Yesterday involved a return to The Westleton Crown

Yesterday I forgot that I had taken the day off work. I went in to be asked why I was in! So I returned home, took my daughter out for a driving lesson, dropped her at my work for her job, returned home and my wife, Leia and I went out to Snape while my son got ready for a date. My daughter had been out to one earlier in the week, but both reported back that it was not a date and did not speak about it at all otherwise.

Leia loved being at Snape Maltings. My wife drove, as helping my daughter learn to drive can be a bit draining. She loves it there as well, which is why we visit it at least once a year. Leia found the drive there a bit stressful as my daughter fed our lactose intolerant Cockapoo some cheese before the trip, which meant that we had to keep pulling over for her. The only part of Snape Maltings that she did not like was a wooden walkway.

I had refused to book lunch in advance, and for a while, it appeared that we were not going to find anywhere, but The Westleton Crown was not too far away so we returned there. Great food once again, and for the person not driving, a fantastic bottle of wine (the remainder of which was shared once we got home). 

Overall, it was a good day and we bought a birthday present for my mother as well! The only blip was Arsenal getting beaten at home by West Ham. 

A Haunting in Venice

Watched this last night with my wife. I am not a big fan of Agatha Christie, but I enjoyed this more than Death On The Nile. While that film started better, this was more of a slow burn. I worked out who it was, almost for the right reason. I doubt that I would watch it again, but apparently others have enjoyed it much more than I.

There has been outrage though about the BBC adaptation of another Agatha Christie novel because the work of fiction was altered slightly to be more inclusive of the population demographics of today. Due to this, I may take the time needed to watch Murder Is Easy, which I doubt I would have watched otherwise. 

Havoc

I did not mind this film. I doubt I would watch it again however. With children around the ages featured in the film, it had more relevance to me, especially as they have told me about the availability of drugs in school.  It has been argued that this is slum tourism, something I engaged in when on a trip to New Orleans over twenty years ago. I do remember taking my daughter to Jaywick so that she could see the poverty some in her school were talking about in an ignorant manner. I have not had to do that with my son who chose to go to school in a very deprived area. My daughter at her sixth form also now meets people who are not fed properly thanks to poverty in the UK, but the impression I get of the Boys Grammar school from her, is that this film may be like that. 

What was the most interesting was the way attitudes to rape appear to have changed. No means no but the scene in the film appeared to have areas which were more grey than they are now. This video is great when it comes to consent. I have used it to show one victim of sexual assault that she should feel no guilt, and I have another patient who realised what happened to her was wrong after watching it at school.

Boxing Day 2023

Even though I went to work for a few hours, today has been quite relaxing over the last few days, we have played a few games. One was about music from 2000-2010+, the kids were great sports, playing even though it was set a bit too early for them. Another one was a quiz but that resulted in my wife and son deciding that they did not want to be on the same team as my daughter.

Apparently, her competitive zeal has been noted at her sixth form. In a politics quiz she was very assertive with her teammate, but in her psychology class, she was quite vocal. 

My wife made a great Christmas meal and even included the dog in her cooking, making Leia a meal that the dog absolutely loved.  My present for my son had not arrived in time so he had to make do with a vinyl album. My daughter got one of my hoodies, this being the hoodie I wore when she was born. She had tried to steal it from me before, but I had managed to get it back, and for the last few months, hid it. She was very happy to have it as a gift. 

The Kings Speech

It was the first Kings Speech that we watched today. One which would be viewed by many as being political. I felt his speech referred to the cost of living crisis and also could be viewed as taking care of refugees. The last point is especially important considering how today is celebrated by many as the birth of the most famous refugee of all. 

The Westleton Crown

We traveled to see my mother yesterday morning and have taken a break for the day in Suffolk now. My brother and I had discussed who was to spend time with her this Christmas, we had her last year when she took offence with us, but my brother spent two lockdown Christmas’s with her in 2020 and 2021. However, she decided that she is going to spend Christmas alone this year. But, she loved seeing the children face to face.

After that, we drove to stay overnight, in a dog friendly place, where I explored with her for her dog walks. The food and service was fabulous and it was a much needed break after another hard year.

Transgender rules in schools

Again I agree and disagree with the government about its rules on transgender matters for schools. 

I think that single sex toilets based on biological sex should be present, but despite the risks, schools should have the right to also provide gender neutral toilets for pupils. I do agree with segregation of changing and showering areas based on biological sex, this also being the rule for sports in situations where segregation takes place. 

I do think that children should have the right to socially transition in schools, within these limits, without parents being involved. As happens with conditions like abortions for underage children, efforts should be made to involve parents, but if the child says no, I do think that wish should be respected. 

There are over 100 gender identities and we should allow people to learn about them if they think that they may be non-binary when it comes to this. I have seen too many people live unhappy lives living a lie.