http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk Andrew Jeffrey - Blog en-uk Copyright 2012 Andrew Jeffrey. All Rights Reserved. Sun, 5 February 2012 10:00:00 GMT stuartharley.co.uk rss@stuartharley.co.uk rss@stuartharley.co.uk http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=280 I cant claim this as my own work. Well, I can, but Id be lying. It arrived in my inbox this evening and I thought it was worth sharing... It is a slow day in a little Greek Village . The rain is beating down and the streets are deserted. Times are tou... Sat, 4 February 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831181 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=279 1 Military Wives Choir Having come from a forces family, I was very moved when I first heard this song, and was keen to support the campaign to make it number one at Christmas. These days it isnt just a case of telling your friends of course, or even a... Fri, 3 February 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831182 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=278 Last night I had dinner with two great friends who had a lot in common. Both have taught me so much over the years without even realising it, and I have been priveleged to know and work with them. Both are immensely wise. Both have been maths teachers. ... Thu, 2 February 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831183 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=277 Why so long without a blog Lots of reasons travel, for one, having been to 6 countries in the past three weeks, and even more since my last posting. This sounds a bit hey, look at me but the reality is that it wasnt as much fun as it could have been... Wed, 1 February 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831184 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=276 Its not every day that you can cross two items off your bucket list. Today was a special day for that reason. Cycle up Ditchling Beacon without stopping and do the London to Brighton cycle ride Why not... The story starts about 9 days ago when our neigh... Tue, 31 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831185 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=275 I find myself with ann hour or so to kill in Hull. Not knowing the area at all, and with heavy luggage, I realise I have a few questions Is there a leftluggage facility nearby Where do I catch a bus to my hotel What should I see and do in Hull for an... Mon, 30 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831186 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=274 Amidst the gloom, some famtastic news hello, good evening, and welcome to Hannah Froggatt, born this week to a couple who will very soon become the best parents in Durham, Stephen and Kathleen. God bless you sweetheart welcome to the world. Trust me, ... Sun, 29 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831187 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=273 The best laid plans... 3 days into the start of the marathon training a water polo accident put paid to my left foot for a week. Stomach cramping put paid to another day, and sweat rash took care of yet another day. All in all, just 5 runs in 2 weeks wa... Sat, 28 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831188 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=272 Greetings from Menorca! Today the serious training for the 2012 Brighton Marathon begins... 7.5 miles this morning after carrying out the nowlegendary puttingthetowelsdownat 6am beforethegermansgetthebestsunbeds routine. I am planning to ... Fri, 27 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831189 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=271 This morning CMJ went out for prebirthday coffee with a girlfriend, meaning that W and I had a few hours in Lewes to entertain ourselves. I needed a new pair of shorts, and Lewes is supposed to be full of good charity shops. However, being a middleaged ... Thu, 26 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831190 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=270 As much as I like to live in peace with all men, I am sick of 3 Mobile. Dont be taken in by their headline prices they are totally useless at solving my problems. I have been stuck in an extended contract with them for ages now, and have now been with... Wed, 25 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831191 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=269 I never thought I would be happy to hear that a man had died. But like millions of others, I am. I guess we all have our limits. Curiously I dont feel like celebrating, though the news from Pakistan will obviously be a massive relief to many. So what wi... Tue, 24 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831192 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=268 Heres to William and Kate I hope you have a fantastic day on Friday I mention this as I know that they both read this blog avidly. Or not. We are going to do BBQ hot dogs for anyone who walks by, just for the sake of it. Have fun whatever you are ... Mon, 23 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831193 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=267 Sorry, got a bit carried away with the seagulls and forgot to talk about the Marathon. Great day again, very very hot, but managed to get round despite not having had such a smooth training regime this year. Stopped 3 times for a quick leg massage, and en... Sun, 22 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831194 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=266 CONGRATULATIONS to Brighton and Hove Albion, who secured automatic promotion to the Championship last night with a 43 win over Dagenham and Redbridge. What a brilliant piece of news for the city, after the stunning success of the second Brighton Marathon... Sat, 21 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831195 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=265 I am in the hairdressers this afternoon getting my hair cut any weight loss before the big race tomorrow is welcome and as she cuts I notice that the grey hair beneath the surface is revealing itself a little too forcefully. And then I notice that SILV... Fri, 20 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831196 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=264 When tempted to wallow in selfpity, dig deep. Sometimes there is no other option. Trouble is, we all know its far easier to say it than to do it. So how to say it without sounding like a platitude theres the challenge. Sorting out what matters and... Thu, 19 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831197 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=263 In the past two weeks I have 1. Turned up at a hotel in Northumberland at 1415 and been told that I had to just wait as official checkin wasnt until 1500, only to later discover that hardly anyone was staying at the hotel. 2 Dropped and broken my lap... Wed, 18 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831198 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=262 Serious stuff last week, this week its East Sussex Maths Fortnight, and we have got loads of kids coming to various schools to do a range of activities based on the good old East Sussex Sport of smuggling. Good chance to dress up of course... Tue, 17 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831199 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=261 No its not a football score... Gutted! So after days of preparation, a day of travelling by car, plane, train and foot, and a very expensive taxi ride to the American School about 18 for a 10 minute journey, the workshop is all set up, Powerpoint worki... Mon, 16 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831200 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=260 Arrived! What do you know Its neither French nor German speaking here its Italianspeaking. Oh well. Travel is supposed to broaden the mind after all. And the waistline, if the breakfast here is typical. No iron or kettle in my room which seems a bit... Sun, 15 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831201 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=259 Busy few weeks. Having only been back from the South East Asia Maths Conference SEAMC 2011 for just over a week, and having fitted in a lovely trip to the Northumberland Primary Maths conference on Tuesday, I am now in Milan en route to Switzerland to gi... Sat, 14 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831202 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=258 1. Its proper name is Brunei Darussalam. 2. Its banknotes are designed to survive washing machines, and contain seethrough plastic 3. The Sultan of Brunei, a benevolent dictator, is so rich that the people pay no taxes 4. Criticising the Sultan or Islam... Fri, 13 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831203 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=257 They say you are never too old to learn something new. Only this week, for example, I learnt that if I am ever standing in an airport on a hard surface, and am given the choice between trying to bounce either a rubber ball or the laptop with my newly prep... Thu, 12 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831204 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=255 This evening I am in the Village Hotel in Newcastle, so named I assume because it is the size of a small village. But with extra Geordies. Anyway, they gave me a voucher to spend on meals this evening for up to 18. It is a useitorloseit kind of deal ... Wed, 11 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831205 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=254 Staying in Enfield this evening at a hotel I have stayed in previously. At the time of booking I asked whether I could have a double room with single occupancy as I sleep better in a double bed unless I am sharing it with my small nocturnal offpsring but... Tue, 10 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831206 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=253 We have just been to a friends 40th birthday, and the theme was retro fancy dress. Some years ago, preceisely in case this ever happened, I purchased a yellow leather jacket which I had seen a photo of Freddie Mercury wearing, from a charity shop in Brig... Mon, 9 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831207 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=252 Apparently if I cut and paste this then a magic twitter badge will appear. Cool.... Sun, 8 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831208 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=251 Ah, the joys of teething. How could I have forgotten how much fun this wasnt But like all parents, I guess I have fallen into the trap of thinking that its worse for us that for the babe. I have an image of the old cartoon device of an angel and a dev... Sat, 7 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831209 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=250 Well done Gus Poyet and the Albion for seeing off Pompey in the FA cup this afternoon. Bring on Manchester United assuming they beat Liverpool tomorrow and they happen to get that particular tie in the draw for the next round neither is that likely of ... Fri, 6 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831210 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=249 