I'm going to be an aunt - we found out yesterday that my half-sister who lives in Brisbane is due in March so we'll be heading over there for Easter hopefully, which should be lovely. And this also means that I may yet get to see my friend from uni, Margaret, which is great news.
We had the great family gathering to say hello to my half sister and her husband yesterday, which was attended by numerous relatives including both cousins and their partners, who we haven't seen for several years - we were truly honoured.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Oops! Forgot about my blog!
Oh dear - I've been so busy with the new job and holiday that I had completely forgotten to update here!
So, the new job's going really well, slowly getting the hang of it all - I started on 23rd May, and have been out and about quite a lot, which is great. Much more interesting than planning, which I am not missing at all (well, maybe a little as this is so completely different to anything I've done before!). Really challenging, but loving the learning curve!
On 26th of June I went to Tanzania for our (probable) last family holiday. We'd just found out that my brother is now a doctor, and my sister had got the 2:1 she wanted, so that was great news.
Tanzania was amazing - we got back on Wednesday morning, though I have to say that three weeks in a 4x4 is probably too much - not enough exercise, too much food, and escalating levels of moaning due to awful roads and a couple of 10 hour journeys!
I only took 780 pics, a modest amount for me really, but I'm really pleased with most of them. I sort of binged on sunsets quite a lot! Hopefully there will be some in there that could be entered in to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year (2 more into the semifinals this year; that's two out of the 16000+/32000, which isn't too bad I suppose!).
We started off in Arusha, driving to Tarangire NP (lots of elephants), then Lake Manyara (flamingos, monkeys and tree-climbing lions!); Oldupai Gorge (the Cradle of Mankind - the Leakey's dig for hominid remains); Serengeti (lots of lions, sunrise balloon ride then amazing bush breakfast! And of course our magical leopard encounter - see pics!); Ngorogoro crater (AMAZING!!!!); Arusha NP (no views of Kili due to clouds - gutting); a day hiking in Usumbara mountains (wonderful views, totally knackering climb!); Mikumi NP (some lions, but pretty quiet really); Udzungwa NP (beautiful tropical rainforest - so much wildlife - best park I went to I think); Selous Game Reserve (awful 10 hour drive there - most people fly in and we can now see why! Again, quite quiet, but river and lakes had great bird life) and then 1.5 days in Dar before heading back (walks on the beach had to be done without valuables inc. cameras due to high probability of being mugged by local fisherman - sort of typifies Dar really, but nice to chill out for a couple of days!).
So you can see we packed an awful lot in! And now I have to catch up with work...
So, the new job's going really well, slowly getting the hang of it all - I started on 23rd May, and have been out and about quite a lot, which is great. Much more interesting than planning, which I am not missing at all (well, maybe a little as this is so completely different to anything I've done before!). Really challenging, but loving the learning curve!
On 26th of June I went to Tanzania for our (probable) last family holiday. We'd just found out that my brother is now a doctor, and my sister had got the 2:1 she wanted, so that was great news.
Tanzania was amazing - we got back on Wednesday morning, though I have to say that three weeks in a 4x4 is probably too much - not enough exercise, too much food, and escalating levels of moaning due to awful roads and a couple of 10 hour journeys!
I only took 780 pics, a modest amount for me really, but I'm really pleased with most of them. I sort of binged on sunsets quite a lot! Hopefully there will be some in there that could be entered in to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year (2 more into the semifinals this year; that's two out of the 16000+/32000, which isn't too bad I suppose!).
We started off in Arusha, driving to Tarangire NP (lots of elephants), then Lake Manyara (flamingos, monkeys and tree-climbing lions!); Oldupai Gorge (the Cradle of Mankind - the Leakey's dig for hominid remains); Serengeti (lots of lions, sunrise balloon ride then amazing bush breakfast! And of course our magical leopard encounter - see pics!); Ngorogoro crater (AMAZING!!!!); Arusha NP (no views of Kili due to clouds - gutting); a day hiking in Usumbara mountains (wonderful views, totally knackering climb!); Mikumi NP (some lions, but pretty quiet really); Udzungwa NP (beautiful tropical rainforest - so much wildlife - best park I went to I think); Selous Game Reserve (awful 10 hour drive there - most people fly in and we can now see why! Again, quite quiet, but river and lakes had great bird life) and then 1.5 days in Dar before heading back (walks on the beach had to be done without valuables inc. cameras due to high probability of being mugged by local fisherman - sort of typifies Dar really, but nice to chill out for a couple of days!).
So you can see we packed an awful lot in! And now I have to catch up with work...
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
No, still haven't started
So it's been a month and a half since I was made redundant, and almost a month since I got the job, but I still haven't started it officially! I say 'officially' because I am already doing some things, such as training and some SSSI condition assessments to come, but these aren't paid, rather to be taken as TOIL later on.
The problem is that one of my references went on holiday before the request for his came in (although he is now back and doesn't have any email from them requesting it), so this has led to a delay - the proposed start date of this Friday has now been put back until the 2nd of June, which is very annoying, but at least allows for greater tennis playing time!
