Classrooms! I hear about standards of classrooms- its amazing to see it in reality. Literally nothing! And we moan when our ICT fails for one lesson! It looks like the more you get involved, the more we can see is needed. How desperate it all is. A generator would be a good start for when there is no electricity. What sort of books is needed for the library corner? and lastly, has Geoff perfected the harmonies to wheels on the bus? Keep the news coming. Thank you.
Hope you get this one!! Hi Jane, I've been keeping up to date with your blog and its wonderful. I did write to you, but as I'm a total technophobe I don't think you got it, hense the comment title, 'Hope you get this one!!'
You certainly appear to be having an awfully big adventure! Look forward to the next installment. Happy New Year to all you VSOs.
Love Grace
Happy New Year! Wishing you both a happy and even more exciting 2009! I'm loving the photos. It looks as if you're definitely living life to the max out there, and you've suddenly become an internet wiz!!!
Best wishes x
Happy New Year I so look forward to your blog! What a great description of your Christmas. Good to know that your cooking skills sre still being put to good use, especially with Birds Custard. Our evening slouched on the sofa watching Mama Mia is certainly no match to your boardroom experience. Hope the New year is good for you. We are excitedly awaiting the birth of Penny's second baby at the end of Feb. We had all the family to stay (in phases) during xmas and especially loved seeing both Ewan and Casper. Your blog is spreading amongst family and friends. I'm often asked how you two are getting on before they say hello!
Much love to you from John and Me
Lesley xx
Happy New Year Happy New Year! Looks like you had a fab xmas! Looks better than the usual entertainment we had on t.v. here. Love the luxury of Birds instant custard. Keep the blog going. .......Heres to 2009...
No more performances! Hi Both,
Well Jane, you will no doubt remember the relief that descends on us as we wave farewell to the Christmas concert performances. Only the mayhem of a final week at school to endure. A lot of staff and children are falling victim to the cold and flu bug which is ravaging the country and I'm sure we'll have more tears before the end of term.
Grace and myself have somehow got to fill the 'That's not Santa!' gap you've left. I think we'll perhaps assess the children on their knowledge of the piece with a 40min written response to the title: 'Is Christmas really a time for hats?'.
If you can email me your email address, I'll send you a pretty Christmas card as I haven't got around to sending any real ones yet.
Best wishes to you both,
Tony.
Really enjoying reading your blog! Sounds as though you are really enjoying your dream. Thinking of you. x The christmas doo will not be the same without you. x
Genuinely Impressed! Hi guys, I am a British born Pakistani and have accidentally come across your blog (I was trying to find a nice new desktop wallpaper pic). It was a pleasure to read your entire blog, (even though I ended up reading it from back to front!).
On behalf of myself and all other Pakistanis' I would like to say a great big thank you to you both for commiting yourselves in such a big way. You guys deserve a lot of respect for taking on this project - Well done!
I have emailed a link of your blog to all my brothers and sisters who I am sure will be delighted to read about your experience.
Stay strong and keep up the good work!
Mas.
thinking of you Thought of you this morning as I sat in the study looking at the snow in the front garden! I love the blog and the photos have convinced me that we will haVE TO COME AND VISIT. I hope you manage to make some sort of headway on the teaching front. We look forward with bated breath to the next installment.
Love to both. xxxxx
Looks interesting Hi,
been following the blog since you came to stay. It looks interesting, you are very brave. Wet and gey here but still lovely.
Take care both. Love Ceilia
Good experience at Sydan Wala form Dear Feoff and Madam jane, Nice to see your your blog. My village is near to Syedan Wala form "Maheen Mar", where my parents and other family lives. I was born in this village and when we were child, were lot of time to Syedan Wala Form in search of Grass etc. (food for our cattles). I studied till 5th class in my village school and then from class 6 to 8th in a nearby Village Ratti Pindi. Of course electricity in this area was installed in 1985-1988 otherwise we were without electricity. Now every body is enjoying mobile phone but till 2000 we have contact through a single line phones in each village. But you will be happy that born in that area, then I am working at Islamabad and I have my own luxury house at Islamabad where I am stying with my wife and children. Still on monthly basis visit to our village to see our parents. Still I feel lot of love with the area and our rural area are so innocent, lovely and hospitality is their culture. Be careful to swing in the nearby water canal as now water will be cold but we spent our days in the water canal during summer vacations. Enjoy you stay and take pure milk and if possible honey also.
