"... "Paul who?"... "Paul Thompson"... The rest of the conversation basically went no you don't know me and I'm not even sure if you hired me... it was pretty amusing at the time.

Middle of the first week I went to a metal concert. For an American band called 'Haste the Day' (they are a Christian metal core band, Possible an oxymoron to some people who get caught up in 'religion' versus what really matters, but anyway). There was meant to be a second band 'Oh sleeper' but they could make it because of volcanic ash (lame excuse). Concert was excellent, I've pinched one of someone else's photo's cause mine weren't great (second ones mine). Also a link to one of the few of their songs on youtube with a video...

Haste the Day - Stitches

Anyway the week after wasn't as packed, but was a busy teaching week. Few nights out with friends. Went down to Thatcham for Amanda's birthday, was a really nice day with the family. It has a little bit of sadness though as I realise they will not be in the UK much longer, so i wont get to spend that much more time with my sister, brother in law and the kids. Ah well soon I will have an actual reason to visit the US i guess.

Have a long weekend this week, May day. to celebrate the 'ball of fire in the sky' which we shall not name in fear that it may realise that it has been shining on us here for about 3 weeks straight, with only a few days rain in between. Had a great night out last night, so still feeling a little jaded this morning, so I'll blame any typo's and grammar on that.

This week should be good, There are a lot of school exams happening, plus some external ones starting up, so classes will be thinned a little.
Tomorrow I play my first game of Summer Hockey with the team I've never met, really looking forward to that.

All up it's been a fantastic month, caped off by the crazy news from metrowater about the meter readings and the stupid amount of money they owe me back. All I need now is for the motorbike in NZ to sell.

Much love peoples. miss u...
Paul.

Scotland.

First up, 80's night, there are loads of photo's (not my photos so most of you cant see them on facebook), so I've just picked a few. It was a fantastic night out.

Scotland.

I had a fantastic time in Scotland, such a beautiful place, similar to NZ, particularly in the Scottish highlands, but with added castles and a little less green at this time of year. Not going to write a lot as a picture tells a thousand words, not sure how many words there are in a video...

There you go, hope you enjoyed that.
Much love peoples.

Terms end.

Made it to the end of the term. It seemed to drag on a little at the end. It has been a busy half term. Had a few timetable changes through the middle. I am now officially the lead teacher of Physics at Walton high. Hopefully that goes well, there will be plenty to do I think. I've also picked up a PGCE (student teacher) in the last few weeks, which has been good. Not much to say really about the term, was pretty standard, just busy. Got to pretend to be an english teacher in the middle with a fellow science teacher with the Y8's public speaking ALD. I think we pulled it off quite well (frankly we were awesome english teachers, but I still prefer science), one of our group came second on the day (first by crowd popularity though). Felling a lot more settled in the place now and looking forward to next term, should be good and I'll loose some senior classes to Exam time (Much like what happens in NZ).

On holiday now for 2 weeks. kicked it off with an 80's party for a friends birthday (I had long hair again for a night, sigh...). Off to Scotland tomorrow to see a friend from NZ who married a Scottish gent and is now living in Inverness. I come back later in the week and will spend time relaxing and preparing for the new term.  I've just managed to find a summer hockey team (was on my list of things to do), no idea exactly who I'm playing with, but don't really care I just miss the game. So of course had to get myself a nice new stick as I left my other ones in NZ. should kick off late April. 

Anyway things are looking good here, few things coming up that should be a bit of fun. Getting out as much as I can and just generally trying to have fun and enjoy the company of good people. Was trying to think of something deep and philosophical then, but it ain't happening. 

Ready, Steady, Teach!

Interesting first week back, I got a modified timetable on Monday morning, knew some changes where coming and I had a rough idea of what they were. It was still interesting to plan classes in very short time frame around the gear that was pre-ordered by the previous teacher, nice little challenge for the week. A bit like a game show where you have to teach based on a random assortment of equipment. Very tiring though to have the ongoing little changes through the week and not being able to fully settle into the new timetable, hopefully it will be better next week as I'm pretty sure my timetable is fixed for now. One big bonus is a lovely Y10 group I've picked up, who are a load of fun to teach.
After a little chat with a DP at school I now have an official interview for Lead teacher of Physics next week and I will need to teach an observed lesson for them too. There is apparently (as far as I know) one other external applicant, so everything must be done properly. I am very glad I'm not going against anyone else in the department though.

I've also got a bike now (for those of you who didn't find out moments after I got it). It's a VTR1000, It's a big V-twin that thumps along with very little fuss, driving to my sisters today I was going along at 70 mph for a little while before I realised I was only in second gear ... So changed up to 6th and idled along at 70 mph instead (2700ish rpm). Have picked up a spare helmet from Amanda too ; ).

The new VTR1000 (V-twin)

An awesome photo of my CBR600RR that is still waiting to sell in NZ, Thanks Haim.

As mentioned moments ago, I have been in Thatcham today to help out Amanda and Phillip tidy the house for its sale. It has been good to spend time with them before their pending move to the USofA. Although at this point I'm a little wasted after the late night singstar Friday (Good times, "Go Team Science" is all I have to say).

Miss you all my kiwi friends... Much love to you all.