This time..

Back to the platform tomorrow. I have a 4am pickup, yuck.

This time I know it's for real. We're going in and we are going to fix it. We have Mr Wonderware with us, and he's packing a suitcase full of hotfixes.....

I'll report from the Platform because I know you're all on the edges of your seats.

Hopefully I'll be back in Bangkok by next Friday in time for tea and medals, and looking forward to wifey's visit.

Be good, and wish me luck

Nun's the word

..so I'm saying nothing..

Wifey is imminent

Just to say, Lyn is coming to see me in a couple of weeks. I couldn't be happier, and with her birthday approaching, what better present than a trip to Ha Long bay, Vietnam, while she's out here?
Don't tell her I remembered her birthday will you?

Anyone still reading?

I wouldn't blame anyone for abandoning ferret times, lord knows the content's been a bit sparse lately. I'm lacking new material, that's the problem. Presumably when I finally go to Bangladesh I'll have something to report.

While I'm on I'll give a snippet: I took the long way home from work today, to put some miles on the bike. Took me 3.5 hours and I covered 100 miles. Now that's a long way round. My cheeks are giving me gyp now though.

Staying below 4000rpm. Next time second-hand.

63kph is about 40mph - I did this for 3.5 hours...

Yes that's a sunset, and I rode into it.

The height of laziness, but they do such a good job.


In other news, I'm probably going to the platform on Monday with a man from California, who is an expert on the type of software we use. He's supposed to fix it quick snap so we can all sleep easy at night. I'll believe it when I see it.

In other other news, I've booked a flight home for August 21st. I'll be home for a week and hopefully get to see a few people. That includes you, daughter. Then when I come back I'll bring Lyn AND her sister, so I'll have visitors for a while - all very exciting.

In still more other news, It looks like Bangladesh is now going to be in September but in this game you never know - I could be gone at any time with a couple of days notice.

In other still more other news, wifey's not online tonight and I heard a strong rumour that she's hung over. That'll be too much plonk round at Maureen's then. Anyway since I'm not talking to her I have time to write this blog so not so bad eh?

By the way, I've promised myself some exercise this week because I'm starting to get a bit couch-potato-ish. Hold me to it you lot, I need peer pressure. I do have the number of a guy in Bangkok who can play squash so that's an option but I'd need to be fitter than I am, or I'm likely to keel over on court. Yes I know, not funny.

I'll keep a close watch on the site hit-counter. If the hit rate drops below 5 a day I'll park the site till I've got something to say. Otherwise I'll just keep scribbling drivel since enough people seem to like it.

Be good.

Zanzibar

Well, we did indeed meet up in Nairobi, and it was indeed romantic. I won't forget the sight of Lyn running back through the metal detector at the Nairobi departure lounge, and leaping into my arms, much to my delight, and the embarrassment of the Moslem/Conservative/Po-faced staff. For a while it had looked like I was going to miss the flight so we were both relieved that we would be arriving in Zanzibar together.

The short flight to Zanzibar was nice, despite a rather persistent (and quite successful, as we discovered next day) Mosquito which came along for the ride. The pilot announced we were flying at 19,200 feet, at which point I remembered that Kilimanjaro is exactly that size. Lo and behold, I looked out of the window and there it was in all its glory, looking close enough to touch in the bright African sunshine. Unforgettable. Note to self: organise another trip to Tanzania, and bring hiking boots.

Our first 5 nights were spent in a Hotel in the centre of Stone Town, aka Zanzibar town, the largest town on the island. The town has narrow streets and lots of old buildings from the island's heyday, one of which is 236 Hurumzi:

236 Hurumzi, our hotel in Stone Town. We stayed 4 nights in the "Keep Suite" and one in the "Seyyed Suite". The Hotel is famously the "second tallest building in Stone Town" and commands a great view of the city. The Keep was an excellent place for relaxing and that's what we did. The Hotel also has a rooftop restaurant which is just spectacular. Here are some pics that don't do it justice:






Then we moved on to Matemwe in the North East of the island, for a proper beach holiday. White sand and mosquitos would be my abiding memories. That and the most relaxing 6 nights I've spent since learning to walk. Some photos:

Pool area


Beach..




We spent three days in this hut.


Doesn't show very well here, but the coral sand is so white it nearly blinds you. Soft too. I'm more used to sewage-laden sludge, as in Ainsdale/Southport/Blackpool.

All in all a wonderful experience. Saying bye in Zanzibar airport wasn't nice, but I intend to be in New Mills as soon as possibe. Unless Lyn comes over here of course...

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Our romantic meeting in Nairobi is looking increasingly un-romantic. I've just learned that I'm taking off from Bangkok an hour late(01:30 am, brr), giving me just enough time at the other end to find the gate (and hopefully my wife) and board the flight to Zanzibar. Ah well, it was a nice idea. Hope she's faring better - she should be in Amsterdam by now. Since this will be my last post for a couple of weeks, you'll all have to wait for the end of the story.

Later.