Our youngest was 6 months old this week. To mark the occasion, each evening at 2 minutes to 11, he has been waking up like clockwork. I take this as a clear sign that he wants to come downstairs, and watch England finish off the Australians in fine style... Thu, 5 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831211 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=248 So here it is. A very happy and healthy New Year to you all. I hope that 2011 brings you everything you need for me it is the start of the shedding hopefully of at least a stone to get ready for the marathon. That means no alcohol for the next 16 week... Wed, 4 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831212 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=247 Why is it that Christmas brings out the very best and the very worst in people Me, for instance. Anyone who knows me knows how much my happiness depends on the happiness and love of my wife, the beautiful Current Mrs Jeffrey. Yet from nothing we had an... Tue, 3 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831213 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=246 WARNING GRUMPY OLD MAN ALERT....DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU ARE THE SORT OF PERSON WHO FINDS YOURSELF NODDING AT LEADER ARTICLES IN THE DAILY MAIL... I have two examples of progress. The first is from my broadbandTVphone supplier, whom I refuse to name ... Mon, 2 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831214 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=245 ...could lock their car keys in the boot. But it takes a special sort of genius to do so when they are a 50 miles away from home b wearing only the thinnest shirt they own on the coldest day of November so far c supposed to be getting back to Brighton... Sun, 1 January 2012 10:00:00 GMT 211831215 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=242 Honestly, youd think I had more important things to worry about than a few games of cricket thousands of miles away. Well to be honest I have an absurdly busy diary, an impossibletofiteverythingin weekend, an ailing current account this close to Ch... Sat, 31 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831216 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=241 This morning I am in a meeting with a deputy head. The door to the office is open and next door a class of relative beginners are learning the violin. The sort of noise that you can probably imagine was emanating from the budding musicians was in fact ver... Fri, 30 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831217 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=240 Its easy to get out of the habit but at least I do get round to tweeting every now and then. You can find me at AJMagcMessage if you are interested. Or even if you arent come to think of it. Here I am sitting in a nice lounge at Edinburgh Airport w... Thu, 29 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831218 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=239 Born on 4th November 2010 at 0939. Weighing in in the pink corner at 6lb 14 oz. Mum Dad and Freddie all well welcome to the world, sir may God bless you.... Wed, 28 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831219 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=238 This is the octopus that during the 2010 World Cup correctly predicted the outcome of several football matches, by putting a ball in one of two boxes in his tank. Quite amusing for the mathematicians for example, one in every 128 octopuses in the world w... Tue, 27 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831220 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=237 An Irish Pub. Guinness. Good Company. A pack of cards. Guinness. Live Irish music. Guinness. Whats Wrong With This Picture Nothing. ... Mon, 26 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831221 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=236 010010000110000101110000011100000111100100100000 010000100110100101101110011000010111001001111001 001000000100010001100001011110010010000001100101 011101100110010101110010011110010110111101101110 0110010100100001 For a translation, visit httpbinaryday.... Sun, 25 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831222 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=235 Hes too modest to admit the fact, of course. To prove it, Stu has now put my latest video on the media page click the media tab above to see the 7 x table in a different light!... Sat, 24 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831223 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=234 ...I was a big enough twit, I now find myself Twitter. or is that twittier Anyway I can be followed putting it in quotes makes me sound like a grumpy old technophobe when in fact I am a cheerful old technophobe at or AJMagicMessage. Tada...... Fri, 23 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831224 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=233 We finally gave in and put the heating on tonight. And I wore my winter coat out today for the first time. Bad news for those of us who suffer from SAD. Still, you know me there must always be a bright side if not a particularly bright outside. ... Thu, 22 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831225 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=232 If this works we must thank CMJ! Ooh it does! Well done hon!... Wed, 21 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831226 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=231 I thought I had a contender with my previous attempt using nothing but a mobile phone scroll down the page but it pales compared to this one, for which I even upgraded to an aeroplane. On Sunday morning I was told by BA that I would not be flying back f... Tue, 20 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831227 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=230 I was thinking today about writing a blog along the lines of near yet far. I am in Stirling preparing to address the MA Maths Conference, and it is just down the road from Dunblane. I went out for a run to shake off the journey 1 taxi, 2 trains, 1 fl... Mon, 19 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831228 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=229 So who hasnt done this This morning, in a flap about being late to drop off the kids, I cant find my phone. Nothing new there, obviously. So I do the timehonoured thing and ring it always a good plan, though the signal is not very strong in our hou... Sun, 18 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831229 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=227 England are playing cricket and football today. Dont tell anyone, but I have just bet 100 that Wayne Rooney bowls a noball at the start of the second half... ...you didnt hear it from me, mind....... Sat, 17 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831230 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=226 Otherwise known as Things You Couldnt Make Up 34... We are returning from holiday. Arriving at Gatwick we collect our luggage and after moaning about the oil that has been deposited on the beigeoloured pram, we proceed through customs always scary ... Fri, 16 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831231 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=225 So it starts today. I am feeling grumpy about having put on almost a stone since April. I realise that this is due to a lack of exercise, motivation having dropped after the Brighton Marathon. And an increase in hops and grape intake. But once CMJ inform... Thu, 15 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831232 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=224 This is quite a common question, and with our Menorcan holiday coming up I was giving some thought to which books I would like to take away with me. Reading is one of the most pleasurable parts of my holiday as I love to catch up, and always take at leas... Wed, 14 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831233 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=223 Now heres one you just couldnt make up. I have dropped my son off at Beavers and nipped to my office to await the end. As I enter a big grumpy seagull screams at me from the roof and if not actually frightened, I am at the very least nervous in an Alfre... Tue, 13 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831234 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=222 So yesterday afternoon I came back from the hospital feeling invincible. All new fathers will understand that euphoric feeling I felt I could run for hours and hours actually I tried today and realised how wrong I was I went far too fast and burnt ou... Mon, 12 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831235 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=221 Was born this morning at 1014. He weighs 7 lb 11 oz. He is gorgeous. So is his mother. He looks good. So does his mother. Here he is... Sun, 11 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831236 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=220 ...I shall be a dad again, God willing. It feels so odd actually knowing when he is coming I have a huge list of people I have promised to ring I know I will miss someone out. So I apologise to you all in advance. Forgive me if I allow myself a very... Sat, 10 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831237 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=219 I was busy yesterday so I recorded the England v Germany match. I have managed to avoid all radio and TV today somehow so as not to spoil my enjoyment of what is bound to be a classic match. Cant wait to get home this evening and watch us thrash the Germ... Fri, 9 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831238 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=218 I was in Bristol today and yesterday, and passing through I was somewhat surprised to see loads of students in shorts, tshirts and trendy wellies, and carrying equall trendy if suspiciously lightweight tents. Given that it was a sweltering hot day I took... Thu, 8 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831239 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=217 Last night I had a terrible dream. I dreamt that England drew 00 with, of all people, Algeria!!! As if that would happen. Honestly, what sort of twisted mind plays that sort of trick on its owner And it got worse I dreamt that Jamie Carragher was b... Wed, 7 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831240 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=216 Every man to do his duty or maybe to get injured, sent off, or miss a penalty. Good luck lads! A win will steady the nerves and swing the fickle nation back behind you again. I am off to try to find a vuvuzela...... Tue, 6 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831241 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=215 Well done Fifa for taking the decision NOT to ban them from World Cup games after all. Yes, they are a bit of a pain for commentators and do drone on a bit but so do some commentators , yet as many have rightly pointed out, they are so much a part of th... Mon, 5 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831242 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=214 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! Thank you. More deep insight into Englands