Hollister : A Short Play

by Charlie Albuery

Int. A dark room, like seriously, crazily dark, there are random plants and Chesterfield sofas dotted around; it smells of own-brand Hollister deodorant and pretension.

Our young, dashing hero, Charlie, enters through an unnecessary porch and an entrance irritatingly marked ‘Dudes’ – he notes the other entrance is marked ‘Betties’ and proceeds to curmudgeonly mutter; this continues throughout the scene.

Charlie – Why did we have to come in here?

Charlie’s cousin (who is far too brand-aware for his own good) – Because I want a Hollister shirt!

Charlie goes to berate his cousin but is interrupted as a scantily clad woman resembling a Disney princess emerges from behind a large, artificial, utterly unnecessary spider plant.

Bikini-Ariel – Hi, welcome to Hollister (She smiles in a way akin only to Heath Ledger in his excellent portrayal of the Joker.) Can I interest you boys in anything?

Charlie – (Aware his cousin will attempt to flirt with this woman as she has a face and an oxygen supply) No we’re good thanks.

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Charlie is, by this point, aware he is going to write this article, he notes, and is further irritated by the crystal chandelier and elephant-pattern wallpaper – by this point convinced the gaudily decorated doors were in fact a looking glass and he is now in a bizarre world where a raven is like a writing desk.

Charlie – Ok, I’m gonna write a thing about this, I’ll get a photo of myself in one of the shirts for, like, a punch line.

Charlie’s cousin– I am one of Hollister’s brainless fringe-zombies, you should buy one

He turns to a second modal/shop assistant/epitome of perfection

Charlie – Do you have anything in an XL?

Tank-Top Tiana- No, sorry (She cracks a smile that clearly says ‘Not a place for you – fatty’)
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Charlie – But he’s like 6’5’ and he’s got one of the shirts on (he indicates Abs McGee who is straightening an utterly appropriately placed portrait of a Chihuahua)

Tank-Top Tiana – (apparently not realising repetition was not an acceptable response to Charlie’s point) No, sorry.

Charlie harrumphs and makes his way over to take a photo with a rack of the Hollister shorts; he goes to take a photo with these as a substitute for his original plan.

Colonel Swiggety Swag– Sorry sir, you’re not allowed to take photos in Hollister

Charlie – (Now angered by the surprising consistency with which he has been apologized to in the last 90 seconds) I’m sorry, are you serious?

Captain Gel-Fringe(n.b. same person as Colonel Swiggety Swag) – Yeah buddy, but you can take photos in the porch way.

Charlie(apparently General Arm-Flexer’s buddy) – What is a porch way?

Sergeant Bright-Shorts – The bit outside

Charlie – (sarcastically) Oh, so I can take photos outside of Hollister? How kind of you…

Charlie storms from the shop, tripping over a miscellaneous collection of surfboards and overpriced bracelets as he goes. He turns to beckon his cousin to follow him, at which point he sees the ‘Betties’ sign again, and storms away in disgust, never to return.

‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ plays as Charlie walks towards the front of the stage. Casting a middle finger up into the air and backward toward the store, he freezes.

Fin

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Is Bale the Real Deal?

by Zoe Rundle



Gareth Bale
(Wiki commons)

Ok, so if you arrive in Madrid with an £85 million price tag you've clearly got some sort of talent. But when you're just a young lad from Wales who grew up under the influence of father Frank, a school caretaker, and mother Debbie, an operations manager, you must be pretty special. For Gareth Bale, the boy from Whitchurch, transferring over to Real Madrid for a world-record fee can only be described as a dream come true as a new chapter opens in the career that's only just beginning.

Growing up, Bale was just like any ordinary kid who loved football and idolised the Welsh wizard Ryan Giggs. He attended Whitchurch High School and, unbelievably, was in the same class as Welsh rugby captain Sam Warburton and national cycling hero Geraint Thomas. Bale caught the eye of Southampton, aged just nine, while playing a six-a-side tournament for his first club Cardiff Civil Service. However, it wasn't just football that the Welshman excelled in; hockey, rugby and even sprinting also featured in Bale's repertoire and it's even been rumoured that he was able to run 100m in 11.4 seconds aged only 14. Despite this, it was football that Bale pursued and school PE teacher Mr Morris had to prevent Bale from using his left foot and limit him to one-touch passing in order to make it fairer on the other boys. While at school, Bale showed the much-needed commitment by travelling several times each week to Southampton's satellite academy in Bath and as a result his game was improving day-by-day. Aged sixteen, he was in the Whitchurch under-eighteen side that won the Cardiff and Vale Senior Cup and was awarded a PE prize for his services to sport. During the presentation, teacher Mr Morris said how Bale had "a fierce determination to succeed" and "the character and qualities to achieve his personal goals" - something he would go on to do.

