With Lara and Marian, just West of Christchurch
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Beach, Buddies and Natural Beauty
It's been more fun and games in the last month!
I was well and truly ready for a break by the last week of April, which was lucky, as I was all organised to head to Skegness, on the North East coast with a bunch of great friends from Buxton. We went to 'Word Alive', a Christian convention for Students. It sort of piggy-backs on a bigger family convention call Spring Harvest which runs at that time each year at a holiday Resort called 'Butlins', at Skegness and in the South at Minehead.
I went with friends from church in Buxton - Cathy and Mark are apprentice youth minisers, Vicki is a student at the university, Adam is working in Buxton and about to start the same apprenticeship. Steve and Andy are dairy farmers (the hardest workers of us all!), and Pete is the Youth Minister at the church, with his wife Lucy, and three children Zachary, Ellie and Maisy (and one on the way!)
It was a huge event - several thousand people staying in the resort for the week. There were probably a couple of thousand Students there was universities all over the UK. I was worried about being a bit of an imposter, not having been a sudent for a good 4 years, but of our group there was only really one Bona Fide student anyway, and the sessions were really interesting and challenging.
We went to talks each day on Hebrews and Phillipians, as well as a 'walk through the bible' from Genesis to Revelation, and another series on the Trinity, which was mind-blowing. The Trinity or 'Triune God' is truly the destinguishing aspect of Christianty compared to all other religions and changes the way we relate to God, compared with other perceptions of higher Powers. These talks were very in-depth and the speaker was obviously incredibly well read, and passionate, but he managed to get things across on a level that we understood and really got us thinking.
Between all this revelation, we managed to get to the beach, which was a bit chilly (that didn't stop Vicki taking a dip), swam and played in the enormous indoor pool and water park (slides, flumes, spas, paddling pools, all indoor and heated!). There was also a little sideshow/fairground with rides, go-karts, carosel, which we checked out on our last day - go-karts were definitely a highlight!
It was great to spend time talking about things that really matter, and just to get to know people a lot better and strengthen those friendships. I learned a lot about God, who He is and how He works, and what is important to Him (and what isn't!). It was a well timed refresher in that way.
I spent the Easter weekend in Buxton, basking in lovely sun and catching up with work friends and others. We went to an 'icecream farm', and it was the lambing season, so we watched as a lamb was born (ahhh!), and went for a walk around the farm to see the cows, sheep, ducks, turkeys (Adam made good friends with one of those!). I was reminded just how much I loved that countryside last year after being out of it in London for so long.
It was back to work after Easter, but had some fun on another picnic or two on the weekend, and a great catch-up with a friend from uni, Lara, and two other aussie friends; Claire and Nicola. We went to a lovely restaurant in central London, then on to some yummy desert in Leicester square. Again, so great to just relax and chat.
I've got solid work, doing a couple of weekends in a row - no time off till the 5 of May. I've set a good reward at the end - off to the New Forst with Lara and Claire for a long weekend of relaxation, walking, riding and recharging! Life is so good!
I was well and truly ready for a break by the last week of April, which was lucky, as I was all organised to head to Skegness, on the North East coast with a bunch of great friends from Buxton. We went to 'Word Alive', a Christian convention for Students. It sort of piggy-backs on a bigger family convention call Spring Harvest which runs at that time each year at a holiday Resort called 'Butlins', at Skegness and in the South at Minehead.
I went with friends from church in Buxton - Cathy and Mark are apprentice youth minisers, Vicki is a student at the university, Adam is working in Buxton and about to start the same apprenticeship. Steve and Andy are dairy farmers (the hardest workers of us all!), and Pete is the Youth Minister at the church, with his wife Lucy, and three children Zachary, Ellie and Maisy (and one on the way!)
It was a huge event - several thousand people staying in the resort for the week. There were probably a couple of thousand Students there was universities all over the UK. I was worried about being a bit of an imposter, not having been a sudent for a good 4 years, but of our group there was only really one Bona Fide student anyway, and the sessions were really interesting and challenging.
We went to talks each day on Hebrews and Phillipians, as well as a 'walk through the bible' from Genesis to Revelation, and another series on the Trinity, which was mind-blowing. The Trinity or 'Triune God' is truly the destinguishing aspect of Christianty compared to all other religions and changes the way we relate to God, compared with other perceptions of higher Powers. These talks were very in-depth and the speaker was obviously incredibly well read, and passionate, but he managed to get things across on a level that we understood and really got us thinking.
