In flies a guy who's all dressed up just like a Union Jack (The Rolling Stones)

Wie geht's?

While I was reading Wild By Nature, I realised that I had this sitting on my bookshelf in A.R.F. 

Doh! I'd forgotten that I had bought this and the sequel 2Stoned during my last visit to Chaldon Books and Records in Caterham on the hill.

So I abandoned WBN straight away. And launched into the weird and wonderful world of AOL. Good decision!

I love the fact that he allows many other characters, famous or otherwise to comment along the way. Some like Mary Quant, Pete Townshend, Mickie Most, Don Arden are household names, but it's the old teachers, associates, bosses, friends and so on that add a different perspective to the narrative.

Frustratingly I can only read it while eating breakfast and briefly at night. Ah well.

Love and peace - Wozza

I'm a spy, in the house of love (The Doors)

Wie geht's? 

We selected Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy to view last night on Netflix.

Many a time, I've attempted other John Le Carre (and Len Deighton) adaptations, including the mini-series version of TTSS. 

Each time I think (to myself) that spy dramas could be fun (!). What am I thinking???

Each time the convoluted plot and dry as ice delivery by the actors playing Smiley and other MI5 types have left me (out in the) cold (war).

But, I was swayed by Gary Oldman's Oscar nomination and a stellar cast including the always great John Hurt.

And the reviews - positive and upbeat...so what the heck.

Caution was thrown to the wind. What a fool. Will I never learn?

Jacky lasted about 20 mins and went to bed. I soldiered on in bloody-minded fashion, desperately trying to figure out who was who, and what was what.

Hopeless. Those Russian dolls are a fitting image but I couldn't keep track of the layers and the time shifts.

By the time it ended, I was thoroughly confused and rueing the decision to keep ploughing ahead in forlorn hope that I'd finally get the gist and then understand, finally, the appeal of spy dramas.

I won't be making this particular mistake again any time soon.

Maybe in a couple of years.

Love and peace - Wozza

All the world is football shaped (XTC)

Photo by Gabrielle Rocha Rios on Unsplash

Wie geht's?

It's exam invigilation time again. The only time of the year you will hear me using the word 'invigilation' btw.

It's a prime time for idle speculation. During this morning's one, I made a list of possible blogging subjects for my various blogs.

I also wrote out the details of our OneSchool Global R.E.S.P.E.C.T. acronym which was displayed on the wall - more on that next time!

At one point, my gaze fell upon a globe sitting on a shelf in the exam room where I was invigilating.

I've always had a hankering for a nice globe. Not a plastic el cheapo jobbie - but a quality one. Would look great in my music lounge.

Fathers' Day's coming up. Just a thought.

Love and peace - big daddy!

I'm so glad you came here, it won't be the same now I'm telling you (The Beatles)

My new walking shoes

Wie geht's?

Want to know the best way to stay healthy? The best advice comes from Hsing Yun:

Eat less. Walk more.

Right on maan!

I'm embracing this by cutting down on the cinnamon donuts from Little Frimley Kitchen (note well: cutting down, not giving up - I'm not insane) and walking at lunchtimes around the Hastings' Sports Park with other staff.

Feeling healthier already!

Love and peace - Wozza

He's a lumberjack and he's OK (Monty Python)

This one is a monster - ours weren't this big, but close

Wie geht's?

Four words: I hate Tree Lucerne.

Woh! Strong language there Wozza. Hate??

Yep. Hate.

It (actually called Tagasaste) is pretty useless as a tree - the lucerne isn't able to be grazed by animals (we don't have any giraffes at Maple Grove), it grows and takes apart fences and other trees and then it rots and dies quickly and just sticks around. Useless.

As the old advert goes though - hate something change something, make something better.

So, I've been steadily chopping them down and repairing fences in their wake (apart from one stump were the tree grew around and encompassed the wire).

At the weekend I finished the last one that I could manage (our gardener needs to get the one in the dense tree area at the front of Maple Grove).

That means I've chopped up (and Jacky has burned) 15 horrible Tree Lucernes. Wahoo!!

Love and peace - Wozza

Blue blue windows behind the stars (Neil Young)

Photo by Ehud Neuhaus on Unsplash

Wie geht's?

Oh, so this is VERY EXCITING! We found a builder. Who is available to put my window into Abbey Road Four! Today!! I know! What are the odds?

Be still my beating heart!

After a range of builders declined to return calls or indicated they weren't available for such a piffling little job, a contact of a contact lead us to Ron.

Bless you, Ron!

Peace and love - Wozza