A rather steamy day

Sunday I went to Minehead, for the West Somerset Railway steam gala, with the parents. I actually enjoyed myself! I've not seen a steam train in a long, long time, so I was rather interesting to see so many different sorts (though I didn't see as many as Dad did the day before).

I was a bit of a rarity, possibly the only female under-50 without small children in tow (if you don't count Dad in trainspotter mode!), and did quite well out of it - I got a free programme from the man in the shop and got to go on the footplate of 2 locos (see, I can talk technical too!) Mum insisted that Dad buy me a bear (thanks Mum!) - Wilbur has also been on the footplate of 2 locos with me.
We stopped at one of the stations to wait for the train coming the other way to pull in, and had 15 minutes, so I got out up on the bank and took pictures. I was told by a gentleman on the bank with me that perhaps I needed to get the tree out of the way of my shot, but he was OK once I explained I was not a purist and was framing the shot!

Braunton and Wadebridge - a double header (2 locos pulling the train)

I loved the fact that the stations had a lot of old signage. 2 signs in particular amused me:

When we got back to Minehead we got to see them turn a loco on their new turntable. That was rather cool, actually!
This doesn't mean that I've become a trainspotter. However, I think I may be a little doomed, as apparently the first time I went on board steam, I was 4 weeks old. Must be in my blood (wonder if you have to report that when you go to give blood)!

Second blood donation

I gave my second lot of blood after work this evening. Caused a bit of a mild drama, as it appears I'm one of those woozy types that needs to lie down rest for a while after. I didn't faint, but I don't think I was far off it, but I lay down for about an hour after. In fact, they had to move me (on my bed!) out of the way so they could get another donor in! That's the first time I've been moved around by 2 blokes whilst in bed!

I'm glad I did it though. For various (medical) reasons, i've had to postpone the last 3 appointments, and should have gone back in July. And I wasn't sure if I'd be able to today either, but I knew if I didn't go, I probably wouldn't ever do it again. And in the end it turns out , I've got good iron levels in my blood. Must be doing something right!

Now, I'm wondering if 4 bananas in one day is a bit much?

Bandages and slings

I finally made it back to St John Ambulance, after almost a month away with 'flu. Feeling better now, and came home feeling tired, but I'd had a good time.

We mainly did bandaging and creating slings this evening. So in theory I now know how to bandage a cut arm (with glass in it), cut palm and head! Though I'm still not sure why you cover a penetrating wound to the chest (handy to know this, living in Holloway) with plastic.

We also practiced recovery position. I've got to stop getting the giggles doing this. It was made more awkward this evening when I was paired up with a guy I'd never met before. One minute you're introducing yourself, the next you're not far off feeling him up! Ah well, all in a night's work, I guess!

I'm missing the September assessment - hopefully the next one won't be while I'm away at the beginning of October. I also need to think about home group, as I need to go to a few more sessions at St John's in order to get assessed, so I can then join the Division and get out on duties, and both are on Tuesday nights. Still, things will work themselves out, I'm sure.

Greenbelt 2008

Well, it was a fun Greenbelt this year. I went with a certain amount of trepidation - the weather hadn't been that great in the week's before. Still, at least the tent pegs would go in easily this year!

We got there Friday, after a bit of a nightmare trying to get out of London - Bank Holiday Friday traffic. We pitched up, then went to get some groceries, and on my way back to the tent got my foot caught and sprained it. Spent some time in the medical centre on Saturday!

Yes, that's a rubber glove full of ice on my foot!

Friday night I went to hear John Bell (Iona), but got my timings wrong and heard Brian McLaren as well. I'm glad I did! Another bad start to the weekend, though, with no power at that particular venue until half-way through John Bell's talk.

Brian McLarenJohn Bell

It was good to catch up with friends. I love Greenbelt - so many of my friends go there and it's just got that vibe. I think it's my spiritual home.

Friday night I just hung out. Bumped into a number of people I wasn't expecting to see, which was a nice surprise. Things got a little silly and L & I had to throw ourselves out of the comedy session as we were too busy laughing at our own - terrible - jokes!

It chucked it down Friday night, but Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny, if a little windy.It was another Brian McLaren talk, then (after a trip to the medical centre), then I spent a few hours on the Workshop stall, enlightening people to the joys of Workshop, and how it would change their lives! I met many interesting people over the weekend, and had some deeply spiritual conversations.

Not sure what else I did, other than have an early night.

Sunday, Brian McLaren and Workshop stand. I slept through the Communion service (it rained!), then hung out in the beer tent. Which was a little muddy.

It's normal to stick to the floor of the bar, but like this?

It was good to catch up with the guys I worked with at the beer tent last year, though I think I worked almost as hard this year!