chances will follow over the coming weeks.... Sun, 4 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831243 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=213 Pass the gravy, someone, I need to wash down some humble pie. Yesterday morning I was in the bath, mentally putting the finishing touches to my sermon planned for 11am the same day. I have it mostly planned out in my head, and in skeleton format on my la... Sat, 3 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831244 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=212 And her name is Poppy Florence, born via the sunroof this morning at 0330 at a hefty 8 pounds 10. Mum and babe both doing well. A little sister for Isobel who also has talent and is very gorgeous! Congrats to Mummy and Daddy and lots of love from Uncle ... Fri, 2 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831245 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=211 Like most people who have been hard up at some point, I have in the past been a waiter. So has my brother, but then he used to be an actor, so I guess thats a given. And now we are both waiters again. We are waiting for his better half to give birth. The... Thu, 1 December 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831246 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=210 I often think as I travel around about what theatreland calls the backstory, or what has happened to lead us to a particular point. This morning I had several such thoughts. Visiting a secondary school in Leicester to do some maths shows, I went out ru... Wed, 30 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831247 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=209 England are champions of the world! I am stuck in Leicester no offence, Leicester, I am just sad to be away from home but have just watched England BEAT Australia in the final of crickets 2020 world cup. Funny how that happens, I guess. but although ... Tue, 29 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831248 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=208 So we have a new PM. Time will tell how it works out well, I hope. I was most struck today and quite humbled by the outgoing PMs comment that said that he was leaving the secondmost important job in order to continue with the most important being a ... Mon, 28 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831249 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=207 From the M40. On a Friday afternoon. Yippee. Currently recaffeinating at Beaconsfield services free wifi! Finished coffee now. Im just going outside. I may be some time.... Sun, 27 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831250 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=206 With their 21 win over Bristol Rovers today, Brighton and Hove Albion secure their place mathematically in League One next season. Now for the big promotion push, so we can start in the new stadium playing in the Championship in the 201112 season. I a... Sat, 26 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831251 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=205 ...by his mistakes, but by his response to those mistakes. This has been a mixed day. Overslept due to snoring not mine!, followed by a really good meeting in Eastbourne as part of the East Sussex County Council Primary maths consultants team, which in ... Fri, 25 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831252 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=204 Marathon 2010. Job done. 4 hours and 19 minutes and well within my target time. But afterwards it was the strangest feeling. I wasnt sure how I would feel after all the buildup, the training, the excitement, the huge amount of encouragement and the race... Thu, 24 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831253 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=203 A year in preparation some people take less time to plan their wedding for goodness sake. A lifetimes dream. A day away. A very nervous person. Thinking about packing now. Gels. Check. Shoes. Check. Microchip. Check. GPS. Check. Bum bag packed... Wed, 23 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831254 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=202 What is it about me going or trying to go to Manchester On 5th January this year I got to Gatwick before the snow grounded all planes and halted my progress. Last week, once I had booked train tickets to Manchester for 6th and 9th April, the rail work... Tue, 22 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831255 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=201 ..and the mind games have started in earnest. My hamstrings, left hip, right calf and various bits in between are all niggling and telling me not to run. The hard work is all but done now, but the twinges and the doubts are flowing like wine not that I ... Mon, 21 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831256 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=200 Todays the day. At Aintree, at least. It is, of course, Grand National Day 2010. A few hours to go, and the local branch of Corals is never as busy as today. And its amusing to see loads of people, who, like me, only go into a betting shop once a year... Sun, 20 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831257 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=199 It is always nice to get compliments and always less nice to get criticism. Not that that isnt blindingly obvious of course, but this week I have been at a Maths conferenceentitled BCME7 in Manchester where two things happened in this area. The first ... Sat, 19 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831258 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=198 My legs hurt. And I only have myself to blame, not that that makes things any less painful, mind you. Yesterday was the final race in my, um, race, to become a marathon runner. The Worthing 20 guess where and how many miles it is is a popular event for ... Fri, 18 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831259 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=197 One of the least understood things about travelling is that doing so on your own is fine, but only if you are doing so because you want to, and not because of work. The latter case is often my lot, and to make good use of the time rather than feeling sorr... Thu, 17 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831260 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=196 ...to say that life is a marathon not a sprint. Right now it feels a bit like both, trying to fit in training runs and a full work schedule and family time and a couple of other things which I will mention in a few weeks. With only four weeks to go unt... Wed, 16 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831261 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=195 I was really challenged today by a simple phrase. It was about a French scientist who carried out an experiment with caterpillars. He laid several in a line around a flowerpot. Their instinct is to follow each other, and they proceeded to do this for days... Tue, 15 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831262 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=194 ...with sixty seconds worth of distance run... ...then you clearly have no grasp of distance running whatsoever. Sixty seconds I cant even tie my running shoes in that time. Distance running, as I am discovering, is ruddy ard, Rudyard. So thought I as... Mon, 14 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831263 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=193 I dont know why, but my blogging has tailed off over the last few months, a fact which both my readers have commented on. I have been doing some soulsearching to find out why. Heres what I have come up with, while sitting in a Starbucks somewhere in Lo... Sun, 13 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831264 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=192 Stormy Weather... Is it a song Is it a forecast No, its my memory of my first attempt at the Tonbridge Wells Half Marathon semisnickers last Sunday in what was surely some of the worst weather I have ever tried running in. Being superorganised, I ... Sat, 12 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831265 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=190 This morning I was on a train heading for a secondary school in North London. Having been fully caffeinated, I went in search of the train toilets. The big loo nearest my carriage was one of those with a curved sliding door the sort you always worry wil... Fri, 11 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831266 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=189 I ve just seen on Sky Sports so it MUST be true that the country ranked 16th in the FIFA rankings ahead of the 2010 World Cup is... ...wait for it... The Ivory Coast! So at least now we know who will knock us out on penalties, then.... Thu, 10 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831267 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=188 Some people are so thick. Like me, for instance. Staying at a hotel with a gym, so I thought Id pop in for a swim last night. I was given locker key 66, and spent a minute wandering round the changing room, as frustratingly, for some inexplicable reason... Wed, 9 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831268 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=187 As both the regular readers of this blog will be aware, I like to attempt to pigeonhole each new town or city that I visit, and try to find something unique about each. I have spent a couple of days in Sheffield this week, and as it is not my first vis... Tue, 8 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831269 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=186 Yes, okay, I know theres an obvious answer, but I came across another one last night while running from Dundee to Newport. And theres the clue... Both the above gentlemen, besides being Prime Ministers of Great Britian, were also elected by Sottish cons... Mon, 7 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831270 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=185 Tonights The Night. I cant wait. It seems an eternity ago since I took a phone call while watching Sussex play cricket, enquiring whether or not I would like to write a popular maths book as part of Duncan Bairds Mind Zone series. Whether its popul... Sun, 6 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831271 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=184 Last night, with just a twinge of sadness, I played my last ever match for Retro United, our 5aside football team, after a few very enjoyable campaigns. It has been a great adventure, with the excitement of promotion, relegation I managed to treat thos... Sat, 5 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831272 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=183 Oh no. It appears that I am becoming so shallow that I am currently only moved to put digit to keyboard on moments of sporting excitement. This time it is Englands fabulous victory over Croatia that sends us to South Africa next summer. But I dont want... Fri, 4 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831273 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=182 YEEEEEEEEEEES! Well done to Andrew Strauss and his team. Strauss