A longer experiment

I'm not sure how, pure fluke, but I must have position my camera somewhere around the pole star in order to get the rotation like this - I'm just gutted that after an hour, the temperature changed a little and my lens fogged, so this composite is made from 120 shots - I was hoping to leave it for a couple of hours and try to get more of the rotation in there. That's for another night I think. The red line is a plane that must have crossed the sequence of shots at some point. Naughty holidaymakers, ruining my shot!

I'm tempted to try and go somewhere else to shoot - might have to have a jaunt down to my Dad's this weekend and set up in his back garden - nice and secure, and I can nip in and out for a brew! Of course, it would also be smashing to see you Dad - it's been a while, with illnesses, new arrivals and hectic times at work!

A really good day at work. Some positive steps with individuals which resulted in smiles on faces, one student saying out loud (but to herself) "You see how easy it was, why have you been putting it off for so long" when she figured out that finishing her coursework wasn't going to be the trauma she had built it up to be in her head. Another student this afternoon spent a most enjoyable hour in 'detention' - actually it ended up being one to one coursework support, resulting in her also finishing a unit today, but more importantly I think, realising that I AM on her side and I do want her to be successful. Baby steps, but so important.

Fire drill. Building cleared from start to finish (including full registration and all students lined up in register order in silence) in 7 minutes. Doing a speedy check of classrooms and corridors with a dodgy knee was interesting, but it was very pleasing to see everyone do the job so well.

Lots of praying for snow. I think some of us are almost on the point of invoking the snow gods by doing a little dance on the front lawn at work.

Home, to a very excited James. "Mum, I'm really proud of myself" was his greeting to me. He then went on to tell me that he had got full marks on his most recent Maths test AND that he was publicly praised today for how well he has learned his lines and performed them in the final rehearsal for his assembly tomorrow morning at school. His class are acting a scene from Macbeth - James is Banquo. He is quite excited.

We sat and had a look at his homework together. He had to make up questions about grouping and sharing. I suggested
"A box contains 50 locusts. A greedy bearded dragon eats 3 boxes a week. How many locusts does the greedy beardie eat?" James wasn't for having that as a question (funny, but silly!)

We spent a little time researching further about the Bearded Dragon. Despite the obvious horror of my grandma at the thought of us having a reptile in the house, and boxes of live locusts on which to feed it, both James and I are committed (should be committed?) to the idea of having one, so Santa is going to have to set up a tank and gear and wrap the Dragon carefully!!! The only worry I had previously was what to do with him (Carlos is the name that has been decided upon, before it's even arrived) when we go on holiday. However, the local lizard emporium (of some repute) offers "boarding" for exotic pets at a VERY reasonable rate, so with my last reservation resolved, I am just figuring out when he arrives.

It's been a lovely chilled out evening with time to do what I wanted to do. And to watch Corin controlling his radio controlled helicopter with one hand whilst taking a photo with his Canon 20D with flashgun with the other hand. Smart alec.

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