And we are back...

Sorry I have been out of (electronic) touch, I have been quite busy.

Last weekend I taught in our Postgraduate programme. It is the programme that I will be taking over the helm of come the autumn. It is a really great group (2 groups actually, first and second years). It’s a nice combination of lecture as well as practical interpreting activities. It does however, leave one knackered, to use a local term. Working all week, then teaching at the weekend then a following week is tough. We can take days off in lieu of the time worked, but this time around I had stuff to do on both sides so I’ll be taking it off next week (more on that later).

As a reward for my hard work, I went to Blackpool which is well-known as the ‘Gay Capitol of the North' . It is quite a gritty little seaside resort. While the Manchester Gay scene is more middle of the road in many ways, Blackpool is...not so much. A bit miore down and dirty. We didn’t go out to the clubs, but we did have a nice dinner and then went to see a fab drag cabaret show called Funny Girls. It was really a hoot. The show lasts from 8:30-11:30 PM; interspersing music by a drag DJ with some pretty amazing performances. The lead performer ‘Betty Legs Diamond’ is a riot (read all about ’her’ here). While it is primarily a mixed venue (it is a popular place for 'hen nights' - the female equivalent of a stag or bachelor party - although that term seemingly can refer to any outing of a group of women drinking!), Sunday nights tend to draw a slightly gayer audience, with Betty Legs ad libbing a lot more to the crowd. They did numbers from ‘The King and I’, ‘Cabaret’ and a huge finale from ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’. They also did a hysterical take-off on the movie ‘Happy Feet’ in penguin costumes. All in all the costumes and dancing were tops. I was tired but in the end, but it was a great way to top off a long working weekend.

I am taking my time off next week because I’ll be going to interpret a conference for two days in Budapest. I have never been before and probably won’t get to see much of the city as I fly in late Wednesday and leave Friday evening. Anyway, it should be an adventure. If I were staying longer, I’d get out my Zsa Zsa Gabor outfit!

It has been sunny for a few days here....WOO HOO!