was the welldeserved Man of The Series but for me the part played by Monty Panasar at Cardiff with bat, not ball! will go down as one of the key moments of the series. Yes, I admit I... Thu, 3 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831274 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=181 I bet you thought that the opposite of reducing was increasing, right Me too. But apparently were both wrong. It turns out that the opposite of reducing is in fact changing. I learnt this from the very helpful people at British Telecom who sen... Wed, 2 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831275 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=180 For much of my life I have suffered from intermittent but genuine depression. This is not a selfpitying complaint, merely an observation. It hit me hard and unexpectedly out of the blue during the first few days of this week. It may be the sudden stop... Tue, 1 November 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831276 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=179 I had the great honour of doing this job for a fourth and hopefully final! time this weekend. My good friend Stephen Froggatt, known to many as the author of the CE Revision Guide amongst other things, married the lovely Kathleen at St Giles Church, Nor... Mon, 31 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831277 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=178 I once wrote a blog called The Best 50p I ever Spent. This one could could easily be called The Best 10 I ever spent. I dont have Sky Sports. Consequently I dont have TV coverage of the Current test series. This is bad. Solution Drive to Cardiff ... Sun, 30 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831278 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=177 Here are the pool balls for Junes newsletter competition ... Sat, 29 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831279 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=176 I guess like many people I am shocked this evening. I suppose I am part of the generation that has grown up with Jacko from his days in the Jackson Five to his days as a rather lonely individual, via his glory days as a global megastar, a dance supremo,... Fri, 28 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831280 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=175 It occurs to me that a test of genuine friendship is that how ever long it is since you have last met, you can pick up your friendship as if you had only met spoken yesterday. I was reminded of this yesterday when I went to see an old friend and former co... Thu, 27 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831281 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=174 ...but I actually got shot at today. There, Ive said it. I have been thinking how infrequently I have been blogging over the past few weeks, for a variety of reasons, but I wasnt expecting to get shocked into writing by something like this. I have wri... Wed, 26 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831282 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=173 I phoned my local Supermarket to complain today. More tomorrow! Sorry long delay due to workload. So I fancied watching Man Utd v Liverpool with a can of beer, pringles and some dips classy, I know but as the first Mrs J is dieting I decided to bu... Tue, 25 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831283 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=172 This will be one of my most controversial blogs to date, but I am very concerned. Bob Quick is the antiterrorist expert who was photographed going to Downing Street, holding a document that revealed some details of an intended police operation to prevent... Mon, 24 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831284 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=171 The regular followers of this blog will both be aware that I am shortly to appear as Jesus in Godspell at our local church. As has been the case for many luvvies over the years, both amateur and professional I fall rather heavily into the first catgegor... Sun, 23 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831285 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=170 I hear these are under threat but they seem quite good at reinventing themselves. I was recently doing magic maths shows in Lancashire the town of Tottington to be precise, of Wallace and Gromit Wererabbit fame!. Having an extra long lunchtime, I dec... Sat, 22 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831286 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=169 ...rarely afford themselves the luxury of certainty, I believe. If only I had know this as a teenager!... Fri, 21 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831287 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=168 Today I stopped at Keele Services on the way to Bury. The first worrying thing is that for dinner I had Kentucky Fried Chicken for what must be the first time in over 10 years. The second, and far more worrying thing, is that I really really loved it! ... Thu, 20 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831288 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=167 Here are the two photos for this months newsletter ... Wed, 19 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831289 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=166 This was the friendly greeting as I arrived tired but relieved at my hotel last night at around 11pm. I was too tired to give the answer that was starting to form in my head so I just smiled and said yes, and that I was very glad to have arrived. Can I ... Tue, 18 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831290 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=165 On Wednesday I was bitten by something so small and vicious that I have been feeling unwell ever since. Today I finally gave in and went to the AE department. They have a sign on the wall saying somthing to the effect that Patients wil be seen in the or... Mon, 17 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831291 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=164 This week has been mad two allday maths training days in Bath and London, two schools Bath and Dover and trips to the opticians and printers, while fitting in a meeting of the Brighton and Hove Parents Forum. Add to this the fact that on Wednesday I g... Sun, 16 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831292 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=163 ...of the quarter finalists in the Champions League are English. How fab is that Are there any stattos out there who can tell me whether this is a unique achievement I havent read the papers yet this morning, so some hack may well have dug up something... Sat, 15 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831293 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=162 It is perhaps too trite to postulate that even as adults we are all still learners, but today I felt this truth particularly keenly. I needed to do some research while working in and around Bath for a couple of days, so I emailed ahead to Bath University... Fri, 14 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831294 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=161 You are only alive as long as you are alive to new possibilities.... Thu, 13 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831295 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=160 Ive just returned from a trip to Holland, and managed to fit in a whistlestop two hour trip to Amsterdam. Before I went, I admit that I had always somewhat ignorantly assumed that Holland was full of polite but tall people smoking while riding bicycles, ... Wed, 12 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831296 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=159 I feel really shaken. By now you will know of the terrible aircrash at Amsterdam airport. A Turkish Airlines plane was split into 3 pieces with one person dead and several injured. Somehow, to say it could have been a lot worse, though true, feels a bit di... Tue, 11 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831297 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=158 We have spent the past few days in a stunningly beautiful place that is also, paradoxically, one of the dirtiest cities I have visited. But of all the memories and experiences, the most lingering will probably be the two evenings we spent with friends... Mon, 10 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831298 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=157 No really, it did. Honest. As we queued up to enter the old Forum Romanum, the very oldest part of the ancient city including the Senate, temples, etc. we were approached by a female member of staff who was walking the length of the queue telling people t... Sun, 9 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831299 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=156 Someone has to do it...every now and then you get an offer thats just too good to turn down. For example, if a very old friend gets in touch and asks you to come and deliver some INSET for staff and some magic maths for their pupils, it would be rude not ... Sat, 8 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831300 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=155 In case anyone wants to get hold of me over the next few days, it is worth mentioning that I am away until Monday, when I shall deal with all enquiries, orders, etc. If on the other hand you are not a client but really a burglar, I shall not be away at a... Fri, 7 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831301 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=154 Wait Before you take this as blasphemous evidence that I have finally gone nuts or turned into David Ike let me explain. Our local church are putting on a production of Godspell at Easter, and I volunteeered to help out, completely failing to attend t... Thu, 6 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831302 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=153 One way and another Ive made quite a few of these this year mostly to do with forgetfulness. And its still only February... Two things which I guess I already knew occured to me this afternoon when reflecting on this unusually high even for me numb... Wed, 5 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831303 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=152 Something amazing has just happened. After a very long but excellent day keynote lectures at a conference in Eastbourne for East Sussex Maths Leaders, who as it turns out are really wonderful and inspirational people I got home and felt a notsocurious ... Tue, 4 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831304 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=151 I learnt a lesson today. Further to my previous blog about writing off my Mondeo I obviously needed a new car. I decided that the time has finally come after 42 years, and having driven old cars for my entire adult life, to finally buy something decent. ... Mon, 3 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831305 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=150 I suspect I will struggle to make this a coherent entry, but here goes anyway. I could probably have given this blog any of the following titles Good Often Comes