Always use briquettes for a low and slow cook, lump wood for grilling and cooking dirty.

I use a local wildlife trust to get my lump wood from, who produce great quality charcoal.

Depending upon the wood used, you’ll also get a slightly different burn, some state which wood they have used.

Definitely worth spending a bit more on quality charcoal and a chimney starter.

British Charcoal Makers

Oftsed does what the politicians want from it, to provide soundbites on them appearing to raise standards, not settle for mediocrity blah blah blah, but it doesn’t actually improve standards within schools in a sustainable way. They are make or break moments for heads and other stakeholders based upon a small snapshot.
The system needs to be supportive where collaboration between schools is encouraged and not just between MATs or teaching school alliances, but for that to happen you need to free up time in a profession where they simply don’t have the time or staff.

I spent 10 years as a HoD and went through a number of different inspections and actually relished the challenge, but it takes its toll. I now also work with schools looking at targeted school improvement to help with ofsted.

I did come across one very good inspector though on my first visit as an NQT. A young girl got stuck in a chair in one of my lessons by sitting sideways on it through the arm. Cue 20 mins trying to get the thing off and the caretaker coming in with a hacksaw. Chair off….inspector suddenly appears. Lesson was awful after that point. Luckily I found her and spoke to her about what had happened and she said she wished she’d seen it. She gave a really good report saying the learning wasn’t great basically but the teaching was good considering what had happened.

The Purbeck Bimble is great, plus you can finish day one at one of the best pubs going. Square and Compass then a pootle down to dancing ledge to camp.
You can also cycle down to Chapman’s pool for a dip and a coffee before the square and compass.

I found the same stuff in Waitrose on offer. Thought I’d give that coffee a whirl as my delivery of the local stuff hadn’t arrived. Very nice

Head to dogstrust, go through your situation etc with them and they will match you with a great dog. I follow a few rehoming charities and they are inundated with pups.

We rehomed a few years ago, wanting a specific breed but came back with a boxer rotty cross who was the most amazing boy and fitted our life perfectly. We only had him a few years as he was an older boy, but if you’re prepared to wait, a younger dog will come along.

I am dreading my third one then, or next two if you lump the breakdown together.

Yesterday broke down on A303, injectors knackered.

Then had to wait 10 hours to get picked up!

What could be next?!

Similar situation to OP. My little one is 18 months old, OH suffered from PTSD the last year too, so riding time has been very very limited. I got myself a gravel bike in September and love it. I’ve had to change my mentality to riding, so just seeing it as a way to get some headspace and keep that dad belly at bay. I ride at lunch a couple of times a week, mostly road but have found some nice little forestry tracks, droves and bridleways to pop down. I’d rather ride slowly and take in the countryside and enjoy being out than trying to blast everything and see it purely as a ‘training’ type ride.

I do lament lost riding at times, but I’ve done that since relocating to Devon and not having any friends down this way.

I do only see the lack of riding as temporary, as long as I can get a bimble or two in a week then I am happy. I’d much rather at the moment enjoy time with my daughter, who is the most amazing little thing ever.

Thanks all for replies. I’ve had some time to read and get over my slightly annoyed state with the car. Still though sat on the 303 after 3 hours.

It is a diesel, 1.6. Garage have said with the previous one, there are known issues with the Peugeot injectors, which they said are found in the Volvos?

I’ll fix I think then wait until more offers come up at a later date or until something catastrophic goes wrong!

Thanks Dunc.

I’ve looked at offers and APR is bonkers, along with cost of second hand cars which doesn’t seem to be coming down.

Just want something more reliable, but I know with any second hand car you don’t always know what youre getting in to.

Jekyl, that could be an option.

Really sad news. Seen them a few times live, they were brilliant. His voice is so iconic.

Some grated carrot in the dumplings is a good one to try.

If you do add corn flour, add a tea spoon in a cup then a dash of the stock. Make sure all mixed in then add to the stew.

How about a migrateful gift voucher for some cooking classes?
They work with migrants and refugees to help integrate them but also to share their own culture through cooking classes. My brother in law and his wife did one last year as we got them some vouchers. They loved it! Cooked a huge Jamaican feas and went home with all the recipes.

