For those interested in what Sian is doing or in teaching English as a foreign language, here is a link to Sian in action in her school in Chile: http://www.colegiosantacruzvillarrica.cl/modules.php?name=Nukenews&req=article&sid=1125
News at home is not so exciting. Simple scone and cake recipes will be on the recipe page soon especially for Sian’s students in Chile. There is lots of activity in the garden with nest building and a succession of spring flowers. The daffodils are in full bloom and the lillies are just about to flower. Barny, the tawny owl who lives here is out every evening now – he is hard to see but we can certainly hear him.
As the the New Year’s resolution for 2010 to update ‘Ramblings’ regularly only lasted until Spring, we have decided to try this instead and also to tweet more – we would love to hear back from you.
Business in 2010 was much busier than we expected and with contnued work on the house, time was at a premium. Thank you so much to those who have stayed with us, come for coffee or had a meal over the last year – we really hope that you enjoyed your visit. As Rob & Joelle are getting married in Swineshead in August, 2011 is not likely to be give us any more time but we will do our best with updates. This might prove particularly useful for Sian, who is in Chile until the end of July as she and her students can just log on to see what we have been up to. We will try to include pictures where we can. We are hoping for some fine weather this year as once again, we need to paint the outside of the house so scaffolding will be going up from the end of April. it is a bit like the Forth Road Bridge but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Please feel free to add comments to this page should you wish to leave something longer than a tweet allows. If you would rather tweet, here is the link:
http://twitter.com/SwinesheadHall
As Spring begins for you the Autumn rain is beginning in the South of Chile and that only means one thing; everyone is back to school and the start of a new adventure for me. I am living in a beautiful city called Villarrica, it is situated on a lake with a view of a spectacular active volcano. My school is a very nice Catholic school for all ages although I am teaching years 7 to 11. My classroom is very small, although slightly bigger than a cupboard, I did manage to rub off some writing on the writeboard when I was walking around the other day. I am living with a lovely family who are very patient with my Spanish and have proved to be great teachers so far. My students and family are all very interested in life in England and I am generating a lot of interest in the B&B especially as my brother is Robert Pattinson.
Saludos
Sian
During my first week in Villarrica I mentioned that I knew how to make brownies. So a few weeks ago my host family asked when I was going to make them. I decided that I should make them soon and that Sunday seemed like a good day. I translated the ingredients into spanish and went to the supermarket to collect all that I needed. I followed the instructions and result was some yummy brownies. My host family loved them. In fact there was a little argument at the dinner table over them because my host Dad and host brother wanted to eat more but my host mum had told them that they were not allowed and that if they did eat any more then I would not make them again. The next day I came home from school to find that there was no brownie left and my host brother had asked the Nanny to make some more…needless to say they were a huge success. If you haven’t already you should try Tracey’s brownies recipe they are muy rico (yummy)!
Have a look at this for some in church wedding entertainment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3VyidPphow
30th September Macmillan Coffee Morning at Swineshead Hall 10.00a.m. until midday. Everyone welcome. Tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes provided. All donations to macmillan.