We’ve just enjoyed a Bank Holiday weekend and those who enjoy the heat, probably felt blessed with good weather.

Suraj (hubby) and I went to Grantham for the weekend. Thanks to the internet, Suraj found one place that specifically lists vegan options on their menu.

We had a light lunch there on Friday. We had no regrets!

The place that I’m recommending is called Café Leo.

We had a sandwich with Avocado, Plum Chutney and Lettuce. We also had some soup and a muffin or two! It was all so yummy. We found ourselves planning when we could return within minutes!

Even though the food was great, the service was even better! This Cafe is a family run business. The fact that they care about  what their customers need and want is evident. Eating here was a lovely experience.

Here are some pictures of what we ate.

It’s funny isn’t it?

I’d expect a large business to be better in terms of having procedures in place to ensure their income is as much as it can possibly be; I’d think that their customer service would be better than good; that their conduct wouldn’t leave them open to them being sued etc.

Yet, this weekend I learned that this definitely isn’t always the case.

We went away for the weekend. I informed the hotel beforehand that we follow a plant-based diet, which I explained fully. I also requested that they have enough utensils out during breakfast, so that guests aren’t forced to use the same utensil for the meat and vegetarian options etc. I mentioned this because I know that these things aren’t always considered.

However, dinner was awful! I was told that they weren’t aware of my email at all. They blamed Reception for not telling them but I was told by Reception themselves that my email had been sent to the Head Chef, Head of Catering and 2 others to ensure that they had the right ingredients and could plan meal options for us.

I was told that we had a choice of 2 Starters, 1 Main and Dessert would be fresh fruit.

There was a lot of uncertainty caused by the Manager not understanding what vegan meant, the chef feeling pressured with last minute requests and the waiting staff not really knowing what to do or say.

I am intolerant to dairy and I reacted to one of the meals. Not good when you’re staying at a Hotel that’s like a Stately Home.

I was disappointed to find utensils for meat and veg on the same little saucer, even though I’d mentioned this in my email. This is problematic for those who don’t eat particular things for religious reasons, ethical reasons and those who avoid certain foods because of negative physical reactions.

I’d expect a big business to understand these needs better and I think they should be able to organise themselves and provide for paying guests who have specific dietary requirements.

The Manager was so unhappy with the way things turned out for us, she refunded the cost of our stay.

Nevertheless, this was pants!

THEN we went to Stamford. We sat in a small restaurant overlooking the river and had a delicious meal. It’s a small business.
When we asked the waitress what we could eat, she asked if we’d be happy to speak with the chef. We were more than happy to do that, so Charlie, came out to clarify what our needs were.

He was genuine, caring, creative and apologetic. In his mind it wasn’t good enough that we have come into this restaurant and can only eat one thing.

He adjusted a dish so that we could eat it and really took the time to ensure we ate well. We had 2 different dishes and the whole experience made us want to return again!

The vibe was great! We weren’t rushed at all.

Another nice touch is the gentleman call Ron. He greets customers at the door, gives them a tour of the 3 businesses that are based in that building and he makes sure your needs are catered for.

If you go to Stamford, you really must pop in to this gorgeous place called Thierry Daugeron

So the big established hotel left a bitter taste in our mouths whereaswhereas the small business, which has been open less than 3 months, won our hearts.

Some photos showing the experience that we’d love a repeat of!

Recently I’ve been bothered by the destructive impact of gossip.

I’ve witnessed those I love tie themselves in knots because a ‘friend’ of theirs told them something negative that their common friend said about them.

So Fred, Sandip and Heena are friends. Fred said something to Sandip about Heena. Sandip then told Heena what Fred said.

What followed was:-

• But why did they say that?
• Why do they think that?
• Did I really do that or deserve it?
• Do they want me to fall out with the friends we have in common?
• What else have they said about me?
• Shall I ask them directly?
• Shall I ignore them and not maintain a relationship with them from now on?

I think there’s something else that needs to be reflected on. Why did the common friend share that information with me!?! What do they stand to gain? What are their motives?

I have seen how destructive it is to share ‘secrets’ and the mental health issues and insecurities that can arise because of it.

The ‘fruits’ may not be visible straight away but that doesn’t mean that there hasn’t been any impact.

Also, did the person who made the negative comments deliberately choose who they told; knowing they’d do their work for them while they sat back and watched what happened as a result?

What do you think?
Is it worth saying no to gossip?
Is it worth telling others not to share it with you?

