Lesson 31
Dear Mum and Dad,
I’m emailing you through the Redstone Ranch website. You can email me back on . I’ll call you next week, when I can use a Broadband phone.
My assessment at Redstone was a bit strange. They asked me to do a lot of tick-box tests. Then we did some outdoor activities. They told me to lead someone up an easy climb. Then they asked me to lead a small group, in kayaks, on white water. After that, the main question was, ‘Where did you learn all these “backcountry skills”. I said, ‘I grew up in “back country”. In Scotland, I sometimes skied to school.’ They liked that. Also, my time in the London Marathon was big news. Three hours or less is magic!
I met the top guy, Ed, and he asked me to start next week. Of course I said yes. I won’t be able to travel much in the US this time, but it’s great to have this chance. I’ll live free, too! Redstone will pay all my expenses. Talk to you next week! Love, Paul
Lesson33 1.Have you heard from Paul Yes,?he phoned us last night. How are they getting on They're both working. 2. Claire's got a job in Washington in a photo library. And Paul's just started at Redstone Ranch. The most expensive resort in the world! What's it like 3.It's very glamorous. There are nine swimming pools, and six of them are outdoors! There are ten gymnasiums, each for a different activity. 4. There are horses to ride, and rocks to climb, and kayaks on the river, lakes and forest ... It sounds wonderful! 5. And the guests there are very glamorous, too. Paul says that he has never seen so many beautiful women in his life! 6. Ah! And what does Claire say about that I don't think he's told her! Anyway, I hope he hasn't! Lesson 35 1.R: Dad! Have you asked mum yet W: What about R: Have you asked mum if I can start karate lessons W: No,I haven’t . I’ll … Shh! She’s coming . 2K: What are you two whispering about R: Oh,er, nothing ! I’m just going upstairs. See you later ,dad . W:Yes , of course . 3.K:What’s the mystery Is Robert all right W: He’s fine . He just wants me to ask you something . K: Why doesn’t he ask me himself W: He’s afraid that you’ll say no . 4.K:Oh,dear ! What is it ,WilliAM W: Robert wants to learn karate . He doesn’t know whether you’ll let him . 5.K: Oh, is that all ! You worried me . W: Do you mean that you don’t mind K: Of course I don’t mind ! Why would I mind Karate’s a sport , isn’t it 6.W: It’s a martial art ! It’s about fighting ! K: All competitions are a kind of fighting . The martial arts are also about rules. Lesson 37 1. It was my life’s idea to come here . She said ,’You need a vacation.Leave it to me ’. So I did . She made all the reservations . It was a big surprise . 2. Most people think that a vacation is about resting . You feel tired , so you sleep ,you eat ,you sit . You rest . I used to think that ,too . 3. I used to sit by the pool all day ,and eat too much dinner every night . The funny thing is ,on a vacation like that ,I didn’t get less tired . 4. At home ,I sit at a desk all day . At night ,I sit in front of the TV. Maybe I eat too much dinner .So what’s the difference The only difference is the place . 5. This vacation is different . Every day is different , and every day is active . When I was a kid , I used to go out to play . I didn’t think about time . 6. It’s like that now . Now is enough ! Lesson 39 1. I had just got home the other night ,when my cousin ,Alice ,rang the doorbell. Oh ,no ! I thought . What does she want 2. Alice always wants something. And it’s always somethingbig . A few months ago,she asked me to move a piano . 3. For a moment ,I didn’t answer the door . But I had just parked the car outside . Perhaps she had seen me . 4. So I invited her in and made some tea . I’m getting married in April , she said . Congratulations ! I replied . And I waited . 5. We had already had two cups of tea , when she said, “I’d like to have a film of my wedding . Alan , have you ever made a home movie” No ,I haven’t . I said . And I don’t want to ! 6 Ah,well . she said . There’s always a first time . I’m sure you’ll do it very well . The sad thing is , I’m afraid I will . Lesson 41 1. Our friends ,Judy and Mark ,have a country house outside Bodmin in south west England . They love the wild open country around it, and they go there a lot . 2. About a year ago,Judy told me she had seen a puma in the garden .A puma ,in England ! I listened to her politely , but I really believed that she had seen a very big cat . 3. Last weekend ,they had invited us to go with them to Bodmin. It was a six-hour jouney , and when we arrived , I wanted to stretch my legs . I went out in to the quiet garden . Then I saw it ,straight in front of me . It started at me for a moment ,with big yellow eyes .Then it turned ,jumped onto the wall , and disappeared .