Migrateful Gift Vouchers

Oooh, I was looking at their stuff. I may have to order some bits from there then! I do like a plum porter.

From Withypool up to Dunkery then over to Horner woods. Lots of trails over there.
I cannot access my old gpx files at the moment so cannot find the exact route I have taken. But I am sure others will have more info. Last time I rode up there was just over a year ago.

You’re missing out a lovely bit of trail from Simonsbath down along the Barle, past Cow Castle.

I did it for a bit after moving down to Devon and was on the lookout for a career change. It was a culture shock to say the least and requires a complete mentality shift.

I did lots of bitty stuff but found it tough parachuting in to the odd class here and there. As HoD in my previous school I had zero behaviour issues and was called upon to deal with issue across the school. In supply….kids don’t know who you are or have that same level of respect. So was a case of getting by, trying to get as much work done as possible etc. but without causing issues.

The quality of the agency helps. I used Class People and they were bloody useless. Typical sales people trying to get their staff in to any school. I was sold as a psychology specialist, languages….so when I got to the school and explained I was a geography and hums teacher, they were a bit annoyed. I got by though.

Bonus was though despite it being a bit harder than your normal teaching (for different reasons), I had zero work to do after 3:20.

Happy to chat more aj. I know you are fairly local to me in Devon.

Love ours. I have a curried pumpkin soup on the go right now. Very quick and easy, no mess.
I usually roast a load of veg in the oven in one go and then bag it and freeze in to portions. I find the roast veg has a slightly nicer flavour to it.
In the winter we use it a few times a week.
We have one with the saute function, so can do some garlic and onion before hand. Very handy to have.

We run CMI courses and I’ve also completed a CMI coaching and mentoring course L5. I didn’t do a leadership one as I’ve already got an MA in leadership and management.

The C&M course was online and over a series of days. Employer was good enough to let me have those days off pai., I paid for the course though. I did this with Education Training and Skills in Exeter. They were excellent.

As others have said, the assessment can make it a little repetitive and a pita. As you have to hit key assessment criteria. However the course tutor was excellent. He was an ex Royal Marine and worked with the England football team.

I’ve found it has made my CV standout a little more and has proved useful in my current role. If you also do the CMI you have access to their resources which can be quite useful. Lots of practical tools to use in your role.

They don’t teach to lead in specific ways as that would be moronic. Chew is off the mark here. They look at theories (way more than those chew listed) and tools you can use. If you’re someone that is reflective, it will help you.

Hope that helps.

Edit; also look at whether you want to do the award, cert or diploma. Award is usually only one module.

Going to start watching this eve!

If you can read the book by Ben McIntyre SAS Rogue Heroes, that is a great read. As are all his books really.

Another vote for the Nukeproof Black lines. Great fit, comfy and lightweight. Can easily fit knee pads underneath too.
I think I got mine on a black Friday deal a couple of years ago.
Great for keeping spray off you but if caught in heavy rain they do become saturated and clingy quickly.

Massive congratulations! It is the best feeling in the world holding that newborn for the first time. I was pretty much the last person in the ward to hold her as a few issues. But…my god, worth the wait.

As a few have said. Really look after yourselves too, especially your OH. And don’t want to bring it down, but with a full on birth like you guys have had, look for signs of PND. Hopefully it won’t affect you at all.

I’ve now got to go and wake my 14 month old up next door as she is still exhausted from our daddy daughter day yesterday at a soft play centre. Finally she is sleeping through!

I’ve put house Martin boxes up a few years ago. They are regularly used.
In spring the tits use them then they fledge in time for the house Martin arrival.
The tits then use them over winter.
We do have a series of nests along the front and sides of our house and the neighbours.

My neighbour put some up and wired up some speakers to play house Martin calls to try and attract some to his. Didnt work first year but this year he did have some!

https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/conservation-and-sustainability/safeguarding-species/swiftmapper/

Fishing doesn’t have to be a solo activity. I often go by myself as I find it meditative. However I also do a few socials.
Join a local club, they have get togethers, work parties and matches etc.
Lots of supportive Facebook groups too. I am organising a trip with a newcomer to pike fly fishing to take him out on the Somerset levels.
Check out the Angling Trust for get in to fishing days and local clubs.
I am based in Devon, so happy to take anyone here out for a few hours.

