Winter

Winter came and was white, cold and now has essentially moved on.

There was one night of snow.  That was about it.

At the same time, It snowed in the UK and Everything came to a stand-still

There is no coping.

It's been a very mild one. and maybe that's it.

(oops: but then again, who am I kidding.  

Looks like the cold is coming back, with a vengeance.)

I've got March off and hope, weather permitting, to head over to Europe on Nicole.

I would love to Travel over to Australia, but am waiting to hear from the Barclay Bros' company regarding a job interview I had back in December.

Might have to head to Switzerland for "handover"

But, as with everything...we will see.

as For what I've been up to.

January was pretty quite, but I did get to Liverpool to see Niki off.

She left work here in Guernsey and is off to New Zealand for at least a couple of months, with some of her mates.

Here's hoping that I can travel somewhere nice in March

I'll write more about the job on Brecqhou when I know more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brecqhou

Purdy morning

Vist to the poole of the Liver

Winter holiday

oh, what to do!

Due to a miscommunication, I ended up with 3 weeks off this month but nothing really planned.
I needed the sunshine, I needed the beach, I needed a break, I needed to Kitesurf.
but where to go?

I looked at Morocco, but the flight connections weren't any good and the accommodation was gonna cost over 900 Euros...WTF?
so, where else?

A colleague suggested Tenerife.  hey, why not.
As luck would have it, the first week, no wind "but this never happens"
Really?
anyway, there was hiking, more hiking, drinking and more drinking. a little kite surfing, although to the trained eye it probably looked like an Australian being dragged around by a kite whilst attempting to drown, unsuccessfully!

As Always, I went there with no expectations and came away pleasantly surprised with what the island had to offer and what I got done.


but at least I had fun and now feel refreshed.  Ready for some new challenges!

Next week I'm back to work for a lovely week o' nights, the seven nights of Christmas.
but before then I've got one thing to do on Friday.

The north coast 

At the top of Pico Viejo

Getting ready for Masca

Looking down from Montana Roja

Sunny days!

End of something

Well, here we are and the riding season is at an end.  Bikes in for repair and servicing, colder, wetter weather, short days, long nights. 

Planning for bigger and better rides is afoot.I've seen a couple that catch my eye.  The UK 4 Corners Gold, Gibraltar - Nordkapp 72 and the FHB 48 (Fucking, Hell and Bach).

Unfortunately the GN72 can't be ridden till I've completed another 2000 mile, extreme ride.  hence the FHB.

And yes, I'm going to ride to Fucking (Austria), Hell (Norway) and Bach (France).  Not surprisingly, this ride is through the Irish IBA. 

I've plenty of time to plan and prepare for my rides, the first won't be till after the beginning of the Tour de France.

I hope to catch at least one if not two stages of the TdF in 2013, The 100th, before my ride.

But enough pipe-dreams, back to the now and the winter.

Having just completed a week of nights, I've got a couple of weeks off work, I thought I'd do something reasonably constructive with my time.  So, it's off to Tenerife.

I'm hoping to improve my kite-surfing skills and get a bit of vitamin D in the process.

Then it'll be back to reality and another week of nights.  Such is a shift-workers' lot.

I hope that you're all well at this festive time of year and your loved ones are all near, in spirit if not person.

Almost the hardest ride in the UK

Awesome week

What a Week
I have achieved much more than I expected
I had the two End2End rides verified by the IBA UK.
and I have, just today, Passed my Advanced Life Support Provider Course.
Woo Hoo, I'm once again an ALS provider.
That means that I'm well on my way to being ready for the promotion that I recently applied for.
Interviews are to be held in about 10 days.
I'm feeling really quite positive about everything.

So Awesome, I think I deserve a couple of days away.
Niki and I are going to Jersey for the weekend, sat-mon.
Should be nice to get away together, see something different and pamper ourselves.
hope you all have a great weekend.

Achieved...

All smiles, the beginning!

Tuesday, 2nd October.  Landed in Portsmouth, UK at 0630.  I proceded directly to Land's End, Cornwall. An uneventful ride of approximately 250 miles in 6 hours.

