The Greatest Crepe

[MontserratCaballe]

I hope I have remembered the chosen title correctly - I have used Crem's title (think it was Crem's) as the old thread is full.

Herbs - will be fab to have lots of time en famille in the summer but eek re new job on horizon.

Inspired by CV and Rose I have put 10 things on Ebay. They range from size 10 to 16. WTF.

And MI - I am game for any job sharing discussions! Perhaps over an Aperol spritz...

And MI - I am game for any job sharing discussions! Perhaps over an Aperol spritz...

Another day, another sparkly couple of studs (fnar) in my lobes.

Herbs - £7/hour is babysitting rates. I am an unqualfied teacher and can get 20 euros/ for English tuition. Some charge about 35. BTM's rate sounds not unrealistic.

Good luck with the Beethoven - I love Beethoven but don't know that piece -will have give it a listen.

Am sitting in car outside school (and have been for the best part of an hour) waiting for DD1 to stagger in from her DofE hike. They had appalling rain yesterday evening and didn't arrive at the campsite until 10pm (and they weren't the last). I'm expecting mud and tears. DS is at home getting the foot spa fired up for her, and has put out a plateful of leftover cakes liberated from his shift at the bakery.

And DH has been busy in the garden disassembling the knackered trampoline. For the first time in six years I have a view. That thing was such a carbuncle.

I agree Hattie. You'd get more money per hour cleaning in London. Have to say that my friend wasn't very impressed with the home edders' offers of payment. It was almost as if they didn't value her teaching skills, qualifications and experience. I used to give private French and German lessons when I was at school, back in 1981-1983 and got £5 an hour then!

I wonder if it's part of an assumption that teaching qualifications are unnecessary at best and detrimental at worst?

DD is eating curry goat and dumpling in Leeds - oop north is looking pretty good

CV - awwww at DS looking after DD.

These university open days - are parents expected to accompany their offspring? Mine didn't come with me to look at anywhere, I just got dropped at the station. DD1 is looking at Warwick, Bristol, Aberystwyth and Lancaster. I wouldn't mind a trip to Wales or Lancaster, but the other two she can do on her own, yes?

Am just catching up on recorded TV (whilst DS and DH watch wall-to-wall footy) - just watched Rod at the BBC (loved, loved, loved his early 70's stuff so much so that I had a feather cut aged about 9) now watching a 1981 TOTP - evidently not the one on last night as we have had The Birdy song, Godley and Creme and Sheena Easton so far Ah, now The Teardrop. God they look so young!

MrsS, DD is with her mates, no adults - I will quiz her about how many parents were with teens when she gets back.

Oh god, Hands Up - Ottawan - brings back memories of a drunken nightclub en France

MrsS, both are fine. I went with dd and that was fine (essential in her case). Probably more with parents/bag carriers/map readers than without, some eg Warwick had entire families on a day out , but plenty without too. What matters, given the expense and hassle, is that the dc get out of it what they need to, which varies, IME. ds is going to one with a friend (tho different sessions so they will be alone much of the day) and one with me. Very useful bit with dd was talking to families on the trains who had been to other universities!

MrsS, DD and her DH were at Lancaster and really enjoyed it - she did Law and he did English (I think).

We are on our second stint of babysitting for the day: this afternoon DD and DH bought a car and tonight they're at a birthday party. I did try to educate DGC into the joys of hanging basket and container planting and they just loved mucking about in the compost - the slugs not so much. Today we have had our first sunshine for the week and we don't have the CH on.

Herbs, your holiday sounds lovely and fingers crossed you've got everything sorted with the DPs. I hope your voice stands up to the singing.. Regarding pay, my DFr in Leicestershire was telling me that she pays her gardener £15 an hour and he is not a skilled man.

CV, how nice of your DS.

Do would prefer no parents at open days as they are a pita..... MrsS if dd is still thinking theatre let me know as I can always get dp to seek her out :). Not sure if that would be a good thing or not!
Like you I went on my own (apart from York where DDad fancied a cheeky weekend away :) )

Did did my masters at Lancaster and wasn't keen but I think things have changed....

Mrs S - I went to York with DD2 and there were lots of parents with a parents' tour and lecture and a separate tour for the prospective students. I think it is very much up to you though. (I did fancy a day out in York.

DD1 down in the dumps as her second year exam results don't bear out her performance during the year. She really worked hard but says the exam format doesn't seem to suit her. It's a real shame as her essay results are excellent. She says it's very frustrating as there are people she knows who are not as good but have better results.

BTM - I may have mentioned this before but I have always hated Rod and when the hairdresser gave me a cut and said it's a Rod Stewart hairdo I cried.

By the way - I caught DS dancing the kitchen to Dolly Parton 9-5 the other day - a red flag if ever there was one!

Hatty, that is tough. dd thought that was going to happen and it was very frustrating. Hope she cheers up - do some of her essays count towards her final mark?

Rudy, result!

Aha most excellent result Ms Rudy.! Well done you.
The party is booked btw, just finalising a few bits next week.
How can I send invites then? Can you all send me email addresses or something? The dinner menu will be available a couple of weeks before and we will have to choose options in advance. Ooh!

Everything on the exams Lalsy - its been a bit of a difficult year as her Director of Studies died unexpectedly in March and there was a memorial service yesterday. I had DD sobbing on the phone that she had let her down.

Yay for party Crem.

Your poor DD, Hatty, I feel so sorry for her; this is one of those occasions when a bit of TLC can only go so far.

Party sounds lovely, Crem, I feel very envious, although I wouldn't give up my holiday for it! I am, however, building up Brownie points as I encouraged DH to book for a week's cycling holiday in May next year so, who knows, I might manage a trip to London at some time.

How are you doing, Rudy?

Another day in the garden beckons and I have promised DH a cooked breakfast as my contribution to Father's Day.

Oh Hatty Do these exams count towards the final marks?

Cremo, yay!

Rudy, good to see you!

Lovely meal round at friends last night, and no hangover this morning
Have yet to catch up with DD on her uni visits. I hope the DC have got themselves sorted for Father's Day - he will be spending most of it at a footy tournament with DS, but we will go out to eat tonight I think.

Oh, Hatty, that is tough. Poor thing. Hope she can relax a bit now. dd's marks this year had a 25% gap between the highest the and the lowest - she isn't clear why. It worked out fine for her but doesn't give you huge amounts of faith in the system.

NU, that would be lovely!

Yay, Crem!

Thanks everybody - BTM - no everything is on the final year. She needs to see her DoS for the breakdown. The difficult thing is not being there to hug her when she's down. She'd had such a lovely week beforehand as well.

Crem - I think you have my email already - do let me know if you don't. I'm really looking forward to the MU although I am a real drinking lightweight so will have to pace myself. Even a glass or rosé seems to go to my head these days.