Work Starts.

I was back at school today but it was a non-pupil day with 'activities' for the staff in the morning. We started by sharing what we had done in the holidays. Some had been away, others had looked after family and everyone had enjoyed the break. Next we were split into teams of 3 and given a treasure hunt that took us around Pilton. It was a good activity that made us look closely at the interesting buildings that are all around Pilton. Pilton was the original settlement around an abbey long before Barnstaple sprang up on the wet ground by the river crossing point. We explored alleys that most of us had never walked along before.
And found new ways to the church.


Tucked in next to the church is the old Pilton school which is now a playgroup.



A couple of my colleagues trying to find the date of Father Ted's demise.

Back in the High Street we criss-crossed the road looking for telephone numbers, house names and dates and when OAPs can have reduced price hair styling.

There is some quite lovely architecture along the High Street (not to be confused with Barnstaple High Street which is the main shopping street).

Back at school we compared answers, sadly my team did not win the prize of a tin of chocolates but we all had good fun. After that we had a 'tacky gift/souvenir' competition. The gifts ranged from snow globes to ornaments that flashed or played tunes. The winning gift was a toy video camera with slides inside and my entry of a long red stuffed creature called a Dam It which you are supposed to relieve stress with by using it to hit objects or people came a close second. That was from a local charity shop.

By that then it was time to 'build a bonfire using sticks from the school gardens.' As a holiday club had made a big mess of all the PE equipment so carefully sorted before the holidays, half of us sorted that out and the other half built a fire and cooked food on disposable barbecues. No prizes for guessing that I was outside playing with the fire. Everyone had bought lots of food for our barbecue so we had a pleasant lunch sitting outside. Then it was time for a diary date staff meeting by which time it was nearly 2.00 and those of us that are part-timers were free to go.

I went back into town and posted Vicky's flute which had also been left behind after their visit. By this time the sun was blazing and it was boiling hot so I dashed home to enjoy this extra summer's day. Alas by the time I had got home the clouds had gathered but I sat outside anyway with some ice cream and a book.