Waits and measures

The Man writes...The Boy and I are holding the fort while Albaniana and the Girl are out dancing the night away with Indian friends to celebrate the end of a festival of dance. We've been reading an ancient space book together and have just learnt that tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of the launch of Luna 3, a Soviet probe which sent the first pictures of the far side of the moon. Which seems like a fairly significant milestone to me.

It's been a day of constant coming and going under leaden skies. Both children had friends round, while Albaniana spent the morning at the Farmer's Market promoting Fair Trade month.

The Girl complained to me a few days ago that she didn't see why she had to learn how many feet there are in a mile. I don't have any evidence that she has actually been asked to learn this, but judging from the newly installed playground at our local elementary school, some people think it's an important number to know. It's a reminder of how embedded "English units" are here still.