Between all this revelation, we managed to get to the beach, which was a bit chilly (that didn't stop Vicki taking a dip), swam and played in the enormous indoor pool and water park (slides, flumes, spas, paddling pools, all indoor and heated!). There was also a little sideshow/fairground with rides, go-karts, carosel, which we checked out on our last day - go-karts were definitely a highlight!
It was great to spend time talking about things that really matter, and just to get to know people a lot better and strengthen those friendships. I learned a lot about God, who He is and how He works, and what is important to Him (and what isn't!). It was a well timed refresher in that way.
I spent the Easter weekend in Buxton, basking in lovely sun and catching up with work friends and others. We went to an 'icecream farm', and it was the lambing season, so we watched as a lamb was born (ahhh!), and went for a walk around the farm to see the cows, sheep, ducks, turkeys (Adam made good friends with one of those!). I was reminded just how much I loved that countryside last year after being out of it in London for so long.
It was back to work after Easter, but had some fun on another picnic or two on the weekend, and a great catch-up with a friend from uni, Lara, and two other aussie friends; Claire and Nicola. We went to a lovely restaurant in central London, then on to some yummy desert in Leicester square. Again, so great to just relax and chat.
I've got solid work, doing a couple of weekends in a row - no time off till the 5 of May. I've set a good reward at the end - off to the New Forst with Lara and Claire for a long weekend of relaxation, walking, riding and recharging! Life is so good!
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
It's been a good mix of work and play for the last month or so. It's been pretty constant at work, and doing a couple of weekends has kept me on my toes. I have to say that compared to mixed practice I would hardly call it working once the doors close on Saturday, in a nice warm clinic.
I've been spending other weekends playing squash, having picnics, going to the Opera and last weekend I crammed in a dancemat party before my weekend on call!
I've mainly been hanging out with a bunch of people from Christ Church in Balham where I've been a few times for church. Claire goes there, and it's about an hour from my place by train, but I've stayed at her place a few times (ok, most weekends, to the point where he housemates say, 'see you next Saturday'!). They are great bunch of people. We are planing a weekend away up to the Lake District in May which will be lovely.
I'm off to Buxton, then to Skegness on the NorthEast Coast for a Christian convention with a bunch of friends from Buxton on Friday for the week, then spending Easter up in Buxton, which will be fun - it seems like worlds away since I lived there.
My flatmate left last week, back to South Africa fro 5 weeks before she starts a new job in Surrey. She has left me her computer for that time, and I'm also babysitting Zola for her, so it's nice to have some company at least now I live alone. I think there will be a new locum nurse moving in in 3 or 4 weeks, so that'll be someone new to get to know. It looks like I have a job here till mid June now, right up to when I go to my Bro's wedding, which will work out just perfectly!
Peru planning is coming along - we have booked our Inca Trail walk to Machu Picchu, and the Mission fortnight as well so there's no turning back now. The only drawback is that I'll be missing my 10 year school reunion in September, which is a shame, but after all the travel to Canada and Peru I don't think I would have afforded it this year anyway. I wonder how many people will be there.
So that's about it for now. last weekend I was on call, and went to church with the nurse who was on with me, then chilled out at her place for the afternoon. She has 2 enormous 70-ish kilo Mastiffs, and a puppy who is already getting big - awesome dogs!
I've been spending other weekends playing squash, having picnics, going to the Opera and last weekend I crammed in a dancemat party before my weekend on call!
I've mainly been hanging out with a bunch of people from Christ Church in Balham where I've been a few times for church. Claire goes there, and it's about an hour from my place by train, but I've stayed at her place a few times (ok, most weekends, to the point where he housemates say, 'see you next Saturday'!). They are great bunch of people. We are planing a weekend away up to the Lake District in May which will be lovely.
I'm off to Buxton, then to Skegness on the NorthEast Coast for a Christian convention with a bunch of friends from Buxton on Friday for the week, then spending Easter up in Buxton, which will be fun - it seems like worlds away since I lived there.