I'm having a Eurovision party this Saturday too - my costume is truly spectacular in the degree of shoddiness - I have to say that the shoddier the costume, the funnier it usually is! Everyone attending has to come as either a country or a past act - my past act features much foil, though that doesn't really narrow it down much. one clue: Tanzen!
So here I am, sitting at home waiting to start an exciting new job, but with no income and having run out of things to do a long, long time ago [in a galaxy far away]...
The problem is that one of my references went on holiday before the request for his came in (although he is now back and doesn't have any email from them requesting it), so this has led to a delay - the proposed start date of this Friday has now been put back until the 2nd of June, which is very annoying, but at least allows for greater tennis playing time!
I'm having a Eurovision party this Saturday too - my costume is truly spectacular in the degree of shoddiness - I have to say that the shoddier the costume, the funnier it usually is! Everyone attending has to come as either a country or a past act - my past act features much foil, though that doesn't really narrow it down much. one clue: Tanzen!
So here I am, sitting at home waiting to start an exciting new job, but with no income and having run out of things to do a long, long time ago [in a galaxy far away]...
Friday, May 02, 2008
Employment!
Yes, I have a job - in fact, I almost had two!
I managed to get an interview for the NE job - problem was I had to drive to Lewes for it, and it was at 5pm... There were a couple of posts in Lyndhurst - one doing coastal planning, the other concentrating on mainly land management. Thankfully, I was successful, though I was a bit annoyed to start at 19K, which was a pay drop, instead of the 23K, but I can see they had to be fair to everyone. I was bracing myself for the planning post, but whilst waiting for confirmation of the job I was actually going to do, and having accepted the offer, I was offered an interview for an ecological consultancy in Winchester in response to a speculative letter and CV I had sent out a couple of weeks before.
They kept changing the date for the interview, and Rachel from NE had phoned to offer me the land management post (hurrah - no more planning!) so I had to bring the interview date forward. I had it on Wednesday, and found out yesterday that I had not got it. I was actually quite thankful - from the sounds of things I would have been starting on 17K (!) and be shoved into doing bat stuff, including becoming licenced - what fun. Plus, the NE job sounded so brilliant, so I was probably going to go for that anyway.
I'm still not sure when I start, but am really looking forward to it! The only problem is that this will severely limit tennis playing opportunities in Devizes - oh well, sacrifices have to be made!
I managed to get an interview for the NE job - problem was I had to drive to Lewes for it, and it was at 5pm... There were a couple of posts in Lyndhurst - one doing coastal planning, the other concentrating on mainly land management. Thankfully, I was successful, though I was a bit annoyed to start at 19K, which was a pay drop, instead of the 23K, but I can see they had to be fair to everyone. I was bracing myself for the planning post, but whilst waiting for confirmation of the job I was actually going to do, and having accepted the offer, I was offered an interview for an ecological consultancy in Winchester in response to a speculative letter and CV I had sent out a couple of weeks before.
They kept changing the date for the interview, and Rachel from NE had phoned to offer me the land management post (hurrah - no more planning!) so I had to bring the interview date forward. I had it on Wednesday, and found out yesterday that I had not got it. I was actually quite thankful - from the sounds of things I would have been starting on 17K (!) and be shoved into doing bat stuff, including becoming licenced - what fun. Plus, the NE job sounded so brilliant, so I was probably going to go for that anyway.
I'm still not sure when I start, but am really looking forward to it! The only problem is that this will severely limit tennis playing opportunities in Devizes - oh well, sacrifices have to be made!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Interview palaver
OMG - what a mess it has been! I emailed NE recruitment to see what was happening with that NE job I applied for ages ago - they replied saying that they had invited me to interview on the 28th of March, had followed it up but received no response so assumed I wasn't attending. Needless to say, I had never read this email - but did find it in the deleted folder - very mysterious, I guess I must have accidentally deleted it thinking it was the original confirmation of application receipt email. Grrr - how stupid!
I got on the phone to them, and several phone calls later, spanning two days and involving my old NE friend Rachel and 'Alan from recruitment', I have an interview in Lewes this evening (5pm), so thank you very much Rachel - you are a complete star!
Other than this post, there is nothing very promising on the horizon, and barely anything at all to even apply for! I've contacted a variety of consultancies asking, in hope, that they may want to employ me/offer me a work placement to get some valuable experience. A bit on the desperate side though...
I've been trying to remain positive, through painting and trying to get several shop/galleries to sell them - looking promising so far, but very slow progress indeed! if it wasn't for my social engagements I think I would be feeling very low, so thanks to all my friends for their continuing support! [slightly too much on the gushing side methinks?!!].
I got on the phone to them, and several phone calls later, spanning two days and involving my old NE friend Rachel and 'Alan from recruitment', I have an interview in Lewes this evening (5pm), so thank you very much Rachel - you are a complete star!
Other than this post, there is nothing very promising on the horizon, and barely anything at all to even apply for! I've contacted a variety of consultancies asking, in hope, that they may want to employ me/offer me a work placement to get some valuable experience. A bit on the desperate side though...
