For those in peril on the sea

As I write this, today is NOT a good day for sailing. Winds of 80-90 mph. Nothing like recent Australia storms I know but even so, 'hids gey windy oot thar'

Last Saturday was a kinder day and we took a trip to see the Kirkwall lifeboat as they were having an open day. We were allowed on the lifeboat where one of the crew showed us round and answered all the many questions like ''where do you keep the dead bodies'' asked by my charming 17 year old daughter! My son on the other hand was more concerned where they kept the biscuits and sweets but he enjoyed sitting up front at the wheel too.

Having grown up in the midlands, as far away from the sea as a person can get, I didn't have much appreciation for the work of the lifeboats but living by the sea I can't stress how vital their role is. Run entirely by volunteers apart from one paid member of staff employed to keep the engines/boat in tip top condition we were very impressed by how much work and commitment goes in. I was surprised to hear that you didn't have to be experienced with the sea or boats to volunteer. I thought that would be expected. But it was pointed out that most crew are fishermen away for long periods of time so local people are needed who are nearby all the time should the need arise. I have to admire those volunteers who get sea sick but do it anyway because they want to help.

Big thank you to Kirkwall lifeboat crew for letting us look around. Very interesting. I was some chuffed to win a bottle of wine on the tombola too :-D

My Morning

so you know those days when you get a phone call from a friend wanting you to drive to theirs with jump leads because their car won't start so you chuck on old rag bag clothes and a hat to cover your bed hair and drive down to the friends once you've rummaged in the garage to find the jump leads and the dud car is on the drive which doubles as a sloping ice rink so you spend ages pushing the car off the sloping ice rink and turning your car around on the sloping ice rink and you finally line up the cars bumper to bumper and by now you can't feel your feet or your hands and you are walking around like Bambi on ice and slipping everywhere on the ice and you get the bonnet up and do all the jiggery pokery with the jump leads and the car still won't start because it's not the battery at all it's the actually immobilizer? Well. That.

Everybody want's to SEE the cat

But the blog is misbehaving so I can't post the picture. I'm reffering to the blog I just blogged before I blogged this super quick blog. Look underneath this one.

EDIT: Finally sorted it. Here she is.

Elephants, Leopards & Lobsters

Friday night saw a group of us headed to a local club for a charity event called Gogo Lobsters. This was a combination of a local band, Stereo Lobsters and a charity called Gogo Olives.

The charity raises funds by knitting and selling animals like the one pictured enjoying a pint. (they are usually better behaved, this one was led astray) Great fun was had by all. Lots of laughter, music and dancing. Half way through the evening one of the friends I arrived with disappeared off to the toilets and emerged a leopard. We couldn't help but wonder if she had been drinking more than the elephant. Everybody wants to be a cat, however if you want to own one you can purchase knitted leopards, but my crazy friend is not for sale. All in all a great evening and £2400 raised for a very worthy cause. Check out the website for more info. http://www.gogo-olive.com/

REBOOT- Back by popular demand

It's been literally yonks since my last Blog. Lot's of Christmas emails asking when I will be getting back into gear and updating it. It seems there is a genuine interest in my musings. You're a good lot.

2011 starts with my job hunting. I was made redundant on Christmas eve so not a great start to the New Year but I realise I'm amongst many others who are in the same boat. I refuse to let it get my down.

There will be other events happening this year which will mean big adjustments. My daughter will be leaving home if all goes to plan. This will happen about August, September time. Do you have any idea how blinkin' soon that will come round? I can hardly believe it. Two minutes ago it was all S Club 7 and babysitters club, now it's driving lessons and UCAS trauma.

I'm also going to lose more weight. I lost three stone in 2010 and was delighted. I want to continue and lose more. It's pretty much the same New year stuff I know but I have other more exciting plans. I'm just not going to tell you what they are yet. Keep you coming back. ;-)