Monday, 9 January 2006
Thursday, 4 November 2004
4 November - My First Night of Nights on Nights!
Tonight I joined the JDM overnight team at BGS. We work four nights on followed by four nights off; yes that does mean you can get 12 days off every time you book four days holiday. If you want longer it doesn't work out quite so well because to go to 16 days requires you to take 8 days leave although of course this then automatically becomes 20 days because at the end of the 16 days you start your four days off1 Keeping track of holiday, I'm told, can get confusing. As I've just returned from one I think I'll leave this subject now to another day.
The teams is comprised of:
John - The Manager
Starkey
Duncan
Amit
Carol
Jane
Hasmukh
Ash
Bharat
Prash
and
Myself,
We work from 10PM through the night until 8AM next morning dealing, in the main, with overnight emergencies involving water leaks and such like. There are two specialist jobs overnight that we take turns doing. One is known as manuals, the IT system goes off-line after 10PM to update so all calls afterward until 6AM are recorded in ink on manual worksheets. These need to be collected sorted and eventually faxed to the appropriate centre before 7AM. In winter this is apparently a big job. The other special job is dealing with issuing emergency jobs to over night stand by engineers. This can involve a lot of diplomacy if you wish to avoid getting your ear chewed off by an irate engineer. I enjoyed my first night and everyone brokre me in gently. I will shadow the special jobs quite a few times before going solo. The team seem to be a good bunch although I haven't met hasmuhk yet as he is away on holiday.
The teams is comprised of:
John - The Manager
Starkey
Duncan
Amit
Carol
Jane
Hasmukh
Ash
Bharat
Prash
and
Myself,
We work from 10PM through the night until 8AM next morning dealing, in the main, with overnight emergencies involving water leaks and such like. There are two specialist jobs overnight that we take turns doing. One is known as manuals, the IT system goes off-line after 10PM to update so all calls afterward until 6AM are recorded in ink on manual worksheets. These need to be collected sorted and eventually faxed to the appropriate centre before 7AM. In winter this is apparently a big job. The other special job is dealing with issuing emergency jobs to over night stand by engineers. This can involve a lot of diplomacy if you wish to avoid getting your ear chewed off by an irate engineer. I enjoyed my first night and everyone brokre me in gently. I will shadow the special jobs quite a few times before going solo. The team seem to be a good bunch although I haven't met hasmuhk yet as he is away on holiday.
Monday, 25 October 2004
Thursday, 14 October 2004
Tuesday, 12 October 2004
October 16 – Nov 4 2004 – Holiday in Fuerteventura, Death of John Peel, Joining the Over-Night Team
I've had to date this entry a little early because I was having problems uploading from Windows live Writer
We spent two weeks in a time-share in Fuerteventura prior to my changing my shift at work. During the time we were there the shook news of the daeth of radio presenter John Peel was announced, he died of a massive heart attack whilst on holiday in South America on 25/10/2004. I remember reading about his death while at the pool and because of this these two events reinforce themselves in my memory so that if i think of one I invariably recall the other also. The photos we took on this holiday are probably somewhere on disc at home and If I ever locate them I’ll upload them here. Where were we staying: HERE
Here's a close up on Google Maps
And here’s a map of the town – Caleta de Fuste – with photos and videos that other people have tagged on Google Maps
We had a great holiday and because this was our second visit to this Time-share we were already familiar with the area; however Nat was terribly disappointed that Hippo Land, which had been located at the bottom of the hill leading into town, had closed since our last visit two years before. Blond haired three year old Han was the toast of all the waiters in all of the restaurants we ate in and managed to wangle herself a quite a few free ice-creams. We ate out most nights and often caught the Road Train to and from town; when we did stay on site we frequented the local entertainment mall and the bar opposite the resort; unlike the last time we were there Nat when asked refused to join the Brazilian (female) dancers on stage, after all he was now seven years old and had to maintain his dignity.
We returned home on the Saturday; the following Thursday 4 November I joined the over-night team where I remain to this day!
