What's going on with the boat?

After ten years living on Tarquilla we have moved to land. I'm often asked if we love the house or miss the boat and the real answer is - both. We still have Tarquilla and we are open to all options at the moment as far as her future is concerned. We will carry on working on her, it would be great to be able to sail her again. The Scilly Isles, Portishead marina, Bristol harbour and Falmouth are all places we have talked about as well as many others further afield. But, on the other hand, if a family was looking for a boat, ready to do the preparation she needs and wanted to take her on then we would sell her. She is not ready to sail off into the sunset but has a lot of life left in her. If you or someone you know would be interested then please contact us. She is 3 ply cold moulded, 42 foot long, one off design built in the 1960's. She has 2 double cabins and 2 single berths, a good size saloon, a decent size galley, head and a covered cockpit. She has two engines and a full suit of sails. We have lots more photos and can provide more details or answer questions. In the meantime, this blog has come to a natural pause for now as we take on new adventures.
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Educating the COVID generation

Sunday the 24th January is UNESCOs International day of education. This year the theme is based on recovering and revitalising education for the COVID-19 generation.

 

Learning stuff - books, pencils and calculator

 

Most of England's schoolchildren are doing remote school work at the moment. Importantly it is keeping everyone safer whilst the pandemic ravages the country but that does not make it easy for the teaching staff, the children or parents.Teachers and school staff are working so hard to teach and safeguard children and Universities are developing flexible ways to provide teaching. 

We must remember that everyone's experience is different and the variation from school to school, family to family is huge. Our deckhands describe their current education as 'school at home' and fiercely defend the difference between this and boat school. It certainly looks very different now. Several years on they are no longer primary school age exploring the world around them. Now two of them are doing specialised subjects at A level and making decisions that will directly impact the start of their working lives.


Back view of three young children kneeling on deck all painting a large piece of paper bright green
How it started
 

Teenage children sat at table with lap tops open in front of them
How it's going

 

We are in a fortunate position that we are able to support their learning at home. They have a roof over their heads, heating, lighting, access to IT equipment and internet and electricity. They have enough food to eat, parents that speak the language their lessons are taught in and they don't have to fear for their safety or that of their family. Too many children around the city, the country and the world do not have those advantages.

Their school has been very good and are doing live lessons following their normal time tables. There is a lot of contact between teaching staff and families. It feels like they really want the children to succeed despite everything.

 

5 mugs in a circle on a table with different hot drinks
Powering learning with snacks and drinks

 

Education is considered by UNESCO as a human right and a public responsibility. It gives us possibilities for the future, breaking cycles of poverty. We can improve not just individuals but society through education. Maybe it is because I have worked in the lifelong learning sector and now see many mature students undertaking higher and vocational education but we mustn't think of this time as their only chance. We must not let them believe that anything not learnt now will be left unknown for ever. The thirst for learning is the important part, creating a generation of thinkers that want to explore topics for themselves outside of the rigid structure of schooling. Who knows what the COVID generation will achieve in the future. Certainly the importance of science and an appreciation of the escape provided by the arts will hopefully be embedded into many children from this period of our history.

So many people are trying hard now to provide education opportunities and resources to support learning. Many schools are providing plenty for the children, others less so. We need to remember that children learn differently and hard though it can be, not compare one to another. It can be especially harmful to compare what is in front of you to a rose tinted image presented by someone else on social media.

 

Here are some of our favourite links for learning sites and educational stuff for anyone who wants to learn more or differently or is doing traditional home educating. They are mostly aimed at secondary school/adults because that is the stage ours are at but several are suitable for younger children too. 


A red book with a white triangle of paper on it (!)

 

Web Sites:

BBC Bitesize

National marine aquarium Plymouth - home learning sessions

Paignton Zoo - school from the zoo sessions 

Memrise - for languages 

Kodu - 3D game programming for children

 

You Tube Channels:

Tom Scott

Map Men

The Tim Traveller

Sci-Show

Veratasium

Real Engineering

Minute science

Minute Physics

Minute Earth

CGP Grey

Linus Tech Tips

V sauce

Physics Girl

Nile Red

Simone Giertz

It's OK to be smart

Stand up maths

Numberphile

Periodic videos


Let us know if there are any channels or websites you enjoy that you think we would too or just want to share with others. 

 

Best wishes to all of you learning or supporting learning, you will change the world. 

Blue sky, green cliffs down to blue water. Rocky coastline and city in distance 
 
  
  
 
View from our favourite lockdown walk


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