Unions that historically don’t speak out, don’t campaign, don’t take action; are speaking up about the fast pace at which the Education system is being destroyed!

Why?

What’s so bad?

Here it is in a nutshell!

What’s happened so far

• Pay freeze for 2011 and 2012
• 1% limits for 2013 and 2014
• Pension contributions up on average by 3.2%

The impact of this including inflation amounts to more than a 15% loss of spending power.

New changes

• The end of mandatory pay scales in schools. Will schools be able to recruit or retain teachers?
• The main and upper scales will be replaced by ranges.
• There’ll be no fixed points.
• All pay progression will be linked to appraisal and to individual teachers’ performance.
• Portability of current pay entitlements and UPS status to be abolished.
• Head teachers and governing bodies will decide how much to pay new teachers i.e. whether teachers will progress and by how much. Will decisions will be based on funding or whether your face fits?
• Draft 2013 STPCD will be in all schools at the start of the summer term.
• Governing bodies to adopt new pay policies and appraisal policies linked to pay for September 2013.
• Decisions based on Performance Related Pay for all teachers beginning in September 2014.
• Fixed-term responsibility payments to be introduced so a raise will be time specific as opposed to long lasting.
• No financial security as your pay could be cut when you move school. Thus teachers will be scared to move and women on career breaks will be hit hardest of all.

Would you want to teach or stay in teaching the way it is?

There’s additional pressure on teachers to do what parents should do at home BEFORE children enter the school system.

The unrealistic idea that ALL children must make a fixed amount of progress each year is being drummed home by those outside of education.

For various reasons the majority of the public think teachers start work at 9 a.m.,finish at 3:15 p.m. and have loads of holidays in between. This is a myth! Unfortunately the lack of awareness re what teaching is really like is helping those who are on a mission to bring teachers into disrepute! Many members of the public believe the trash they’re being fed.

With Education being privatised, Academies are running their schools as if teachers are disposable. Many of them are forcing teachers to be in school from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.,to run clubs at lunchtime and after school, to come in on weekends. Most of them do not have any staff who are over 35 years of age. Some Academies have a huge turnover of staff every year because they simply burnout! Well-being has truly gone out the window! Also, there’s a clear message that they don’t want staff to socialise or have a separate place to have a break . Many Academies do NOT have a staffroom!

More on education: -

Academy Status – How, why and what does it mean for us?
What it really means for a school to become an academy!
The most important jobs in society. Is there such a thing?
Is teaching still a career for life?

Here are some scenarios which could have a serious impact on the rest of your life and/or the lives of others.

~~~~~~~

One mistake and the many consequences that can result from it,
Choose the wrong path and end up in a cage,
Within a few moments you could be Robbed of improving your life chances.

~~~~~~~

One night with the wrong people or person and your name becomes stained,
Perhaps not forever,
Nevertheless is it worth it for the effort needed to clear your name, character, convince family, friends and strangers now and in the future.

~~~~~~~

Get careless with how affectionate you are and you could be effected without realising,
A few weeks down the line and you realise you need medication,
It is fixable!

A few years down the line and you realise you are infertile,
The symptoms were non-existent,
You didn’t think to have a check-up,
It’s too late.

~~~~~~~

Forget to use/take contraception,
Get carried away without it,
Don’t need to take it seriously?
Confident that you’ll be OK?
A termination?
A child?
Kept?
Adopted?
A future of thinking about what could have been.

~~~~~~~

One bet,
One more bet,
Just another,
Everything is lost.

~~~~~~~

Don’t know what you want to do with your life,
Who cares?
It’s so far away,
You’re enjoying being a student,
For now, just choose a course that will ensure you have a further or higher education,
Become a Graduate,
A change of heart re the work you want to do,
Now what?
Study some more?
What else will be postponed as a result?
Settle down?
Begin your career in a job you don’t want because anything else will take too long?

~~~~~~~

Find a someone interesting,
Want to know more about them,
Meet up,
Nobody else is there,
Nobody knows where you are,
You lied to those who car so that you could see this stranger hoping you’ll find he/she is the one,

The result?

Love?
Violence?
Scarred for life?
Mentally? Physically? Both?
Violated?
Impregnated?
Murdered?