The resort of Caleta de Fuste is located halfway down the east coast of Fueteventura, approximately 6 miles south of the airport. Caleta de Fuste is situated around a partly natural, partly man-made sandy beach. It is sometimes known as El Castillo de Fuste, the ‘Castillo’ (Castle) refers to the 18th Century watchtower by the Harbour, near a small marina and lighthouse. The Resort has grown up either side of the coast road, a tunnel that runs beneath that road links the two halves. Caleta de Fuste is suitable for anyone in search of an effortless beach holiday and good bars and restaurants for evening entertainment. Caleta de Fuste is good for families and keen golfers. The beach, Playa Caleta de Fuste is the focal point of the resort. It has good sand and thatched parasols, and a breakwater, making it safe for young children and weak
swimmers, protects it. A new golf course with a driving range and club hire facilities is just a five minute drive away. It is an 18 hole par 70 course which has three large lakes connected by a stream all of which come into play at several holes.
For those not so serious golfers Caleta de Fuste has three mini crazy-golf courses. Our duplex houses are located just beside the main commercial areas directly across the road from the 4* Hotel Barcelo Fuerteventura.
We spent two weeks in a time-share in Fuerteventura prior to my changing my shift at work. During the time we were there the shook news of the daeth of radio presenter John Peel was announced, he died of a massive heart attack whilst on holiday in South America on 25/10/2004. I remember reading about his death while at the pool and because of this these two events reinforce themselves in my memory so that if i think of one I invariably recall the other also. The photos we took on this holiday are probably somewhere on disc at home and If I ever locate them I’ll upload them here. Where were we staying: HERE
Here's a close up on Google Maps
And here’s a map of the town – Caleta de Fuste – with photos and videos that other people have tagged on Google Maps
We had a great holiday and because this was our second visit to this Time-share we were already familiar with the area; however Nat was terribly disappointed that Hippo Land, which had been located at the bottom of the hill leading into town, had closed since our last visit two years before. Blond haired three year old Han was the toast of all the waiters in all of the restaurants we ate in and managed to wangle herself a quite a few free ice-creams. We ate out most nights and often caught the Road Train to and from town; when we did stay on site we frequented the local entertainment mall and the bar opposite the resort; unlike the last time we were there Nat when asked refused to join the Brazilian (female) dancers on stage, after all he was now seven years old and had to maintain his dignity.
We returned home on the Saturday; the following Thursday 4 November I joined the over-night team where I remain to this day!
The resort of Caleta de Fuste is located halfway down the east coast of Fueteventura, approximately 6 miles south of the airport. Caleta de Fuste is situated around a partly natural, partly man-made sandy beach. It is sometimes known as El Castillo de Fuste, the ‘Castillo’ (Castle) refers to the 18th Century watchtower by the Harbour, near a small marina and lighthouse. The Resort has grown up either side of the coast road, a tunnel that runs beneath that road links the two halves. Caleta de Fuste is suitable for anyone in search of an effortless beach holiday and good bars and restaurants for evening entertainment. Caleta de Fuste is good for families and keen golfers. The beach, Playa Caleta de Fuste is the focal point of the resort. It has good sand and thatched parasols, and a breakwater, making it safe for young children and weak
swimmers, protects it. A new golf course with a driving range and club hire facilities is just a five minute drive away. It is an 18 hole par 70 course which has three large lakes connected by a stream all of which come into play at several holes.
For those not so serious golfers Caleta de Fuste has three mini crazy-golf courses. Our duplex houses are located just beside the main commercial areas directly across the road from the 4* Hotel Barcelo Fuerteventura.
Sunday, 10 October 2004
Monday, 6 October 2003
Nat’s Sixth Birthday Treat – 3 Days in London Ongoing to Finish
Day One
Train to London
Building Euro Link at st pancrus had to take diversion to get to Tube because normal access closed
We too the Tube to Earls Court and came out here. we walked to the end of Earls Court Road and then turn left up Cromwell Road until we crossed over to our hotel that was located on the other side.
View Larger Map
Out hotel was a knocked together conversion of a number of Victorian Town-House and was very pleasant and reasonably priced. We were booked in for three days and we were situated on, if I recall correctly, the third floor down toward the end of the corridor as you exited from the lift. The door used an electronic key card, my first! After we had settled in we decided to walk down Cromwell Road until we reached the natural History museum which was to be our first port of call. It was rather a long walk and Nat's first time in London traffic but we ambled gently along and eventually arrived at out destination. The greast thing was that the walk itself was part of the experience. If you don't live there you can't conceive of how busy London is. I worked there for about a year and it still knocks me for six whenever I visit. I had never been to the NHM before and to say it was a revelation would be an understatement. No wonder many people describe it as a cathedral to Science; it is sipmle enormous and absolutely breathtaking...and that's before you even go inside!