I officially began my ride after getting my receipts for food and a witness from the "Land's End Hotel"

At about half way (400 miles into the ride) it Began to rain and didn't stop, across Scotland it was cold, dark, wet and uncomfortable.  My joints ached, my back was stiff and my knees frozen.  My helmet was leaking and fogging up.  But I continued and once I reached it to the border, I knew that I'd make it.

The last 100+ miles (after Inverness) were painful.  I slowed my ride, afraid I would make a mistake or hit am animal (haggis are a constant threat to Motorcycles) or miss a turn.  Although the progress was slow, it was breathtaking, Winding hilly roads, along the cliffs, through tiny villages.

Eventually, with about 17 miles to go, I had to stop for a cigarette, I was losing my concentration and feeling nauseous.  A short break and I was good to do.  I rode on and arrived at about 0600.  Just under 18 hours, 850 miles.  But at John O'Groats there was NO-ONE, the shops were closed, the only locals I spotted got into their fishing boat and headed off into the blue yonder, no-one.

Eventually I made breakfast and at about 0800 I met a couple of lads about to start work, roofing on a construction site.  I decided to check in to the nearest hotel - "The Seaview" Less than a mile away.

After a much needed bath, I slept 10 hours straight.

That evening, when I went down to the bar for dinner, I met Martin, one of the afore-mentioned roofers and asked him to witness my arrival, which he did.

I really felt beat, exhausted and not inclined to do the return journal, the End-to-end Gold, via the M25 and London.  I wasn't able to sleep till 0400.

The next morning I was sick, probably a combination of exhaustion and Tennants.  I couldn't stomach breakfast so had a nap.  Eventually checking out at about 1200.  I made my way to "the first and Last" tourist shop, got a sticker and receipt for the beginning of the return journey.

Sometime during my nap I had decided to attempt the Gold End-to-End.  Over 1000 Miles.

The first part of the journey was indeed lovely and a pleasure to ride.  Cliff roads, villages, winding roads, tight corners, a dream.  

I basically followed the same route southward until over the border into England, Penrith, where I headed South East along the A66 till the A1(M).  I then followed this road till the M25 and London.  Usually the biggest car-park in the world, it was a pleasure to ride at this stupid time of the morning when only truckers and insomniacs are awake.  I had intended to halt at Clacket Lane Services, but due to fatigue and petrol requirements, I stopped immediately before Dartmouth Bridge.  I then continued on the M25 toll the M3-A303-A30 to Land's End.

Arriving at land's end, Nothing was to open till after 1000, I arrived just before 0900.  So, after a while I made my way into the Hotel, again, had a coffee and had my documents witnessed.

Being Early, I had hoped to make it back to Poole in time to change my return Ferry.  But there had been an accident on the A30 which had to be closed.  The diversion took between 1 and 2 hours longer than expected and when I eventually got onto the road into Poole, traffic was heavy and slow.

So, I decided to stop at a hotel or B&B.  On arriving in Poole it started raining heavily and I was bloody tired.  After more than 26 hours on the bike, I just wanted to Stop.

I found a Holiday Inn-Express, got a room but no bath.  After a shower, I slept for about 5 hours and then ate and went back to bed.  The next morning I discovered that breakfast was included, Yay!

I checked out late, made it to the ferry in plenty of time and was on my way home.

It's been a hard week.  Just under 2000 miles of ironbutt and with travel to and fro, just over 2500 miles total (± 4000 kms) in 4 days.  

It's been hard on my body and hard on Nicole.  My fingers and toes have altered sensation and my back is stuff from the heavy, wet bike gear.

Despite all this, I feel bloody Good.

Nicole is booked in for some work next week and I'll get her sorted.  Then Tyres, Helmet repaired, and hopefully, eventually my fingers shall return to normal.

I'm looking forward to catching up with Niki and relaxing.

 

End to End

Well, here's the plan.

Not that it's much of a plan

1. Finish nights tomorrow morning

2. Sleep

3. Get the over-night Ferry to the UK 

4. Ride to my starting point, Land's End

5. Ride to John O'Groats 

6. Pray for no rain

That's about it really.

And if it rains, just in case you were about to ask, I will get WET.

I wish you all a great week.

A While...

It has been some time since I last wrote anything in the Interwebs and thought I'd better make amends.

