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27th December 2006

So, it is time to head for home, well, home port anyway. I guess we finished at about 5, and turned the boat around and headed for Norfolk. We should tie up just before light in to morning. And then the crew change, and that's when the rumours start; are we going to make a dash for it to Den Helder or Denmark before the storms hit, or sit in Yarmouth to ride them out? Either way it looks like we will be in port for New Year rather than working. But, that could change I guess.

I guess one of my best memories of this trip is listening to lots of Punk music as one of the surveyors is also a fan; I brought him my copy of 1,2,3,4 for him to copy, and so that has been blasting out for the past week. And pretty good it has sounded, especially Still Little Fingers and Television; but my favourite is still Part Time Punks by the Television Personalities.

So, once within sight of land, we should be able to get a signal on our mobiles, and I will be able to speak to Jools again; although it may be several weeks before we get together again.

28th December 2006

We have made it safe and sound back to 'Great' Yarmouth, and the crew change is in full swing; which means that Tommy has now left, as well as several others who I have made friends with. Poor Tommy was so excited yesterday about being home for Hogmanay, that he might even explode. But, instead he walked around all evening signing Kung Fu Fighting, and being generally excited. Poor lad, when he left he waved and said goodbye, and no one answered him. Oh well.

The plan is to sail this evening, maybe at one tomorrow morning, and head to Denmark before the bad weather hits. And bad it is going to be. Off Denmark it's expected to hit force 9 by the end of tomorrow, and maybe force 11 by Sunday and into next week. Apparently, we have just 3 days work, but could be doing it for some while, as the chances of three consecutive calmish days in such northern waters at this time of the year seem slim. Still, it will be an experience, and spending New Year in Scandinavia will be fun, if not expensive as well.

One good thing about being home is the mobile works again, and being able to speak to Jools rather than to just message is just wonderful.

29th December 2006

So, this is one of the blessings, or is it a curse? of the job; being tied up in port, maybe for days. We are still in Yarmouth, the early morning sailing cancelled due to bad weather out in the North Sea; and with each passing hour, the forecast gets worse, which means that we are likely to be here maybe until Monday. But, just to make things complicated, the captain will only make updated announcements about possible future departure times, which means it's almost impossible to plan anything even a few hours in advance. The latest departure time is three this afternoon, but by then the weather here is to be grim, with gusts of wind of 70mph, which means it's very doubtful we will sail then, or tonight, or even tomorrow. Jools would like to come up, and I would like her to, but not being able to say with any degree of certainty that we will be here when she arrives, makes it all too difficult. She may come tomorrow, but it is just going to be as uncertain as today’s will probably be.

We all had been hoping to spend New Year in either Holland or Denmark, now it seems probable we will be here in Yarmouth, which for those looking at spending as many days out of the country for tax reasons, is not the most popular thing.

Last night se retired to a local pub, and had a few too many, and a few laughs. Which was all very pleasant, and I guess helped us to get to know the new crew members. However, as it always is, drinking can be a very expensive business, and if we are to be in port tonight, then I think I will go home and save some money.

All work has been done, all equipment tested, and so we have nothing really to do until we get to the survey location, whenever that may be; so, probably a quiet day, some reading, listen to some music. All the while getting paid; not a bad job then.

31st December 2006

Due to adverse weather, we are still here in Yarmouth; although have moved berths just confuse those on the way back from the pub. The weather is forecast to be bad for the next few days still; although the plan is to try to leave tomorrow and head for Denmark; the fact that 6 metre swells are forecast, as well as force 9 and 10 winds is a little worrying. Still, it will be interesting to say the least.

Jools arrived last night, and I spent the evening with here; I have to be on board during the day in case we can sail or if there is some work to do. It's strange to be suddenly home again, as though I have not been away. And of course it was wonderful to be with her again. I will be able to go back with her again tonight; so we get to see in the New Year together, before she heads home tomorrow, and we might sail into stormy waters.

1st January 2007

Here we are, a new year, and we are still in Great Yarmouth. Bad weather forecast for the next two days meant that the departure this afternoon has been cancelled, and will be reviewed tomorrow; but the word from the bridge is that is likely to be Friday at least before we sail. To be honest, we are all quite pleased about that, as the ship does not handle bad weather well, and it would have been very uncomfortable to say the least, two days of 6 meter swells. And the ship has suffered some damage in the past due to bad weather; like losing all it's windows due to wave damage, including the bridge ones, and almost sinking, whilst in harbour.

So, staying here is just fine.

New year was just wonderful; Jools came down on Saturday, and that night and last night, once work was finished, I went back home, and we spent some time together; and coming as it was so unexpected, the time was really special. The only bad thing was having to be here for 8 in the morning, and getting early enough to make it. Jools bought a bottle of champagne for last night, and we opened it a little bit early so as not to drink too much before going to bed. The fireworks from London at midnight were really spectacular, and worth staying up for; a shame about Hogmanay being cancelled in Edinburgh again due to bad weather, but probably the right decision.