I've been trying to remain positive, through painting and trying to get several shop/galleries to sell them - looking promising so far, but very slow progress indeed! if it wasn't for my social engagements I think I would be feeling very low, so thanks to all my friends for their continuing support! [slightly too much on the gushing side methinks?!!].
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
It's a 'no'...
....from the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year competition - I'm a bit gutted about it actually, but at the same time cannot wait to see who has won - the works must be amazing (thus implying that mine was very good - I am so modest).
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Unemployment update
Yes, still without a job to go to! Since the failed Chalkhill interview I have:
In between this I had my traditional family trip over the Easter weekend in the motorhome - this would most likely be the last time we would all be away in it. Despite the temperamental weather, we managed to avoid most of the showers and hailstorms and visited Padstow, the Lizard, the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan!
Social event wise, there was Purgle and Amanda's house party a couple of weeks ago, and then on Friday was the Redundancy Party (for myself, Jo and Beth, and change of job party for Tom!). Sarah, Richard and I spent the entire day cleaning, decorating and baking in preparation for our Hawaiian themed party - it looked great, there was tonnes of food, and our cakes seemed OK (though the Chocolate fudge cake wasn't very cooked, and Oli likened it to beef - complete rubbish; the volcano cake was likened to a pile of sick - I think the mini sparklers in the tops seemed to improve on this though!).
It was very sad to say goodbye to them all, and they gave me a brilliant present and massive card, but no doubt I will stay in touch with them - thank "God" for Facebook!
- Applied and had an interview for an ecologist post for the Dorset Wildlife Trust Consultancy [Result: no result :(]
- Applied for my old job at NE [no progress on that front]
- Left the Trust 3 times! - I was going to be in the Swindon office for a couple of Wednesdays but these were both cancelled, so I ended up being back in the Devizes office! It was good, because it meant I could attend the rounders match to say goodbye to Andrew F, and could say goodbye to Beth on the following Wednesday.
In between this I had my traditional family trip over the Easter weekend in the motorhome - this would most likely be the last time we would all be away in it. Despite the temperamental weather, we managed to avoid most of the showers and hailstorms and visited Padstow, the Lizard, the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan!
Social event wise, there was Purgle and Amanda's house party a couple of weeks ago, and then on Friday was the Redundancy Party (for myself, Jo and Beth, and change of job party for Tom!). Sarah, Richard and I spent the entire day cleaning, decorating and baking in preparation for our Hawaiian themed party - it looked great, there was tonnes of food, and our cakes seemed OK (though the Chocolate fudge cake wasn't very cooked, and Oli likened it to beef - complete rubbish; the volcano cake was likened to a pile of sick - I think the mini sparklers in the tops seemed to improve on this though!).
It was very sad to say goodbye to them all, and they gave me a brilliant present and massive card, but no doubt I will stay in touch with them - thank "God" for Facebook!
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Disappointment
I was lucky enough to get an interview for the internal Chalkhill post. However, they said I had to come to it with a clear plan as to how to get a bat licence within 13 weeks. Cue much research and talking to people.
I thought I had planned very well, and was thinking it could go either way. The interview was a bit weird - many questions about how the consultancy differs to the Trust, and talk about the financial insecurities, which alarmed me a bit. But I thought it would have been a great challenge, and would have given me lots of great skills.
After the interview I went off with Colin (head of the consultancy) to look at a bat roost, which was very interesting and also part of the interview (not quite sure how...). They made up their minds very quickly - it was a no. I was surprised at my reaction (i.e. quite upset) to the news - just too much of a financial obstacle, as bat work brings in lots of money to the consultancy and I would have not been able to contribute to this. They did say that for any other ecologist post I would have got the position, which was some small comfort.
But thinking about it more, I think the pressure to perform and bring the money in would have made the first 13 weeks, and perhaps even after this time, not very nice and quite stressful. And the constant spectre of having my hours reduced because there was no work would have also been interesting... So in a way I'm quite glad I didn't get it.
It does mean now that I will definitely be leaving the Trust, which I am gutted about, as I love (almost) all of the people there. Very sad.
I've also been told that the possible casual work at Natural England will also not be coming off, so almost all of my hopes rest on getting my old job back - the application is in, so fingers crossed!
Besides from job hunting (which, to be honest, seems to be 90% of my life at the moment), I've met up with Caroline for an emergency Prezzo-catch up (Julia pregnant - OMG and major congrats!), and went paintballing last weekend for Richard's birthday (immense fun of course - severe thigh strain as a result of 6 hours of squatting behind barricades though!).
I'm off this week to open a conference in Hereford with Sarah about the NERC Duty - somehow we have to sound like we know what we're talking about. OK, it's not that bad, we know quite a lot, but if they ask any tricky questions about the NERC Duty, we may be in trouble! An excellent excuse to go walking in the Wye Valley though!
