The Twenty-fifth Republic - circuit breaker before/during/after half term

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The English and Maths GCSE resits and various university tests all happen in the first week of November. If we're all on a circuit breaker lockdown then what happens then? Schools open for exam candidates only? (And of course, enough staff to oversee them...) Or exams cancelled - but most of these students are ones who would have sat in the summer and want a chance to improve on their Centre-Assessed Grade so if they miss a 2nd set of exams that's all very difficult.... (and why we needed an exams contingency plan much earlier than we will get one!)

Just bought myself Christmas Gin. A girl has to do what she a girl has to do.

That sounds interesting, Piggy. I might crack out a Christmas pudding with my mango and passion fruit gin.

A Christmas gin - jealous. I must stock up just in case! Never mind about loo rolls

It's Yuletide Gin from That Boutique-y Gin Company. It is very lovely.

Thanks for the tip!

Hope all goes well with your mum @Piggywaspushed

M&S have gin in Christmassy bottles that sparkle (like a snow dome idea).
I'm trying to diet so can't even have a drink. But am with you in spirit (spirit, geddit? )

Ooooh they have a calendar!!
I had to tip a G&T down the sink yesterday. The perfumey gin and ill matched tonic tasted like fabric softener. Back to Tonka gin and plain tonic for me after that!

I don't drink much mistress. More than 2 glasses of wine makes me really really sick. I make an exception at Christmas!

I am much better if I drink slowly and start early but DH says wine o clock is nine o clock!

Think I might need to stash a bottle in my drawer at school

I have Prosecco in the cupboard in my office. It's for gifts but there are days when it seems appealing...

I had a gingerbread gin last Christmas that was quite drinkable. Aldi I think.

I make sloe gin and drink that at Christmas. Yum.

My alcohol intake has definitely gone up since September 🙈

My alcohol intake has also increased...

You all need to try Frangelico! It’s lush

Is that the hazelnut thing? I think I had it in Italy once

That’s the one! On ice. Mmmmmm!

Who is it who's good at spotting name changes? Notthat is talking about swapping their kids to online provision after poor state provision. Sure I recognize the story word for word from another poster but can't remember who.

Ooh yes I loved frangelico I don't think I've ever seen it in the UK though not that I've been looking tbh

It's Piggy, but I think I don't think that poster has name-changed. Or at least, I've seen her bang on about that before.

Hope all goes well @Piggywaspushed and the time difference doesn't cause too many issues.

Dh and I have spoken about our planned half term holiday. With so much uncertainty about the 2 week circuit break, and the likelihood that it would be announced with mere moments notice, we have decided to put it off. Fortunately because pil were down to stay with us and we are neither living together nor in a bubble, our accommodation became unviable with 8 of us so they're refunding us with a credit voucher if I ring a few days before holiday. In the meantime, if lockdown is announced, they will refund us in full. We are happy with either as would simply book again for next year with a holiday voucher and hope for the best.

We are meant to be going to my brother's on the south coast for the first weekend (with sis and bil) and best friend's the following weekend. We have also booked 3 days in an airbnb mid-week but have free cancellation up to the day before, so we will see how things are at that point.
All in areas that are currently Tier 1.

BCF from the Numbers thread predicted (on a Christmas thread!) that very hard restrictions will be brought in at the end of Nov for a few weeks, so that BJ can give us all a "week off" for Christmas and win everyone's hearts.... 🤢, but I can see that she could well be right.

Because of all the tier stuff that's happening at the moment they can't suddenly change the rules yet again next week, they'd really look like they don't know what they're doing then ().

I'm now on a fortnight's half term and it feels very luxurious....

Also BJ won't want it to look like he's listening to Keir Starmer (working together - perish the thought!) and there's the resits in early Nov.

Checking in to send my best wishes to piggy and mum. Also liking the sound of the hazelnut liqueur mentioned upthread, tried some hazelnut milk in my cereal for a change the other day and that was tasty. I had expected it would be strange.

I know there's someone on this thread who is sceptical of Spiegelhalter, but I thought this might be of interest? Only broadcast on Wednesday so up to date on the covid statistics. The Shipman stuff is chilling. I found it very entertaining and planning on sharing it with my 6th form mathematicians.

Looking forward to spending my half term in lockdown 🙄 So much for a few days at the seaside. Am in Wales where a 17 day circuit break is in the offing.