Messages

Liverpool players already on the beach it seems.

The derby loss has broken them

Ha ha ha, again

Ha ha ha

Was underwhelmed by Dune 2 tbh.
Thought Dune 1 was better

Another two points off for Everton, this time for last season.

Should have took them off them last season.

The timing of the penalties in relation to the offenses is a weird one for me, but I'm assuming it's all in the league rules.

What rules?
They are making it up as they go along!

We had the mildest winter I can ever remember
It just never stopped raining.
Never got a cold but dry spell.

Was looking at patio furniture last night online and then thought what is the point. Be better spending the money on a fill of heating oil.

Trying to get the ground dry for rotavating and sowing. It'll be September before its dry at this rate.

Yet rainfall in Donegal and Sligo is below average so far this year.

Lot of southerly and SE wind this winter/spring carrying wetness

Our paths, patios and garden walls are green. I wants to spray algae stuff but cannot get the required 2/3 days of dryness.

Haven't even dug the veg garden yet and usually I'd have early spuds down and other stuff sown

What about the inspections?

Is it not just standard, good orvery good in the report. I think it's quite basic.

The thing is do parents: 1. Read the reports and 2. will it have any impact on their decision where to send their son/daughter.

I'd say no to both.

Not here but they are massive news amongst the chattering classes in England.

One or two bad inspection reports can cause a drop in enrollments which can be catastrophic for a small school looking to get every child they can. I've seen families leave a school and once it starts it can become a torrent.

Old buildings and poor staff morale can often affect inspections.

To a point but this deal (~13% and no workload agreement) is going to fly over the finishing line without a bother.
I don't think, say, 4% and an agreed workload solution would.
Money talks.

The younger teachers are blinded by the money and haven't ever went through the unrealistic inspection show/game/charade or whatever you'd like to call it.

What's the fear teachers have of being inspected? My wife is yapping about it and she hasn't been inspected in 14 years!  Maybe if inspections were more frequent e.g. annually, there would be less fuss about it.

No problem with inspections. Would welcome regular inspections for all schools.
The issue is that it's all about paperwork and procedures.

Rarely about the quality of teaching or the quality of learning.

Most inspectors are teachers who wanted to get out of the classroom.

Compression boots, worth the money or not?

Go stand in a lake for 20 mins

I've tried searching this thread for posts on Euro Camp Holidays as I'm sure I've seen them mentioned before, but its returning nothing(?)

Currently exploring the idea of our first trip abroad with the kids – 6, 4 & 3
We liked the idea of the ferry to Brittany, but its around 17 hours & actually quite expensive so looking at flying
Has anyone any airport/camp combinations to recommend? Thinking short transfer
I've been checking flights to Nates/Paris/Amsterdam – might have to go the 12th week which isn't always ideal

I'm seeing flights from ~£800-1300 (before luggage) & the camp starts at less than £800 which isn't bad at all compared to a package holiday

fly into Bordeaux.
great 5 star campsite in Biscarrosse called La Rive. a week there will be about 500 euro outside of july and august

Currently looking at a couple of the camps in that area. Do they attract many Irish?
I would be hoping the kids can meet ones and get out from under my feet for the week.

There will be a few Irish there. Make sure the camps are running and that the instructors have English. Email the camp if unsure.
Also if hoping to do watersports on lake etc a lot of those extra activities incur a charge and only get going during the peak season

Its probably been asked before on this but what would be the best type of road bike to purchase for very hilly area?? Gear wise, chain wise etc?? Cheers

Better legs and lungs!
Hills are all about spinning the legs and maintaining a steady power for 10 mins plus.
Very trainable
Doesn't really matter what bike you have.
Different cassettes and chainsets just make it a bit easier

Principals in big secondary schools can be assh0les to young teachers in terms of contracts and hours

Brexit bonus

I remember buying wetsuit and other bits from wiggle pre brexit.
Don't go near UK websites anymore

Sorry to see that shop in Belfast close - anytime I was up there I'd always hop in and see if they had anything

The classics starting this weekend so at least there is some proper cycling action

Dubs getting frees much easier in croke park. Tackle the man everytime and get away with it