Whaaattt?

Slightly different here, yes I went to the local Grammar, nobody told me we were taking the 11+ one day at primary school, according to a number of teachers I fluked it. Grammar school was a struggle I had problems with writing legibly and was frequently punished for that, the head threatened to cane me, grades were erratic if the teachers read the work I did well if they didn't I didn't. Note my brothers writing was and is worse (GP), but he fitted in so did better.
As a dedicated introvert with poor sight, dodgy hearing in one ear team games were out and the French teacher sent me to walk round the playing field rather than have me in class.
A Levels followed when I did better than I was supposed to at O Level. Well the family didn't have a business or friends who might employ me. After A Levels University followed, see earlier reasons for doing A Levels.
University was good, the library was large and warm and open late. Planned on doing a PhD: then Thatcher struck and cut research funding to businesses so you needed at least a 2i to do a PhD, I got a "Desmond" (2ii). After a couple of years doing this and that I got a grant to do an MSc so toddled off to do that, that was the last year for state funded MSc courses Thatcher struck again.
I needed a job and so ended up working in a small rapidly growing instrument company as an R&D scientist is Essex. Thirteen years later they were taken, over the new bods didn't want me so I jumped at the offer of a job in Devon. That company went bust a couple of years later. A variety of short term jobs followed, water analysis and trifle manufacturing among them, then I ended up in drug analysis for an NHS pharmacy manufacturing unit and stayed there until they were sold to private investors, expensive plans went pear shaped and they had to "retrench"; that and health issues led me to retire at 66 (earlier than I expected) to become a full time gardener.
Still can't write legibly, speak French, hear, see or walk properly and I'm even more introverted than ever.

 

@NigelJ, full-time gardener - best job ever!

 

The assisted dying bill has failed in Scotland. It looks like going that way in England to.



It will be decades before the opportunity arises again. A tragedy.

 

I went to Grammar school in the 1960s and not even all of those who achieved A Level passes went on to University. How/why did things change to such an extent that within a couple of decades 50% of pupils were expected to go to Uni?

 

The apparent necessity to have a university degree to quality for a job is a joke. My wife worked for UCAS (University clearing) and a senior manager left. One of her colleagues was asked to cover the role "for a few weeks until a replacement is recruited". They agreed as they thought it was a great opportunity. Fast forward 12 month and the role hadn't been filled and was re-advertised. The person who had been doing the job asked to apply and was told they couldn't as they didn't have required educational qualifications!

 

@KT53 We had a similar case where I worked, one chap had on the job training and few qualifications, when an analysts job became available he applied was interviewed for it and they would have offered it to him, but they couldn't find a way round the regulations that said an Analysts job required a science degree and his job as a lab technician just needed O-Level Maths a Science and English.

 

to far ago and too busy to review what I read that you posted. Good luck to you. and to France who has a crystal ball.

 

Thanks, we finally made it back home. Sleeping in my own bed last night was awesome. Our show car did quite well. She was top 20 in a sea of 800 cars, and top 3 in a sea of 250 cars. and top 5 in a sea of 280 cars. all different shows. Got some trophies. And we are away again this coming Sunday to get to Indiana, for another show. Met some awesome folks who also are attending the same shows. Had some show storms to deal with in travels, but we made it. Enjoyed some good restaurants, met up with a friend of mine in one of the states. Had some young guys stop by and pick up the limbs/twigs that fell. But the leaves still there, not sure I can get to them before we leave.

 

No crystal ball @redstar, just enough intelligence to take note of the evidence, read the reports, evaluate past behaviours and understand that your hero is driving your country beyond the pale - illegal tariffs, illegal wars, illegal ICE activities, the Epstein files, Hesgeth, Bondi.........

The upside is that new trade, defence and political agreements are being forged to avoid anything to do with your dishonest, untrustworthy, unreliable president.

 

LOL

 

Sunday, we leave again, going west from PA. to Indiana. certainly an awesome trip, wide open spaces, miles of fields to pass through. Beautiful country to see in general. So blessed.