@thane16 urgh. I hate those criteria sheets. They scare me and I have an hons degree in English. No wonder kids are suffering increasing rates of depression these days. The education system seems intent on intimidating them rather than encouraging them. Re’ essays. Our second son, (R.2) did really well because he worked out the formula. The…[Read more]

@thane16 Interesting words. There seem to be more and more right wing nutters gaining traction in our system though they maybe did not do as well as I feared. The problem, and it is one with democracy in general, is that so many people have no clue as to whom they are voting for or why. They are now totally alienated from politics. There is so…[Read more]

@thane16 and @blenkinsopthebrave

Indeed. Afraid I am loosing faith in compulsory voting too. A vote becomes worthless if the voter is ill informed and has no clue who they are voting for or why. Sorry always feel bitter after elections, and feel for the younger generation who are having their futures stomped on by the clowns that run this country…[Read more]

@thane16 Today it was for Bob Hawke though I was at uni when he brought in HECS and felt utterly betrayed. Tomorrow I should be wearing it for Australia in general and for the future of my children.The first election I voted in was 1983. I was travelling and went into the embassy in Dublin to vote. (not a service available at embassies any more).…[Read more]

I guess it depends on what time span “modern Australia” actually covers. I am just heading off to the polling booths but will have plenty of time to think so may be able to list some when I get back, in four hours time. Will be wearing a black arm band.

Cheers

Janette

Saw this in the Guardian Today. Looks amusing enough. Maybe one day the boys will get the Occulus Rift, (they have been hinting every Christmas now for a few years) and can try it.

Cheers

Janette

@Craig. That is about the most worthwhile thing it is possible to do. Well done. I imagine that it is also emotionally taxing for you too so take care of yourself.

Talking is so important. I have always stressed the importance of talking about issues to my boys, whether to us, (parents), friends or just sympathetic strangers. Talking enables us…[Read more]

@mudlark  Well said. Indeed it was necessary to re watch Moffat’s episodes just to really unpick the dense narrative, to get the underlying things. There were good messages in many of Chibnell’s story but they were so obvious. There was no subtlety, nothing that kept the viewer thinking for days after. Chibnell’s writing lacks a sense of magic…[Read more]

@craig I agree with those comments. He certainly did not stand out as a script writer and I suspect some of the more memorable moments in those scripts were added by Moffat, the light humour for instance.

I also have not watched Broadchurch, crime fiction isn’t “my thing”, and only saw a few episodes of Torchwood. I liked the set up of the later…[Read more]

@bluesqueakpip A split second I think. Unfortunately the creaky structure of this story is too evident, especially on repeated viewings. I always get the impression that they had a script for a four part story and then realised that they needed a six part script so did a quick patch job on it. (which is essentially what happened) I think it…[Read more]

@winston I do wish you could send some of the rain down here. Last night we washed the car windows and laughed because the car is now so dusty that the clean windows looked like gaping holes in the dirt. We might have to stop relying on the rain to wash the car.

@mudlark and @thane16  I love violets. They do tend to come up in unexpected places…[Read more]

@thane16  I feel for you. Being subjected to “talking heads” TV in reception rooms is torturous enough without the added horror of the upcoming election. We have been known to turn of screens when nobody else is looking, (Right now I am deploying a “head in the sand” tactic to the upcoming election. There are so many right wing horrors emerging…[Read more]

@thane16 I have grown Vincas, a long time ago. they did not flourish. The only plant that does flourish here, other than Bougainvillea, which other members of the family consider to be a weed, is Rosemary. My Rosemary supplies the culinary needs of the street however even my poor Rosemary shrubs are looking dry and sad at the moment.

I share your…[Read more]

@mudlark I had never heard of a Coypus before so looked them up. They remind me of an Australian native the Poteroo, a Kangaroo-rat only the later are far cuter. They had one in the petting area of the Zoo and the R.2, when he was young and cute himself, bonded to it. I suspect they would make good pets.

Your post reminds me of spring in Sweden.…[Read more]

I watched the episode this morning in anticipation. Andred is easily convinced by the Doctor turning from would be assassin to ally in the “bat of an eye”. the Doctor really lays on the eccentricity in this episode. As noted before T.B. is in his element in this story, really enjoying himself which does detract a little from the impact of the…[Read more]

@rggoodie You are looking for An Adventure in Time and Space, a dramatisation of the beginning of Dr Who. I indeed love that scene you are describing.

cheers

Janette

@bluesqueakpip Another excellent overview. Finally got time to watch the episode. Things are speeding up a little. The Doctor in his element, or should I say, Tom Baker is in his element, being the eccentric, enigmatic hero who is at least three jumps ahead of everyone else. He can switch from clown to evil dictator in the flick of an eyelid. I…[Read more]

@bluesqueakpip It may be that there was more (and certainly in some areas less) gender equality in Australia. Most of the female teachers I had were married but they were also mostly young, ie, post “Gough Whitlam” generation. Australia had a seismic shift in the 70s that catapulted us into the future and from which we have been regressing ever…[Read more]

@bluesqueakpip Wow. I not sure what is left to say after that detailed breakdown. I think you have nailed it.

I watched this episode straight after watching Hell Bent. I have been doing a Gallifrey based re-watch in the past week so this was very timely. Gallifrey is recognisable but very different. Love the blow up plastic seats, but they are a…[Read more]

And I will watch on Monday morning while on the exercise bike, just for a refresh. I have watched this episode many times but always best to re watch before discussing.

cheers

Janette