Not a million miles away? Hi Both,
Glad to hear that everything (well almost) is going well so far. We've heard reports of troubles in Pakistan, so it's good to know you're both OK.
As for the donkeys, flowing robes and strange head dresses you describe, it sounds very much like the Christmas production which we are on the verge of once more! I wonder if you'll really miss that this year? Just as in your neck of the world, we're still not sure what the work involves and yes it is difficult to pin teachers down - some ought to be nailed down for the greater good...
We're missing you at yoga Jane and the numbers are dwindling - this might be our last half term unless I can badger anyone else into coming along. Make sure you don't forget your daily dose of 'downward dog' what with all that good food you seem to be consuming. Have you actually seen anyone or know of anyone practising yoga? I'll pass the info onto Fay before she goes off to Goa for a yoga retreat next year - not that I'm jealous of all these people who fly off to far away places.
Got to go and brave Tesco's now, so here's wishing you both a strong internet connection and a guaranteed seat on the western toilet!
Love,
Tony.
great start Hi Both. It all sounds so interesting. We love the Photos (keep them coming) and I agree you look good in the new clothes.
I hope the journey is ok and look forward to finding out about your new home!
Admiration Well Jane and Geoff I really must admit that I admire your bravery and commitment to what sounds like a very new and taxing journey. The amount of work you need to get through, the different language and way of life must be mind boggling. Both Graham and I admire you both and wish you well. There was an earthquake near Islamabad I believe did it affect you?
Everything here plods along and must seem very mundane to you but that's life. Nights are dark now at 4.0-5.00pm and the days are not much better. What is the temperature like there has it colled any?
Keep in touch.
Glad to know you arrived safely, nice photo's especially of the trousers!!!! Great news the housing plans have been turned down!!!! Looking forward to more exciting news of your travels,
Have fun Olive, Tony, Paul n Julie
Glad to hear you finally made it. Sounds well organised so far and love the description of your "cocoon", especially the pink velour! Just not sure about the trousers though. Look forward to hearing more soon.
From a freezing cold Blighty
Love to you both
Lesley
Not Corgi registered then? Nice looking gas fire, the fitters probably not Corgi registered though! Sorry couldn't make Tuesday but sombody's got to watch the Sky Blues! Glad it's nice and sunny there, but here the golf course is closed today (Wednesday) because of all the snow, will have to think of something else to do! Cheers, Dave
Arrived at last Good to see all your blogs. Glad you've arrived at last. Looking forward to following your adventures there. Am waiting to see photos in your new clothes - hope you took belts, braces or safety pins!! love Gwen
love the trousers It's good to know all is well, it sounds really exciting.
I love the fact that Geoff is still in the vanguard of fashion!
Look forward to seeing you model your new outfits.
Take care,love to both xxx
Hi Guys, Glad you have finally arrived in Pakistan and look as though you are enjoying yourselves. Think the trousers are great Geoff you should just about fit into them, who is getting in the other leg? looking forward to hearing more later. Best wishes David and Maureen
What alot has changed in 29 years Hello Jane
How exciting to read all your news - sounds as though you are going on a great adventure, sorry that I can't be at your farewell tomorrow but am meeting some Head Teachers from Columbia - who knows if I ever get the wonderlust like you I will need the networking!!
Good luck to you both in your travels - I will keep in touch via your blog, I'm still trying to keep body and soul and the NHS together I will give it another year and who knows maybe if your blog inspires I will take the high road as well!!
Take care and ENJOY Loads of love Jo
This is the personal diary of Jane and Geoff Stoyles. Any entries express our own personal views and are not necessarily those of V.S.O. We hope you enjoy reading it.... full info
Jane and Lorne
non-member comment
Classrooms!
I hear about standards of classrooms- its amazing to see it in reality. Literally nothing! And we moan when our ICT fails for one lesson! It looks like the more you get involved, the more we can see is needed. How desperate it all is. A generator would be a good start for when there is no electricity. What sort of books is needed for the library corner? and lastly, has Geoff perfected the harmonies to wheels on the bus? Keep the news coming. Thank you.