Our weekends have had a bit of a seaside theme this year. We have gazed out at the grey briny in Cleethorpes, ferried across the Mersey in Liverpool, strolled along the prom at Brighton, and now this Saturday we paid our first ever visit to "Sarfend". The pier is very long - possibly the longest in Britain? Anyway, it warrants a railway for the faint hearted, and has quarter-mile markers en-route, for those who are afraid of getting beyond the point of return in distance from the shore. It was a lovely sunny winter's day, with little wind - perfect for stepping out, so we went there and back again on foot, only to be faced with a "No Entry" sign at the sea end, well over a mile off shore, because of renovation works. Most disappointing, but we enjoyed it anyway.
There was a flock of black-headed sea birds wheeling overhead - I don't say gulls, as I know black-headed gulls aren't at this time of year and anyway, these were smaller, but very pretty against the blue sky. I wished I hadn't left my camera at school...
We had gone to Brighton to see the Paula Rego exhibition. It was a collection of her prints, engravings and works on paper. Many were recognisably sketches for later finished pastel works. I must say I didn't enjoy them much. Paula Rego is uncompromising at the best of times, and they were some of them too confrontational in black and white, for me. And I thought her Nursery Rhymes could have been a touch prettier, without losing anything.
The bonus was a simultaneous exhibition of clothes belonging to the Messel family - lovely 19th and 20th century designer gowns and fancy dress costumes. Much more up my street.

This is my new additional job title! And no, it isn't a euphemism for anything requiring a red light.
Our Head has signed us up for a Worklife Support and Employee Assistance programme, to help us deal with our work-related stress and general well-being (Keeping the Wicked Witch of the West* off school premises would help considerably, but I suppose that's not an option, unfortunately). Anyway, I and another colleague, have been designated Facilitators, and given the task of introducing the scheme to the rest of the staff.
It can only be a GOOD THING. The employee support scheme covers medical insurance, legal advice, counselling and all sorts of helpful ways to solve problems in our real lives, while the Worklife Support will be tailored to our particular needs.
First we have to all fill out quite a searching questionaire about how we feel about the school. The Head is being quite brave here, as this could turn up a number of concerns. But then, the feedback comes with the question "What are we all going to do about it?" which might surprise those who think something "should be done" (but not by me). I think the whole process will be fascinating, and am happy in my role.
The bad news is it's all confidential, so that's all I can say...

*Disclaimer - The Wicked Witch of the West is a purely fictional character, and any resemblance to any living school inspector is entirely unintentional.

And very cold and dark it seems too. A few of my posse re-attached themselves to my leg for a day or two, but most are now self-sufficient again. The one remaining clinger spent Thursday afternoon freezing alongside in the nursery garden, refusing to go indoors even though he was obviously cold and unhappy. I eventually persuaded him to go in with the task of drawing me a picture for his "Special Book" - his record file - which he really loves doing, but he came out again seconds later with a mere scribble on paper.
I had a long talk to him, reminding him a)what lovely pictures he usually draws, with cut-out decorations, b) how he plays with other teachers and children on Fridays, when I'm not there, and c) how I love to see him happy, and would rather him be happy in another room, where I know where he is, than sad with me.
He listened seriously with full eye contact and when I'd finished, took the paper out of my hand and said "It isn't finished" and went back inside, where he stayed until the end of the session.
We'll see what happens on Monday.

Ways to entertain children in 2006! Having had a child free Christmas, it was good to get back to playing again. Everyone here was so absorbed, they didn't notice me take their photo. Even after the sprogs had gone to bed, it was time for quiz games for the grown-ups.

Hope everyone is feeling better than I am - sunk in misery right now, as my beloved son has once more retreated to the far ends of the Earth. I say my when I should say our; Edward, who took Rick and Kris to the airport, doesn't look very jolly either. We know he is happy and well and how lucky we are and that will mean more next week.