My flatmate left last week, back to South Africa fro 5 weeks before she starts a new job in Surrey. She has left me her computer for that time, and I'm also babysitting Zola for her, so it's nice to have some company at least now I live alone. I think there will be a new locum nurse moving in in 3 or 4 weeks, so that'll be someone new to get to know. It looks like I have a job here till mid June now, right up to when I go to my Bro's wedding, which will work out just perfectly!
Peru planning is coming along - we have booked our Inca Trail walk to Machu Picchu, and the Mission fortnight as well so there's no turning back now. The only drawback is that I'll be missing my 10 year school reunion in September, which is a shame, but after all the travel to Canada and Peru I don't think I would have afforded it this year anyway. I wonder how many people will be there.
So that's about it for now. last weekend I was on call, and went to church with the nurse who was on with me, then chilled out at her place for the afternoon. She has 2 enormous 70-ish kilo Mastiffs, and a puppy who is already getting big - awesome dogs!
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Fitness, food and artefacts
Had a bit of fun last weekend - headed over to Streatham to hang out with some folks from Claire's church - a great bunch!
Started on Saturday morning, with a good hour of squash. I haven't played for about 5 years, so my legs, bum and right arm have been telling me all about it ever since!
After that we headed to David's place (a fellow Peru planner), for a pancake brunch. It was the best variety of pancake toppings I've ever seen!
Some of us then travelled into London to check out the British museum to see what we could find out about the Incas. When we got there, we found they only had displays as far south as the Aztecs (Mexico), and there wasn't anything about Peru, but it was still really fascinating. They have this display at the moment of all the tablets/pills that an average man and an average woman take in their lifetime all laid out next to each other - literally thousands, and women take more than men!
So it was a fittening, fattening and educational day all rolled into one!
Some Peru planning in the evening, then a bit of time wathcing the Lunar eclipse before dropping in on a party of some other friend's finished off the day quite nicely. The next day was church - I really wish I lived less than an hour from Balham, the teaching and fellowship there is fantastic. We went to lunch afterwards with a family from church beofre I headed home to get myself ready for another week of hard work!
Monday morning started with a house visit to put to sleep an elderly dog. It is by far the worst part of the job. The lady was so grateful that she brought in an orchid for myself and one for the nurse who came on the visit. It is lovely to know we are appreciated, though it is usually only when an animal dies that we get such thanks!!
I found out today that I am able to stay here in Bromley till the end of April at least, which is great - I have a home for another month!
Started on Saturday morning, with a good hour of squash. I haven't played for about 5 years, so my legs, bum and right arm have been telling me all about it ever since!
After that we headed to David's place (a fellow Peru planner), for a pancake brunch. It was the best variety of pancake toppings I've ever seen!
Some of us then travelled into London to check out the British museum to see what we could find out about the Incas. When we got there, we found they only had displays as far south as the Aztecs (Mexico), and there wasn't anything about Peru, but it was still really fascinating. They have this display at the moment of all the tablets/pills that an average man and an average woman take in their lifetime all laid out next to each other - literally thousands, and women take more than men!
So it was a fittening, fattening and educational day all rolled into one!
Some Peru planning in the evening, then a bit of time wathcing the Lunar eclipse before dropping in on a party of some other friend's finished off the day quite nicely. The next day was church - I really wish I lived less than an hour from Balham, the teaching and fellowship there is fantastic. We went to lunch afterwards with a family from church beofre I headed home to get myself ready for another week of hard work!
Monday morning started with a house visit to put to sleep an elderly dog. It is by far the worst part of the job. The lady was so grateful that she brought in an orchid for myself and one for the nurse who came on the visit. It is lovely to know we are appreciated, though it is usually only when an animal dies that we get such thanks!!
I found out today that I am able to stay here in Bromley till the end of April at least, which is great - I have a home for another month!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Look what I found!
Sainsbury's surprised me - if you look up high or down low, you can find these delicacies hidden....
Monday, February 19, 2007
FINALLY bit the bullet and bought a card reader for my camera - some finally something more interesting that miles of text!
Below are great pics of all the snow we had last week - it was beautiful. I don't have to worry about getting to work in it either, so it's all just fun and exciting! We had a bit of a snowfight and got some pics of it at work before we got stuck into the day.
Things have been cruizing along here, work is getting busier now (which I told is more the norm thatn my first couple of weeks here). I'm currently working my first full weekend, which was total chaos yesterday morning.