Just time to wish everybody Happy New Year again.

2nd January 2007

It may well be a new year, a new working day; but, we are still here in port in Yarmouth, and the chances of sailing today are nil. And with storms in the north North Sea for the next two days, chances of sailing before the weekend looks remote. I thought I heard the engines fore up this morning, as I lay in my bed, but I guess they must just be being tested.

One thing I have learned this week is how much difference there is between high and low tides. In the morning, from my porthole, I may just be able to see the side of the quay, but within a few hours, my view is maybe a dozen feet above the quay, with view across the road into town. Just from the movement of the moon!

Yesterday, I walked into the centre of town, but all the shops had closed, and there were just families of immigrants wandering around; it is strange not to hear an English voice in an hour. Also, shops for said groups have opened up; there was a Polish one, and several Portuguese shops and cafes, all opened up in one area along King Street. It seems a shame that these people have to congregate into the poorest part of town, the part with the highest crime, and worst living conditions.

Last weekend saw Britain make the last payment to the USA as part of the Lend/Lease agreement which helped Britain after WW2; it seems odd that Allies had to repay loans whilst defeated countries got free aid. Apparently, it was going to be 'free' aid, until a socialist government was elected ousting Winston Churchill, and the White House did not want to help socialists help set up a health service.

The last part of Charles Dickens's American Notes is an essay on slavery; and although I knew it happened, the devil is really in the detail. He recounted how it was common for slaves to have parts of their ears missing as a means of identifying ownership; branding happened, but sometimes on the face, and even parts or whole fingers were removed for the same purpose. The worst part, other than the abuse and murder, was that a free black man could be arrested under suspicion of being a runaway, and locked up, and then sold back into slavery to pay for his incarceration, with no right to legal representation.

3rd January 2007

So, he news is that we are to sail in the morning; which was going to happen at some point or another. We should even be able to work on Saturday, as the weather is supposed to be calm enough. And the next port of call is Kristiansand in Norway; the land of crazy tax and ridiculous prices for beer. I'll try to give it up.

I spent the day yesterday reading manuals; procedures, health and safety and others even more dull. I just wish I could get my hands on one when I can't sleep. I managed some 5 hours of ploughing through them, and they even made some sense.

I went for a walk in the evening, and called in at a bar, hopefully to see the second half of the game on TV; but they had soaps on instead; and the place was empty, such is a bar after new year.

And I think it would be fair to say I made up for the insomnia last week as I managed 12 hours last night and 11 the night before.

The main perk of being in port is being able to use the mobile phone; and being able to speak to Jools of course. Once we sail, it will be hard to get used to once again.

I was listening to Five For Fighting's America Town last night, and what a wonderful record it is; and how amazing that the track Superman was not a hit. It's amazing that no one has covered it over here, as the words are just so great.

4th January 2007

We sailed this morning at nine, and all set fair for a good crossing; the sun was up, and the breeze, keen. But all seemed well set. However, the weather has not calmed down, and neither has the sea, and so we have sailed up and down the Norfolk coast for the past seven hours, and are still doing so. The word on the bridge is that we are waiting for the wind to turn, and then so can we. What this means is that we can still use our mobile phones, and we can now tell where we are just by the coastal landmarks. What this means is that we will have even less time on site during the expected weather window on Saturday, and may even , mean that we head straight to port; if the weather changes, of course.

As there is no work to do, we have been watching some DVDs; War of the Worlds, and has Mr Cruise actually made a decent film recently? And can he act himself out of a paper bag? And to be honest, he really cannot do men with 'issues', be it alcoholic, or dysfunctional parent; he just sucks. Anyway, the other was Batman Begins, which was much better, and quite clearly set in reality. Christian Bales is turning into a great actor, although it would be hard to spot it in such a comic based film. And Michael Caine played himself, again, and he is really very good at it now, but to be fair he has had 40 odd years of practice.

A final word for Doris, Jools's 14 year old kitty that, sadly, went to sleep for the last time today; may she pain free in kitty heaven.

5th January 2007

The day continued much in the same way yesterday evening as it had the rest of the day. Just going up and down the coast of Norfolk, waiting for the wind to turn. There was a rumour that we might even head back into Yarmouth, but it was just that; a rumour. In the end, it was 11 at night when the wind dropped enough, and turned to a favourable direction that we were able to head north east towards Denmark. And getting used to the motion of the ship in open water took quite some getting used to, and I lay awake in bed for maybe a couple of hours. It will be at least another 12 hours before we get to the survey site; and so we face another day of DVDs, or maybe reading; with just meal times to break the day up. I guess it's not a bad life. It is possible we may get 36 hours to work in, but whatever we must be in port on Sunday night, as a major storm is heading to the area for Monday, and we don't want to be out in a force 11! I know I don't.