This year has been quiet but with some Awesome moments thrown in.
Visited Mick and Ails (et al) in France
Rode Nicole to Northern Germany for a "Mofarralley"
and also visited Jay in Kassel

I'm currently on Nights but next week am off and plan to visit the UK.
I'm hoping to complete one, if not two, Iron Butt Rides.
End-to-end, Lands End to John O'Groats.
I hope that the flood waters have run off by the time I get there, I'm sure that Nicole doesn't swim well.

The Northern and shorter route will be basically straight through.  When I return, a couple of days later, I'll take a longer route via the M25 and London.

better get to work, only 4 shifts to go.

Wasted!!!
Greetz from the beach. And the Irish pub in Bahrain. BTW, if you hadn't noticed, I don't use this site much anymore. So if you wanna catch up on what I'm up to then write me and I'll give you the new address. sebastabator@mac.com anyway, I'm off to do some shopping, Thobes and Abayas to get.
and play dodgems with the traffic in Riyahd.
till then
Sebastabator

Photo courtesy Ian Banks, Diving the Gold Coast.  

More info available by clicking on the link in the side bar ->

Whoa...Finally made it.  My first dive, and on Australia Day.  What a way to celebrate.  The Underwater world is really something else.  Calm, peaceful, only the sound of yourself breathing and the ping of the machines.  hummm...

Weightlessness is truly achievable and controllable.

Although the visibility was only down to about 5-7 meters, it was amazing what there was to see under there.  Fish, individual and by the school, not really bothered by our intrusion into their world.  Quietly searching for food and hunting.  The coral just sitting there being coral.  The colours, although not spectacular today, were present, showing through with their contrast to the dull colours of surrounding rocks and sand.

And the divers, swimming back and fro, coming together/colliding silently and then slowly separating and going their own way.  Dark silhouettes in the murky water, intently exploring their new surroundings and discovering the numerous treasures near and upon the ocean floor.  All giving off the aura of professionalism due mainly to the uniformity of their attire and equipment.  Strangely autonomous!!!

I am inspired, but we will see how long it all lasts.  I would love to go far on this new found adventure and who knows... future occupation???

the next trip out is Monday, 28th Jan.  I am sure that the second outing will reveal new skills and discoveries.  

There were actually 10 of us there, the 9th is taking the photo and nr. ten??? see if you can find her.

BTW... Looks like I've found a buyer for the bike.  An "Older" gentleman.  He only saw the bike on Friday and Rang last night with the news...

I'm excited now.  Ridding myself of the material ties here.  That's a big step, an important step onward, into the future.

 

baby mellow my mind

make me feel like a schoolboy on good time,

Jugglin' nickles and dimes,

Satisfied with the 

fish on a line.

What it means, I have no idea but I now feel sad...hummm

Only 5 days to go :-)

My motto: The difference is Fashion.

The search for truth inspired by a 1970's fashion.

What can I say...

This shall have to become my travel "uniform" 

The safari suit.  Leading me into the unknown.

I have been advised to dress conservatively, you can't be any more conservative than that...or???

And the best thing is...

I fly to Dubai first, then get a 12 hour stay over in a hotel and then fly on to Saudi. That means that I can drink as much as I like from Australia and get a "sober-up" sleep over in UAE.

That must have been done on purpose :-)

Sounds great to me, but 12 hours in a hotel room during the day???  Only good if there's alcohol. Rule 45 definitely applies in this instance.

As you may have been aware, or not.  I received my e-ticket today.  29th flying out and that's great. Gives me a weekend, Australia day weekend and Australia day itself.  Then off, like a frog in a sock.  Hope to get the PADI cert completed.  Should be going diving on Wednesday, out to Cook island or somewhere the like.

Now the only thing left to do is sell my motorcycle.  

WANNA BUY A BIKE

ONLY RIDDEN BY AN OLD LADY, TO THE SHOPS AND CHURCH ON SUNDAYS.

I thought it was a good try!!!

I'll even leave the FOR SALE sign on if you like.

Tyres are new (only 6,000kms)

Went for a ride today to get the bike seen and to visit ben.  Although I don't think to many people will want to buy it from me if I continue to ride past them, whilst showing which way is up, with my middle finger (Wankers!!!)

