Ships log #17
Well hello :)
I'm back ..... while in the final stages of repacking for Africa I thought I would update my blog on what I have doing during this time of R+R in London. The 8 week period has been hectic at times (train catching all around the UK), stressful (negotiating the tubes), thought provoking (writing articles focused on my thesis content), and just relaxing (enjoying the super summer and the sights and sounds of the big apple).
I have also met up with some former Mercy Shippers resident back here in London ...
....amongst many other unplanned events - me here waiting for Kate Middleton to finish her phone call !!
I have spent quite a bit of time dissecting my thesis while in the UK and have managed to write 2 articles suitable for publication and produce 3 more drafts so a great start I feel to be completed when I get home and reattached to my trusty referencing program - I am lost without it and need it to finalise articles so that they are suitable for different journal formats. I am very pleased to have so many focus points to discuss and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the thesis after a break of several months. For those who haven't caught up with the news I got an "A" for my thesis so will now graduate with a Masters of Clinical research (distinction) in December of this year. Am somewhat pleased with myself :)
I have so enjoyed spending so long in the UK and have come to appreciate London and absolutely love all the old buildings....
...the many churches - such as Westminister Abbey...
... and St Pauls cathedral...
...and the ancient architecture of this prolifically Victorian city...
...here near Chancery Lane ...
.... and here on Parliament buildings.
I have also had the opportunity to see the countryside full of historic villages (aren't they all ?) and townships beside the waterways here at Foxton Locks...
... catch up with NZ friends and relatives and visit the north near Cambridge where I discovered there was a university college named after my daughter...
... with a stunning dinningroom prepared for a formal dinner...
..... and to Scotland and the sight of vast amounts of bracken, heather, and castles !!
...with many noteworthy buildings in Edinburgh ....
....and then there was the fringe festival - WOW !!! - what more can I say - a definite for anybodies bucket list I think :D
But naturally I could not leave town without talking about the bag pipers on almost every corner - and the military tattoo which was genuinely a sight to behold !!!
.... south to Southampton and Chichester....
... and the hills above Brighton ......
.....and west to Henley-on-Thames.
I loved it all !!! - but I think the Edinburgh fringe festival was the most memorable. We went to 22 shows over 5 days plus watched numerous street performers and just took in the wonderful ambiance of the city with its stone buildings, secret alleyways and many lanes and courtyards.
I could have stayed there another week !!!
But now the time has come (the walrus said) to return to the ship and I am preparing my mind and body for fulltime work again - along with the wee cabin - and the prospects of making a load more friends :)
I am repacked and with a little trepidation am heading for the airport to fly to Pointe Noire in the Republic of Congo via Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. I once again have been promised to be met at the other end :)
The anticipation of returning to the ship has been upon me since I arrived in London as it is a special place and has a community feel like no other I have ever experienced. It is where everybody works towards the one goal and the consideration I have felt that people have for their fellow colleagues is unique. I will wind this blog up now and prepare my lunch before I am airport bound and a thru the night flight :( but at least I am on my way.
Will be brushing up on my french again en route and hope to hit the ground running. Ta ta for now. See you in the Congo xo
Well hello :)
I'm back ..... while in the final stages of repacking for Africa I thought I would update my blog on what I have doing during this time of R+R in London. The 8 week period has been hectic at times (train catching all around the UK), stressful (negotiating the tubes), thought provoking (writing articles focused on my thesis content), and just relaxing (enjoying the super summer and the sights and sounds of the big apple).
I have also met up with some former Mercy Shippers resident back here in London ...
.... here with occupational therapist Sharon at Windsor Castle....
I have spent quite a bit of time dissecting my thesis while in the UK and have managed to write 2 articles suitable for publication and produce 3 more drafts so a great start I feel to be completed when I get home and reattached to my trusty referencing program - I am lost without it and need it to finalise articles so that they are suitable for different journal formats. I am very pleased to have so many focus points to discuss and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the thesis after a break of several months. For those who haven't caught up with the news I got an "A" for my thesis so will now graduate with a Masters of Clinical research (distinction) in December of this year. Am somewhat pleased with myself :)
I have so enjoyed spending so long in the UK and have come to appreciate London and absolutely love all the old buildings....
...here near Chancery Lane ...
.... and here on Parliament buildings.
I have also had the opportunity to see the countryside full of historic villages (aren't they all ?) and townships beside the waterways here at Foxton Locks...
... with a stunning dinningroom prepared for a formal dinner...
..... and to Scotland and the sight of vast amounts of bracken, heather, and castles !!
...with many noteworthy buildings in Edinburgh ....
.... south to Southampton and Chichester....
.....and west to Henley-on-Thames.
I loved it all !!! - but I think the Edinburgh fringe festival was the most memorable. We went to 22 shows over 5 days plus watched numerous street performers and just took in the wonderful ambiance of the city with its stone buildings, secret alleyways and many lanes and courtyards.
I could have stayed there another week !!!
But now the time has come (the walrus said) to return to the ship and I am preparing my mind and body for fulltime work again - along with the wee cabin - and the prospects of making a load more friends :)
I am repacked and with a little trepidation am heading for the airport to fly to Pointe Noire in the Republic of Congo via Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. I once again have been promised to be met at the other end :)
The anticipation of returning to the ship has been upon me since I arrived in London as it is a special place and has a community feel like no other I have ever experienced. It is where everybody works towards the one goal and the consideration I have felt that people have for their fellow colleagues is unique. I will wind this blog up now and prepare my lunch before I am airport bound and a thru the night flight :( but at least I am on my way.
Will be brushing up on my french again en route and hope to hit the ground running. Ta ta for now. See you in the Congo xo
