Skylark, it must be harder for Polish youngsters to learn how to write the letters in a British school as there are subtle differences mainly to do with the use of accents which we don't use.
I've mentioned before that my dentist is Polish and I also have 2 Polish dentists as clients. One of them handwrites her invoices and I have to work out what each numeral is as there are differences in the way that some of them are written compared to the British way.
Skylark, it must be harder for Polish youngsters to learn how to write the letters in a British school as there are subtle differences mainly to do with the use of accents which we don't use.
I've mentioned before that my dentist is Polish and I also have 2 Polish dentists as clients. One of them handwrites her invoices and I have to work out what each numeral is as there are differences in the way that some of them are written compared to the British way.
Yes thats true. There is an interpretor employed at the school. Although i have to say it would be useful if the parents would try to speak English to the children. There is a large Polish community here and they do tend to speak in their own language, unless they are working in shops etc. There are 3 in Gd,s class who speak Polish very basically, but i find it fascinating, really, to see how the kids communicate , and doesnt seem a barrier to them. They just seem to know instinctively what each other is saying, without speaking the same language. We have a lot to learn through childrens eyes. Not wanting to get too deep ! x
Skylark, I agree with you. I also think that children find it easier to learn a foreign language if they start when they are young as their brains aren't wired up to think in just the one language. I didn't start to attempt to learn a foreign language until I was 11 and I was useless. But I think that I could have if I had started a lot younger.
Yes i wish i had learnt too. I can only do basic French. Granddaughter wants the wee boy for tea and mum seems fine with that . So i can try learn Polish, but it just sounds difficult! Although how they manage some Scottish words is 
When I was growing up, there was a Polish family living two doors away. The parents had come over to Scotland at the end of the war. Both parents learned to speak and read English but couldn't write in English. The children were given British names but my dad always called them by the Polish equivalent - he still does.
The mum was a brilliant baker and seamstress - and apparently made rhubarb wine which could blow your head off!!
When we went to Krakow a few years ago, the Polish people we met were friendly and helpful.
I left home very early and before i got a place in a nurses home we lived in a large house which was owned by a Polish chap. We all had "bedsits" . Through the blackout in the 70,s he was so kind buying us all candles and making sure we all got home ok. Didnt know then what the chap had gone through himself. We were all 17/18 at the time. Nowadays thats all knowing but then we were all quite innocent . He probably dead now, but a kind man.
He had probably been through a lot but he could still show kindness to others. He sounds like he was a really nice man, Skylark.
He had probably been through a lot but he could still show kindness to others. He sounds like he was a really nice man, Skylark.
Yes indeed, you dont really appreciate peoples life stories when you are young. I sound very old now!
On another note. Kate Adie (sp) has a book out on women during the war years , may be of interest to you Yogi . The title evades me just now
Have to get off, take care all 
He had probably been through a lot but he could still show kindness to others. He sounds like he was a really nice man, Skylark.
Yes indeed, you dont really appreciate peoples life stories when you are young. I sound very old now!
On another note. Kate Adie (sp) has a book out on women during the war years , may be of interest to you Yogi . The title evades me just now
I caught the end of Kate talking about her book on BBC Breakfast, I'll maybe ask for the book for Christmas.
Goodnight Skylark.
evening all 
There seems to be a lot of bugs going around at the moment. I hope your mum feels better soon, Summer.
I refuse to get skype as I don't want to be viewed by callers when I'm looking a mess - which is most of the time!
I cleared out some cupboards in my continuing search for the Christmas tablecloths but no luck. There is nowhere left to look, so I think I can definitely say they have been thrown out.
You have reminded me that I need to make an appointment to get my flu jab, too.
My ipad is about to run out of charge so I better sign off.
Goodnight Summer, sweet dreams.
Leaving a hug for Moonie.
good morning 
Good morning everyone. Sky is grey, cloudy and threatening to rain.
@ the rooster. He doesn't look very happy to be awake, does he?
I have banking and the weekly grocery shopping to do today and I have to make a batch of tomato sauce to use up some of the tomatoes from my greenhouse.
Have a good day everyone.
Good morning everyone, the rain is just starting here and it looks like we will get quite a bit, it's still so humid though.