We used it when we first moved in to our current house that still had the original windows and wood frames. Single glazed and slightly rotting frames. The secondary glazing did stop all the condensation occurring in the mornings. Dont think I noticed any difference in terms of heat retention.

Sorry to hear she wants to leave. I was in the same position 5 years ago, HoD etc. Was a tough one leaving but luckily the right job came up at the right time, it was a huge reduction in pay, but zero stress and left me time to do some retraining etc. A couple of jobs later and I am moving on to a great education charity with pay similar to where I was when I left teaching. Teachers, despite what is said, are actually paid pretty well compared to other occupations, so don’t expect to jump in to a role with similar pay.

Plenty of teachers leaving the profession unfortunately so making the CV standout from the others is a good idea. I decided to do my project management qual as I’d worked on lottery and arts council projects and enjoyed it, this led me to the role I am about to start.

I think the key is finding a job that isn’t perfect but gives your wife that time to explore the market, training and gives other experience. My first job out of teaching, was teaching in a museum. Was great fun, but I knew it wasn’t forever and was a stepping stone role. Start looking at things like charityjob etc. Linked in is also good for jobs, if not just to see what is out there and where her skills and interests fit.

I did think I’d miss the holidays, but turns out, I don’t need them! Workload is manageable with peaks and troughs, but nothing like the intensity of teaching.

Thanks all! Well it appears my boss’s boss is also away, so emailed them both.
Notice period is 3 months.

It’ll be going from County Council (not very secure at the moment as they have a projected deficit of 70 million by Christmas and will be making cuts)
New charity is a global education charity and are in a very good place from their reports.

Thanks all for suggestions. Ended up at Pinxto for lunch and was ace. Then wandered to the Grapes for a few drinks.

We have a very shaded area at the back of our garden, I ordered a few plug plants from these guys. I’ve made sure there is a bit of all year round interest along with a few homes for bugs and creepy crawlies in the form of broken pots and a good log pile.

Home

I cycled in to the office today. Glorious. Over Woodbury Common and down in to Exmouth.
Saw the usual commuters on their bikes.

I think Scroobius Pip had similar, from memory his traumatic event was nearly drowning. Have a look at what he has written or spoken about his stammer.
He sometimes talks about it on his podcast.

I’m away this weekend but would like to meet up another time.
Fitness isn’t great at the moment due to a lack of riding with a little one. Happy to buy a pint for the inconvenience of having me on the ride though :)

When we visited a few years back, I used Virgin holiday insurance. Just had to do an add on for ‘extreme activities’ from what I can remember. Wasn’t too much more at all.

Glad all is going well!

We listened to and still do, the parenting hell podcast with Widecombe and Beckett. Very good!

Man versus Baby was a good read by Matt Coyne.

Thanks all for your helpful and kind words.
I am quite a patient person so just been rolling with the moods and comments directed at me.
I’ve not done much myself in the last year, riding a handful of times, out on the river fishing or SUP once or twice. I always feel guilty for asking to head out.

Your county council should have an adult skills hub where they will offer GCSE courses for free. Local FE should offer the same. Don’t go to anyone who wants you to pay. All the providers will be getting funding from the ESFA to run these for zero cost to learners.

I work for my local county council running GCSE classes. Generally they are 3 hours a week up until the exam. Some may offer a fast track starting in Jan, but usually 6 hours a week.

Before joining, they’ll run an initial assessment to see the levels you’re at and to see if you’ll need any extra support.

I cannot really comment on the drugs side of things, but do keep up those chats and checking in. You may well be the only person they’ve told about it all.

I think Passenger clothing are eco friendly. Their outlet prices are pretty decent. Their flannel shirts are nice and last ages.

Agree with comments on Rapanui tees. Don’t last long, necks on the tees lose their shape after a few washes. Their hoodies however are good. I’ve had one for over 10 years and still all OK.

Carrot flapjacks https://www.riverford.co.uk/recipes/carrot-flapjack

We have the same issue. Old farm house, middle of countryside next to a farm.
We use one of these on the kitchen door way, works well.

My best mate has lived there for the past 10 years. If you want I can get hold of his email and ping across.

He has worked in the tourist industry out there for a while, but now at a brewery.