VIDEO OF NHM
Walk to natural History Museum (my first ever visit to)
Stayed until six
Art Exhibition in Grounds
Underpass to get underground to to earls court and save feet where we saw a didgeridoo player busking
Hotel
Rang Redditch
Han wouldn’t stop crying
Day Two/Three
Science Museum Morning
Buckingham Palace
Horse guards Parade
Whitehall
Downing Street
Nelson’s Column
Coffee cafe in Wall
London Eye
Boat trip on Thames
Hamleys Toy Store – Laura Lamb for Hannah
Saw Lion King Lyceum Theatre via new Covent Garden
Celebrating 10 years of the Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre
Walked through Theatre crowds to tube afterward
Imperial War Museum
Tea in Cafe opposite Earls Court Tube
Train to London
Building Euro Link at st pancrus had to take diversion to get to Tube because normal access closed
We too the Tube to Earls Court and came out here. we walked to the end of Earls Court Road and then turn left up Cromwell Road until we crossed over to our hotel that was located on the other side.
View Larger Map
We stayed at
Premier Inn London Kensington Olympia, London
22 - 32 West Cromwell Road, London, SW5 9QJOut hotel was a knocked together conversion of a number of Victorian Town-House and was very pleasant and reasonably priced. We were booked in for three days and we were situated on, if I recall correctly, the third floor down toward the end of the corridor as you exited from the lift. The door used an electronic key card, my first! After we had settled in we decided to walk down Cromwell Road until we reached the natural History museum which was to be our first port of call. It was rather a long walk and Nat's first time in London traffic but we ambled gently along and eventually arrived at out destination. The greast thing was that the walk itself was part of the experience. If you don't live there you can't conceive of how busy London is. I worked there for about a year and it still knocks me for six whenever I visit. I had never been to the NHM before and to say it was a revelation would be an understatement. No wonder many people describe it as a cathedral to Science; it is sipmle enormous and absolutely breathtaking...and that's before you even go inside!
VIDEO OF NHM
Walk to natural History Museum (my first ever visit to)
Stayed until six
Art Exhibition in Grounds
Underpass to get underground to to earls court and save feet where we saw a didgeridoo player busking
Hotel
Rang Redditch
Han wouldn’t stop crying
Day Two/Three
Science Museum Morning
Buckingham Palace
Horse guards Parade
Whitehall
Downing Street
Nelson’s Column
Coffee cafe in Wall
London Eye
Boat trip on Thames
Hamleys Toy Store – Laura Lamb for Hannah
Saw Lion King Lyceum Theatre via new Covent Garden
Celebrating 10 years of the Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre
Walked through Theatre crowds to tube afterward
Imperial War Museum
Tea in Cafe opposite Earls Court Tube
Wednesday, 25 September 2002
Wednesday 25 Sept - Tuesday 8 Oct - Fuereventura: Our First Visit
Above is a view of where we stayed form Google Earth; we travelled out to Fuereventura on a Time-Share package. This was a cheap holiday in exchange for them trying to sell us a time-share. The time share resort Club Montecastillo ( Club Montecastillo, situated 8 km. from the international airport, it is a family orientated complex with plenty of activities, either on site or close by. The resort offers garden areas, a large adult's swimming pool as well as a children's pool and play area. Other recreational facilities include a sauna, gym, and Jacuzzi and an on-site bar. There is also a restaurant, hairdressers, snack bar and mini-market. In the neighbouring area you can find a golf course and tennis courts) was very nice with a huge pool and a large bar restaurant directly opposite reception and an entertainment complex a little further down filled with bars, amusements, restaurants and shops etc.. To get to the complex you used a set of stairs that ran down parallel to the aforementioned bar; there were a few small shops along this route and one of them sold hand made items like sharks teeth bracelets which were made by the two ageing hippies (scandinavians if I recall correctly) who owned it. A little further down and to the left was a supermarket where we bought fresh pastries, for breakfast, each morning. The resort was on the hill above the town of Caleta de Fuste (now called Costa Caleta)
Secret garden
Tiger singing
Lion sleeps tonight
Nat snorkelling
Ruby and her family
lovely pool side bar
Daddy fart pants
Han photo at bar
Brazilian dancers
submersible tour of harbour
Chipmonks
Coach trip to the south
Nude germans
German town
TO BE CONTINUED
Thursday, 29 August 2002
Nat Starts at Millfield - His First Day in BIG School
This is where he starts to leave us and begins to grow into his own person; today is Nat's first day in "proper" school. He finished at the nursery at the end of last term and today he becomes a fully fledged member of Millfield School. This first teacher is Miss Burns (Angie to her mates) who is smashing and doesn't look her age at all. She's nearly 40 but looks like a twenty something hippy.