The youngster left school in 2005 and less than a year later became the second youngest player to represent Southampton (behind a certain man named Theo Walcott). In April 2006, at the age of sixteen years and two-hundred-and-seventy-five days he made his debut in a 2-0 victory over Millwall and it looked as if the move away from home at such a young age was worth it. He became the youngest player ever to play for Wales as he appeared as a substitute in a 2-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago on May 26th 2006. He assisted the winning goal scored by Robert Earnshaw and Bryan Flynn was quick to compare his technical ability to that of Bale's childhood hero Ryan Giggs. Later that year he scored his first league goal, in the form of a free kick, to level the score in a 1-1 draw at Derby County. Bale netted with another free kick in Southampton's second game of the 2006-2007 season and started to build-up a reputation from set-pieces continuing to score more from a dead-ball against the likes of Hull and Norwich. In October, Bale was called up to the Welsh squad again and became the youngest player ever to score a goal for his national team by netting another free kick against Slovakia. Life was pretty good for the Welsh youngster and his Premier League goal tally was up to five by Christmas. Bale started to gather up some high-profile awards, such as the BBC Wales Young Sports Personality of the Year. A few months later, in March 2007, the then-defender was named the Football League Young Player of the Year and connections were starting to be made with top-flight clubs. A second goal in a Welsh jersey was put to his name as he scored in a 3-0 win over San Marino on March 28th. He later stated that it was "an honour to play for Wales". After suffering an injury during the first leg of Southampton's Championship play-off semi-final, Bale's season and time at Southampton was over. He didn't feature again for the club and moved to Tottenham Hotspur that summer.

A four-year deal was on the cards and Bale cost the London club a mere £7 million, something that now seems like one of the biggest bargains of football history. Big things were expected from the lad who had sacrificed so much for his dream and he was now about to embark on what would be an up-and-down journey at Tottenham Hotspur. The 2007-2008 season was just around the corner and it would turn out to be a rocky road for the Welshman. The season started well and Bale made his competitive debut at the Theatre of Dreams in Tottenham's second game of the season. He went on to score his first goal in a 3-3 draw with Fulham in early September as he charged down the left-flank and coolly finished past Niemi. Since Bale's name was now synonymous with the phrase "free kick", it only seemed natural that this how he scored in his first North-London derby against Arsenal. The ball sailed in past the near post and as far as Spurs fans were concerned, this was already enough to give him a legendary status. He continued his fine start to the season with a goal in the League Cup tie against Middlesbrough; Bale had now scored three goals in four starts for Tottenham. However, things were about to go downhill. The rising star was substituted on the 2nd of December following a tackle from Fabrice Muamba. It was discovered that Bale had suffered ligament damage to his right ankle and surgery was necessary. By February 2008, it became clear that he would miss the rest of the season and the Tottenham Sporting Director Damien Comolli said that the decision had been made to "bring him back slowly to ensure he does not get a repeat of the injury or suffer any further damage".

After such a promising start to his Spurs career, Gareth Bale started the 2008-2009 campaign with a few uninspiring performances, despite signing a new four-year contract at the start of the season. He was soon dropped and remained the second-choice left-back behind Benoit Assou-Ekotto. The following season continued on as the previous one had ended - in a rather dull manner for Bale. The Welshman missed pre-season and the first-few weeks of the league campaign after he underwent further surgery for his knee. He returned on the September 26th as a substitute and came on in the 85th minute; Tottenham recorded a 5-0 win over Burnley and it was the first time that Bale had been on the winning side as a Spurs player, despite 24 previous attempts. However, since Assou-Ekotto was in good form, it became difficult for Bale to get in the starting eleven. Nevertheless, Bale still recieved another call up to the Welsh National Side and he started the World Cup qualifier against Finland. Four days later he set up David Vaughan who scored the opening goal against Liechtenstein and won a free kick which was scored by Aaron Ramsey for the second. The Premier League season continued and Bale knew that he had to take his chance when it came. After an impressive performance in the FA Cup third-round against Peterborough, and aided by a slight injury to Cameroon-international Assou-Ekotto, Bale was given the go-ahead as Spurs met local rivals Fulham in the January of 2010. Redknapp's men earned a 2-0 victory and the left-back's game started to improve. In April, he scored the winning goal in the North-London derby, much to the delight of all associated with Tottenham Hotspur, and three days later produced a man-of-the-match performance against eventual champions Chelsea after scoring the winner with his weaker right foot. Clearly all that practice with Bale's right foot, thanks to Mr Morris back at school, was paying off! The Welshman was named Barclays Player of the Month for April 2010 and signed yet another four-year contract in May after helping Tottenham secure Champions League football for the first time in their history.