I thought I had planned very well, and was thinking it could go either way. The interview was a bit weird - many questions about how the consultancy differs to the Trust, and talk about the financial insecurities, which alarmed me a bit. But I thought it would have been a great challenge, and would have given me lots of great skills.
After the interview I went off with Colin (head of the consultancy) to look at a bat roost, which was very interesting and also part of the interview (not quite sure how...). They made up their minds very quickly - it was a no. I was surprised at my reaction (i.e. quite upset) to the news - just too much of a financial obstacle, as bat work brings in lots of money to the consultancy and I would have not been able to contribute to this. They did say that for any other ecologist post I would have got the position, which was some small comfort.
But thinking about it more, I think the pressure to perform and bring the money in would have made the first 13 weeks, and perhaps even after this time, not very nice and quite stressful. And the constant spectre of having my hours reduced because there was no work would have also been interesting... So in a way I'm quite glad I didn't get it.
It does mean now that I will definitely be leaving the Trust, which I am gutted about, as I love (almost) all of the people there. Very sad.
I've also been told that the possible casual work at Natural England will also not be coming off, so almost all of my hopes rest on getting my old job back - the application is in, so fingers crossed!
Besides from job hunting (which, to be honest, seems to be 90% of my life at the moment), I've met up with Caroline for an emergency Prezzo-catch up (Julia pregnant - OMG and major congrats!), and went paintballing last weekend for Richard's birthday (immense fun of course - severe thigh strain as a result of 6 hours of squatting behind barricades though!).
I'm off this week to open a conference in Hereford with Sarah about the NERC Duty - somehow we have to sound like we know what we're talking about. OK, it's not that bad, we know quite a lot, but if they ask any tricky questions about the NERC Duty, we may be in trouble! An excellent excuse to go walking in the Wye Valley though!
Friday, February 22, 2008
(Possible) jobs ahoy!
So last Friday I found out for certain that they are making me redundant, which was to be expected really. We've been quite lucky in that we are being allowed 10 days fully-paid off work to search for jobs, so I've now gone down to a four-day week - hurrah! Only trouble is, there is so much to do between now and the end of the post, so I'm running out of time.
In terms of jobs, I've applied for a few - another rejection, this time from Wessex Water, was there to greet me when I got home from work today - again, to be expected as I knew I didn't have enough experience, but it was worth a punt!
Strangely, what is basically my old job at Natural England has just been advertised (I was tipped off in advance - thanks to my contacts!), so I'll be applying for that. I really hate their application forms though - a lot of corporate speak involving competencies, so my completed form stands at 14 pages long!!!!!
I've just handed in my 'expression of interest' for the in-house ecologist vacancy at the Trust's consultancy Chalkhill, even though I don't have three years experience, and don't have a bat licence/am not close to even achieving one! But as I'm their only candidate at this stage, and I have 13 weeks to be trained up to their required standard, it was worth going for it anyway. We shall see.
So it's looking a bit more hopeful!
In terms of jobs, I've applied for a few - another rejection, this time from Wessex Water, was there to greet me when I got home from work today - again, to be expected as I knew I didn't have enough experience, but it was worth a punt!
Strangely, what is basically my old job at Natural England has just been advertised (I was tipped off in advance - thanks to my contacts!), so I'll be applying for that. I really hate their application forms though - a lot of corporate speak involving competencies, so my completed form stands at 14 pages long!!!!!
I've just handed in my 'expression of interest' for the in-house ecologist vacancy at the Trust's consultancy Chalkhill, even though I don't have three years experience, and don't have a bat licence/am not close to even achieving one! But as I'm their only candidate at this stage, and I have 13 weeks to be trained up to their required standard, it was worth going for it anyway. We shall see.
So it's looking a bit more hopeful!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Busy Busy Busy
Well, comparably anyway! Yes, there's lots to do at work at the moment, with a lot of our efforts concentrated on the impending arrival of four new volunteers to help Sarah and Neil out, and do a bit of planning stuff when I'm gone.
Talking of which, I find out this week if (more like when) I go. I have not heard anything remotely positive, so am frantically looking around for something. I've applied for a couple of ecologist posts so far, so we'll see what happens there - doesn't look good though.
I've taken those prints of some of my pictures out of Devizes Fine Arts, where nothing was happening at all. Trying to find another place to sell/display them, but in the meantime I've set up a Redbubble account, where people can buy my work online, and I don't have to do anything! So far, lots of positive comments but no sales.
I've also been very busy with social events - including cooking around 50 pancakes on Tuesday of course, and meals out with various people including the old Natural England crowd (hot that they're at all old but you know what I mean) and Caz. And last night it was Sarah McC's birthday drinks in Devizes (happy birthday for Tuesday), which was most pleasant indeed.
Talking of which, I find out this week if (more like when) I go. I have not heard anything remotely positive, so am frantically looking around for something. I've applied for a couple of ecologist posts so far, so we'll see what happens there - doesn't look good though.
I've taken those prints of some of my pictures out of Devizes Fine Arts, where nothing was happening at all. Trying to find another place to sell/display them, but in the meantime I've set up a Redbubble account, where people can buy my work online, and I don't have to do anything! So far, lots of positive comments but no sales.