Thursday, 2 May 2002
Wednesday 2 May - Brighton Pier
Today we visited Brighton and walked all the way out to the end of the famous pier.
We were away on another "£10 Sun Holiday" staying in the Portsmouth area. During the visit we travelled to Portsmouth where we saw the rail link to the Isle of White Ferry, the Ferry and then went into Britain's most the famous navel base and went aboard "HMS Warrior" (the first ever steam fully iron warship that rendered every other warship in the world obsolete overnight - HMS Warrior, was the first ship of the Royal Navy that deserves the name 'Battleship'. She was launched in 1860 and joined the Channel Squadron in 1861. Compared to HMS Victory her design is quite revolutionary.)
and "The Victory" (Nelson's Flagship)
and took a boat tour of the harbour. My God...Warships are flipping enormous and I know our carriers are dwarfed by US ones so how big are they. We saw the "The Mary Rose"
(Henry VIII sunken flagship) drying out and Nat bought a ships biscuit,
among other things, from the gift shop. Nat and I also went on a number of the simulator rides where we flew planes and helicopters and the like. We had a fantastic day there and one day, when the kids are older, I'd like to visit again. Portsmouth Navel Base is Gob-Smacking.
I believe, that in the UK, only Milford Haven and Scapa Flow are bigger or deeper natural harbours.
We were away on another "£10 Sun Holiday" staying in the Portsmouth area. During the visit we travelled to Portsmouth where we saw the rail link to the Isle of White Ferry, the Ferry and then went into Britain's most the famous navel base and went aboard "HMS Warrior" (the first ever steam fully iron warship that rendered every other warship in the world obsolete overnight - HMS Warrior, was the first ship of the Royal Navy that deserves the name 'Battleship'. She was launched in 1860 and joined the Channel Squadron in 1861. Compared to HMS Victory her design is quite revolutionary.)
and "The Victory" (Nelson's Flagship)
and took a boat tour of the harbour. My God...Warships are flipping enormous and I know our carriers are dwarfed by US ones so how big are they. We saw the "The Mary Rose"
.%20Copyright%20the%20Mary%20Rose%20Trust.%20Copyright%20the%20Mary%20Rose%20Trust.%20Copyright%20the%20Mary%20Rose%20Trust.jpg)
(Henry VIII sunken flagship) drying out and Nat bought a ships biscuit,
among other things, from the gift shop. Nat and I also went on a number of the simulator rides where we flew planes and helicopters and the like. We had a fantastic day there and one day, when the kids are older, I'd like to visit again. Portsmouth Navel Base is Gob-Smacking.
I believe, that in the UK, only Milford Haven and Scapa Flow are bigger or deeper natural harbours.
Sunday, 14 October 2001
Second/Third Week October 2001 - A Week in Lyme Regis, Birthday Boy, Fools Gold, Captain Scarlet Presents, Band of Brothers on TV, The Jurassic Coast
The week of Nat's Fourth birthday was spent in a caravan in Lyme Regis on another Sun £10 holiday. We had packed his birthday presents and driven with him and Han down to Lyme Regis. Han wasn't really a great part of this holiday as she was only 10 months old and very much confined to her pram. On the day of his birthday we were in one of the two big fossil shops in Lyme Regis when Nat announce to the owner that he was four that day. The owner, lovely man, gave him with a free piece of "fools gold" as a birthday present. I had bought a pile of Captain Scarlet toys at the comic shop before we left as this was now on TV and had supplanted, somewhat, Thunderbirds as his favourite program.