But seriously, the last of the important stuff to get done before I go is to get rid of the bike.  Seeing as I finally own it outright, I have decided to dispose of it.  I guess that this decision was mainly made based on the fact that I have a 20 kg baggage allowance and that I can't take it as carry on as it contains too much Fluid.  As if I could blow up a plane with the fluids on my bike, except for the petrol.  Oh, and the brake fluid might do a bit of damage too.  Okay, and the battery fluid.

Grrrrr!!!!!!!

Anyway! As I was saying, Visited Ben today.  Seems that he's such a big-girls-blouse that playing with a one year old is too hard-core.  Turns out that he sustained a fractured rib from rough play with Grayson, at least it wasn't my fault this time.  Damn, and I was hoping to get in some quality riding and rock-climbing before I leave...hummm maybe he did it on purpose???

Looks like I'll have to concentrate on getting my PADI open water cert finished.  Lo-and-behold, it didn't rain this weekend.  Hopefully the waters are starting to clear up and visibility improving.  Should the weather remain as it is, there should be some underwater activities undertaken.  

Damn, it was hot today...30 degrees and humid as hell

But when I look at Berlin, 6 and Riyadh, 11 I get to feel as though I've missed something.  Winter.  I complain about it when I'm there and complain when I'm not but, really I miss the winters of Germany.  The stark contrast between summer and winter.  The difference in the colours, bleak grey and dull winter and the colourful summer.  The need to "rug-up" and get cosy.  The constant slush underfoot when one goes out and being wary of the "black-ice"

The only jacket necessary here is the bike jacket that I wear to protect myself as I fly past those blind-inbred-recipients-of-my-directions-to-heaven whilst avoiding the odd speed camera and random police patrol.  

At least with the warm weather can one ride without fear of rain, or other non-biking conditions.  

Might head up Tamborine Mountain some time this week...

So there you are...more popart by me.

Except this time it is REAL fake art.  

Made a trip earlier this week to the Warhol exhibition this week.  It was held at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in Brisvegas.  5 Booths were provided for children's entertainment of which I made good use.  Along with the floating goon bladders (Whoa everything moving soooo slowly) 

According to the copywrite agreement signed by GoMA, the employees have the right, and infact are obligated to, shout at any visitor who looks like they may attempt to photograph any of the exhibition.  Beware the woman near the red ring.

For those of you who are blissfully unaware, I shall be taking up a job in Saudi Arabia later this month.  So, have decided to finish my PADI course.  On Wednesday, I went to the Currumbin pool and undertook my first controlled "dive" to a depth of about 1.8 meters.  

Woo-hoo, but it was certainly different.  Performing manuevers such as: removing one's gear whilst in the water, removing and replacing one's weight belt (why), cramp removal, running out of air, and then swimming 200 metres and treading water for 10 minutes without any gear (but, I'm going diving, without my gear???)  Maybe I forgot to put it on???

Unfortunately, with all the debris washed off-shore recently from the rain and floods, I'll have to wait some time before completing the course.  With visability a mere 5 metres it makes no sense to go down and perhaps would be too dangerous.  Might be attacked by a dead cow or its calf.

It's officially official. I am no longer young...
humm!!! how will this affect my life, behaviour, attitude to responsibility, usw???
Not one little bit, I should think.
I shall continue to stick it to the man, ride into the wind of authority, ignore common-sense and practicality. But hey, this is no conscious decision of mine. I shall just continue as I am and have been... The game is well under way, why change line-up now???

Speaking of change...I am now a convert.
The evil glow of the apfel now illuminates my room at night and accompanies my rantings on the abstract ideas that have very little to do with nursing, in the form of essay and assignment.
More to do with the ravings of a lunatic rather than some health professional, that amounts to the same thing, doesn't it???
anyway, think I'll drink something, when the assignment's written and sent. That'll have to be before the 28th. Have to go to a work party and celebrate my leaving work, christmas, my birthday and new year all in one...Whoa man will I ever have to drink :-) I wonder if anyone will come with me.

