Hate running!

We've been in Monaco for nearly 3 weeks now and I'm slowly getting into the swing of things.

The F1 has also steadily been appearing.  Barriers and fences have started to spring up all over the place.  Crash barriers, Massive Television screens, seating, Private security, and over the weekend the team trucks with all their equipment appeared.

I've started jogging.  I hate jogging and the pain it brings it just seems pointless, but I need something to keep me fit.  At least the scenery isn't too bad.  but there aren't too many forest paths or parks to go running along.  

Just under 2 square kms it sure has got a lot packed into it.  (The only country that is smaller is the Vatican.)

Nearly any and every luxury/sports car out there are to be seen here more Ferrari's than I've ever seen and Bentley's and Austin Martin's and Porsche's and Lambo's and AMG's etc.  But as with everywhere else in and around the Côte d'Azur there are motorcycles and scooters in every single empty space.  They love their bikes. and I love the fact that they love their bikes.  Might have to bring Nicole down one day.

Up till now the weather has been pretty average.  Last Friday it rained the whole day.  But it's slowly and surely improving.  Although, Monte Carlo is surrounded by high hills on all three sides and when we get a Northerly we never know what to expect.  Today is lovely, Sunny, Blue skies but I can see some clouds rolling in.  I'm sure that in a couple of weeks I'll be moaning that it's too hot, or not.

Oh, I mentioned that the F1 is here, it all kicks off this week with "THE RACE" on Sunday.  The Berths here are now at a premium and in the next couple of days I'm sure we will have to anchor off-shore.  But that doesn't mean that we'll miss out on the F1 completely.  The Boss has told me that he will get some tickets for the race.  And I'm sure that they won't be the cheap seats.  I'm not really into F1 but to be there for the race, up close & personal, that'll be an awesome experience!

Randomness!

Up too early

Some views are better than others'

The Palace

Yesterday was Claudia's birthday

The F1 has started to arrive

First day out

I've been down in Monaco and on the boat for a week now and I seem to be falling into some sort of a routine.
We took the boat out for a spin yesterday for the first time since I've been here.
and out again today.
Quite exciting for all involved.
We have just gone "around the corner" about 30 mins car drive, or so.
Some of the most exclusive real-estate in the world
The rich and famous have houses here and come to get away from it all...
Taking the boat for a jaunt is a bit like taking the Rolls out for a Sunday afternoon drive in the countryside.
More peaceful and relaxing than I expected.
The yacht is a 60 m "superyacht", dwarfed by others but still pretty impressive but not as gaudy as some owned by some russians...
We have a crew of 16 plus guests, and myself who is neither a crew-member or a guest.

As the boss is doing quite well at the moment, I'm at a bit of a loose end most of the time.
While everyone's working, polishing fittings, cleaning, running the tenders, repairing, cooking etc, I'm Chillaxing...
Life is hard to handle at times.

Time flies...when you're having fun

I'm sure it does, but it seems only to drag when I'm here.
But hopefully we will be on the move in a couple of days, or so.
I just thought I'd share a few photos of my workplace with you...
"The Clinic" is in the lower floor of the castle and it's where I spend a lot of my time.
Although, if things work out as expected, I won't be back here till the end of summer...what a prospect!

The Clinic Proper 

Our small Hyperbaric chamber

The Gym

Dental Suite

The in house Chapel

Jobbin'

Well, here we are

One month in and I guess I'm starting to understand the way things work around here, a little bit.

As you can see from the photos, I'm still on Brecqhou.

The weather has improved and Spring has finally arrived, it's not too shabby.

A lovely place to walk around.

Last Wednesday, 17 April, they had a 17 gun salute in honour of Lady Thatcher.  

It took quite some time, one minute between each of the shots.  

Quite impressive.  

She apparently visited the island back in 2000 and when she passed away was living at The Ritz.

Tim, my colleague, has been in London for the past week or so, therefore I'm feeling a bit lonely.  Sure, there are people here, cleaners, chef and kitchen staff, office staff etc. but no-one that I can discuss things with.  Isolation, I guess is the word.  We, the nurses, are the only ones who can't really have a day off, can't really get away do do personal stuff.  Not that I'm complaining.  Everyday is the same.  

and most days my actual work is only a few hours, but I do have certain responsibilities re: the clinic, renewing expired consumables, meds, device and equipment checks etc.  it's not that difficult, but has to be done.

Unfortunately, I'll probably only get 1 or two weeks holiday this year.  

I'm thinking I'll take Nicole for a run.  She's currently awaiting a insurance assessor/engineer it inspect and approve the repair work.  I guess the longer it takes, the less I have to pay for storage.  

Hopefully, the work will be completed by September.  

I would like to attempt another IBA ride.  Either the 4 corners, - England, Wales, Scotland or the FHB48, France, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway.  Mind, it may be a bit cold in Norway at that time of year.  

We will see...

Anyway, I've got to get through the Summer first!

First of 17

The view isn't too bad

Walking

Where is Summer, or Spring for that matter?
I went for a bit of a walk on easter sunday.
Just to see the grounds and spend some time contemplating life
As you'll see from the photos, it really is a wondrous place where I live

Change of pace

well, What a change
I finished up at the PEH earlier this month
Spring came, but then winter decided it wasn't done with us
Nicole got attacked by the Wind, and lost
I packed and moved to even smaller island and have now started work.
I've already been to London staying where else, but the Ritz.
and I managed to catch up with Henning in London.
I can't believe it's been 5 years

Wai you no stand

Nancy, museum

Suit Up

In Rivoli Bar.

You do not want to know the price of these!

New beginning

Unbelievable!
Just got news from Brecqhou that my visa has been approved
Yay!
A weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
We received the news whilst up the top of wispile, just before our big sledge run of the day.
We had already been down Eggli twice and were starting our third.
Great news, a great day. A new start. It's all good.

Hard at work

My first day in Gstaad.
Met with the boss, DB.
I think he's pleased that I'm here
I arrived last night after a long days travel, about 12 hours.
Directly from night duty.
So, I was a little tired, to say the least
Mark picked me up from the train and then straight to the pub.
Introduced me to a few of my colleagues who work in service.
After meeting up with DB. we went out for a coffee.
And then hit the slopes.
Sledding. My first time on a proper ski slope.
Awesome!
A few major wipeouts but no injuries.

Nights

Yawn!

So bloody tired
Am on nights this week, only five more after tonight.
I have done a lot in the past few days and will have a busy couple of weeks ahead of me.
Saturday, I visited the island of Brecqhou. To complete forms, get info and get everything ready for the visa application. Upon returning I realised that I should probably get myself some decent clothes that reflect the position I'll hold. So a suit and shirts were in order.
Sunday, off to cobo tea house with a few of my housemates.
Monday, the weather was awesome. So, Nicole and I took a bit of a trip. My favourite cafe before heading out to jerbourg point, petit bot, and a bit of a ride along the coast.
Tuesday, I met up with Glyn and sold my Piaggio scooter. I rarely rode the thing and am actually glad it will go to a loving home.

It has been decided that I should fly out to Switzerland next week and spend the week with Mark & Sir David to learn a bit about his routine and get a handover from mark.
Hence the suit buying. Hey, he's picking up the bill.
Lets hope the visa comes through soon and I can hand in my notice.

It's almost 5am, only 2.5 hours to go.
I'll sign off now, get some work done and post more later.

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!