From Bad Too Wrong Dont make a Right Miracle on the A259 Inevitability and the Black Swan ... Sun, 2 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831306 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=149 I have just returned from a few days in Dublin, where I was invited to perform some Magic Maths at the Royal Dublin Society for the BT Young Scientist exhibition. This was my first visit to a real science fair, and until now, my mental image of such thi... Sat, 1 October 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831307 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=147 Just wondering...I never make them, prefering to set longterm goals which somehow feels less austere and a bit more positive, but this year I did decide not to consume alcohol for the month of Jan. I did welll, too it was well into the evening of 2nd Ja... Fri, 30 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831308 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=146 If today you are on the road to recovery after too much turkey and trimmings, here is a poem kindly sent to me by a teacher in Northern Ireland, who was one of the B.Ed. students I met on a visit to Belfast. It certainly helped me to focus on the true mea... Thu, 29 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831309 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=145 So the Christmas preparations are going well, the overdraft is looking awesome, and the current Mrs J rings. How was the Coop Great I got everything except Cloves, they only sell the ground stuff and I want to stick them in oranges so thats no use... Wed, 28 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831310 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=144 This one made me chuckle! For everyone feeling a bit stressed about Christmas When four of Santas elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the PreChristmas pressure. Then Mrs Claus tol... Tue, 27 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831311 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=143 It was a cold and dark night down at Brighton Marina but I had arranged to meet the family there at a fastfood restaurant while the first Mrs J. went off with girlfriends for a welldeserved evening of RRchinese... As I walked acrosss the car park, shi... Mon, 26 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831312 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=142 Today I looked out of a window in a fabulous High School in Leicester and saw Rugby being played presumably a match against a local school, given the number of spectators. I little realised the coincidence to comea little further down the M1, I checked ... Sun, 25 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831313 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=141 So Mr Sargeant has pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing, apparently concerned that There is a very real danger that I might actually win. Finally I understand what it means to be an English competitor. If the Sarge had been Australian, would he have done... Sat, 24 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831314 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=140 Depends who you ask, I guess. Stephen Hawking would say no, but millions of football fans all over the world might disagree Prior to visiting an academy in Northwest London tomorrow, I find myself spending the night at the Wembley Plaza Hotel this eveni... Fri, 23 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831315 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=139 Excuse me sir, have you ever heard of the Dead Sea So went the opening gambit of a saleswoman in County Mall Crawley, this afternoon. This struck me as the sort of question in the highly dangerous league of Which of these dresses makes my bum look bi... Thu, 22 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831316 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=138 I have noticed recently that many military commentators, when talking in the news about the areas that our fantastic armed forces are operating in, refer somewhat bizarrely to these warzones as theatres. Somehow this word seems a bit incongruous when... Wed, 21 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831317 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=137 My children never cease to amaze me. This week, the 7year old who is an avid fan of Newsround solemnly declared, Well its good that he won. We wouldnt really want the elderly in charge. The youngest aged 4 looked a bit crestfallen. I wanted Dav... Tue, 20 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831318 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=136 I received these by email this morning and had to share them. They are from Mountain Wings, an American daily email service. 1. Dear God, Please put another holiday between Christmas and Easter. There is nothing good in there now. Amanda 2. Dear God... Mon, 19 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831319 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=135 I have had to make several choices this week, but this evening I needed to choose between four appealing options Since my previous blog, I have done shows at Galway University for a range of primary and secondary kids who had been bussed in, then visited... Sun, 18 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831320 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=134 Welcome to exhaustion central. Today I have done four straight shows, had a 3hour train journey and manfully downed about four pints of guiness... Yesterday, after a pleasant walk along the banks of the Liffey, I boarded a train that took me across Irela... Sat, 17 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831321 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=133 Street Maths! Today was one of the most exciting and exhausting days of maths I have ever done. This was part of Maths Week Ireland, together with Steve Humble a.k.a.Dr. Maths and Dr. Fernando Blasco from Madrid blimey, Im the only one without ... Fri, 16 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831322 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=132 Here is the back of my new car Actually its not, its simply a fake photo that arrived in my inbox from a company offering to make up the lettering for me to put on my car. Pretty cool, and very effective marketing tool, I reckon I might even go for ... Thu, 15 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831323 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=131 Anyone else struggle with this at the moment Post your top tips for beating this here but dont do so just yet, obviously.... Wed, 14 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831324 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=130 Well done Brighton and Hove Albion! We were absolutely stunned and delighted last night as the local boys done good. Come on you seagulls! It brought back memories of the Albion in the FA cup final against Man Utd. when I was a boy...anyone remember t... Tue, 13 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831325 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=129 There are some truths that I know to be true and yet of which I need reminding from time to time. I guess most of us can feel a bit down at times. Somehow telling yourself or being told quite rightly that there is always someone worse off than you doesn... Mon, 12 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831326 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=128 The other day I was at a Numicon training meeting in London. After the meeting I decided to pop along to Leicester Square and down to the National Gallery to look at a few favourite paintings...as I crossed Picadilly Circus and passed the statue of Eros a... Sun, 11 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831327 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=127 So according to the prophets of doom, tomorrow could be the end of the world. I dont think so. Not as long as we keep it tight at the back, get plenty of good crosses in, play with two strikers, and dont allow the Croatian midfield too much time on the... Sat, 10 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831328 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=126 ...how much you DONt know, until you meet a real expert. This happened to me recently, and while on the one hand I felt a bit overwhelmed by what I realised I still didnt know compared to this guy, I felt really lucky to be with the one person from who... Fri, 9 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831329 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=125 Taken from the sunbed on the beach ... Thu, 8 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831330 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=124 ...how much you know, until someone who doesnt know asks you.... Wed, 7 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831331 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=123 Readers who have engaged in this hotelpoolside package holiday will know all about the daily race to secure the best sunbeds. Not just the best sunbeds some have adjustable flaps for sitting up, others are just flat but the best locations. Until this ... Tue, 6 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831332 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=122 A couple of days ago I thought it would be fun to sit on the beach and watch the sunrise. Interestingly, the sun here doesnt actually pop its head over the mountains to the East until a few minutes after 7am, so this wasnt quite the hardship it sounded. ... Mon, 5 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831333 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=121 This morning I walked up a mountain. As you might have guessed from my previous blog, we are currently enjoying a family holiday. We are staying in the town of Alcudia, situated on the NorthEast side of the beautiful island Majorca. Just to the south o... Sun, 4 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831334 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=120 What family European holiday hotel would be complete without the legendary Mini Disco For those who fancy cooking up such a treat, here is my foolproof recipe Take one or two exhausted parents in need of a brief moment of respite. Add a large tiredl... Sat, 3 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831335 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=119 I bet there are some people, particularly older folk, who dont speak to anybody for a whole day. I cant imagine how that must feel, so I tried a social experiment a couple of weeks ago on a Sunday. I decided to see if I could make eye contact with 10 str... Fri, 2 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831336 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=118 ...I wouldnt be able to sit down for a week. I heard this on the radio this morning. What a great quote! I was feeling a bit down after reading a critical comment on a recent blog, but this has really got me thinking a bit more positively.... Thu, 1 September 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831337 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=117 ...and exactly five years younger than Princess Diana would be. And how do I know this amazing trivia Because I am