The 2010-2011 season is surely one that Bale will remember for a long time to come. He started the season in phenomenal form scoring twice in a 2-1 win at Stoke City in August (with the second of these goals later awarded Goal of the Month by the BBC). Less than a week later, Tottenham beat Young Boys 4-0 to take them into the Champions League group stages and it was Bale that set up all four goals. The lad from Whitchurch soon moved into the left-wing position in order to accommodate Benoit Assou-Ekotto at left-back who had returned from injury. In September, Bale netted his first Champions League goal against FC Twente and was consequently named Welsh Player of the Year. His next Champions League goal, or should I say goals, are sure to live in the memories of several thousand Spurs fans. It was the 20th of October and the San Siro was the location. Tottenham were to take on the European giants Inter Milan and it was the manner in which this game played out that made it so special. After going 4-0 down in thirty-five minutes, and playing with ten men for over eighty minutes after Spurs' goalkeeper Gomez had been shown red early on, a Gareth Bale hat trick saw the game end 4-3. All his goals came from a surge down the left-wing followed by a fierce shot that flew past the Inter keeper. In the return leg, another man-of-the-match performance from Gareth Bale saw the London side win 3-1; the Welshman set up goals for Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko. With these two performances buzzing in the minds of several top European clubs, Bale showed his loyalty to Spurs by extending his stay at the club until 2015. In the April of 2011, he was honoured with the PFA Player of the Year award which was voted for by his peers.

The 2011-2012 season lived up to expectations and Gareth Bale started strongly once again. He netted against the likes of Wigan, managed two against Queens Park Rangers, and heavily influenced those scored against Fulham. The 3rd of December 2011 saw Tottenham take on Bolton Wanderers and it turned out to be a rather emotional day. Bale scored and followed by holding up his left boot which read "R.I.P Gary Speed". The message for the former Bolton and Wales midfielder was received well and the legacy of Gary Speed lived on. Bale continued his fine form with goals against Norwich and Wigan which soon took his tally for the season into double figures. Success didn't stop there for the Welshman as he was named in the UEFA Team of the Year for 2011 and earned the Premier League Player of the Month for January 2012 after three goals and two assists in this period. At the end of the season, a new four-year contract was agreed and Bale looked set to stay at the club until 2016.  

Bale embarked on his sixth season as a Tottenham Hotspur player and, as he was now more of a left-winger, he changed his squad number to eleven. He scored against Reading and then at Old Trafford, helping Spurs gain their first win at Old Trafford since 1989. International call ups were now becoming rather common and in the October of 2012, Bale scored two goals in a 2-1 victory over Scotland in a World Cup qualifier. His first Premier League hat trick came on Boxing Day against Aston Villa and he started the New Year well with goals against Coventry, in the FA Cup, Norwich and Newcastle to bring him to fifteen goals for the season. It left the London club in third position and strengthened their ambitions for Champions League football once again. A Bale brace in the first leg of Tottenham's Europa League round-of-thirty-two helped them see off Lyon after two incredible trademark free kicks found the back of the net. He continued his electric form against West Ham by scoring twice again. A long-range dipping shot from over thirty yards was the highlight of a world-class performance from Bale and he was simply in the form of his life. His eight goals in six games proved this. As March came around, the Welshman scored against Arsenal in yet another North-London derby which Tottenham won 2-1. Less than a week later, it was a rematch of the Champions League tie in 2010 as Spurs faced Inter Milan. The former won 3-0 with Bale bagging the first. More awards started coming the winger's way as he won the BBC Goal of the Month in both January and February for strikes against Norwich and West Ham respectively. Furthermore, he was also awarded the Premier League Player of the Month for February. Despite picking up an injury against FC Basel in the first leg of the Europa League quarter final, he returned quickly and gained a goal and an assist against Manchester City, much to the thrill of the packed out crowd at White Hart Lane. Towards the end of April, Bale picked up the PFA Player of the Year award for the second time, but also added the PFA Young Player of the Year award too. He then went on to collect the Footballer Writer's Association Player of the Year award, making him only the second player to have won all three of these prestigious awards in the same year, the other being Cristiano Ronaldo. Bale finished the season strongly scoring against his former club Southampton and then, from twenty-five yards, out against Sunderland. Unfortunately this was not quite enough to grant Tottenham Champions League football but, as for Bale, his superb form had caught the eye of one of Europe's greatest clubs and this level of football looked to be on the cards.