~~~~~~~

Meet someone whose race, age, wealth, religion, sex, culture or past gets or is going to get in the way,
You cannot have a future together,
Cannot accept his/her baggage,
Cannot accept his/her character as a whole,
Cannot accept that others will not approve,
Cannot make the sacrifice that will come with being with him/her?
Should you start it?
Should you avoid the hurt that may come of you fall in love?

~~~~~~~

In love,
It lives and blossoms in you both,
Can you make it work?
Have you started something you’re not willing to finish?
Will his/her race, age, wealth, religion, sex, culture or past get in the way?
Give up the one thing that makes you happy?
Happier than you’ve ever been,

Why?
Is it a good move?

Who means more to you?
Can you live with hurting other around you?
Can you live with hurting your partner?
Can you live with hurting yourself?

Either way it’s a sacrifice,

Be clear,
Be strong,
Be sure,
Decide,
Stick to it.

~~~~~~~

All of these poems are about making….a ‘MISTAKE’

Do you want to make the rest of your life successful, healthy, wealthy and happy? Do you want to share that with someone?

• Know yourself
• Be strong
• Be sensible
• Think ahead
• If it is wise, be serious when others are telling you not be
• Think about your future
• Don’t throw your life away by not thinking
• Go for what you want if it’s right for you or the people who matter to you more than yourself.

Oh so much pain

My head feels like it’s going to split
I feel sick
I can’t cope

Why me? Why do I seem to get so much?
Or have I been saved from more along the way?
I can’t see it, but it’s possible I guess.

It’s not like a pin/knife stabbing you
Nor like a kick
It’s not like a pinch or punch
It’s not physical,
Just mental!

Who do I share it with, without worrying them?
Who do I tell?
What do I say?
Should I tell at all?
Should I cope with it alone?

It will get better? Won’t it?

What if he didn’t understand?
What if he didn’t know his life was to end?
What if we took a vulnerable man’s life into our own hands and got it wrong?
What if we made the wrong decision?
How do we know?

Are we living in God’s world or the devil’s world?
Do they exist together?

Was he meant to suffer?
Was he meant to have broken ribs and be resuscitated only to leave us afterwards?

I can’t take it!
So many thoughts
So many questions
No answers

What can you do when you feel overwhelmed with your thoughts, fears, worries?
Perhaps you can help yourself by doing some of the following: -

• mediating
• reading uplifting books
• singing
• going for a walk
• calling someone who will give you what you need e.g. listen, talk you through it, hold you etc.
• speak with a counsellor

Does  that sound right? ‘Commit a crime, do the time and CONTINUE to pay the price!’ Aren’t prisoners meant to be rehabilitated and changed when they are released?

So should they be trusted with a second chance at being a member of society who abides by the law or not?

There’s a group of people who think that neighbours and schools should be told when a convicted sex offender moves into the area. This goes against the idea that they are rehabilitated and deserve a second chance.

Can it be argued that the procedure should be as follows: -

• someone is found guilty,
• sentenced,
• released according to; the severity of their crime, the amount of evidence against them, the belief about how much of a danger this person is to society and so on.
• given a chance to live according to the law

Whether you agree with the duration of the sentencing or not is a whole different issue. However going by the idea that the sentencing was reasonable and satisfactory, is it not fair to say that they have served their time and should be allowed to move on as the state’s punishment is now over?

The result of following sex offenders everywhere they go and informing others of their every move; will ensure that they do NOT get a job or move on at all! The impact of this could be that they feel even more stressed than they were about return to a world that they haven’t had contact with for however long! They may also feel very vulnerable and persecuted. Could it become a driving force for them to offend again? They may feel that they have to turn to crime such as theft to survive materially.

Has anyone thought of the affects that this change will have on others? Individuals suspected of having committed these crimes may have their houses destroyed, vandalised and they may be attacked themselves.

There was an incident when a newspaper published the name and photo of a paedophile. He was hunted down and beaten up by a group of people. However it was the wrong man!

Also, will the Police cope with their already lacking resources being drained further?

What about the message given to children?

• People do not change.
• If you don’t like something that someone’s done in the past or you suspect someone of having done something that you disapprove of; then you can persecute and hurt them and that’s all right.
• Prison is a way to keep people off the streets for a while but we should live in fear when prisoners are released
• The criminal justice system doesn’t work
• The Police aren’t needed as we must take things into our own hands

Research says that the notion that child abusers are strangers is a myth as the majority of child abusers are family members, family friends or others who are known to the child. So will notifying neighbours truly serve anyone?

What do you think?

Should individuals complete their time in prison and be allowed to live amongst the community after being released?
Is there an alternative?
Should there be an alternative?