Hello again!
I haven’t written for a couple of days because I’ve had to move and, in doing so, had no internet connection. But it’s up and running now, which is a relief because it felt very odd indeed not being connected to the worldwide web. I really felt like I was one of Homer’s Cimmerians! So what have you all been up to? Joaquina, did you pass your exam or is it too early to tell?
I’m so glad you all appreciated the individual comments in my last blog. It took me a long time so I doubt I’ll be able to do much of that again! Today I’ve written about my weekend along with some photos so you get a feel of what I get up to. I will respond to Lukasz and to some of the other bloggers next time.
Let me tell you what’s been happening in my neck of the woods. On Saturday I spent most of the day studying hard for my test on Monday. This is despite the fact that my teacher had warned me not to study in big chunks, but to do a little bit of German each day. I know he’s right but I can’t seem to get organised! I tell my students the same thing but life just gets in the way somehow and the days just fly by. It also feels as though there aren’t enough hours in the day – does anyone else feel like that?
Anyway, on Sunday I went to the Isle of Wight (click the link on the right for the map) with a couple of friends from the German course. It was a gorgeous day: the sun was shining, the birds were singing and people were out and about with their dogs. We took the Hovercraft (see pictures below) which was a lot of fun. It only took ten minutes to skim across the water. You couldn’t see much out of the windows, though, because of all the spray but on the way back we passed very very close to a huge container ship (sorry, no photos – they didn’t come out very well) which was a bit scary because it was piled high with containers. 
Anyway, once we arrived, we were standing around discussing what we were going to do next (you can tell this trip wasn’t very well organised!) when my lovely straw hat (specially bought for the occasion) blew off and got carried away, twirling and dancing in the wind, before settling down nicely on some train tracks nearby! So we went to the station and asked if anyone could retrieve it, but we were told it was impossible because of safety issues. Nevermind!
We caught a bus and travelled south for about half an hour and got off at Shanklin where there’s a lovely esplanade and impressive cliffs. We stripped down to our bathing suits and jumped into the sea. Well, no, not really, I’m exaggerating! The water was pretty cold (remember, it was sunny and warm so the difference in temperature was quite noticeable), so we tiptoed in, gingerly making our way across the pebbles (this is the UK, remember, so no soft white sand like in Brazil!). After a while of trying to get used to the rather cool temperature of the water, we were finally brave enough to take the plunge (remember this expression?) and we spent a delicious half hour swimming and bobbing about. In fact, the real reason we had to keep moving was because the water was so cold!
After our little dip (remember this expression?), we went to a pub overlooking the esplanade and had fresh fish (and chips!). I had the plaice and my friends had the red snapper, fisherman’s pie and fishcakes. We then went for a stroll to walk things off and came across a brass band. So we sat down and listened to the music. It was quite nice but it reminded me of what Sir Thomas Beecham once said: "Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away." I think I might agree with him – it’s not my cup of tea. 
We bought some ice-creams and walked on until we arrived at the old village of Shanklin – a fabulously twee little place with more thatched cottagesthan you can throw a stick at! I fell in love with the place (I’m a bit partial to chocolate-box villages) and was secretly wondering if they had any schools in the area where I could work once I finish my studies...
After a long day of swimming and walking in the hot sun we went home, tired but happy. It had been a grand day out.
Vocabulary:
up and running This means that your appliance or electrical equipment is now working.
Homer’s Cimmerians Homer's Cimmerians were mythical people living in a land of continuous darkness.
my neck of the woods Check out the link below for a detailed explanantion: Learn it! - neck of the woods
chunks A chunk is a thick piece of something like 'a chunk of ice'. So you can imagine that I have been studying German in big amounts.
out and about It means to be outdoors and walking around.
skim To move or glide lightly over or along a surface, usually water.
spray The spray is water (or any other liquid) broken up into very small droplets and blown or falling through the air.
container ship This is a very large ship designed to transport cargo around the world.
piled high A pile: things lying one upon the other, like a pile of paper or a pile of bricks. If it's piled high, then it is a very big pile indeed!
twirling To twirl is to turn or rotate rapidly. Similar words (synoyms) are spin, revolve and whirl.
esplanade An esplanade is any open, flat space, especially for public walks or drives and usually along a beach. Look at the picture above which shows people sitting on deckchairs looking out onto the beach.
stripped down to This is when you get undressed. We had our bathing suits on underneath our clothes, so we stripped down to our bathing suits.
gingerly This is when you do something prudently, with caution or with great care. Synonym: warily.
bobbing about To bob about is to move up and down with no specific aim, usually when floating in water.
brass band A picture speaks a thousand words. Have a look at the pictures above.
my cup of tea Everyone has a different way of having their tea - some with sugar, some with milk, some with one but not the other. This expression means that everyone's taste is different, so if you don't like something (it doesn't have to be tea - it can be anything!) you can say it's not your cup of tea.
twee Something which is twee is dainty or quaint.
thatched cottages These are houses which have roofs made of straw. Look at the pictures above.
more...than you can throw a stick at This expression means that there are many, many things (such as thatched cottages). You can also shake a stick at something, which means the same. There are too many things for you to shake or throw a stick at.
partial Partial has two meanings; it can mean a part of something or (in this case) favouring something or someone over another.
chocolate-box villages This kind of village is so picturesque that it could be a pretty picture on a chocolate box. Some biscuit tins in the UK also have twee village scenes.
grand There are many different meanings of the word grand but the one I mean is splendid or great.