After a long summer of speculation, Bale eventually made a boyhood dream a reality as, on the 1st of September, Real Madrid confirmed that an agreement had been reached for Wales' new wizard. A six-year deal had been agreed, which was thought to be in the region of £85 million. It surpassed that of Cristiano Ronaldo and the kid from Whitchurch became the world's most expensive footballer. It seems crazy to think that someone of this caliber may not ever get the chance to play in a World Cup, but for now Gareth Bale can focus on a new start and life in Madrid. All that travelling and hard work as a child, as well as the persistence through injury concerns, has paid off and it proves that with the right attitude anything is possible. Bale is now on top of the world and has become a player that young children look up to. What is so admired, is the sheer determination, the fact he's a dream-chaser and someone that refuses to give in. Let's hope this sensational form continues in Madrid and we can look forward to many more years of Bale's magic.    

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Mathematical Fallacies

by Sampad Sengupta

A fallacy is a mistaken belief, one based on unsound argument. It may be an idea that a lot of people think is true but is in fact false. Now, in mathematics, a proof is an argument, a deductive argument for a mathematical statement.  It may use statements which are already established, i.e. theorems, and logic; a proof can be made by mathematical induction, contradiction, exhaustion, and many other ways.  However, even some arguments like these may turn out to be fallacies.  There are certain so-called mathematical proofs which may apparently show some unexpected statements to be true by cleverly concealing areas in the proof, but these statements are indeed false.

Here are a few examples of such fallacies and the truth behind each one of them:

1)      Proof of 2=1:

Let a and b be equal non-zero quantities,

a = b

Multiplying through by a

a²= ab

Subtracting  b²from both sides

a²- b² = ab-b²

Factorising the equation

(a-b)(a+b) = b(a-b)

Dividing out (a – b)

a+b = b

Since a=b

b+b = b

2b = b

Dividing both sides by b

2 = 1

At first glance this looks quite remarkable, but if you look closely, you can spot the error. The proof starts off soundly, but then the mistake creeps in when we divide out by (a-b). Since a and b are both equal, (a-b) is zero. Since division by zero is undefined, the argument is invalid.  If it were valid, then it would be possible to prove any number to be equal to any other number, but it isn’t.

2)      Proof of 0=2:

0 = 1-1

Since square of 1 = 1

0 = 1-1²

0 = 1 - √1²

Adding and subtracting 4 under square root as they will cancel each other out

0 = 1 - √1² – 4 + 4

Since (1² – 4 + 4) = (1 – 2)²

0 = 1 - √(1-2)²

We then remove the square root and multiply out the brackets

0 = 1 - (1 – 2)

0 = 1 – 1 + 2

The two 1s cancel out leaving

0 = 2

Once again, an equation like this cannot be true. The problem lies when we are taking the square root of 1².  Taking square roots requires the use of the double plus-or-minus sign + (or absolute values).  In this case, when we take the square root of 1², the results should be both +1 and –1. Thus, this proof is also invalid.

3)      Proof of  0=2:  (this time by a different method)

Let us take an equation which we know to be true,

cos² x = 1 – sin² x

Taking the square root of both sides

cos x = (1 – sin² x)^1/2

Adding 1 to both sides

1 + cos x = 1 + (1 – sin² x)^1/2

By evaluating this when x = 180⁰

1 – 1 = 1 + (1 – 0)^1/2

Thus showing

0 = 2

In equations like these, the fallacy may be concealed effectively in notation.  Similar to the previous one, the error in each of these examples fundamentally lies in the fact that any equation of the form x² = a²has two solutions:  +a, provided a is not equal to 0.

In this example, only when the square root of cos x is positive is the equation valid, but when x is set to 180⁰, the proof is invalid.

