It was the William Brookes School Reunion, the last before the old school gets flattened and the new one comes into use. I couldn’t pass the chance up to go back one last time and have a walkaround of the old place, I really couldn’t.
It was fun. Odd though. Parts of the school had changed (as they would in 16 years), but some parts were as if I’d left yesterday. Even the smells…the rooms still smelled the same, it was a real blast from the past. I’d say that the school seemed smaller, but then again sometimes it didn’t. New doorways, new layouts – I had quite a few “where the hell am I now?” moments.
I will admit to walking into some places and literally laughing out loud. So many memories of that place. Saw some of the old staff, and Penny Cooper the headmistress. Nice to see the staff there are reasonably constant – makes a change!
Some parts were more battered than I recall..the main science corridor is suffering nowadays. It’s not done badly though. The DT labs are still the same – I had to just stand and smile for a while there. Standing in my old tutor rooms at my old desks took me back. Met some old classmates in passing, and met up with Stuart Parr, his wife and kids, along with others.
I found myself thinking as we walked, using our walking sticks. I thought “what the hell happened?! Look at us now. Kids, creaking around the edges, sounding like our grandads..what would the Karl of 16 years ago make of this? Oh GODS…”. It was nice to meet people again and see how well they are, and meet their kids though.
I’ll make no secret of the fact that in an ideal world I’d quite like Isabel to go to WBS when she’s older…I feel the place gave me a damn good education and challenged me well, which is more than I can say for a lot I see nowadays. I even got nabbed in my old science room and talked into making a model of a caffiene molecule, then having my picture taken with it. THAT’S what science lessons lack now..balls on sticks.
I almost felt 16 again. I really did. Too much bloody IT in the classrooms mind you. It’s a curse. Yes, I KNOW I support it tech-wise, it doesn’t mean I agree with it all the time.
Then it was back to the car and drive back through 16 years worth of memories to the present day, back to Jem and Isabel. Would I change it? Nope. I’d hope Izzy does better than her old dad mind you..I was never the most academic child. Heh.
Isabel’s doing well..:) 6 month near enough now, she’s sitting up more or less unaided, she’s very vocal (singing, waffling), and we’ve now found “mumumum” and “babababa”, as well as shaking the head, spontaneous random laughter, she can’t quite crawl yet, but she’s pretty damn mobile and very strong indeed. Still a 99% happy child – it’s rare she’s upset. She’ll voice disapproval if she wants, but it’s over in seconds.
With luck, we’ll be starting to try her with soft foods and sticks of veg etc at the end of next week in her new IKEA high chair. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to watching how she copes with that..:)
We’re still co-sleeping with her, no problems. In fact, I’d go so far as to say my alarm clock is unneeded now. 6am-7am, she’s awake. My first word to Jem this morning and Izz rolled over and put a hand over my mouth then smiled at me because she realised I was awake. I tell you, there’s no nicer way to wake up than to a happy baby lying next to you..heh.
Today it’s visiting parents and car rides..:) Quite a nice day in prospect too!