The Isle of Wight
Comments
Hello, this is Kim from Vietnam. I enjoyed reading your new blog. The pictures of the houses are amazing. I wouldn't know they are thatched cottages if you didn't tell. I’ve ever seen many thatched collages in my country but the roofs were in real straw’s color not in black like that. Have you been inside one of these houses? And how they look like? Cheers.
Hi Sophie! What a wonderful pictures! Just like Lukazs you´ve had a fab weekend too. In answer to your question, I feel pretty much like you Sophie. The days fly by and when I realise I´m extremely worn out and with piles of homework for doing. Anyway, that´s the way life is, isn´t it?:-) Best wishes, Ana Paula.
Because here it is morning time therefore, Good morning. I reached my office just little before. I am glad that you both posted today i mean you and lukasz. Thanks God that you come back. Your blog is very interesting, photos are though very fascinating but they made me feel that there is something missing and after searching I found it was you I couldn’t find you in any picture. I hope that the next photos we are getting you will be in there. Sorry for your cute hat that blew away with wind, it reminded me the days when I was in Manchester for my study. In my country the people are not used to of having umbrella with them in rain or when there is hot sun shine. But for Manchester we bought an umbrella as we were told that you will need it there. So that was a very first day when we ( me and my country mate) decided to take umbrella with us because of the heavy rain. We were very happy by holding umbrella though we were having difficulty to manage it as the wind was too high. Suddenly our umbrellas got turn back we are struggling to get them back in their actual position but the wind and rain were too heavy we couldn’t do it. we along with our bags got wet and we both were desperate. We left our umbrellas over their got a bus and went to university. That day and today I never tried again or even think of having umbrella. I will be very thankful if you made correction in my post if it is possible. See you next time Inshallah, have a nice time.
Hi Sophie! Who would not like to plan spending the future life on such a place? It seem to me like gingerbread cottages from the fairy tale. By the way, I would be far away from the meaning of the word gingerly by guesing it only. So, you are having exams on your course too, you should have told us in order we may wish you a good luck. I was without net connection on my stay in a hospital in April. I´ve managed to read a Sherlock Holmes story there but, as you see, I am back to enjoy reading wonderful stories writen here. I have responded both your previous blogs so we´ll see if you receiv this one. When not I am going at least to envy you and some of your readers who are lucky having an occasion to live by the sea and describe it fantastically. Warm greetings!
Hello Sophie :) The chocolate-box village of Shanklin is exceptionally fabulous. It looks more like a place from a fairy tale than from a real word. It's a romantic place for people in love to walk around. I agree with Sir Thomas Beecham and you that brass bands are very well outdoors, but I definitely don't agree that they are well several miles away. I think they are best in an open space in a park surrounded by trees. And one more thing to everybody who are possibly reading these words: never but never listen to good music when you are in a hurry. All the best.
Hi, Sophie, this is the first time I read your blog. I hope that my English is not too poor for you to understand. I like to travel also. However, it is still too soon for me to talk about this >< because of money!! I hope that one day I can, like you, travel all over the world as our life is too short and I want to be no regret on my life. Your blog just like a cup of water to stop my thrist for a while with the wonderful picture you post.(??I don't know how to say that. Is that right?)By the way, will you travel to Beijing? It's the host of Olympic this time. I reckon that there will be lots of interesting things to see at that period of time. Have a nice day! ^^
Wow! The pictures are splendid! You really had a great time there Sophie. About time, I feel the same and sometimes I think that the day has less than 24 hours. Have a nice day. Best wishes, Cris
Hi, Sophie, this is the first time I read your blog. I hope that my English is not too poor for you to understand. I like to travel also. However, it is still too soon for me to talk about this >< because of money!! I hope that one day I can, like you, travel all over the world as our life is too short and I want to be no regret on my life. Your blog just like a cup of water to stop my thrist for a while with the wonderful picture you post.(??I don't know how to say that. Is that right?)By the way, will you travel to Beijing? It's the host of Olympic this time. I reckon that there will be lots of interesting things to see at that period of time. Have a nice day! ^^
Hi Sophia, I really enjoyed reading your blog, it is really intersting and attractive, I have never seen such house, let us know these house are for rent or... also after reading your blog I found something was missed? I could not find your or your freinds ( who were accompany you at this tour)pictures I wish next time we could find your pictures too. best wish Rahyab
Hi Sophie! I feel the same and I am relieved to see that even a teacher has the same problem. I know it is not advisable to study in chunks the night before the exam, but you cannot help but doing nothing. LOL Getting organized is the main rule when you go to university. Anyway, I hope your exam went well. I think the Isle of Wight is also the venue of a music event and from your pics it seems a good place!! Amicalment, Filippo
Hello Sophie, how funny the Hovercraft looks like. Does it start from the beach? It seems to be like that in the picture. I have never taken a Hovercraft, so it is completly strange for me. I agree with you, the thatched cottages looks so lovely and comfortable, a little bit like in a Fairy Tale.I enjoy to read your blog and looking forward to the next one.Have a nice time, so long...