4)      Proof of 1=2 using complex numbers and the imaginary unit ( i = √-1 ):

- (1/1) = - (1/1)

- 1/1 = 1/-1

Square root both sides

√-1/1 = √1/-1

Simplifying

√-1 / √1 = √1 / √-1

Converting √-1 to imaginary number i

i / 1 = 1 / i

Multiplying both sides by ½

i / 2 = 1 / (2i)

Adding 3/(2i)to both sides

i/2 + 3/(2i) = 1/(2i) + 3/(2i)

Multiplying both sides by i

i(i/2 + 3/(2i)) =i(1/(2i) + 3/(2i))

Simplifying

(i²)/2 + (3i)/2i = i/(2i) + (3i)/2i

Converting i² term to -1 and adding fractions

(-1)/2 + 3/2 = 1/2 + 3/2

1 = 2

This so-called proof makes use of complex numbers, thus making it hard to find the error.  The fallacy here lies in the third step.  In simplifying from step two to three, we try to make two things equal that are not.  We have √(-1/1) = √(1/-1) in step two.  The left-hand side (LHS) does simplify to √(-1)/√(1), which is the LHS in step three.  The right-hand side (RHS) in step two √(1/-1) does not simplify to √(1)/√(-1), which is what we see as the RHS in step three.  In fact, it is -√(1)/√(-1).   A more careful examination of negative numbers will help explain the fallacy clearly.  The product of (-1)(-1) is one. So √(-1*-1) = √(1) = 1. Yet √(-1)√(-1) = i*i = i²= -1.  So these two products are not the same.  Hence the rule of √(ab) = √(a)√(b) holds true as a rule when a and b are both positive numbers.  For negative and complex numbers, however, this rule fails to hold true.

These were only a few examples of fallacies in mathematics, all of which are achieved by carefully concealing sections of the proof which are not true.  So the next time someone comes up to you and shows you a proof which seems correct but cannot be, you know what to look out for. 

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RN/RAF Summer Camp 2013

by Charlie Henderson

Early on the Monday of the second week of the summer holidays, thirty cadets from the Navy and Air Force sections of PGS' CCF, set off for the Brecon Beacons, in Wales. Each cadet would go caving, canoeing and gorge walking.

Our first activity was caving in the heart of the Brecon Beacons. One of the first things you notice on entering a cave is the drop in temperature (from 30°c to about 6°c).  As we descended into the gloom, our instructor explained how the limestone walls of the cave were eroded by acidic water over hundreds of millions of years. As we moved further into the cave the ceiling dropped until we were commando-crawling through a passage 30cm high and 100cm wide that was going steeply downwards. The passage then opened into a cavern almost 20 metres high, with a stream running down the centre. On the walls and ceiling grew a lichen which reflected the light from our head torches, giving the cave a surreal air. After exploring the cramped lower levels of the cave we took part in an orienteering exercise.

After two nights of comfort in the centre we loaded a minibus with camping kit for a night out on the banks of the river Wye. We drove a short distance to the river Wye, with a trailer stacked with canoes and camping gear.  Our route would take us through Hay-on-Wye and the surrounding farmland and finish, ten miles downstream, in Witney-on-Wye. Two to a canoe we set off, negotiating ourselves around rapids and the occasional fisherman; and after a mid-way swimming break we arrived at our campsite six hours after setting off.

On our last full day we drove through the Brecon Beacons to series of gorges at the base of one of a barren mountain. We slid down a steep bank and dropped into the stream. Soon we reached our first jump, a couple of metres off the top a waterfall, into the plunge pool below. the climax of the activity was a six metre jump, into a 10 metre deep pool. After you jumped you were in free fall for more than a second, and hit the water at almost 40 km/h.

The trip was extremely enjoyable, and gave all of us the opportunities experience activities that many hadn’t done before. Thanks must go to Mr Harris and Mrs Carter for organising such a fantastic trip, and to all the staff at Trewern OEC for their enthusiasm and expertise which made the trip unforgettable. 

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Review: "I Wanna Be Yours"

by Louisa Dassow

John Cooper Clarke (right)
(24.media.tumbler.com)

Overly excited on the morning of the 9th September, I sat arguing with my laptop that my iPod was connected. Of course I was attempting to download "AM", the new Arctic Monkeys album before I had to scramble to get ready for school. Now I'd like to imagine that this frantic downloading experience was the reason that my brain made no immediate connection with the final song of the album, "I Wanna Be Yours". Alongside the other track names such as "Knee Socks" and "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?", it didn't strike me as being out of place and it fitted with the more generic song titles that came to mind (indeed within the rest of my music library I have seven other songs which begin I want/I wanna).

But I was wrong; it was definitely not a generic choice of song title. 

