Kingston Jamaica

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It’s Saturday morning and here I am in the office in Jamaica, but at least with a view overlooking Kingston through the bougainvillea which surrounds the building on all floors.   Having said that it is mega humid but overcast and rained yesterday.  Not exactly like Bletchley, except for the rain. The flowers are fabulous, bird life sparse (but it is a city), few cute cats andseveral mangy looking dogs (apparently at night they race around in packs but I never hear them above the noise of the AC unit) and the odd goats and I did see two delightful skinny, black pigs (their ribs are very good).

Food is plentiful and cheap, especially in the canteen – loads of rice and peas (ie kidney peas) and v spicy, either bits of chicken with bones or whole fish with a zillion bones. Some pork ribs, but basically American.  Good salads, but it takes ages to be served even when you are being served; several ladies each of whom must add something to your plate.  I want to find a supermarket and have a look around.  Loads of food selling street vendors. The guys are offered ganja and women – Steve would love it.

Roads are not well maintained to say the least, seldom lit and ill marked and many cars have very dim headlights and of course it gets pitch black at 18:15 or so promptly – no dusk – all of which makes for interesting road journeys.   Everyone is concerned about lone females walking, and insists you take taxis.

As from tonight, I’m the only person on my project staying in my hotel, which should be jolly (NOT).  Breakfast at 06:30 normally and then en masse walk to the office.  Not sure what I shall do about that next week.  Taxis seem to me ridiculous, but on the other hand I don’t really want to lose the laptop.   Part of the walk is across a v well maintained park, with lovely flowers, most of which I vaguely recognize but can’t name.  Fabulous colours. 

Went to the warehouse on Thursday – good view across the huge natural harbour.

Ah well, better press on.  Love to everyone

Regards

—Rosemary

Dubai

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We are back from holiday.  Had a short trip to the Oman for some sun and swimming.

We travelled out on Friday evening on Qatar airlines, landed in Doha, catching a connecting flight to Dubai. Once in Dubai checked into our hotel and met up with the other Explore punters.

After a shower and snooze we met up for a walking trip around Dubai.  We split up into four taxis to meet at the ferry to cross Dubai Creek.  Alas no taxi ended up in the same place.  We waited for 30 minutes at the ferry crossing before deciding on striking out to the museum.  Here we eventually met up with the others, learning they had all come different ways.

After an interesting visit we had a ferry trip around the Creek seeing some magnificent hotels.  Then it was time for supper at an Egyptian restaurant.  We ate a mixed set of starters, and I ate a mixed grill for my main course.

Back to our poor hotel, Sun and Sand to go out for an evening sight seeing.  First stop was the Emirates Towers Hotel, where we went to the 51st floor bar for a cocktail.  Here we had a bit of a problem with one of the group being rejected because of trainers.  Eventually was allowed to stay.  You could feel the building sway in the wind.  Great lift ride down from the 40th floor in a glass lift over the reception area.

Caught another taxi to see the Burj al-Arab hotel, (the hotel build like a sail), here we could not get in unless we had a reservation, so just admired the building illuminated by a changing blue and purple light.  We walked to the nearest hotel, The Jumeirah Beach Hotel which overlooks the Burj al-Arab.  The hotel supprts the Wild Wadi water theme park.  At this hotel there was an English bar called the Dhow and Anchor.  Would have taken a picture for our local Plough and Anchor pub, if only there had been some wothwhile signage to be seen.

Found the time was nearing midnight, so back by taxi to our hotel.

Sunday up and out on a coach to drive to the Oman, stopped on the way several times to view other cities.  We boared our motor dhow and set sail.  Soon stopped at Cable Island for lunch and a swim, then more cruising before supper and going to bed.  We split between those sleeping on the land, and those on the boat.

Next day we set off for the Indian Ocean.  On the way stopped at various villages and saw around some houses in a very remote village.  This delayed us somehwat, and after going through the Strait of Hormus we were in rough water in the dark.  Many got sea sick.  Eventually stopped short of our destination and stayed at a fishermens village.  Again split between those who stayed on the boat and slept in a villagers house.

Next day we returned back to our starting port, had a trip in four wheel drive vehicles around the near mountain, climbing up to 2000 meters.  Back to Dubai late at night, just in time for supper, but no shopping.

Wednesday was just the reverse trip back to London, and the cold and snow.

Rammstein

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Drove to Manchester in the afternoon to the Manchester Evening  News Arena to see the band called Rammstein.  They are a German Industrial Metal Band.  The show was excellent with two staged encores.  They played many favourites and most of the tracks from their new album Reise Reise.  The effects were fabulous with fireworks and flame throwers.  At times there where eight 20 foot high flames on the front of the stage alternating with similar flames at the back of the stage.

Rammstein were supported by a Finnish band called Apocalyptica which consisted of 4 Cello players and a drummer playing Rock.

Back home and to bed by 2.30am, not a bad trip home after I managed to escape Manchester.  Need sat nav.  On my want list.

Bull and Butcher

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On Friday we had heard that Daba had taken over the management of the Bull and Butcher.  So I thought we had better pay the place a visit.  Called Tony and Barbara to see if they wanted Sunday lunch there.  

Yes, Daba is running the B&B with his girlfriend.  Ricky was still there in the kitchen cooking.  We all had traditional Sunday lunch and came away well pleased.

Planning Meeting

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Up early in the morning into work.  Had to wait quite a while to get into the office, seems quite a few busses, trains, and the bridge were not running.

Evening went out with a group of friends for rather too many drinks in the local pubs around Grassmarket.  Then down to Broughton Road and the Phoenix.  Afterwards back to the hotel for a nightcap and bed.

Edinburgh in the wind

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Tuesday flew up to Edinburgh for a planning meeting on Wednesday.  A very strong wind was forecast for Scotland, in fact during the night there were gusts of 124mph.  The flight was rather rough as we came into land, with some of the passengers puking up.  Need les to say I was unaffected by the turbulence.

Had to take a taxi into the city, no busses at the bus stop and a long queue of people.  Taxi driver said we would have to take detour with the main road being closed because of storm damage.  In the event this had been cleared up by the time we got to the location.

Arrived at the Apex, and had  a glass of wine and a Sandwich for supper, then onto Whistle Binkies  for some rock music.

Kingswood shoot –

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Kingswood was the host to the League shoot this Sunday.  The League shoot seemed to be on a bit of a recovery, there were 97 entrants for the shoot.  The shoot was on Pete’s land, and very compact because of the ground conditions.  Five stands.  Quite demanding, I am totally out of practise and managed 25/50.  Cleared up by 2.00 and went home for lunch.  Don’t know what the results were, but at least Kingswood were able to field a complete team this time.