It's such a shame about the tablecloth and other bits and bobs Yogi, they did sound so pretty, I hope you can find another set as nice.
My grandson is showing his face at work today, and going to the fracture clinic.
Hope moonie is feeling OK and getting to see the doctor soon.
Squiggle, although it's dry here at present, the weather is quite oppressive and the sky is so dark that I have to have the light on in the middle of the day.The rain is forecast to start in a couple of hours and there's the possibility of thunderstorms.
At least it should be dry for the weekend and my brother is visiting from tomorrow (late afternoon) until Sunday afternoon. (with cakes 
) I think it likely that he will confirm that he is retiring from his library next March. More like being retired due to the council cut backs.
The number of team leaders (his grade) is still being massacred down from something like 15 to 5 and their role is being changed from what one might expect in a library to more of a function organiser and sales promotor. He had hoped that he might have been able to take on some paid part-time work in the libraries but when we last talked about it that option was not being offered to the team leaders. Things may have changed since then as the council does seem a bit indecisive. Not surprisingly, staff morale at the libraries in that council is very low and there is a lot of staff away on sick leave at any time. My brother has remained relatively positive about this and as far as I know has had no sick leave. He is in the fortunate position of having paid off his mortgage and has the money from our late parents' estate so can afford to retire. As I have said before, he intends to do voluntary work at the local history museum and has a network of friends.
it's rotten that he'll lose his job, but I am glad it's happening at a time that won't make it finances too difficult. Just had a phone call from a woman with a very East European accent. It was near impossible to understand what she was saying. After several attempts I worked out that she had received a final letter from HMRC about her child tax credits. I had to apologise and say that I dealt with income tax returns rather than child tax credits so couldn't help. I would help someone who was an exisitng client but I'm reluctant to take work on where I have difficulty in understanding what they are saying.
What a shame that your brother is going to have to retire earlier than he would have chosen, El.
I know he has been aware that this situation might arise and has been making plans to keep himself busy with voluntary work. It is lucky that he will not have to worry about money and can still live comfortably.
On a positive note, he might be able to visit you more often, which means more cakes!
Summer, is your mum looking forward to her retirement? Have you chosen the destination for your holiday together yet?
Just had a phone call from a woman with a very East European accent. It was near impossible to understand what she was saying. After several attempts I worked out that she had received a final letter from HMRC about her child tax credits. I had to apologise and say that I dealt with income tax returns rather than child tax credits so couldn't help. I would help someone who was an exisitng client but I'm reluctant to take work on where I have difficulty in understanding what they are saying.
It could make things tricky if there were communication problems, so I think your decision is for the best.
I've never been to Italy but I'd love to go. I'm sure you and your mum will have a brilliant time.
That sounds a very disappointing end to your brother's career EL, I am so glad that financially he is in a position not to have to worry about money. I hope he finds exactly the right voluntary position to fit the bill. I agree with you about the lady struggling with her child tax credit and hope she finds someone to help.
How is the tomato sauce making going Yogi? I hope it turns out really yummy.
That sounds like a lovely holiday for you and your Mum Summer, I have been to Lake Garda once when I was a teenager and it is gorgeous. I always wanted to go back there, how lovely to have that to look forward to.
Yogi, I think my brother would continue to visit me every 6 weeks or so as before as he also visits some of his college friends who are not local to him. He will have to be careful with his money and I doubt it he would want to spend more on travel than he currently does. I know I could visit him, but my house is larger than his and there's not a lot of room there.
Hello lovely Buddies
Fankoo so much for all your 'best wishes' So much appreciated
Have a good evening everyone 
Yay Moonie is back! How are you feeling?
I didn't sleep very well last night - I think it was due to watching a spooky episode of Whitechapel before I went to bed.
I'm about to drop off so I'll say goodnight.
Hugs for Summer and Moonie.
I hope you sleep better tonight, do you see why I have to watch something like pride & prejudice or a Xmas movie before bed? I'm such a softie. 
I hope you sleep better tonight, do you see why I have to watch something like pride & prejudice or a Xmas movie before bed? I'm such a softie.Hi Sweet
Fankoo
I dont feel to bad thanks. Lappy seems ok now too *touch wood*
I hope you are well 
trying not to fall asleep 
