BACK TO THE BOOKS AND THE BICYCLE

Back at college - year four, week one. Just nine months to go before my exams next May and handing in my dissertation. It seems like only yesterday that my journey towards a BA History degree at Birkbeck began yet by the time I celebrate my 71st birthday in December, the pressure will really be on.

This week it was good seeing some familiar faces, students who were with me on previous courses, especially Giles, another grey-haired oldie, who admits to struggling but is hanging on. He and I are on the "Social Changes in 19th century Britain" course and this fits in nicely with the other courses I have completed in previous years.

I have volunteered to do a presentation on "The European Experience of Declining Fertility" in week three so reading papers on subjects about women, sex and contraception is high on my list of learning priorities! Can't say that I know much about these sort of things but, who knows, I may finish up with a lot of knowledge on this issue. My LONDON FOOTSTEPS walkers may like to know more!

The other course is "Colonial Encounters: Race, Identity and Cultural exchange in the British Empire" which is all about events and developments in Africa, India and Australia. It will focus on the role and attitudes of the Brits as Empire builders and colonialists but from a different perspective.

The bicycle has been cleaned and oiled so the twice-weekly journey across London from the railway station to the college is on two wheels rather than relying on London Transport. Makes a big difference after lectures because I can be back on the train within 30 minutes and home before 10 pm. This may sound irrelevant but waiting for a London bus on a dreary winter evening is no fun so the bicycle has been an essential part of my travel plans over the past three years.

The College has been expensively re-organised with new lecture rooms and computer facilities everywhere. Dell must be making a fortune. The college is always crowded during the first few weeks and this suggests that a lot of people are signing on for a whole range of degree courses and willing to combine work with part-time education. Those who have work and family commitments must find it very difficult giving a number of hours each week to their studies. Several of those who started at the same time as I did have decided on one course a year instead of two and extended their time from four to five or even six years.

I'm looking forward to this final year but not without some trepidation. The amount of reading and studying has increased which is why I have given up my job as Chairman of the Manchester Drive Allotment Society. You wouldn't believe the amount of paper-work, telephone calls, emails and trouble-shooting the job demands! That's the subject for another blog.

For the moment it's back to the study of "Gender and fertility decline among the British Middle Classes". Here we go again.

A GREAT WAY TO FLY. RUBBISH!

It's time to put the record straight. British Airways are a company who look after those who pay extortionate fare prices and don't care much for those who sit down the back-end of the aircraft and are crushed into seating that is totally unsuitable for anyone over the age of 12.

No leg room for normal people; seats that tilt back and nearly decapitate the person in the row behind; food that is barely edible and coffee that tastes like - well certainly not coffee. The cabin staff have perfected the art of treating these 'lower' classes like something people find on the soles of their shoes after walking across a cow field.

There is not much attempt to make the trip a bit more comfortable. I would liked to have read an English newspaper when we left Boston but a polite request to the steward in response to my "do you have any English newspapers?" was a curt "No. You can get the BBC news on your screen." I'd already seen The Times appearing in the 'up-market' sections of the aircraft - and later he came down the aisle with the Daily Mail.

The food is served up like school dinners. Get on with it and don't ask questions. The staff much prefer to hide behind curtains and talk loudly about their schedules.
"Last week I went to Rio. Next week it's Calgary and Vancourver. Have you been to Cape Town. What hotel did you stay in while in Vegas?" It's the kind of loud, casual chat that is for the benefit of nearby passengers trying to get some shut-eye.

Finally we arive in London, crumbled, aching, tired and, yes, irritable. It's over for the cabin staff - so they are laughing and joking amongst themselves without so much as a goodbye and thanks for flying BA. The Chief Steward and one other member of the cabin crew were prepared to wish us a safe onward journey. The rest of the staff gave the impression they were glad to see us go.

So flight BA 214 from Boston to London on 2nd October 2009 was a grim and uncomfortable experience. Those sitting at the back-end were made to feel as though we were doing BA a favour. It seems there is a culture within this huge company that the 'oiks' don't matter. Wrong. They do. Next time we go to America then Mr Richard Branson will get our business.

BUTLINS TO BOSTON - IN 49 YEARS

Doesn't seem like 49 years ago we were enjoying the delights of Butlins Holiday Hotel at Margate. But honeymoons only come round once in a lifetime - for most of us fortunately - and I don't remember too much about it. I certainly couldn't have imagined that in 2009 we would be celebrating the 1st October anniversary in the Seaport Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts.

Margate remains a sad place these days. Unemployment is high and as a holiday destination it's hardly worth a mention. Boston on the other hand is a prosperous city that has all the atmosphere and excitement of modern America. If there is a recession and a financial crisis then it seems to have passed this place by.

I must have enjoyed a few pints of beer at Butlins in 1960 but I can't remember what the room was like. We didn't have a car - and probably couldn't afford taxis at the time. But who would want to go and hit the town when Butlins can provide such in-house entertainment. Those were the days of dancing the night away to a three or four piece playing the latest Frank Sinatra numbers. It was even pre-Beatles and Rolling Stones.

We don't have the energy to do that sort of thing 49 years later. We're now taking it easy in a quiet corner of this hotel waiting to catch the bus to Logan Airport and a six hour flight back to the UK. Around us are people enjoying cocktails and watching the news that Rio has beaten Chicago for the 2016 Olympics on screens in every corner of the hotel. The new arrivals are checking in for their Boston weekend breaks. They wouldn't be interested in our tales of Margate!

Nor would all the jolly souls attending a seminar for the New England Society for Vascular Surgery. They have their badges and name tags, the bags and the pens and have been flooding into the mezzanine area to 'network' and taste the Seaport Hotel goodies and fine wine. Wonder what they talk about? This must be what is meant by having a heart-to-heart chat.

So we tick off another year and look forward to a big celebration in 2010. Won't be here in Boston or at Margate though. A family get-together is much more appropriate and most of the people around us will understand that in a few years time.

A TASTE OF THE GOOD LIFE

We all know that Americans love their food - and enjoy it in great quantities. But for those of us who have diminishing appetities - and I refer to those of us seniors - then it becomes something of an endurance test. Can we really eat all that mountain of food on the table?

Boston is the home of great sea food; that's my assessment although all the guide books tell you that. Scallops, littlenecks (guess what they are), clams, scrod, chowder, lobster - you name it, they catch it and produce a whole range of inventive and tasty dishes that are worth every mouthful.

But there's just too much. The bread that comes beforehand, the salad and, like the other night at the world famous Anthony's at Pier 4, the plate of garlic musrooms, all these can fill you up before the main course arrives. Who wants to be stuffed before enjoying the dish of the day.

So here's the tip. Avoid the appetizers and go straight to the main course. If you enjoy that and still have room for a dessert then fine. But in my experience, the real joy are the main courses - and there's always plenty on the plate.