Mad Darby Diaries

I volunteered in a French school yesterday.  The aim of the day was to engage French children in English conversation.  The children had questions written down which they had to ask in English.  They were aged between 12 and 16.  Faced with 2 pupils aged 15 I answered the first question clearly and simply but they didn't understand the answer.  A rapid conversation in French passed between them and they then asked me in French if I would write down the answer. 'If I write down the answer you won't learn anything,' I said in French.  They asked the teacher what to do. 'Of course you can write down the answers for them and they can study them  later'! Listening skills?  Speaking skills?  I give up

My family organised a surprise day out on my birthday.  They took me to a nice restaurant overlooking the Thames and then on to the Shard where the view was spectacular. I wasn't allowed to contribute financially to the day but I thought that one member of the family could be struggling to pay his way.  What 25 year old isn't?  So I slipped a £20 note into Joe's pocket and told him to pay for his lunch with it. Joe gave the £20 to Mark.  Mark gave it back to Joe saying it was ok if he didn't pay.  Joe gave it back to me saying Mark didn't want it.  I gave it to Mark saying Joe wanted to pay.  He took it.  5 minutes later I saw him slip the £20 note into Joe's pocket.  No wonder Joe was smiling as he left to catch his train.