To be continued
To be continued
Nat's Fourth Birthday in Lyme Regis, Fools Gold, Capt Scarlet, Caravan Park, Band of Brothers, No More Bill, The Jurassic Coast, Seaton Tramway, Stilon Pate,
We stayed the week of Nat's fourth birthday in a caravan park just outside of Lyme Regis on the famous "Jurassic Coast". It was a fabulous week and we booked it using one of The Sun's £10 holiday offers.
View The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. in a larger map
A short walk from the caravan were the very cliffs where fossils are to be found. The fossil shop you can see below had the most incredible collection of extraordinarily expensive fossils. It blows the mind, if your not some brainless fundementalist who believes the World is only 6,000 years old, to try and comprehend the incomprehensive periods of time involved in their creation. On the morning of his birthday I gave Nat the over priced capt Scarlett toys I'd bought from the comic shop in Leicester and Deb gave him a couple of things too. When we went into town that morning and once again called into the Lyme Fossil Shop Nat told them, he was a very forward four year old, that it was his birthday and for his cheek got given a free piece of Fool's Gold by the shop owner...which was nice!
View Larger Map
While we were there I kept up with Spielberg's spectacular Band of Brothers, which was being shown for the first time, on the black and white portable, or was it colour, in the caravan. It clashed with the Bill and this marked the time when I stopped watching what had been one of my favourite TV programmes. I've not watched an episode since!
On our first day we had visited Seaton and travelled on it's famous tramway all the way to Colyton Station. We walked into Colyton Village where I bought some Stilton pate from a small local butcher's shop come delicatessen. Years later I returned to buy some more only to discover we'd visited on half-day closing!
Durring the week we travelled around the beutiful county of Devon and on our way home we diverted to Cornwall to visit the Eden Project.
Hannah, of course, remembers none of this as she was only eleven months old at the time!
View The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. in a larger map
A short walk from the caravan were the very cliffs where fossils are to be found. The fossil shop you can see below had the most incredible collection of extraordinarily expensive fossils. It blows the mind, if your not some brainless fundementalist who believes the World is only 6,000 years old, to try and comprehend the incomprehensive periods of time involved in their creation. On the morning of his birthday I gave Nat the over priced capt Scarlett toys I'd bought from the comic shop in Leicester and Deb gave him a couple of things too. When we went into town that morning and once again called into the Lyme Fossil Shop Nat told them, he was a very forward four year old, that it was his birthday and for his cheek got given a free piece of Fool's Gold by the shop owner...which was nice!
View Larger Map
While we were there I kept up with Spielberg's spectacular Band of Brothers, which was being shown for the first time, on the black and white portable, or was it colour, in the caravan. It clashed with the Bill and this marked the time when I stopped watching what had been one of my favourite TV programmes. I've not watched an episode since!
On our first day we had visited Seaton and travelled on it's famous tramway all the way to Colyton Station. We walked into Colyton Village where I bought some Stilton pate from a small local butcher's shop come delicatessen. Years later I returned to buy some more only to discover we'd visited on half-day closing!
Durring the week we travelled around the beutiful county of Devon and on our way home we diverted to Cornwall to visit the Eden Project.
Hannah, of course, remembers none of this as she was only eleven months old at the time!
Wednesday, 15 August 2001
August 2001 - My Breakdown - Katie and Dad Suppressed Grief
Lost the plot this month and ended up needing professional counselling. I'd suppressed the grief of the lose of Katie and my dad's sudden death in the January had brought it all bubbling back to the surface. Suffice to say I behaved like a complete loon and a total prat and I ended up threatening those I loved. There was one delicious irony; which was being accused of being a wife batter (which I wasn't) by P Harrison (who was and probably still is). If I'd known what was coming on 11 September perhaps I would have more perspective.