One highlight this week (though I wasn't lucky enough to do the surgery) was a bull-terrier who has a bit of a thing for eating items of clothing. One of the other vets retrieved a lacy lady's g-string, some shoelaces and few other unidentifiable items from his small intestine. It's the third time he's needed surgery for this, and the parents are threatening to get rid of the dog if the kids don't learn to put their dirty clothes in the basket!
I went ice skating last weekend with some people form work, which was lots of fun! It felt like I was about 16 again, I think the last time I went was back at school or early uni. Most of us could skate ok, so we had a bit of a tag game going on, darting amongst all the other people there.
I went along to a women's breakfast with Claire's church last Saturday, which was about thankfulness. It was a really good perspective change - we have so much to be thankful for, and if we believe those things come from God, it really cahnges our attitude to life.
I was invited along to lunch with Claire's bible study group, which is made up of people of Indian, Egyptian, Aussie, Malaysian, Lebanese and English backgrounds - made for some really great conversations.
After that it was off to Buckinghamshire to Big Pete's place for his housewarming. He's a friend from uni who has been over here a while, and is now settling for a couple of years. He has a lovely little house, which backs on to some nice countryside, so after staying up till 4 am it was out for a walk in the woods and then in to town for a Pub Sunday lunch - such a relaxing day! It was great to catch up with a few other guys from uni who are working in and around London as well. I think there are about 20 people from my year in the UK at the moment!
If you think I crammed a lot into one weekend, then you'd be right and Iw as rewarded with a shocking dose of the flu this week, which I somehow managed to work through, and on into this weekend. I've banned myself from any outings til next weekend so I give myself a chance to recover!
I managed to find Lonely Planet on Peru last weekend as well, so I've been reading up a bit of Peruvian history and culture - it's so interesting. The trip over in August keeps getting bigger - it's almost stretched to a 6 week tour now. I'm getting a bit exciting about it now!
Below are great pics of all the snow we had last week - it was beautiful. I don't have to worry about getting to work in it either, so it's all just fun and exciting! We had a bit of a snowfight and got some pics of it at work before we got stuck into the day.
Things have been cruizing along here, work is getting busier now (which I told is more the norm thatn my first couple of weeks here). I'm currently working my first full weekend, which was total chaos yesterday morning.
One highlight this week (though I wasn't lucky enough to do the surgery) was a bull-terrier who has a bit of a thing for eating items of clothing. One of the other vets retrieved a lacy lady's g-string, some shoelaces and few other unidentifiable items from his small intestine. It's the third time he's needed surgery for this, and the parents are threatening to get rid of the dog if the kids don't learn to put their dirty clothes in the basket!
I went ice skating last weekend with some people form work, which was lots of fun! It felt like I was about 16 again, I think the last time I went was back at school or early uni. Most of us could skate ok, so we had a bit of a tag game going on, darting amongst all the other people there.
I went along to a women's breakfast with Claire's church last Saturday, which was about thankfulness. It was a really good perspective change - we have so much to be thankful for, and if we believe those things come from God, it really cahnges our attitude to life.
I was invited along to lunch with Claire's bible study group, which is made up of people of Indian, Egyptian, Aussie, Malaysian, Lebanese and English backgrounds - made for some really great conversations.
After that it was off to Buckinghamshire to Big Pete's place for his housewarming. He's a friend from uni who has been over here a while, and is now settling for a couple of years. He has a lovely little house, which backs on to some nice countryside, so after staying up till 4 am it was out for a walk in the woods and then in to town for a Pub Sunday lunch - such a relaxing day! It was great to catch up with a few other guys from uni who are working in and around London as well. I think there are about 20 people from my year in the UK at the moment!
If you think I crammed a lot into one weekend, then you'd be right and Iw as rewarded with a shocking dose of the flu this week, which I somehow managed to work through, and on into this weekend. I've banned myself from any outings til next weekend so I give myself a chance to recover!
I managed to find Lonely Planet on Peru last weekend as well, so I've been reading up a bit of Peruvian history and culture - it's so interesting. The trip over in August keeps getting bigger - it's almost stretched to a 6 week tour now. I'm getting a bit exciting about it now!
Meet Zola
My apart from Jess, my other flatmate is a 7 month old Silver Tabby British Short hair called Zola (said with a South African Accent, it sounds even more exotic!).
She provides plenty of entertainment, and is a beautiful little thing as you can see....
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