The cleaning/fixing/whatever you call them contractors are in school now. The Art rooms have been dried cleaned and are open for business again from tomorrow. The Sixth Form block should be done by the end of term. The Science block is gonna take a while as everything needs removing, including the floor, and refitting from scratch. The Sports Hall may be ready soon, but it's looking more likely that it will need the floor replacing, so could take longer. The library is a 16th century listed building and has to be treated completely differently, so will take months to sort. 

Things are manageable though We have a couple of classes in the hall each lesson, and one in the dining hall as well on occasion, and the kids have been brilliantly cooperative, so we can't complain  

If you know anyone who studies at college or university they get very good discounts on Apple products and you don't have to be a student to take advantage, but you would need their institution logon links. Or go to one of their learning centres and use their computer to purchase on the Apple website.

I have done it in the past and saved hundreds on my iMac. 

Sweet & Ducky thanks for adding to the sprout debate. Ducky I've put you down as .5 

There is a fascinating programme on BBC Four about the dangers of Victorian living.

Those stairs are lethal !!

There is a fascinating programme on BBC Four about the dangers of Victorian living.

It's really interesting how the slightest change in one step can have the effect of people tripping. Did you see the New York subway step film just now?

I'm watching that EC....

My son is in shock over the price of some perfume my daughter wants for Xmas  

That gas bath  

The whole world should be in shock over the price of these type of perfumes  

Now loos

That gas bath  

I'm surprised we ever made it out of the Victorian era.

They seemed hellbent on killing themselves.

I bet they had beautiful roses with all that horse poo

I bet they had beautiful roses with all that horse poo

 I remember as a child my dad used to always carry a shovel and a plastic bag in the back of the car.

Yes, you guessed it. If he happened upon some horse manure he would stop the car, shovel it up and be on his merry way.

 I remember my dad ...and the neighbours rushing out with their shovels if a horse passed by We never had a car until the 1960s ....

 I remember as a child my dad used to always carry a shovel and a plastic bag in the back of the car.

Yes, you guessed it. If he happened upon some horse manure he would stop the car, shovel it up and be on his merry way.