UK Trip 2011 - Boating

Hi there,

It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted, but it feels more like a few days. Things are very, very busy here. I'm teaching 25 hours of classes a week, most of which I'm designing the materials for myself (or more accurately, getting my students to design them). I'm also studying pretty hard in the evenings for my MA course, which at the moment is really enjoyable too. Then there's getting myself back into shape in the gym and on the football field, expanding my repetoire of Korean and non-Korean meals and writing on my new blog. Oh yes, and I'm trying to keep up some of my Korean studies too. All this means that I'm becoming a little more creative with using my time. I walk to school listening to Korean podcasts, read linguistics articles on the subway, and get stared at using my laptop on the bumpy local bus journeys to my satelite schools. It's all good fun at the moment, and the harder I seem to be working the more energy I have. This may mean that after a few months I'm a burnt out wreck, but I guess we'll see. I do know that if I can make it to the summer things will be a lot easier as I'll trim a few classes from my schedule, which will make a world of difference.

Anyway, all this working has meant I haven't done much interesting stuff to write about since I got back. I do still have one set of photos to add from my UK trip though. When people ask me what I did on my trip home, I find it a little difficult to answer. The truth is I spent a great deal of time in the pub. Not that this was a bad thing, but it doesn't make for great holiday related conversation, particularly with my students. The one really notable thing that I did on my trip back was a boat trip around the canals and rivers of London on Laura's boat. This was an awesome chance to see a side of London not many people really know about. A chance to meet the lesbians, near vagrants and eccentric poshos who live on London's waterways (I'm not sure which category Laura falls into here), operate endless locks and desperately try to dislodge a sofa cushion which became entangled in the propeller. This really was a great couple of days, and has enchanted the elementary school classes I told about it. Thanks very much Laura!

The skipper

And her vessel, Summer Breeze.

Lock #1 of 475.

Going down.

Towpath wildlife.

The something cut. It's so long ago now I can't remember the name, but it leads to the River Lea.

Emily, Pie & Wine.

The Olympic Stadium

Emily, Laura and Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf again.

The ship's cat, who is actually a very proficient swimmer now.

Bedroom/dining room.

The "lobby".

The prow.

"Look Mum! I'm driving the boat!"

Islington tunnel entrance.

Inside.

Emergence.

Daylight!

That's it for now. Will try to find time to post more soon.

A