Monday dawned, and I decided to stay until Tuesday. More Workshop, more people, more conversations, then off to the beer tent for Cider & Carols.

Legend or Santa?

Danced the night away - well, at least until they had to stop the music. Not recommended on a sprained foot, but sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! More catching up with people, though I think I might have been missed!

Honestly, I'm not!

I got to get behind the bar eventually! After closing time on the final night they turn the bar over to Greenbelt volunteers, which I was this year! So more talking. After hours each day in the cold, without enough to drink (I don't mean booze!), my voice went. At 2am I couldn't talk - not a whisper, not even a squeak! I'm still ill now, but actually feeling somewhat refreshed from the weekend, despite being absolutely knackered!

And that was it really! Other than finding out I was famous!

Volunteering leaflet - me in the beer tent 2007

St John Ambulance - first night

I went to my first St John Ambulance meeting this evening. There were actually 6 of us who were new, which was nice to start with.

I learnt how to assess someone who has collapsed and what to do if they’re stopped breathing - CPR and mouth-to-mouth.

I’m excited - if a little nervous - about it, though!

What have I been up to? Concerts, mainly!

Well, it's been a while since I've posted anything. Now, that doesn't mean I've not been doing anything very exciting; though to be honest, not many things, but they HAVE been exciting.

Bruce
End of May I went to see Bruce Springsteen again. It was fantastic! I got my hand within 3 inches of his! Awesome! We'd gone into the main 'enclosure' and were hanging out by the sound desk when they started giving out extra passes to the front bit! Woo hoo!Kylie
I saw Kylie a couple of weeks ago. A friend had a spare ticket. We were 7 rows from the front. (Unfortunately my camera doesn't have that good zoom.) It was awesome, an amazing show. A proper 'show'!
If you ever get to see either of these guys, do!

Glasgow: days 4 & 5

Thursday was my birthday treat day. I was going on a sea plane with Loch Lomond Seaplanes. Originally booked in for a tour, I had a call on the Wednesday to say they were having to cancel the tour, but as I’d travelled up from London for this, they would fly me to Tobermory (on the island of Mull) and back again later the same day.

So I took the underground (apparently the locals call it the Clockwork Orange) out to the Science Centre where the plane takes off from the River Clyde. I got there, took one look at the plane… and headed for the toilet, which is what I do when I’m nervous! It was tiny! And after the Mackintosh Tower incident of vertigo, I wasn’t that sure about going up in some teeny tiny plane.


Glasgow Science Centre and seaplane, as seen from Glasgow Tower

By the time we were ready to board I was terrified. And told them so! However, the guys were great! I’m sure they must have nervous passengers all the time, and they let me sit up next to the pilot, so I had my own private tour guide there and back!


Co-pilot Jo ready for take-off!

Leaving Glasgow by seaplane

We had to set down at Loch Lomond for refuelling, which was great! I didn’t get the proper tour, but I think I had a far better experience!


View of Loch Lomond through propellors

Refuelling on Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond, looking back towards Glasgow

Once we’d got the fuel on board it was off again. Over the Highlands and on to Mull. We’d left a dreary dull Glasgow, but once we were over Loch Lomond, the sun came out, the grass was green and the skies and seas were bright, bright blue!

The pilot, Andy, was a fantastic tour guide. But I guess when you do this 3 or 4 times a day, you’re going to know what’s what and where’s where.


Wind farm

View of a castle from around 2,000 feet

Reflection of the plane in the water

View of islands from the air

And then we reached Tobermory. We landed, the passengers for the island went by boat over to the shore and the next lot of passengers came back by boat. So all I saw of Tobermory was the view from the jetty.


Coming into Tobermory harbour

And then, sadly, it was all over. Despite my earlier terror, I was so excited by the trip I wanted to go back again. But it was not to be.


Me with the pilot and safety boat driver

So, bolstered by my new-found courage, I took a trip up Glasgow Tower, at 127 metres high, the tallest free-standing building in Scotland and the only building in the world capable of rotating into a prevailing wind, with barely a shaky knee in sight! And they rotated the tower for me!



Reflection of Glasgow Tower on the River Clyde

And then it was off to bed and ready for my long trip home the next day. Which was long! I travelled first class (well it was my birthday), but found the seats difficult to sleep on – too much leg room! Some amazing views of the North East coastline as we travelled to Berwick-on-Tweed – I might have to check that out next!

And then back to London and reality. The hustle and bustle and thousands of grumpy people. Within seconds I was back into London transport mode, head down, fast walk, off you go. Nobody smiled, but then it wasn’t particularly sunny weather.

So that was it, my Glasgow trip all over and done with. But what a trip!