I've also been very busy with social events - including cooking around 50 pancakes on Tuesday of course, and meals out with various people including the old Natural England crowd (hot that they're at all old but you know what I mean) and Caz. And last night it was Sarah McC's birthday drinks in Devizes (happy birthday for Tuesday), which was most pleasant indeed.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
And that's the end of that chapter...
OK, am slightly annoyed. I knew that the Trust was facing some financial shortfalls, but didn't realise until yesterday quite how bad. I am at risk of being made redundant, and by the conversation I had with my boss today I can take it that I won't have a job at the end of the financial year.
I mean, I was looking anyway as I am getting very bored, but at least I had the security of a permanent job at a good rate. It has somewhat forced my hand.
I am a bit gratified that my boss is suitably pissed off - that goddamned useless fundraising team - they haven't done anything, and what with illness and bereavement they just haven't been able to do their jobs.
So back to the job hunt...
I mean, I was looking anyway as I am getting very bored, but at least I had the security of a permanent job at a good rate. It has somewhat forced my hand.
I am a bit gratified that my boss is suitably pissed off - that goddamned useless fundraising team - they haven't done anything, and what with illness and bereavement they just haven't been able to do their jobs.
So back to the job hunt...
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Back to normality
This year was a fairly typical festive season - Xmas dinner was Spanish-themed this year (Tapas and paella - yum!), with New Year being spent at my second home, St Cuthberts in Devizes!
I did have time to meet up with various friends, including some PGL ones on a trip to Portsmouth, which was great fun. I must make a greater effort to keep in touch with them all.
My birthday last weekend was brilliant - cannot believe that I am now a quarter of a century old, but at least I celebrated it in 'style' - a night out in Salisbury wearing our flashing cowboy hats from the Christmas party, which went down a storm! The Cha-Cha Slide even featured to make the perfect evening!
Things to look forward to in 2008:
Tanzania in June - yey!
The Goodwood revival in September
Planning for next year's trip with Hayley to Oz and hopefully NZ
And now a whole year stretches forth before me, and the world of planning has gone a bit quiet. Who knows that will happen!
I did have time to meet up with various friends, including some PGL ones on a trip to Portsmouth, which was great fun. I must make a greater effort to keep in touch with them all.
My birthday last weekend was brilliant - cannot believe that I am now a quarter of a century old, but at least I celebrated it in 'style' - a night out in Salisbury wearing our flashing cowboy hats from the Christmas party, which went down a storm! The Cha-Cha Slide even featured to make the perfect evening!
Things to look forward to in 2008:
Tanzania in June - yey!
The Goodwood revival in September
Planning for next year's trip with Hayley to Oz and hopefully NZ
And now a whole year stretches forth before me, and the world of planning has gone a bit quiet. Who knows that will happen!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Yeeha - it's the Karaoke Divas!
Yes, last Thursday was the WWT xmas party - and what a party!
Having taken a vote on a theme this year (though we were quite prepared to rig it!), it was to be Wild West themed. We had lots and lots of fun creating decorations - many a cactus was painted, a horse (not full scale!) and even a full-size wagon wheel to prop against the bar! But (and even if I do say so myself) the stars of the decorations were the two teepees (well done to all concerned on those) and, of course, my WWT-themed totem pole - it was topped by a portrait of our MD Gary, and with a lapwing underneath (the WWT logo). The room was completed with hay bales and shooting ranges, and it just looked brilliant with everyone dressed up.
The highlight of the evening, as anyone who attended will say, was our 'performance': Neil had this vision of forming a dowop band with a few guys from work, fronted by Sarah and I singing our hearts out. We even purchased special cowboy hats (red with white trim and flashing LEDs!!!).
So the past few weeks have been spent frantically making decorations, rehearsing and trying to do some work (though Thursday saw us doing nothing whatsoever, with Bill's permission - thank you!). As you can see from the photos, everyone made such a great effort; even Gary was up and dancing, requesting Kylie and the Spice Girls!
The performance itself went very quickly, and reviewing the video it is a true comedy classic!
I cannot believe that there is such little time left of work - it is starting to worry me now - but bring on the gorging and rubbish TV that is Xmas!
Having taken a vote on a theme this year (though we were quite prepared to rig it!), it was to be Wild West themed. We had lots and lots of fun creating decorations - many a cactus was painted, a horse (not full scale!) and even a full-size wagon wheel to prop against the bar! But (and even if I do say so myself) the stars of the decorations were the two teepees (well done to all concerned on those) and, of course, my WWT-themed totem pole - it was topped by a portrait of our MD Gary, and with a lapwing underneath (the WWT logo). The room was completed with hay bales and shooting ranges, and it just looked brilliant with everyone dressed up.
The highlight of the evening, as anyone who attended will say, was our 'performance': Neil had this vision of forming a dowop band with a few guys from work, fronted by Sarah and I singing our hearts out. We even purchased special cowboy hats (red with white trim and flashing LEDs!!!).