Sunday, 15 July 2001
Friday, 26 January 2001
Friday 26 Jan - The Death of My Dad Six Weeks after the Birth of My Daughter
My dad suffered a stroke last week and we'd been down to see him but couldn't stay because Han was only six weeks old. We were due to go down to Wales after I'd finished work. However, I had a dental appointment that morning and had left work at 9:00 am to get there. while I was there deb rang to say that the hospital had called to say that my dad had just died of a massive heart attack. I suppose this was hardly surprising; the very first thing that the medical staff had done last week was ask me for resuscitation instructions after advising me that it would be better not to try and resuscitate my Dad should when the situation arose. The stroke he'd suffered was massive and his chances of recovery, at age 79, were close to zero. So I had given my consent to them to treat my dad as a "Do Not Resuscitate" patient. If he'd lived he'd have had no quality of life and walking to the pub, something he did daily, would have been absolutely impossible. No, he would have been doomed to sit and waste away in a small flat unable to carry out the most basic of bodily functions...and what's the point in that?
I returned to work to advise what had happened and to let them know I would be on my way to Wales immediately and would advise when I would be back. We travelled down and eventually arrived at Prince Charles Hospital in Methyr why I briefly saw my fathers body. I stayed down for a few days with my cousin Cath to make arrangements while Deb and the kids returned to Leicester. My Dad was cremated the following weekend.
This is where he grew up and spent almost his entire life; this is the village of Abertysswg as it looks today.
I returned to work to advise what had happened and to let them know I would be on my way to Wales immediately and would advise when I would be back. We travelled down and eventually arrived at Prince Charles Hospital in Methyr why I briefly saw my fathers body. I stayed down for a few days with my cousin Cath to make arrangements while Deb and the kids returned to Leicester. My Dad was cremated the following weekend.
This is where he grew up and spent almost his entire life; this is the village of Abertysswg as it looks today.
And, this is how it looked when he was a young man. He started working down this mine, when he was 14 years old, along side his Father and Brothers!
This is Charles Street where both he and my Mother were born and raised. The blue tiled shop is Roffi's. Mr Roffi emigrate to Wales from Italy early in the Twentieth Century and established his shop and proceeded to have a large family. His wife was still alive when my dad passed away and she was a sprightly 102 years old; I saw whilst I was there which was only the second time I'd seen her in my entire life. Her Son Aldo had been a good friend of my parents and I visited her with him.
Saturday, 9 December 2000
Friday 8 - Saturday 9 - Sunday 10 December 2000 – The Birth of The Han Monster
Friday - waiting
Just as with Nat and Katie we arrived at the Royal Infirmary maternity wing at 8:00 am and settled in for a long day. Han was not due for another two weeks but because of what had happened to Katie (she died two weeks before she was due to be born) had decided to induce the birth early. Deb and I were escorted to a private room and she was given the drugs and told to let nature take it's course.
Saturday 03:40 AM - Born
Sunday Afternoon - Home
Just as with Nat and Katie we arrived at the Royal Infirmary maternity wing at 8:00 am and settled in for a long day. Han was not due for another two weeks but because of what had happened to Katie (she died two weeks before she was due to be born) had decided to induce the birth early. Deb and I were escorted to a private room and she was given the drugs and told to let nature take it's course.
Saturday 03:40 AM - Born
Sunday Afternoon - Home
Monday, 18 September 2000
September 18-23 2000 – Pendine Sands, Katie's Anniversary and the Last Time we saw Granddad Bill
Pendine Sands Holiday Park
We came to stay on a Sun Newspaper £10 break; a week in a caravan in beautiful Pembroke on the record breaking Pendine Sands. Deb was six months pregnant with Han and Nat was almost Three years old. It was an absolutely beautiful place. The caravan was exactly what one would expect and not quite as up market as the ones displayed in on the 2010 website. Nothing to moan about though; warm and dry what more could you want.
Club house and Nat winning a dancing prize
nat dancing
nat playing in the sand on Saundersfoot beach
Tenby
Folly Farm
Nat and i falling over on seaweed and getting our trousers filthy and soaked
St Fagans Museum
St David's Cathedral
Remembering katie’s birthday on the way home
Seeing my dad for the last time before his stroke
Home to Leicester
Thursday, 14 October 1999
Thursday 14 October 1999 - Nat's Second Birthday, Party at Donna's House for Nat and Sian,
Shortly after Katie's death it was Nat's second birthday, Donna showed what a friend she is to Deb by arranging a joint party for him and Sian at her house on the 15 Oct the day between their birthdays. This was held at the house they were renting on the Kingsway.
Thursday, 23 September 1999
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