I was just thinking, I wonder if this is how Melinda feels and I'm not saying I feel like a woman (although I wouldn't say no), mother, wife, sister, surgeon(burns),usw. But being 35...
Nah, I feel relaxed...any more relaxed and i'd make like an ICU patient and stop breathing (hi hi)

Is 30 the new 20??? If it is then I can STILL act like a teenager, who cares??? I'll do it anyway.

better get to bed...lots of games to be mastered tomorrow.
Love y'all
and HO, HO, HO
Here's wishing you all a hairless isthmus

Not that I'm one to complain...That's why I've NEVER bought a TV
You can get the news from the internet and anything that's worth seeing is on youtube, or you can download it from somewhere, or even buy it if you're that way inclined.

Anyway, to that comment about me being a socialist...
I tend to think of myself more as a Communist: From each according to their ability, to each according to their need. ...

Or a Social Democrat but not a bleeding French-bloody-public-servant-socialist.
More strikes that a Box of Red Heads or even David (no-I'm-not-a- northern-Wanker) Beckam, In fact he's a London Wanker.

Enough politics...
I got stuff to do...NOT sit infront of the telly and go numb.

I was bumbling around on Faceoff (or whatever it is) and came across this:

Bumsen weg und Würfel.

Than has to be the worst German translation I ever saw...but then I thought about. Maybe it's the best and funniest I have ever seen...
I'm not sure???
Looks more like a babelfish translation.
wow, I just got the same with systran
I hope all you out there get it :-)

Well, one more week of uni...6 - 13 Dec.
I guess that I'd better think about Christmas and all that stuff
I have been lucky in recent years and not had the stress.
The decision was usually made for me
and I was usually invited into someone else's family

But in the meantime the whole world's gone mad, how can these things be???
Beating-up Tibetan Monks, uprising in Pakistan, coup in the Philippines, Terrorists in Saudi Arabia, Howard not only losing the PMship but also his seat...(insult to injury)
Me getting a 5 for both my subjects, and being single.
Unbelievable.
And I've worked at the same place nearly all year, might be time for a change.
but hey, I'm not giving anything more away than I have to. I'll probably jinx myself and be stuck here. Not that here's such a bad place but...
Now look, I know that I came over to get this ICU course thingy done, but I've since learned that I can do the rest of it externally and truth be told, I'd probably have a more exciting time in the middle of a desert on a motorcycle in a Burka.
I guess a woman in a Burka could still wear a helmet but try getting one over your Keffiyeh, no matter how cool you are, you'll never fit a helmet over it.

The silly season is upon us, well and truly.
Schoolies (the first week) has been and gone. I guess they had about 35,000 drunken teenagers down Cavill Ave. Woo-hoo. Hundreds of arrests and nothing to do with me.
If you know nothing about "Schoolies" then check out the movie "Blurred" (2002)
Classic Aussie coming-of-age stuff.

On top of that, TV.
Man...
I thought it was bad before.
Now there's National BINGO, download your bingo card and lose
Dancing with the (minor) celebrities
Farmer needs a wife (to cook, clean, shag, iron, make babies, bring up said babies, start a commune then maybe a cult, help conduct mass suicide)
Temptation (new Sale-of-the-Century)
Bert Newton's Family Feud
Australias funniest home movies
Friday night download (you guess)
Who wants to be a MULTI-MILLIONAIRE
Are you smarter than a 5th Grader?
The Abbey
The monastery
blah, blah, blah
And then all the usual crap Home & Away, Neighbours, All Saints,
That's about it really.
No time to programe anything else in.

Work's work. You win some and you lose some.
I'm still enjoying it but...
it's time for bed

What's that you say???

well...yeah, finished the assignment today (got an extension)
Just dropped it off

so, that's it, for a couple of weeks.
I don't have to think about uni till December
Now I guess that I have time to concentrate on work...
Yeah right...work only interferes with the stuff that I really want to do
ie: stuff
Can't believe it...Nothing to do and I've got off till Friday
maybe I'll catch up with benny...maybe not.
Lots of stuff to do...
still need to sell my bike, get a new backpack, stuff
how boring does that sound, now i'm depressed
have to get out and do something