So the past few weeks have been spent frantically making decorations, rehearsing and trying to do some work (though Thursday saw us doing nothing whatsoever, with Bill's permission - thank you!). As you can see from the photos, everyone made such a great effort; even Gary was up and dancing, requesting Kylie and the Spice Girls!
The performance itself went very quickly, and reviewing the video it is a true comedy classic!
I cannot believe that there is such little time left of work - it is starting to worry me now - but bring on the gorging and rubbish TV that is Xmas!
Friday, November 23, 2007
The Great Essex Adventure
I've been very busy lately with rehearsals for our upcoming performance for the work Xmas party ('tis truly going to be amazing!), but after rehearsals on Thursday I stayed the night at Sarah's. the next day we embarked on a journey across the country via road with non-working satnav to visit Patty once again. We did very well, only getting lost once (albeit for almost an hour!) eventually arriving at Patty's around 4.30.
A very cold and windy weekend, but lots of great birdwatching on the estuaries nearby, including our first sightings ever of avocet! All too quickly it was over, rounding off with a lovely lunch including the best ever hat chocolates, eve.! We had a thoroughly enjoyable time and thank him immensely for his hospitality!
Getting back was slightly less easy - the traffic on that circular carpark (M25) was appalling as ever, and continued onto parts of the M4, resulting in me getting back home around 8.45pm - a grand total of 7 hours. Not fun at all, but thank you to Sarah for providing the music and singing that kept us both sane!
We had our first proper rehearsal, including singing and dancing to Neil's amazing Powerpoint presentation - just so funny, it will be videoed and hopefully put on YouTube for the world's enjoyment!
A very cold and windy weekend, but lots of great birdwatching on the estuaries nearby, including our first sightings ever of avocet! All too quickly it was over, rounding off with a lovely lunch including the best ever hat chocolates, eve.! We had a thoroughly enjoyable time and thank him immensely for his hospitality!
Getting back was slightly less easy - the traffic on that circular carpark (M25) was appalling as ever, and continued onto parts of the M4, resulting in me getting back home around 8.45pm - a grand total of 7 hours. Not fun at all, but thank you to Sarah for providing the music and singing that kept us both sane!
We had our first proper rehearsal, including singing and dancing to Neil's amazing Powerpoint presentation - just so funny, it will be videoed and hopefully put on YouTube for the world's enjoyment!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Weddings!
It's been a busy couple of months. The back end of September was my Uni friend Lil's wedding to Tom in Exeter - a lovely day, and good to see Anna again.
Then on the 12th of Oct we set off for our trip to Oz under the pretence of my half-sister's wedding. We had a day stopover in Singapore on the way there, to help alleviate the jetlag, where we visited a jewellery shop (£250 ring - whoops) and then wandered the streets (which are bedecked with rainforest trees and with the back ground noise of cicadas!) to the Botanic Gardens. This contained a section of rainforest, which was amazing, and also the Orchid Garden, which was beautiful. Difficult to take it all in in 100% humidity and 30+ degrees!
We then arrived in Sydney at 5am, picked up the motorhome, got supplies, then pottered around the National Park (Lane Cove River) next to our campsite - first peek at cockatoos and lorikeets! By night, the site also had the obligatory posums, as well as bandicoots.
The mornings were heralded by kookaburras and noisy miner birds. After that we headed off to the Blue Mountains - a sort of forested Grand Canyon, with tremendous views.
Our final day in the area was spent in the city itself, seeing all the sites, and freezing as the temperature had dropped by at least 10 degrees since yesterday.
Our next stop was Newcastle, to visit friends of the family, some of whom took us around the Hunter Valley the next morning, where we saw our first kangaroo.The wine was also very good - we only made it to one vineyard, as we sampled the wines there for over an hour!
Continuing on, we made it to Nambucca Heads for the night.
The following morning we retraced our steps for a brief stop off at Cape Byron for fabulous views of Byron Bay - on one side we had bottlenose dolphins playing in the surf. On the other, quite far out, we could see the enormous flippers of humpbacks splashing down into the water.
Our next stop was Dorrigo National Park - beautiful sub-tropical rainforest, with lots of birdsong, and again great views.
We spent the night in Brunswick Heads, next to the pretty Simpson River, with pelicans, egrets and ibis.
En route to Brisbane, we detoured to Tamborine NP - more lovely rainforest, dominated more by palms, with trickles of water that in the wet season would be spectacular waterfalls and more wonderful views across the plains, including views of bush fires.
The sat nav took us on a strange route to the campsite at Redcliffe, on the other side of Brisbane, but we got there nonetheless! The next morning we hurried down to the jetty for our trip to see humpback whales in Moreton Bay. Amazing views of the islands, which are basically huge sand dunes, and then the whales were upon us - a mother and a calf travelling (i.e. not breaching), but great views. We then saw another whale a bit further off, before catching up with the same pair later on, who were then breaching some distance in front of us (hence no pictures, plus by this time I had spent so much time looking through the view finder with my 300mm lense, I was not in the best of health!). Heading back, we stopped off at a turtle breeding ground, where they would be seen in the 5m deep water, but who refused to come up - apparently they can only hold their breath for 5mins, but these managed for at least 15!! Our journey back was unremarkable, except for the dolphins travelling along with us for a short while.
