This was passed on as a helpful tip from older teachers when I first started teaching. In France there are termly meetings of all the teachers of each class. These can sometimes go on until 8.00 pm (or even later) and was before most people had microwaves and "ready meals." One day I said something about the fact that I could never be bothered to cook when I got home really late and they told me to put pasta in boiling water and leave it and it would be cooked when I got home. Then all you have to do is to heat it up in a sauce. It does work but I'm not sure what the minimum cooking time with this method is (it might, in fact, be more like ten or twelve hours since French schools start at 8.00 am and I used to do it before I left in the morning)

I want to play my flute.

Oh dear, why can't you?

Just seen your answer in an above post.

I listened to a programme broadcast earlier today, on tape-recordings that Ernie Wise had amassed of many of Morcambe & Wise's performances on TV and Radio.

I was struck by how comforting it always is when hearing their work, borne in the experience of having grown up with them, mainly on TV, in the 70s.

Eric Morecambe has merely to utter one syllable and I find I have a smile, if not a laugh; and it's on radio, so I can't even see him! This is a common experience for pretty much everyone who ever saw one of their programmes. Eric was so universally loved (and Ernie's contribution rarely acknowledged to the same degree).

I'm not sure that any comedian will ever again be held in such longstanding affection.

New Edam crisps.

Any better if eaten in conjunction with Marmite-flavour crisps?

Nope...

They're part of this new World Cup themed crisp series. Including kangaroo flavour...

Do they come with salt in a little pouch?

like that one...now, if only I could think of a witty riposte...

If you have a calendar, you can time me...

Anyone would think you are getting jumpy Barry.

That would take energy. And I woke at 5am this morning

Lightweight. Some of us were still awake when you got up, and have been at work and have done stuff in the evening.

I'm tired now though and my body clock seems to be a bit confused.

Lightweight. Some of us were still awake when you got up, and have been at work and have done stuff in the evening.

Where's Bow?? And more importantly, do I want to play there???

Bow's in East London. Famous for the 'Bow Bells' : where anyone who's born within the sound of them is regarded as a true Cockney.

I think it's quite a characterful area, and it's on the up, with the Olympics coming not so far away, in Stratford (a short bus ride away).

Ah thanks, my Geography is shocking Might have to go up then and try some jellied eels and stuff

Oh yes, do! And some pie and mash with liquor

It's not all that far from b-c land

Hmm I've heard of the pie and mash with liquor, not sure about that one

It'll be next year if we do, I'll let you know

Where's Bow?? And more importantly, do I want to play there???

Bow is in my violin case. I wouldn't recommend playing there though because the case is quite small.

Bow is in my violin case. I wouldn't recommend playing there though because the case is quite small.

Bow is in my violin case. I wouldn't recommend playing there though because the case is quite small.

Oh goodness... a girl in my brother's class is pregnant. She's 15... I'm not being judgemental but I find it really hard to accept, because I remember her running around our garden as a toddler and... no, it's just wrong!

Why don't they find a hobby or something?!

A friend of mine's daughter is in the same situation at 16, I can't get my head around it because she's very bright - I thought she'd be a bit more sensible.

Unfortunately, such things are not 100% infallible and even the brightest doing their best can be caught by the inefficiencies of contraception. (The baby was adopted)

Having said that, a completely different girl from my school had 4 children by the time we were 20. 3 pregnancies (one set of twins in there, you see), and 3 different fathers.

Ah yes, proportional representation is a hot topic at the moment isn't it?

Hodgeheg!

Aww! Reminds me of a goose I saw the other day circling an apple, really unsure of what to do with it.

The York playday thread is making me hungry.

Oh, it had the same effect on you too...

I think I'm going to have to investigate whether Tescos have any of the hot pre-cooked chicken pieces. Although it's not quite the same...

why have i spent a week learning the wrong piece???????

isnt it just, i now have to try and learn it in two days for my lesson GGGGrrrrrrr lol