Saturday 11 December 2010
New bar
I am working on the design and build of a new bar. It will NOT be another sports bar but a different sort of place built over the sea and have a nautical theme. At present it is just a bunch of concrete legs sticking up from the beach. We hope to be open sometime in the new year, around March in plenty of time for the 50th anniversary of independence. More later.
Thursday 11 November 2010
Captain Mick
After I finished Ballooning I returned to the UK and went on an RYA dayskipper course to learn how to handle a motor cruiser. The first week was classroom based and should have lasted 5 days but as I was the only one in the class and can pick things up pretty quickly the instructor managed to stretch it to 4 days with lots of inconsequential chatter. Lots of new things to take on board like reading tide tables and tidal stream data from an almanac, navigating in tidal waterways using this data chart plotter and admiralty charts. All good stuff if you can get this information but I seriously doubt that the almanac for Freetown has yet been written.
Managed to get the hang of the navigation bit pretty easily and completed the final exam with only one mistake which was due to poor wording in the test paper.
The second week was much tougher as it meant learning how to control a 40' motor cruiser. Never having been on anything this size, the only boat I has driven prior to this was a 14' Warrior with a 115hp outboard, it proved an interesting new experience. Once I learnt how to manoever this craft at slow speed using just the engines it becane a lot easier. Even managed to drive ir backwards round a slalom course with a strong crosswind. Also had to perform a man overboard recovery and learn piloting during the day and in the dark. Helpful that there are buoys with lights in Falmouth herbour and the Carrick roads although wasted in Freetown as there is only a safe water mark at the mouth of the deep water channel.
Anyway managed to do enough that the instructor signed off on my ticket and therefore I am now a fully acredited captain of a small motor cruiser of less that 24m. Although only up to 20 miles from shore. Will need to get 2,500 hours under my belt before I can go for the full yachtmaster certificate allowing me free reign of the worlds oceans.
Hence the Captain Mick title.
Managed to get the hang of the navigation bit pretty easily and completed the final exam with only one mistake which was due to poor wording in the test paper.
The second week was much tougher as it meant learning how to control a 40' motor cruiser. Never having been on anything this size, the only boat I has driven prior to this was a 14' Warrior with a 115hp outboard, it proved an interesting new experience. Once I learnt how to manoever this craft at slow speed using just the engines it becane a lot easier. Even managed to drive ir backwards round a slalom course with a strong crosswind. Also had to perform a man overboard recovery and learn piloting during the day and in the dark. Helpful that there are buoys with lights in Falmouth herbour and the Carrick roads although wasted in Freetown as there is only a safe water mark at the mouth of the deep water channel.
Anyway managed to do enough that the instructor signed off on my ticket and therefore I am now a fully acredited captain of a small motor cruiser of less that 24m. Although only up to 20 miles from shore. Will need to get 2,500 hours under my belt before I can go for the full yachtmaster certificate allowing me free reign of the worlds oceans.
Hence the Captain Mick title.
Tuesday 12 October 2010
Ballooning.
Am now in the US and again at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Having a great time except for the 3:15am getting out of bed, at least it saves me from trying to beat jetlag.:-)
The weather was predicted to start raining after the first mass ascension on Saturday and last all week. The forecasters are as bad here as they are back in Blighty. We have had a wonderful week flying. Only bad spots were Wednesday when it was my turn in the basket where we put up and then the winds on the field picked up and Keith decided to rip out after we had moved about 4 feet still tethered. Shortest flight of the week. Made up for it an Thursday though when I had a flight of around 70 minuted and flew north west over the Rio Grande and Corales and landed in a vacant lot west of Hwy 528 near the dog spa. Yes here they even have spas for pooches where they can stay for a few days and swim in the pool, get a massage and their skin toned etc just like a spa for people. There are some really messed up people over here who would waste money on that sort of shite.
Friday was the only day we did not try to fly as the winds were a bit strong and a couple of rain showers came across the field with a front that moved from the west and over the mountains.
Did all the usual things, visited Old Town and the Candy Lady for some of the best chocolates around, bought new clothes in the sales, ate lots of food smothered in chillies, made and ate lots and lots of jelly shots.