The next day we flew to Cairns, picked up the hire car, found the apartment then headed off to Tom's (the groom) parents rented house for the evening - the first of the parties. A great evening, but too much alcohol perhaps consumed by some members of the family (not me)...
Despite the late night and hangovers, we managed to depart for Mossman Gorge at a decent hour - this was proper tropical rainforest, with huge butterflies of the brightest blues to be seen in abundance, and clear waters strewn with picturesque boulders.
That evening was the wedding, which we were almost late for - we were just about going to make it when we encountered a couple, one of which had fallen and gashed her knee badly - the firstaider had to be fetched, which involved myself dashing down the street in my finery, avoiding the sprinklers (drought, what drought??). All was well, and the wedding on the road verge opposite the hotel (but also next to the beach) was great, and the reception after even better - great food and the cheesiest music to be found!
After a leisurely morning to recover from the previous night, we departed for Cairns, where were were to catch the boat to Green Island. This beautiful coral cay was to be the closest we were to come to the Barrier reef proper - snorkelling here was amazing, with humongous clams, brain corals and rays, with the nibbling of parrot fish on coral very audible. Just amazing, and capped off by a meal with Tom, Eleanor and my uncle Tim, ending at Tom's parents - another late night!
We just about had time to visit Kuranda the next day, before we had to catch our flight to Brisbane and then to home. Our method of transport to Kuranda was cable car, and we were able to get amazing views of rainforest as far as the eye could see. The town itself was very quaint, and after a quick walk by the river looking for crocs (none seen, though perhaps a suspect log), we headed back the way we had come.
The flights back to Singapore were ok, and we arrived at 5am again - by the time we got to the hotel, it was still too early for our rooms to be ready. So we dozed in the foyer for a couple of hours, before having another breakfast and then heading off to the island of Sentosa, again via cable car. This was very touristy, but there was a rainforest walk, which was quite nice, and we pottered round the 200 year old fort for a while, before we collapsed for lunch - this was the hottest and most humid we had encountered. We managed to find the main reason for coming here - the long-tailed macaques, which were very cute indeed. We then braved the metro back to the city, where we went on a short river cruise, before staggering back for food and bed.
The last leg of the journey back home was relatively uneventful, and we got back to the house at 10pm, ready for work the next day! A great trip, and I cannot wait to go back in 2009 with Hayley to explore more!
Then on the 12th of Oct we set off for our trip to Oz under the pretence of my half-sister's wedding. We had a day stopover in Singapore on the way there, to help alleviate the jetlag, where we visited a jewellery shop (£250 ring - whoops) and then wandered the streets (which are bedecked with rainforest trees and with the back ground noise of cicadas!) to the Botanic Gardens. This contained a section of rainforest, which was amazing, and also the Orchid Garden, which was beautiful. Difficult to take it all in in 100% humidity and 30+ degrees!
We then arrived in Sydney at 5am, picked up the motorhome, got supplies, then pottered around the National Park (Lane Cove River) next to our campsite - first peek at cockatoos and lorikeets! By night, the site also had the obligatory posums, as well as bandicoots.
The mornings were heralded by kookaburras and noisy miner birds. After that we headed off to the Blue Mountains - a sort of forested Grand Canyon, with tremendous views.
Our final day in the area was spent in the city itself, seeing all the sites, and freezing as the temperature had dropped by at least 10 degrees since yesterday.
Our next stop was Newcastle, to visit friends of the family, some of whom took us around the Hunter Valley the next morning, where we saw our first kangaroo.The wine was also very good - we only made it to one vineyard, as we sampled the wines there for over an hour!
Continuing on, we made it to Nambucca Heads for the night.
The following morning we retraced our steps for a brief stop off at Cape Byron for fabulous views of Byron Bay - on one side we had bottlenose dolphins playing in the surf. On the other, quite far out, we could see the enormous flippers of humpbacks splashing down into the water.
Our next stop was Dorrigo National Park - beautiful sub-tropical rainforest, with lots of birdsong, and again great views.
We spent the night in Brunswick Heads, next to the pretty Simpson River, with pelicans, egrets and ibis.
En route to Brisbane, we detoured to Tamborine NP - more lovely rainforest, dominated more by palms, with trickles of water that in the wet season would be spectacular waterfalls and more wonderful views across the plains, including views of bush fires.