suffering from kitchenfloor syndrome. In essence, this phenomenon used to occur annually at school reportwriting time, when I would do... Wed, 31 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831338 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=116 Yesterday I deliberately killed about 7080 innocent and helpless living creatures. If the tabloids got hold of me, I shudder to think what a field day they would have. And yet nobody complained. Even my wife, who is kind and loving, helped and supported ... Tue, 30 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831339 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=115 I read this this morning and laughed out loud. Hope you like it. Nelson Order the signal, Hardy! Hardy Aye, aye sir. Nelson Hold on, thats not what I dictated to the signal officer. Whats the meaning of this Hardy Sorry sir Nelson r... Mon, 29 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831340 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=114 What do Frank Sinatra, George Best, Elvis and Freddie Mercury have in common other than being dead, of course The answer is that I very much regret not having seen them perform live. However, I was delighted to have the opportunity to put this right o... Sun, 28 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831341 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=113 I am currently sitting in Newquay Airport awaiting my delayed flight back to Gatwick. Sadly, as it is now not departing until 715pm, I will have broken my promise to my children that I would be home in time to read them a bedtime story. But enough of my ... Sat, 27 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831342 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=112 Having returned from what Yorkshiremen refer to as Gods own Country, Im not sure whether my Jewish friends might have a view on that I realise that I am obviously outoftouch with yoof culture and language. During the week, I was told Sir, youre ... Fri, 26 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831343 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=111 I had a spontaneous moment of madness last night. Walking through Wakefield in the early evening, I came across a car dealership that reputed to be Yorkshires Largest Vauxhall Dealership. Some background I have been thinking recently about changing m... Thu, 25 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831344 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=110 ...to be truthful, I am already there, staying in a hotel prior to visiting a school in Huntingdon. But having recently laughed at a letter I read from someone who had just returned from The Congo, and observed that he was hugely disappointed not to have ... Wed, 24 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831345 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=109 Apparently it is the middle of Summer today. Says who Certainly not anyone who lives in wet and windy Brighton. Bummer. And Im off to Yorkshire for a few days. Maybe Ill find a decent bit of Global Warming up there instead...... Tue, 23 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831346 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=106 Bear with me. Today I was doing a maths show in a primary school in Bradley Stoke, near Bristol. This particular show was for Year 3 and Year 4 children. There is point in the show where I give something to a child to hold for later. As I spoke to him whe... Mon, 22 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831347 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=105 Everyone is talking about rising fuel prices. Obviously as a travelling maths performer I get through quite a bit of fuel, but this week it finally happened. I was staying with some good friends in Bedford and stopped off with one of them to get some petr... Sun, 21 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831348 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=104 Or in my case, immediately after. While taking part in the Nike Who is The Fastest Challenge yesterday at Saltdean Football Club, I contrived to slip right at the end and land heavily on my right shoulder. click here for details of the challenge A... Sat, 20 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831349 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=103 I have been wondering recently how many letters I write that complain about things, and how many I write that do the opposite. I reliased with horror a few years ago that apart from neutral letters that do jobs like ordering, notifying of information etc... Fri, 19 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831350 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=102 Last week was truly unforgettable. Having spent Tuesday working in Knightsbridge parking meters are 3 per hour, maximum 2 hours, no wonder theres so much money floating around, I drove up the M6 to Wigan where I was due to spend a couple of days doing m... Thu, 18 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831351 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=101 ...than Big Hair, buffoonery and bicycling Im not a supporter of Ken Livingstone or Boris Johnson, but I cant help thinking that Kens men have made a classic error that cost them the race for mayor. As well as the timing midterm is traditionally a ... Wed, 17 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831352 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=100 Big deal so did loads of the children of between 4 and 7 years old with whom we spent the day at a campsite. But they havent been trying for 20 years to conquer their fear of all things equine! I dont know why, maybe a traumatic childhood incident bu... Tue, 16 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831353 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=99 It is a telling sign that Mrs J and I are big fans of Radio 2, and particularly the Chris Evans Show. Ever since taking to the road last September, I have found myself listening to the 5pm to 7pm slot and taking some of the stress out of the journey. Anyw... Mon, 15 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831354 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=98 The above thought came to me last week. I want to know from anyone whether it has been said before it sounds like the sort of thing Einstein would say, for example, or possibly CS Lewis or even Socrates. Though I realise none of the above would probably s... Sun, 14 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831355 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=97 As I get older it seems that ever more of my friends are getting involved in Christian Ministry, even though I myself feel no such calling as yet. I wonder whether it is the common theme of knowing me, and thus seeing just how awful the human condition has... Sat, 13 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831356 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=96 I must confess to a mixture of shame and pride. Shame that I have been hitertho most skeptical about whether or not me driving my kids to the park in my car will actually damage a planet that has survived earthquakes, dinosaurs and nuclear weapons, but tha... Fri, 12 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831357 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=95 I foolishly said I wanted to try to stay up all night this evening. Why For that you must blame the preacher I listened to on Palm Sunday, who reminded us that the crucifixion, which we all know was terrible, took place after Jesus had actually been u... Thu, 11 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831358 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=94 stuck in the worst traffic ever, But at least thanks to radio 2 and my satnav I kmow why. Hope your Easter is going better!... Wed, 10 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831359 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=93 ... Tue, 9 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831360 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=92 I have spent today in Birmingham making maths exciting or trying to! for a group of secondary school maths teachers. The day started like most training days, with everyone together in the school hall of Cardinal Wiseman Catholic College in Sutton Coldfie... Mon, 8 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831361 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=91 What a Darling Man! This years budget was an interesting one for parents. I guess its only human nature not to think first about whether it is a good or wise budget, but rather we tend to consider somewhat selfishly whether we are personally better or w... Sun, 7 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831362 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=90 Thursday Finished! Today I returned to Mid Yell Junior High, the biggest school on Yell, to work with the very little folk as well as some of the secondary children. All great fun in different ways From there it was another fabulous drive north to yet ... Sat, 6 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831363 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=88 Day 3 WORLD MATHS DAY! A bit miserable at times, as I was unable to get hold of my family by phone one son a bit poorly yesterday so feeling anxious and far away Less travelling today, as I was spending the morning in Mid Yell Junior High, which is a ... Fri, 5 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831364 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=87 WARNING Read part one below first!! Tuesday morning, 6am. Did I mention the cold at all Been awake since about 430, listening to the wind. And the snow. When last week I pointed out how cold it was likely to be up here, my wife had a theory. You wo... Thu, 4 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831365 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=86 Boy is it cold. Very cold. Not that Im complaining, mind...and to think I thought Durham was nippy! Hah! Durham is the sweltering sahara compared to this! Now How Stupid Can One Man Be In my maths talks, I tell children how fabulous mistakes are. The... Wed, 3 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831366 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=85 I am sitting on a plane ruminating about the last couple of days. Billed somewhat overimportantly as a maths speaker, surely all teachers are that! and a maths magician, I had been invited to talk to some leading teachers and Year 6 teachers in the Du... Tue, 2 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831367 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=84 A lot is written and discussed about how consumerist and materialistic we are all becoming as a nation. I have been thinking about that recently. Like loads of people in this country, I am lucky to have a laptop, books and DVDs, a car, an iPod, a SatNav,... Mon, 1 August 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831368 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=83 I have been up to Birmingham today for an NCETM meeting. Google them! The train home seemed a little slow, but it was all worthwhile when the best announcment since leaves on the line was introduced came over the tannoy Ladies and Gentlemen, we apo... Sun, 31 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831369 