Last Day!

The rise of the machines....or the flattening of the area where nursery used to be. You can see how hot and perfect today was-which in a way is a shame, as I spent most of it clearing and cleaning at school, getting covered in dirt and sweaty. It was quite difficult really as there were skips, and a hall full of discarded unwanted stuff. In the morning I swore I would not succome to my usual need to save stuff and re-use it, but I failed. Two xylophones-the wooden pieces were so beautiful and I think they can be fixed, the portolios I collected as art coordinator years ago, old ILEA (Inner London Education Authority) plans-not investigated yet but they look promising, a large wooden board, a ceramic cooking pot, numerous tools and glue guns-I just couldn't let this stuff be thrown away! At one point me and my headteacher were skip diving together! He actually used the words 'it's criminal'-I think that was when I found a perfectly ok calculator, and he found a chess board and how to play chess book! Andy, one of the premises managers was also saving stuff-the metal objects which of course we can sell. I have got the clay bin which I love and has been unused for years-a grey, lidded metal box-what I will do with it I don't know! The school is moving house in October so today was the big clearout. The shelves with the labels are in the old art room, and represent the hours of work that went into organising it and keeping it organised. The second picture is the view from the art room windows, through the pretty lace curtains I have never noticed before. Bye bye art room!
I am pleased that we went in today though, as it gave me chance to say goodbye to people properly and to get my presents for colleagues sorted out. But I am glad it is the holidays at last!

From Greece to Greenwich

We got up early to see the Olympic torch pass near to where we live. It was all very exciting and good natured. Lots of happy police officers on bikes, motorbikes and standing by the road. Grim faced security officers in grey uniforms who I think are also police, accompanied the torch bearing lady as she passed us by. They did occassionally crack a smile though, in between scanning the crowds.

 A lady wearing her flag.

 The Olympic alien, as Andy put it. I have not got to grips with the mascots so am not sure which one this is.

 A quite perturbed cat spectator.

 The happy torch bearer. I have tried to find out her name but information is unclear so I am not sure who she is I am afraid.

 This bus driver was right behind the procession and looked happy to be included in the general clapping and merriment.

Blackheath Standard at about 8.30-absolutely bursting with people! We went for a lovely breakfast at Gambardella's which finished off the whole event nicely.

Things that made me smile...

A tall hollyhock.

 Grey clouds and sunlit bunting.

 A circus like tent-not sure what was really in it.

 The Shard from a distance looks even more improbable than up close.

 A subtle water feature at the foot tunnel.

 An angel wing backed pigeon.

 Look closely and you will see...a man in a bin. I laughed out loud at this one!

I hope lots of things made you smile today.

Olympic Preparations

Usain Bolt, Usain Bolt,

The fastest man, the fastest man,

In the world, in the world,

Usain Bolt, Usain Bolt.

The Olympics, the Olympics,

Coming soon, coming soon,

Coming to London, coming to London,

Coming soon, coming soon.

(Sing to the tune of Frere Jacque)

The giant Usain is finally finished. I love him! I put him up on Friday, so the kids have not seen him all put together yet, only in parts. It has been so lovely to be able to do a project that has taken more than a week-the way we used to work in the other nursery meant that this was hard to achieve, but now is easy!

 Medals for 75 children in the early stages of preparation-this job took me a very long time! We are going to write something like "You're a winner name" on the back. We are having some mini Olympic events this week, such as javelin using foam pipe lagging weighted with corks.

 Other Olympic things seen while out and about this week...

 There is a hilarious announcement by the mayor Boris Johnson about the travel chaos arrangements during the games. It sounds like something out of the 1930s. (It doesn't sound as funny here but booming out in the echoey station it was!)

 You may have heard about all the G4S business this week-in that they admitted that they would not be able to provide the vast amount of security staff ordered, and so the army has stepped in. The news has all been very negative so far, but hopefully it will all work out. There is certainly a lot of last minute preparation going on everywhere. I went to London Bridge to meet a friend yesterday, and it has been transformed and actually looks pretty good. The Shard is just outside the doors, and there are men in high-viz jackets everywhere, finishing things.

 I like the rings hanging from the bridge.

 London Bridge station.

 The scary shard.

 They seem to have missed a bit! I like the weathered writing above this arch and the way the fencing is patriotic. It will probably be painted over this week.

 This billboard has seen better days. I love the way the layers are exposed when they get like this. In Rome, the posters seemed never to be removed, just stuck layer upon layer.

Some members of the Olympic Family all the way from Australia. I don't know who invented that term 'Olympic Family', but I wish they hadn't.

Pink and Yellow

I had dahlia envy after reading this post of Vanessa's the other day. I have grown them in the past, but once the snails get wind of them that is it-gone overnight which is so disappointing! I saw these in Morrisons and they were cheap so I bought them. Then two of the flowers got knocked off in the basket, so I replaced one temporarily with the ribbon flower! The broken flowers look pretty enough in their bowl. I suppose I should put them outside but the snails are rife at the moment with all the rain, so they will stay on the table for a little while.

The curry plant is so delicate and interestingly shaped.

It would make lovely jewellery if turned into gold.

They don't look much, but these mangoes are delicious. The best ones I have ever had I think. In 'A Suitable Boy', which I only ever read the first book of, even though it is really good, there is a character called Mrs Rupa Mehra (I think this is her name) and she has a thing for mangoes, but also has diabetes so is limited in her consumption, which she finds very difficult.

Skies

This strange unseasonal weather is producing the most fantastic skies. I took some of these on the way home, and some after a mercy dash to Sainsbury's for cat biscuits, hence the different locations.