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He pointed me across the street. I could tell he was amused by my accent. He inquired where I was from and we began talking. He told me about the neighbourhood and that he had lived there for many years. He had very nice things to say about the school, "one of the best in Manchester." I told him I would be teaching there for the next school year. He told me he had read about me in the local newspaper. Well at that point I felt like quite the celebrity. We chatted about art in the Manchester area and all sorts of things. When it was time for me to trek on across the street and take a closer look at my new school he told me where he lived and invited me for tea. This was my welcome to Crumpsall and a grand one indeed.

I walked to the corner and feasted my eyes on a very beautiful old school building, unlike the one I left behind in Los Angles California. It has two stories with wonderful designs and shapes oozing from its facades. My school in Los Angeles is stucco and all one floor. All the classrooms enter on to the school grounds. It is functional but not beautiful like Crumpsall Lane Primary. Unfortunately I could not get into the building because they were decorating.

The day finally came. I was able to meet my new colleagues and check out the inside of the school. I received a warm welcome from the staff. They are all friendly and helpful. I have a partner teacher, Helen, who guides me with a gentle hand. I am old enough to be her mother but I follow her around like she is the mother duck and I her duckling. I could not have picked a more lovely school to work in. I am so grateful to have been chosen to teach at Crumpsall Lane Primary School.