News from Mr Grady
11th November 2024
Hello Everyone!
Welcome back to the second half of the Autumn Term, and with the clocks having changed, it really does feel like winter draws on.
During the half-term break, I had the good fortune to spend a few days in Brighton and Hove (one of my favourite places) taking in the sea air, catching up with friends, checking out some stand-up comedy, walking across Devil’s Dyke (in the pouring rain) and then, fascinatingly, taking part in a pub quiz that just happened to be on while we were getting a bite to eat.
The quiz was, to put it politely, not a well-organised affair, but what became apparent during the evening, as we marked the answers of the table next to us, was that the teams were made up of quite an international mix of customers.
The team next to us were clearly Dutch, and despite my natural competitiveness, it seemed only fair to try and explain the “anagrams” round so they had at least a decent chance of getting something right.
With their surprisingly good English and my wife and I’s little Dutch, we successfully explained the round was anagrams of musical instruments. But not simple instruments. Whoever heard of a Sousaphone? Once we’d successfully helped our neighbours, it turned out the team the other side of us were Swiss, and had been surfing in Newquay, due to the surf in Switzerland not being all that great, as it’s landlocked. Their grasp of the anagrams was equally good once we’d explained the concept.
What was absolutely delightful was the sharing of stories about travelling, of the best places to eat in certain towns, and the wonderful realisation that if you are travelling yourself, then when you meet other travellers, despite what may be very many differences of opinion, you already have one thing in common: A love of seeing new places, experiencing new things and meeting new people.
Travel is reputed to broaden the mind, and even in our short three-day trip to the South Coast, we had experiences we’d never had, and met people we may never have met, touching on each other’s lives in the most positive way – extending a friendly welcome, enjoying our shared humanity, and wishing each other well for our onward travels.
As the darkness draws in for the winter, that kernel of light and warmth should see us through until our next trip. I wonder who we’ll bump into next…?
Have a great week everyone,
Stay safe and well,
With all best wishes,
Mr Grady
