woolybanana

Probably worried Trump has rescinded their protected status and getting out while the going is good. Swallows leaving here, in large flocks, yesterday. Nerry a sight or sound of them in the air now.

You leaving France, Judith?

Given the record of, say, Betty Boothroyd, I think’ even you must agree that Bercow fell well below the standard required.

The very very high GCSE results would suggest otherwise.

Lord Falconer ... hmmm, another superannuated old furt trying to get publicity. If he is such a genius why not suggest alternatives,But he couldnt do that. Maybe they should simply have given the best grades to the worst schools, a la Corbyn!

Yes, Norman, I read that. Back to the old exam boards then for A level and grading on the curve which is how we were supposed to mark. Seems like the government acted in good faith though.

Fair point, AZ. The answer to that one is that I have no idea what happened or where the money went and to whom, which is why I didnt comment. What is clear too is that PHE was not able to order kit or delayed it substantially, just as they ruined the testing programme by insisting on using their own lab exclusively. And the scientific advice on which the govt made decisions seems to have been all over the place, hence the two week delay, with one recommending herd immunity, like Sweden and others recommending total shut down, keep old folks locked up until the end of time.

Now, my take on this algorithm: it worked too well in many ways because it has shown up huge problems in the assessment and grading of A levels. And huge problems of teacher expectations and raising of hopes through mocks and assessment. Of course teachers boosted grades and mocks. I used to at Uni because I considered that the overall system was unfair as it was racked with prejudice, amongst other things. Maybe the extra point of two I was able to give got a student through their year. Where it failed clearly is that it discriminated against underperforming schools though how and why I do not understand - surely a year or two of slightly dodgy success would encourage genuine success later. But, that some students should not get their “expected” grades is entirely normal. In one case I saw, a student expected 5 A* A levels but dropped one to a B, and was whinging. Nonsense, too many subjects is the cause. The solution of trusting the experts as in Covid and in exam algorithms seems to be nonviable, particularly when weighed against public opinion and expectations. Better to get dodgy grades or a tan in Spain than face the real world.

Let us, slowly, look at the list of sins that Bercow, the taxi driver comes up with. Hang on, Bercow, the Corbynite anti Brexit,ex speaker of the House who slurped public money up like a thirsty camel and who is sore because he did not get a peerage that he did not deserve. Reducing money spenton foreign aid: probably a very good idea as it was being handed out to all and sundry and pocketed to all and sundry, including the Indians and Chinese, corrupt governments in various parts of the world. Top slicing was rife and generous all round. And what the heck was aid money being spent on dance troops for, for eg. Tightening spending is an excellent idea.

Actually, Brit in B, I dont, but I hate the mindless anti government propaganda put forward by disappointed socialists, mainly, who have indulged in abuse and manipulation, particularly of the young, since they lost the election

How much did Labour pay out in damages this week for anti- Semitism? And how much Union bribe money did it take? Silly games, Norman!

thanks.

Regardless of the silly rant, I was wondering if anyone can answer a simple but perhaps obvious question; does the quarantine apply only to Brits returning or does it apply to all folk entering UK?

Ah, but if they only had Italian culture and cooking!?

A lovely cool day at last after overnight rain has softened the geound, so,too wet to cut lawn. But, the swallows at al do seem to be gathering, making a ton of noise, getting excited for their equivalent of crossing the Channel in a rubber boat. Damn it. And a light mist suggests that the height of summer might be over. So, a nice time to come, sorting and tidying plants, picking raspberries and pattypans and seeding for next year. Bobo, does time go quickly even when I try to slow it down. And it looks like we shant get a holiday outside France for a while, blast it. .

First the cretins accuse the Government of not locking down quickly enough, now they accuse them of overreacting. Can they ever win? However much warning they gave it was never going to be enough for every Tom, Dick and Harry to get back so as to avoid hibernation for two weeks. A significant number are of course infected. Boris is being cautious, suck it up guys.

Not sure if you are right Albf, but it does seem logical, though the government will not want it. You cant train people to be sensible!

Macron is losing popularity and is manoeuvring by screaming his head off over fishing. And sending planes and a rubber boat destroyer to the Med. to threaten Turkey. His party has had some defections; the last thing he wants is for it to break up completely. Xavier Bertrand as his election opposer?

Maybe they should set up camps at Calais so that people could quarantine there and be fed. Ah, ooops, yea, maybe not. Gardian, interesting idea re the Brexit moment. Does it go on for ever? Macron is scared of losing face as he is in trouble electorally here. Hence his stubbornness over fish.

Yes, it was announced yesterday. Should be interesting to watch what happens at the ferry and Tunnel terminals.

Woof, Lori, you go bite their ankles! Be like Nimt, double everything!

You can always check with the folk around you to see what company they used and if they were happy with the result. If the price is not within a reasonable range of other quotes, be careful. If you dont like the look of a company, dont use them.

As many French folk are staying in France this year, it seems that many areas and regions are doing very well, particularly as it is a hot summer. Packed round here, but that is the coast.

Shark fishing with my father off the long pier at Durban Harbour and seeing the whale boats coming in with their cargoes.

They are very small sheep, à la Gulliver’s Travels, and they dont have to do social distancing yet!?