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=82 TILTHW! will be the title of a book I am planning to write one day. I have been giving some thought recently to what if anything I have learnt or relearnt from my time being selfemployed. In my Maths Shows, for example, I have streamlined just abou... Sat, 30 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831370 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=70 I visited some lovely schools last week. As I was packing to leave the first, dressed in my tasteful cream Maths Magician suit with giant green felt numbers on, I saw someone who looked suspiciously like Gary Lineker. We looked at each other, me with my H... Fri, 29 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831371 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=69 Happy 2008! I have taken a few weeks off from writing the blog over the Christmas and New Year period. There have been many reasons for this, but mainly it has been a time of reflection. One term into my new life, I have been thinking about what if anythin... Thu, 28 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831372 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=68 It has slowly been dawning on me that this would be the first Christmas in 20 years that I would not get to celebrate at school. I was therefore slightly disappointed not to be invited to any school carol services or staff parties this year, but I did at ... Wed, 27 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831373 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=67 Warning read part 1 before reading this or it will nake no sense... Having moaned about my misfortune and my triple trashing of my hotel room Why dont I feel like a rock star I should really write about what I enjoyed. Firstly, the warmth of the pe... Tue, 26 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831374 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=66 Just because things are clichd, it doesnt mean they arent true. I discovered that this week, on my travels to what a southern softie like me would call The North in a vague, uninformed sort of way. I was working in two primary schools in the same vil... Mon, 25 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831375 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=65 Following my earlier blog about a letter I wrote complaining about my Pringles, I recently came across this fabulous letter and wanted to share it with you. It made Mrs J and I laugh so much I felt it deserved a place in the blog. Hope you like it. The fo... Sun, 24 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831376 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=64 I learnt something interesting today. For many months I have been tinkering with a new book, all about great display ideas for mathematics curiously enough. Anyway, what with the recent huge life changes and the new business, the book has never been muc... Sat, 23 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831377 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=63 Today was a bitter sweet one. I was working at a lovely school in Surrey. Leaving myself plenty of time, my plan was to set off early and treat myself to breakfast at Tescos superstore near Horsham. I decided to see what happened if I drove at exactly the... Fri, 22 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831378 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=62 Today I was working at a lovely infant school in Brighton. As well as the shows, I was asked to sit in with some Year 1 classes and answer questions. The usual fare included How did you do that trick... but the final question was the real gem Why di... Thu, 21 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831379 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=61 Is there someone in your past to whom you owe a huge amount I guess that most of us could answer yes given enough time to think about it I have just spent two hugely enjoyable days taking a trip down memory lane. Over the past few years I have heard ... Wed, 20 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831380 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=60 Before starting this entry, I will pause to raise my bat very briefly towards the pavilion in a somewhat surprised acknowledgement that the blog got to fifty before I did! Anyway, we managed to hire out our offspring to grandparents for a couple of days... Tue, 19 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831381 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=59 I have just returned from Maths Week Ireland 3 amazing days in Dublin, and 2 fascinating days spent in the miracle that is modern Belfast. So many memories. So much to say. Although I found myself missing home and family more than usual, I was kept so bu... Mon, 18 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831382 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=58 This morning I walked along the pavement in Brighton and walked through a big pile of leaves. I had completely forgotten how much fun this was. Have you ... Sun, 17 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831383 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=57 One of the last pieces of post I received before the postal strike was a very dull standard letter from Pringles enclosing a 3 voucher. I had recently found a slightly deformed packet of minipringles and decided to amuse myself by writing a spoof letter o... Sat, 16 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831384 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=56 Blackpool part 3 In my previous two blogs, I wrote about my fabulous meal in the restaurant where customer service is King, the king in question being Elvis, who despite rumours to the contrary is in fact dead. This blog will focus on some observations ... Fri, 15 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831385 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=55 Blackpool part 2 WARNING This blog will make no sense unless you first read the previous blog, located immediately below this one. This is a continuation of a somewhat rambling and confused story. Even more confused if you dont read part one! Last ti... Thu, 14 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831386 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=54 Blackpool Part 1 It has long been a source of embarrassment to me that I am probably the only magician in England who has never been to Blackpool. OK, Im sure thats not really true, but it does feel like it sometimes when all my magic friends are talk... Wed, 13 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831387 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=53 The other day I set off on my morning trot to the beach and back. When my hamstrings are fine ie pretty much never this takes me about 3540 minutes and is just enough to wake my body and brain for a productive day. Anyway, on Thursday last week there wa... Tue, 12 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831388 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=52 We have recently returned from a short break in one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited. And yes, I have been to Liverpool. This was Paris, cherie. But not the urban chic of the Champs Elysee, the Louvre, the Tour Eiffel, Montmartre, etc. O... Mon, 11 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831389 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=51 What is it about these places that makes me so stressed out Is it the fact that if I dont look as though I can afford one of their shiny new convertibles which, fair enough, I cant yet they just lose interest I went to a Mazda one this morning which... Sun, 10 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831390 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=50 Heres a first. Those of us who have small children know only too well how the feeling of anxiety can threaten to overwhelm the feeling of excitement when we take them to a restaurant. Today, on a whim, we decided to visit a local pub for lunch. It has a ... Sat, 9 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831391 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=49 Perhaps somewhat sadly, I am now the proud owner of a strap that fits around my upper arm, rather as if someone was taking my blood pressure. This is designed to carry an iPod, with the result that I am able to listen to it while running. My osteopath assu... Fri, 8 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831392 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=48 Had to mention a fabulous Texas Ranch Theme Park we visited last week. It was great for kids plenty of clean loos, inexpensive food and shade but what really captured the imagination were the free shows throughout the day. The sealions were cute and ver... Thu, 7 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831393 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=47 We are currently enjoying a holiday on the volcanic island of Lanzarote. I have been thinking about the phrase just missed, and how its all a matter of degree. For example, from smallest to largest I just missed the bus by 2 minutes I just missed ... Wed, 6 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831394 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=46 It is a sad fact of life that one of the things which defines us as we get older is the films we grew up with. So to those of you who are aware of my age, it will come as little surprise to anyone of similar vintage to know that today I was in London at C... Tue, 5 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831395 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=45 Last week marked the end of my twenty year teaching career. It was a rollercoaster ride, starting with the performance of the Year 6 musical, Thunderbard, and ending with their graduation party at Hove Rugby club. More of that later. The play was a great ... Mon, 4 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831396 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=44 Martial Law has been declared! I would like to say a big Thank you to those of you who have taken the trouble to add comments to this blog, and make it much more interesting than just me going on about life. However, you may have noticed that in recent ... Sun, 3 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831397 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=43 Come on Tim! Come on Dame Shirley! Wimbledon and Glastonbury. And yet curiously, were all still surprised that its raining in June... Ive never been to Wimbledon and it remains the one UK venue Id really like to bag, having done Wembley, Twickenham... Sat, 2 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831398 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=42 These were interesting numbers today. 