The sat nav took us on a strange route to the campsite at Redcliffe, on the other side of Brisbane, but we got there nonetheless! The next morning we hurried down to the jetty for our trip to see humpback whales in Moreton Bay. Amazing views of the islands, which are basically huge sand dunes, and then the whales were upon us - a mother and a calf travelling (i.e. not breaching), but great views. We then saw another whale a bit further off, before catching up with the same pair later on, who were then breaching some distance in front of us (hence no pictures, plus by this time I had spent so much time looking through the view finder with my 300mm lense, I was not in the best of health!). Heading back, we stopped off at a turtle breeding ground, where they would be seen in the 5m deep water, but who refused to come up - apparently they can only hold their breath for 5mins, but these managed for at least 15!! Our journey back was unremarkable, except for the dolphins travelling along with us for a short while.
The next day we flew to Cairns, picked up the hire car, found the apartment then headed off to Tom's (the groom) parents rented house for the evening - the first of the parties. A great evening, but too much alcohol perhaps consumed by some members of the family (not me)...
Despite the late night and hangovers, we managed to depart for Mossman Gorge at a decent hour - this was proper tropical rainforest, with huge butterflies of the brightest blues to be seen in abundance, and clear waters strewn with picturesque boulders.
That evening was the wedding, which we were almost late for - we were just about going to make it when we encountered a couple, one of which had fallen and gashed her knee badly - the firstaider had to be fetched, which involved myself dashing down the street in my finery, avoiding the sprinklers (drought, what drought??). All was well, and the wedding on the road verge opposite the hotel (but also next to the beach) was great, and the reception after even better - great food and the cheesiest music to be found!
After a leisurely morning to recover from the previous night, we departed for Cairns, where were were to catch the boat to Green Island. This beautiful coral cay was to be the closest we were to come to the Barrier reef proper - snorkelling here was amazing, with humongous clams, brain corals and rays, with the nibbling of parrot fish on coral very audible. Just amazing, and capped off by a meal with Tom, Eleanor and my uncle Tim, ending at Tom's parents - another late night!
We just about had time to visit Kuranda the next day, before we had to catch our flight to Brisbane and then to home. Our method of transport to Kuranda was cable car, and we were able to get amazing views of rainforest as far as the eye could see. The town itself was very quaint, and after a quick walk by the river looking for crocs (none seen, though perhaps a suspect log), we headed back the way we had come.
The flights back to Singapore were ok, and we arrived at 5am again - by the time we got to the hotel, it was still too early for our rooms to be ready. So we dozed in the foyer for a couple of hours, before having another breakfast and then heading off to the island of Sentosa, again via cable car. This was very touristy, but there was a rainforest walk, which was quite nice, and we pottered round the 200 year old fort for a while, before we collapsed for lunch - this was the hottest and most humid we had encountered. We managed to find the main reason for coming here - the long-tailed macaques, which were very cute indeed. We then braved the metro back to the city, where we went on a short river cruise, before staggering back for food and bed.
The last leg of the journey back home was relatively uneventful, and we got back to the house at 10pm, ready for work the next day! A great trip, and I cannot wait to go back in 2009 with Hayley to explore more!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Party!
My fantasy-themed party seemed to go very well last night, with everyone making the effort to dress up/travel large distances to come (furthest = Pembrokeshire!).
Few people could probably speak this morning due to last night's supreme Karaoke efforts - but, alas, the DVD I ordered for it will probably arrive tomorrow- how annoying!
Best team effort for costume: Hayley as the Tardis (paint mixed especially, and hand crafted by Sam!)
Some pics:
Few people could probably speak this morning due to last night's supreme Karaoke efforts - but, alas, the DVD I ordered for it will probably arrive tomorrow- how annoying!
Best team effort for costume: Hayley as the Tardis (paint mixed especially, and hand crafted by Sam!)
Some pics:
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Exciting things
Well, not really that exciting. Perhaps just exciting comparatively to my life at the moment.
So, I finished the painting for my half-sister's wedding present. It's now framed, and looks really good, so I am very pleased!
Three and a half weeks until we're off to Oz - now that is exciting!
Oh yes, and this Saturday we're having a fantasy party (i.e. wizards and witches etc) featuring lots of Karaoke, which I hear people are looking forward to (well, they won't be able to hear at all afterwards!).
And Claire, as I know you read this blog a fair bit - coming on Saturday?
And finally, we're all looking forward to Lil's wedding next week - soon to be Mrs Williams!
So, I finished the painting for my half-sister's wedding present. It's now framed, and looks really good, so I am very pleased!
Three and a half weeks until we're off to Oz - now that is exciting!
Oh yes, and this Saturday we're having a fantasy party (i.e. wizards and witches etc) featuring lots of Karaoke, which I hear people are looking forward to (well, they won't be able to hear at all afterwards!).
And Claire, as I know you read this blog a fair bit - coming on Saturday?
And finally, we're all looking forward to Lil's wedding next week - soon to be Mrs Williams!
Sunday, September 02, 2007
For those of you not on Facebook and wanting to see some pics...
...here are pics of various people in various costumes from various parties
As requested!
From my Monty Python party (People's Front of Judea/Judean People's Front; Dead parrot; migrating coconut)
From the St Cuthbert's Welsh themed party (Me as a Shepherd/ also the costume worn for the MP party as a woman attending the stoning; Sarah as a daffodil)
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