The weather was predicted to start raining after the first mass ascension on Saturday and last all week. The forecasters are as bad here as they are back in Blighty. We have had a wonderful week flying. Only bad spots were Wednesday when it was my turn in the basket where we put up and then the winds on the field picked up and Keith decided to rip out after we had moved about 4 feet still tethered. Shortest flight of the week. Made up for it an Thursday though when I had a flight of around 70 minuted and flew north west over the Rio Grande and Corales and landed in a vacant lot west of Hwy 528 near the dog spa. Yes here they even have spas for pooches where they can stay for a few days and swim in the pool, get a massage and their skin toned etc just like a spa for people. There are some really messed up people over here who would waste money on that sort of shite.
Friday was the only day we did not try to fly as the winds were a bit strong and a couple of rain showers came across the field with a front that moved from the west and over the mountains.
Did all the usual things, visited Old Town and the Candy Lady for some of the best chocolates around, bought new clothes in the sales, ate lots of food smothered in chillies, made and ate lots and lots of jelly shots.
2 Hours in 5 minutes
In UK
Been out of Africa for a few weeks now and having a great time. Spent two weeks in the UK visiting mum and son whilst having plenty of real ale and some very nice wine supplied by Naked Wines, who deliver.
It is good to be back in a place where everything you always took for granted can be taken for granted. Never a worry about running out into the rain to start a generator, not being stopped by the police for a licence check near the end of the month for no real reason. Being able to buy what you want from the shops and bars rather than what they want to sell you.Good internet speeds and, congestion on the phones and TV that works even in the rain.
Cannot show any pictures yet as I did not manage to get my camera released from police custody as yet. Seems that the case is still ongoing, only been 4 months.
Lorcan is fine and busy working hard. He and girlfriend are in the process of buying a flat in Helston. Managed to spend a day with him which was good.
It is good to be back in a place where everything you always took for granted can be taken for granted. Never a worry about running out into the rain to start a generator, not being stopped by the police for a licence check near the end of the month for no real reason. Being able to buy what you want from the shops and bars rather than what they want to sell you.Good internet speeds and, congestion on the phones and TV that works even in the rain.
Cannot show any pictures yet as I did not manage to get my camera released from police custody as yet. Seems that the case is still ongoing, only been 4 months.
Lorcan is fine and busy working hard. He and girlfriend are in the process of buying a flat in Helston. Managed to spend a day with him which was good.
Saturday 18 September 2010
On Holiday
Left Freetown last Tuesday for England. BMI changed the plane and the departure time without much notice even the check-in staff did not know the layout of the aircraft and even though I asked for and was given a seat by the exit, I ended up stuck near the back with an inconsiderate twonk in front of me. He was the first to lean his seat back and give me even less room. He even complained to stewardess when I kept 'accidently' hitting the seat. Dumb bint then moaned at me even though she could see how little room I had.
Back in London went to get train to Shrewsbury from Marylebone. Odd pricing structure single £39 1 month return £40. Three hours to kill so had bacon for breakfast and found a pub open. Nearly fell over £3.80 for a pint. Savanna cider that I was selling for the equivalent of £1.50 was priced at £3.90
Train was nice, clean, uncrowded and on time.
Off to a beer festival this evening, no real ale for 9 months and now a feast. mmmmmm
Back in London went to get train to Shrewsbury from Marylebone. Odd pricing structure single £39 1 month return £40. Three hours to kill so had bacon for breakfast and found a pub open. Nearly fell over £3.80 for a pint. Savanna cider that I was selling for the equivalent of £1.50 was priced at £3.90
Train was nice, clean, uncrowded and on time.
Off to a beer festival this evening, no real ale for 9 months and now a feast. mmmmmm
Monday 30 August 2010
restrictions
The reason the blog is now restricted is because somebody, a welsh person I think, has anonymously plastered my blog on a Sierra Leone website and pointed out the bad things that I have said. Unfortunately even though I have only stated what has happened to me and my reading of certain situations it has caused a stir here. I am being told that 'this brit' has slagged off the government and all the government institutions in the country.
Unfortunately before I found out that I could restrict the site I had decided to erase any mention of this country. Well if history can be airbrushed I am sure I can sanitise my blog.
Once I am out of here who knows what will be written! Especially when I find out who is stirring the shit.
Meanwhile invited people only. If you know of someone who reads this but hasn't been invited please let me know or get them to drop me a mail.
Unfortunately before I found out that I could restrict the site I had decided to erase any mention of this country. Well if history can be airbrushed I am sure I can sanitise my blog.
Once I am out of here who knows what will be written! Especially when I find out who is stirring the shit.
Meanwhile invited people only. If you know of someone who reads this but hasn't been invited please let me know or get them to drop me a mail.
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