CAMBRIDGE, days 10+11

After the morning classes, at 2pm there was a most interesting plenary talk by Jim Scrivener, renowned author and Bell’s academic director, on “The Underknown Skills of Classroom Management”. As soon as it finished, I went straight to a museum: The Fitzwilliam Museum.

The Fitzwilliam Museum is one of Europe’s great art museums really worth visiting not only because of the exhibitions it hosts but also for the building itself. This imposing neoclassical building was built in 1848 to house Viscount Fitzwilliam’s art collections and nowadays, besides the permanent collections (Antiquities, Applied Arts, Coins, Paintings, and Manuscripts), it hosts temporary exhibits of international and English art. Admission is free, yes, as in many other British museums, but do go with time and long before 5pm, when they close doors and usher you out!

The main entrance to The Fitzwilliam Museum facing Trumpington Street

I went back to the campus at about 6pm for my dinner

>>The main meal consisted of confit duck leg with plum sauce + sides: rice, sugar snaps, roast butternut and sweet potatoes. The main meals are always served with salad and there is always fresh fruit for dessert.

For the evening, there was another enjoyable musical event: Jazzy Tunes with tutors Chaz Pugliese (guitar) and David A. Hill (piano and harmonica). There was also poetry with David A. Hill and Jim Scrivener! Have a look at our multi-talented tutors:

David A Hill

David A Hill (piano) and Chaz Pugliese (guitar)

David A Hill (harmonica)

On Thursday, from 9am to12.30pm classes with our experienced tutor, Anna Young, and at 2pm a practical session on “What motivates our students” by Chaz Pugliese. After that, well, I confess…I shot up for town to go shopping! My time here is almost up and I want to take some pressies home at least for my kids. Isn’t that fair? They do deserve them.

Anyway, there’s not much I can add right now. I had a great dinner in the dining hall at the campus followed by a relaxed and entertaining Karaoke.

>>Pasta with prawns and courgette linguine + green beans and cauliflower. For dessert I chose an orange.

Friday is my last course day at Bell Teacher Training Campus. Goodbyes are always hard, especially when the working environment has been professionally stimulating yet relaxed and led by a brilliant tutor. Though I love it here, I miss my children terribly and look forward to going home. Nothing lasts forever, but good memories will prevail and technology will definitely play its role in maintaining these new friendships and contacts.