On Sunday I was in Birmingham and had a few hours to kill.
One of my favourite things to do in situations like this is to sit in cafes and sketch, (I guess its because I'm basically nosey and love people watching!)
I then popped into a Wetherspoons for my dinner, and the two blokes sat on the next table to me were enjoying a pint and putting the world to rights.
I was having a lovely time, doodling away, listening to the Brummy accents and the political ruminations of my neighbours.
Unemployment, Brexit, the housing crisis...
and then they started about teachers.
'Paid a ruddy fortune they are!'
'They get 50 weeks paid holiday a year!'
And what really struck me was that I found it quite funny, that mischievous Universe sitting these two political geniuses next to someone who'd worked in education for 25 years and whose hair had fallen out because of the joys of Ofsted.
But this really was a blessing in disguise because it just reminded me that it really was ok and that I have changed so much since then in lots of little ways.
I could have got up, pulled off my bobble hat with a dramatic flourish and had a rant, but by this time they'd moved onto solving the NHS crisis, and I wouldn't want to stand in the way of political progress...
Overheard conversations in public places generally all go along the same lines I find, but that’s life I guess.
ReplyDeleteNow I on the other hand have been intrigued lately by a lady in a coffee shop I frequent that writes copiously in a notebook. Then last week a young hippy type girl was seen to be doing the same. You might think I’m wondering what they are writing. Well hell no, instead I’m thinking I’m going to take my notebook and pen next time. Haha.
Who knows they may well ask me what I’m writing.
Lynn xxx
OOO! Now that sounds like fun! (Plus, any activity that involves the need for extra stationery purchases gets my vote any day!!!!!!!) x
DeleteI love your post! I love eaves dropping too (being deaf my hearing aid strangely picks up conversations over the other side of a pub! where I can't even see whose talking sometimes!) I like your art, you have inspired me to get a sketchbook and use odd moments.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, i hope you have a great time sketching!
DeletePlease let me know how you get on chuck x
Having been a teacher for as long as you have I can relate to your feeling. Yah, yah, paid holiday.....
ReplyDeleteTry teaching in a disadvantaged area...
Good for you, you kept the spirits up. Love your drawing.
Thank you chuck and a big hug to you, fellow teaching friend x
DeleteOh I love the 50 weeks paid holiday !!!
ReplyDeleteYes, just a small perk of the job...ha! ha! x
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