Dear Sophie, Very interesting blogs with supporting pictures to satisfy visionary taste. Though you categorised your trip an unorganised one, it was able to give an impression of great excitement to all of us. Sometimes on the spot decision is a real excitement of any tour. As I have already informed you that I work in night shift in one of casino in Nepal, most of our (me and my family) out field trips are unexpected. It is hard to find out when customers visits in large number in our casino and I have to work extra time. Whenever and wherever we get some times in our favour, we make spot decision and try to make our decision fruitful. Certainly, your in spot decision went in right track and you are able to share your trips with us. You have written this blog after you had attained you exam but you didn’t tell what happened in that exam and even we could not get a chance to cross our fingers for you.
Hi Sophie, it‘s so great to know that there are a lot of people who procrastinate all the works untill the last minute. Today I took my History exam so I spent yesterday evening and night trying to learn all the course and asking myself why I didn‘t do it all the year:) It‘s always interesting to read your blogs.
Hi Sophie and others , What a nice weekend did you have ? Thanks for sharing it with us . I specially loved the photo of the village houses . They are so beautiful ! I think now you have charged your batteries and you had a lovely time with your classmates . It remind me , my university excursions , Although I couldn't attend all of them because of my lessons loads as I read physic in my study time . Hope to hear from you as soon as possible . Whishes
Hi Sophie!Elena from Tadjikistan. I am admired with village!!!!! It would be desirable to know than cover roofs? Really only straw?Thank you for your wonderful and cognitive site
Hi Sophie (eljameela), Sorry for the loss of your nice-looking hat.And you did all these in one day! Splendid...the pictures were very charming, but please next time send some with yours in them too, all the best, H.
Hi Sophie, What an admirable weekend and place for us! I felt in love the thatched cottage so much that I couldn't wait to go there.It is my cup of tea. The past weekend we celebrated our Dragon Boat Festival,so we had a long weekend. During the festival,we ate 'zongzi',which was glutinous rice triangle filled with various fillings and wrapped with bamboo leaves. In some place especially in the south of China there was a Dragon Boat Race to be held. Also exciting weekend,do you think so ? best regards, Jane
Hi Sophie, I just want to say hello to you. You really had a ball on Sunday!The weather in Italy hasn't been good so far. Therefore I haven't been able to go to the beach. Last summer I went to Devon and I went to a beach ( unfortunately I can't remember its name).It was a really gorgeous place but for me the water was really too cold to swim.It's time to go for me now I really wish you good luck with your german studies hope to hear from you really soon Manu
Hi Sophie! What a splendid weekend u both had. I just wished for such weekends. The snaps you've posted are all fabulous but couldn't find you in the pics. Hope to see your pics soon with your family:). I've also noticed that euorpeans wear hats alot and always have umbrella in their hands due to bad weather which is a good thing. But thats not a cup of tea for us:). Anyways happy blogging:) Takecare and bye for now.
Hi Sophie - I hope you don't mind me jumping in! Kim and Elena you were asking about thatched cottages: if you look at the staff blog for 22 April (the link is on the right) you can find out some more about thatching!
Hi Sophie, I am really happy reading your blogs.
Hallo Sophie, today I decide brush up on my english, which was deep bury. So I hope, you can understand me. For two weeks I sit an exam in medicine. In the time of learning, the hours melt away. But now, I think it's time to do something else. Like reading your interesting blog. ^^ and see your really god pictures. Have a nice day!
Hi, Sophie I am really glade to talk with you again after I have missed to read some blogs in a couple of days. I already know that you are such kind teacher that everybody love to talk with you and exchang some opinions for each other. I have still get in touch with this blog for some years. I have a strong passion to improve English similar all of friends here. That's why I love to talk to you more.Let's me tell you about how the times fly for my thought. I suppose that at this day and age the time flow very quickly even though the earth still move around the sun. Every day I think I quite focus on how utilize my time like you. Most of people need to do lot of thing in one day. Somebody can manage time but somebody don't. It's depending on the way you organize your time. As for me I normally do many things in one day. For example, I usually need to practice english every day. At the begining it's hard to manage time but I have tried to use it even with sister- She may be bad feedback.Finally, I can do it. That's mean I creat time table and follow it even in unusual places. In spite of this habits, I will give some reward for myself like many chocolate bars. The another thing is changing the plan if it doesn't matter so that another plan will save time and money. So, that's all for me today. I will catch a nap now. ZZZZ Bye. Wisarut.
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