See the worry...
No, I was gonna say that I'm worried about my studies but I haven't really started yet.
guess that I'll have to start soon.
You know when you really want something over and done with...
Na ja, This time next week I'll be back on nights and it will all be behind me.
In considering my next job...I have finally settled on the middle east.
I was looking up the particular country on the Australian site Smartraveller and "We advise you to reconsider your need to travel"
A vote of confidence in anyone's language.
Well that settles it, that's where I'm going. I must have missed the bit in the work contract about issueing the foreign nationals with PPE (Personal protective equipment) ie. body armour etc.
Perhaps it was under the section covering dress codes. Women - abaya, men - body armour.
who knows, I'll have to read through it again.
But, I don't get it.
With such a strongly worded document from the govt then one would think that it would be reflected in my monetary return. But it isn't.
I'm not JUST going there for the money. With all the squabbling and argueing going on here, I'm sure that Australia is one of the last places I really want to work after the election. Awards, rights, allowances, pay, penalties, everything being reduced.
I love working in the area that I do but I'm not in a hurry to donate my services.
I genuinely feel that out there, somewhere is the prefect job and place for mme.
Sounds like I'm complaining, I'm not really one to complain. Just a little unsettled, like loads of people at the moment.
Now I'm just bitching. Have to go to bed and try and sleep.

Can you see it???
Took a week out with Antje and we "discovered" SE Queensland and NE NSW.
Thank-you.
A great time was had by all (ie. Both)
We started our discovery tour in the Koala Center at Daisy Hill. Meeting several of the locals both in captivity and in their natural surroundings.
We visited Tamborine, Murwullumbah, O'Reilly's, Mt Warning, Byron blah, blah, blah.

Hiked to the top of Wollumbin, I completely forgot what a feat it was, 1000 meters straight up. But what a view, you are able to make out the coastline at Byron. The path has changed slightly over the years, what with repairs to the track, deviations due to damage etc. but has basically remained the same. Although our 95 minute climb was far quicker that the original 3 day trek to the summit of the "Cloud Gatherer"

We also tried to reach Witches Falls but unfortunately embarked upon this walk too late in the afternoon and twilight threatened to take away our path, we had to head back early, but were rewarded by a warm bite and cold beer in the "Irish Pub"

Also, embarked upon the "tree-top-walk". Great views and surrounded by an Australian menagerie every step of the way.

Then it was on the bike and out of the Hinterland, through the fields of sugar-cane and toward the old world of the Hippies. OK, we didn't make it to Nimbin but did bed down in good ol' Cape Byron for a couple of nights.
Walked from lighthouse to cape, searched the surrounding waters for sea-life, looked back to where we had once been (Wollumbin), Drank beer like there was no tomorrow, Shared the "Goon" of the local travellers, Clubbed and ate Fish and Chips at some stupid hour. Although being slightly less value for money than the previous "Chinese at Byron" incident, I was unfortunately not afforded the same opportunity and arrived back at the room empty-handed.

After several days of mounting the Yellow Bavarian beast I was allowed a day off from riding and remained in bed, then in the afternoon went to the beach for some more lying around, followed by re-heated chilli and then some bad pool and early to bed.

Sunday, unfortunately was Antje's last day and we had to take the "world-class" Pacific highway up to Brisbane and then get her to the Airport...allowing Antje to embark upon her 2nd adventure. Flying back to Berlin via Melbourne, Singapore, London and finally Frankfurt. Fraught with Delays and missed connections.

And now I have the Delightful task of Preparing for my next practical exam, Tomorrow, and in two weeks, assignment and Exam...as excited as ever.

bugger!!!
aim for 50% and I get 73
almost 50% more than the 50% that I need...that's like 50% too much effort
I'll try harder next time not to try so hard.
anyway, one down only 3 to go.
I guess that it's better to choose subjects I know about...the last one was Bullying
For the next I might choose...hummmmm, sleep.
Sleep and the shift worker.
The detrimental effects of lack of sleep upon the shift worker (ie. nurse)
what a great idea. Now I only need the research articles AND to reference properly
Man, I hate it when you referrence something and your lecturer corrects same, even the actual page number...
but hey, next time I will definately try not to try

I came a great step forward today, Toward my next role.
Medical, blood tests, x-rays, passport photos.
I guess the next step is to ask my current boss for a reference, as soon as I take that step there's no going back.
We'll just have to see.
Concentrate on what's left of the course and let the job stuff fall into place.