3 of us went to a tennis lesson, then 4 of us went to the Rottingdean Lions Fair. Much to my surprise, my son who is 3 won a prize for successfully rolling 3 trains through 3 arches. Then he won a coconut. Im pretty ... Fri, 1 July 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831399 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=41 Today was the culmination of a busy week, but what an inspirational occasion! I was booked to perform at this event at the Winchester Guildhall. They told me they had no budget so could only pay my travel expenses hmmm...anyway, I didnt really mind, as ... Thu, 30 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831400 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=40 I cant sleep its 523am. I will leave my school for good in just 23 days. It will then be 23 years since I first left school at the age of 18. David Beckham wears 23 and there are 23 people on a football pitch think about it!. Shane Warne Wears ... Wed, 29 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831401 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=39 Well, not really that swift, to be honest. Yesterday marked my first attempt at what must surely be one of the most gruelling halfmarathon courses around. Not that Im much of an expert, having run in a grand total of two races now, the other one being t... Tue, 28 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831402 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=38 Today was a very proud day for me personally, and indeed for all of the Jeffrey clan. For those of you of a nautical persuasion, you may well be aware that today the Gipsy Moth IV has just completed its second circumnavigation of the globe. What you prob... Mon, 27 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831403 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=36 If you read a recipe book and follow the instructions properly, you have every right to expect a cake at the end. My problem is that subconsciously I obviously thought that this would apply to first aid. Heres the story After a cracking run across the... Sun, 26 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831404 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=35 Following the suitcase fiasco see below, I thought it would be nice to do dinner for two at a posh french restaurant in Brighton Marina... I drove there, and was delighted to discover that I had at least remembered to bring Alison with me. Things are l... Sat, 25 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831405 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=34 I have not posted a blog for a few days having been away on a School inspection. Much as I would like to tell you all about it, protocol wisely dictates that this is a bad idea, so I will avoid mention of the school, save a single quote... What I can say ... Fri, 24 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831406 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=33 This afternoon my maths lesson was interruted by a colleague bearing an I saw this and thought of you gift. It was a beermatsized laminated card with the following written on it I am responsible for the day I create for myself. I was just perusing... Thu, 23 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831407 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=32 WARNING...GRUMPY OLD MAN MOMENT IMMINENT...WARNING... Q When is progress not progress A When it relates to mobile phones. Heres the thing. Time was when I could send a text message quickly. Now I rarely bother. Why Because I have a nigthmare time, ... Wed, 22 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831408 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=31 I just spent a couple of hours on the phone to some old friends with whom I hadnt spoken in ages. Thing is, I had planned to do a load of school work tonight. Time wasted I dont think so. It was so great to catch up with them being a typical man, an... Tue, 21 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831409 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=30 Yesterday I was driving along behind a van with an amusing sticker on that read IGNORE ALL AUTHORITY. I was sorely tempted to get a pen and write underneath Is that an order, but Im not sure the driver would have appreciated the irony. To my war... Mon, 20 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831410 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=29 I have been thinking this week about being persistent. I often hear about folks who strive for years to achieve things, and I am slowly realising just how amazing these people are. My weakness perhaps one of many is not that I dont have ideas, some of ... Sun, 19 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831411 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=28 Yesterday we went to the beautiful town of Lewes where I ran in a 10km race that Alison had spotted advertised some time ago. It was amazing to see just how popular this race was I guess its a world we never really knew existed until now. Since running... Sat, 18 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831412 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=27 Confession time. I visited the Golden Arches today. Anyone with children will probably find it in their hearts to forgive me, I hope... Anyway, they have an interesting promotion running at the moment which caught my eye. Firstly, as my change of career a... Fri, 17 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831413 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=26 ...24 little hours, etc etc. After yesterdays little gastronomic adventure see the blog entry below or this will make no sense at all! I found myself quite unable to remove my school inspectors hat. On my return home, therefore, I sat down and wrote a... Thu, 16 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831414 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=25 Or so I thought until today... A pubrestaurant on the Sussex Downs had been taken over and is reopening this Thursday. It is situated at the top of Devils Dyke, an imaginatively named local beauty spot and a magnet for summer walkers, hanggliders, kit... Wed, 15 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831415 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=24 As well as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, I have now added Adenoidectomy and Gromit insertion to the list of Operations. Yesterday we took our 6year old son to the Royal Alex Childrens Hospital in Brighton for an operation to cure hi... Tue, 14 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831416 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=23 When a man is tired of London he is tired of life. Oh, sorry, wrong diarywere just tired peeps. We made it! A late final night had by all, and as far as we know everyone made the best decision about where to sleep. Following a Hearty Breakfast far too ... Mon, 13 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831417 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=22 Today started with a bit of drizzle but happily spirits were not unduly dampened. This was more than can be said for trousers, however. Why do otherwise intelligent 11year old children think that when its wet its a good idea to wear trousers that drag a... Sun, 12 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831418 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=20 Greetings from the Isle of Wight! This mornings blog is a bonus I know, I promise to get a life soon and is a report of yesterday evenings activity. It is interesting that within every week of this sort, there is often an activity that surprises you, ... Sat, 11 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831419 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=19 Day 3 Fantastic Day Had By All! Very amused to be described today as Bridget Jones. Wasnt she the girl with the big pants Seriously, it is so encouraging to read everyones comments, and Im glad it seems to be of interest. Im not sure what other visi... Fri, 10 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831420 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=18 When the history of the world is written, today will certainly not be described as uneventful. Or warm, probably. In no particular order a personal amusing highlight was crawling out from under a bed clutching a spider, which was duly despatched outsid... Thu, 9 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831421 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=17 To those of you reading this from Windlesham, welcome to my blog. To anyone else, this post will be of little interest I promised that I would try to keep the parents of my Year 6 class up to speed with the weeks events at Little Canada. Please understan... Wed, 8 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831422 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=16 This weekend has been a hectic one. Having struggled through the second half of the week with a bad cold and throat, I eventually managed to get hold of some antibiotics. This meant I felt well enough to take my children to the school disco while Mummy had... Tue, 7 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831423 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=15 Perhaps someone can help me with this. I introduced the above game to a Year 4 class I was covering today. Its a game I used to play as a child where everyone sits in a circle and talks in turn but using a strict rhythm. Without going into too much detail... Mon, 6 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831424 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=14 Heres whats made me happy so far this week Seeing my Year 4 set be able to multiply tens and units. For them, a great achievement. Finding out my father is now sailing in less dangerous waters. No, this is not a metaphor for some dark problem he is... Sun, 5 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831425 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=13 Today was the hottest day of the year so far down here on the South Coast. Tomorrow is, by all acounts, going to be a 17 degree day. So, I wondered this afternoon, while slurping ice cream on the seafront with friends and family, how many of us prefer to t... Sat, 4 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831426 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=12 Today was strange. It was interviews for my job! I felt strangely detached, not in a particularly good or particularly bad way. I obviously cant say too much more as the process is ongoing, and I was quite rightly not involved in the interviews themselve... Fri, 3 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831427 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=11 Today was a humbling day. Since writing about my trip to Imperial College on Monday The Great Hall, I have had the chance to listen to feedback from a few people whose opinion I respect hugely. Suffice to say that their impression of my show was less fav... Thu, 2 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831428 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=10 Note that this posting was first written on 18th February, the date of the Brighton Half Marathon, but I have only just had a blog page created, so I am posting my original thoughts here now for posterity. Actually, this title is a little misleading. S... Wed, 1 June 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831429 http://www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk/blog.asp?b=9 Yesterday I did something that scared me. As you may know, I think you should do something that scares you quite often...anyway I presented my Magic of Maths show to over 750 teenagers at Imperial College, London. This was scary for several reasons, but ... Tue, 31 May 2011 10:00:00 GMT 211831430