Rundown of November

Attended the ‘Data Matters: work effectively in the new HE landscape’ conference on 3rd November, a joint endeavour between HESA, JISC and the QAA. Lovely venue, though I walked past the entrance several times, staring confusedly at Google Maps, before being beckoned inside by a kindly security guard (not the first time). Met several other colleagues from the Strategy & Information Office who were also attending, plus Susan, ex-of Returns team but now part of the Quality Enhancement and Learning Analytics (think I’ve got that right) team in LTI.

Went up to London again the following day to meet up with Helen. For a change, and having only recently discovered the Milton Keynes Coachway, I went by National Express coach rather than taking the train. Boarded coach, which was already fairly crowded by the time it got to MK, and found a seat next to a sleeping teenager (one of many such on board). In the main a fairly dull journey down the M1; it got more interesting once we were into London. Plus side of the coach: the ticket was less than half the cost of the train ticket; down side: the journey takes twice as long, and ends up at the dispiriting Victoria Coach Station. Don’t think I’d taken a coach from Victoria since I was a postgrad at Essex, when to save money I sometimes used to go by coach back to Colchester. Was really expecting it to have undergone a refurb in the meantime but no, it seems to just be even more of a pee-stained dump. Given that it appears heavily used, including presumably by a good many tourists, it could really do with an overhaul.

Caught up with Helen over lunch at the branch of Strada near the Festival Hall before walking across the river to Tate Britain. Helen had mooted the idea of going to the Impressionists exhibition that runs until May, but in the event we decided we didn't feel inclined to pay the admission fee and that we'd just have a mooch around some of the free galleries instead. Which we did, here are some of the things we saw.

Untitled (One Hundred Spaces) by Rachel Whiteread

Akua-Ba by John Skeaping

Not sure about this one

We had tea in the (packed) café before I made my way back to Victoria Coach Station to catch the return coach back to MK. Not sure the whole coach thing is something I'll be doing frequently.

Met up with Ray's sister Sharon on 11th November for lunch in the café at Stubbings. Sharon shared her plans for a creative project she is engaged in - I'm waiting to hear more in due course. We had an enjoyable wander around the Christmas display afterwards.

Went up to London again on 19th to visit Ruth's friend Patrick, his now-wife Barbara and their c. eight-month old son Ben. Patrick and Barbara are renting a cute, if snug, little house in Seaforth Crescent in Islington, part of a terrace of former council housing. Apparently even now only a couple of them are privately owned, including the one Patrick and Barbara are living in, which they're renting from an ex-colleague of Patrick's. Visions of their neighbours having been able to be resident for years in an expensive part of London on a peppercorn rent. Bah. We went for Sunday lunch at a pub a few streets away, whose name I've forgotten but it might have been The Railway Tavern on St Jude Street. Nice roasts.

Had a birthday tea party at Mum and Dad's on Sunday 26th as a joint celebration for Mum and Huwie. Huw turned one on 29 November. Mum's cousin Jonathan came for lunch and Anne and Ian joined us later for tea.

Mum and Huwie