When I finally reached the last track, the first line struck a memory bell inside my head; but it didn't quite ring true and I simply couldn't place where I'd heard the words before. It wasn't until perhaps the sixth time I listened to it that I was flung back into my old English classroom, I had spent hours studying the poem and I had even written my own version of the abstract lyrics. It's a staple of the English curriculum. So why on earth was it on the Arctic Monkeys' album (see video below to hear the song)? 
 

The bulk of the lyrics in this song were actually written almost thirty years ago by the punk poet John Cooper Clarke. The man in question already held a place on my iPod for his poem "Kung Fu International", but he is also rumoured to hold a place on part of Alex Turner's anatomy in the form of a tattoo, however if such a tattoo exists it has not yet been revealed to the public. Either way the poet definitely holds a place in Mr Turner's heart who claims that Clarke showed him that he could sing in his northern accent and his poetry inspired him to give song-writing a go. When writing the song "From the Ritz to the Rubble" (another favourite of mine), Turner was trying to emulate the style of his literary hero.

The song "I Wanna Be Yours" does contain all of the original poem; however, the band made a slight alteration, adding in the lyrics "Secrets I have held in my heart/Are harder to hide than I thought". Personally I don't think the additional lines add much more to the poem; however, in the context of the song the slight change in tone makes it slightly more interesting to listen to. The song is fairly melancholic, which doesn't quite capture the almost ironic meaning of Clarke's poem, but Turner defends this representation of the poem saying that the juxtaposition of the original meaning and the sound of the song makes it "more exciting" and he says his unusual twist is simply him being a "smart-arse."

The song does have Clarke's personal approval and I'm sure that, in this case, John Cooper Clarke's opinion is the most important opinion to the band. Anyway, I like it.

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The Swedish: T/S Gunilla

by Isabel Stark

I’m in love.

Not with a person, but with a country. That country is Sweden.

T/S Gunilla
(wiki commons)

For the past two years, when the T/S Gunilla has made berth, my sister and I waited with bated breath to find out which of the students from Öckerö Gymnasieskola we would host. Each year we became charmed with the effervescent personality of the Swedes; this year was no different.

Hanna, Jenny and now Jonna- each individuals in their own right and incomparable apart from their shared sense of adventure, their vivacious smiles and, of course, their sheer love of life which has changed and marked us permanently and irreversibly. The dream-like stories of crossing the Atlantic, 17 days at sea, 17 days with nothing but deep sapphire on the horizon. The romanticism of the stories can easily overshadow the astounding fact that the crossing was made by fearless 16 year olds, for most of whom it was their first ever experience sailing. These incredible experiences haven’t soured the enchanting personalities but instead the sparkling temperaments they all possess have been enhanced by this wonderful opportunity to travel the world. They all have a charm, a charisma- some form of magnetism well beyond their 17 years, which allows them to effortlessly slot into any social situation and use their gay, spirited and happy go lucky attitude to effortlessly make friends.

Sweden has always been a country I yearned to visit: clogs, knitwear, Pippi Longstocking; what more can you want? I always knew the Swedes had incredible dress sense, their design and ability to marry style and quality as well as ignoring the dull, tasteless global consumer brands like Hollister and Jack Wills is something I admire. But after seeing clothes that included the handknitted thick, wool jumpers (which can only be described as beautiful) that two of the Swedes wore I can only admire their style even more. One, flecked navy and white wool in the typical knit stitch with a ribbed collar and ribbed cuffs was a jumper I could only dream of owning, it was a jumper knitted by the boy’s grandmother. That same fair haired, fair skinned boy possessed round John Lennon style sunglasses, a polka dot baseball cap and a bright fuschia rucksack and a waxed cotton jacket all topped off with a gold watch. He looked effortlessly relaxed and unbelievably current. He wasn’t an isolated case of an extremely well dressed Swede; they all were casual and effortless, the girls looked natural- it was refreshing to see. 

Then when Jonna talked of her idyllic, stereotypical Swedish home-a red log cabin on the edge of a forest and I felt a sense of pure bliss, that’s when I realised I loved Sweden. I’d never been there but I loved it. The Swedish design, the clothes and most of all the people and their attitude. After spending just an hour with them, I felt entirely comfortable with them something which seems to take months in England, and after spending a day with them at school I gained some extraordinary new, loving friends.   Friends who I will never forget and friends who I will visit in Sweden.

To the students on board T/S Gunilla: thank you so much for letting me get to know you, I had a wonderful time meeting you all and I will see you soon. Love, Isabel.

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Seafront at Sunset

by Tony Hicks

Images of a beautiful sunset in Old Portsmouth, taken yesterday evening.

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