Wonder if the townspeople of Beslan got in much gardening this weekend?

It’s just a week since the terrible scenes from Beslan hit our screens, but already they are paling from consciousness. The world wants to move on. Hurricane Ivan replaces grieving parents. But don’t be surprised at the Russian revenge that is to come. They will claim the same global freedom to act just as the USA has. But state terrorism only exacerbates things. Ordinary people want to live in peace and harmony with each other. Why don’t our politicians concentrate their efforts in this direction?

I was listening to a politics programme on Radio 4 last night. One contributor raised the excellent question of go-it-alone UK military involvement in places where we really have no business. We lost the British Empire quite some time ago. And anyway where are other countries like Holland, Norway, Canada etc. when someone else’s problem arise? It’s all a bit bonkers actually.

Really enjoyed my teaching this week. The classes are holding together well. Everyone is working hard. There is a buzz about the place that I haven’t heard for quite a few years. That can happen when you get a good crop of students coming through the door. Time will tell, but so far so good.

The occasion of the week were of our national football teams beginning their 2006 World Cup campaigns. Scotland, God bless ‘em, were up against Slovenia. We build our hopes up so high only to see them crushed by later events.

To stand any real chance of qualifying Scotland should have won this home tie and captured 3 precious points, but only managed a 0-0 draw. It’s always uphill for such a wee nation as Scotland, but when we don’t seize chances we then face a mountain. Individually and collectively.

The weather has taken a turn for the worse. As if in sympathy with Beslan it’s turned extremely windy, with heavy showers. Plus it’s definitely getting darker earlier. Jiggered the hanging baskets good style. Managed to get the front grass cut this afternoon, probably its last of the season.

Wonder if the townspeople of Beslan got in much gardening this weekend?