A couple of days ago, I heard from Tony with whom I went on the training course with, and the week after began work with the company. He is in hospital, with a heart murmur, and undergoing tests. I guess this shows how much life can change, just when we are least expecting it. It is possible that the company will see him as a risk now, and not continue is employment.

So, here we are, somewhere between Scotland and Denmark, and the weather is getting worse. We should be on site by two in the morning, and maybe, just maybe, we can get some work done. The captain has said we have to be off site by midnight tomorrow, which means the opportunity to work gets ever smaller. So, we were watching Jarhead this afternoon, and quite good it was as well, when I started to move, in the chair, towards the TV. Quite an experience I can tell you. The DVDs are coming off their shelves, cups falling off tables, and I am sure cooking is quite an adventure. I am saving the excitement of a shower for later, as that can be really fun, and there is nothing quite like being off balanced by a wave and catching your pelvis on the pipes; I still have the bruise from last time.

It seems I am going to be a full time mechanic once the ship leaves port next time; not quite sure if that is a reflection on my performance so far; or that the company thinks all the technical work will be done by then, and we just have deck work to do. We take it Kevin in the office has not been looking at the weather forecast. So, Tim is leaving us. Tim, it would be fair to say, is not a people person, but becomes almost human after five pints and a few Jack and Cokes.

Tonight, we are able to buy some duty free stuff, in what is called the 'Bond.' I may even take up smoking to reap some benefits; I am guessing there will be no alcohol on sale. Still, lovely Norway on Sunday, with its £7 plus beers.

I thought I would share with you the sight out of the porthole window in my cabin; I guess it looks roughly south west, and the near full moon is high in the sky, casting almost daylight onto the sea. It is a wonderful sight, the moonlight picking out the mountainous seas in dark blues and blacks. The sea really has picked up now, and it is becoming hard to walk around, especially climb the stairs. Showers are a real blast, and something everyone should have a go at; as there is nothing like trying to keep one's footing with the ship pitching and roiling and nothing but slippery tiles to grip or hold on to. All one can really do is to lay in bed and either read or listen to music. One thing is for certain, that unless the sea calms down, we won't be doing much tomorrow, other than heading for port. But, at least we are trying to do something, which I guess was the point in us sailing.

6th January 2007

It was never going to be a good idea to try and sleep with a 6 metre plus swell outside. Of course we feel the swell in here as well. So, when I was writing the last blog last night, furniture was flying around the lab, and crockery falling all over the kitchen. So, after trying to read, I thought I would try to sleep; no chance. And I guess it was gone three by the time we arrived on site, and we stopped forward motion; that did reduce the pitching and rolling a little, and so it was down to that I did get some sleep.

This morning, we have 4 metre swells, which is still too rough for work, and the window is getting smaller. The shipping forecast says after today there are storms every day until Thursday; which should mean a few days in lovely Norway.

So, now we wait, I have a 12 hour shift now starting, and it may be that we just sit here, and wait

So, this is the exciting world of work at sea? It is half seven in the evening, and we are waiting for the weather window to happen. Still waiting. The word from the bridge is that it might get better tomorrow; just before that big storm hits, which means they want us to stay out and have a go at working in the morning. Hmmmm no one has high hopes of that, and seem to be dreaming of Nordic goddesses and cold, clear, expensive Nordic lager.

The day was broken up by football; as today was the 3rd round of the FA cup, and my team even managed to win; and they were live on TV! But, they played quite badly at first, and the other lads made sure I noticed. It could have been embarrassing if we had lost.

The day is enlivened by the occasional meal, and the Indonesian chef's attempts at trying to make traditional English food. Always something on the menu to make you smile. Today it was not too bad, but some days it can be a struggle to find something edible. But, shouldn't complain, it's free.

7th January 2007

As you can tell by the title, we are still here, on site, and it's blowing a force 8 out there, and there is no news of us heading into port. On TV, the long range forecast for the week has storms at least until Friday, and it seems silly to remain out here; but we think the client wants us to at least try, or be in position, to work. In the case of bad weather, the client pays. So, it's costing someone a whole load of cash.

I got up this morning, and thought I was the only one on board, as no one else was about; seems like the downturn in the weather made everyone take to their bunks. But, we all showed up come lunchtime.

I was looking through some of my old posts, and I realised that my spelling is awful; or it could just be my typing. I would check for spelling, etc, but the link for the internet is so unpredictable that I want to get a post sent off as soon as possible, otherwise I will have to write it all out again. And as usual, the server was down again this morning, which is every Sunday now, but at least there was somebody in the office to actually reset it fairly quickly.

8th January 2007

At nine this morning, the captain turned the ship around, and we are now running for Kristiansand before the really bad weather hits. We've had force 8's for the past 24 hours, and now we are moving, it's really rocking and rolling here. Furniture flying everywhere, people falling over, and some looking a little green. Due to the bad weather, soup was cancelled for lunch. Not may of us slept last night, and waking up this morning and looking outside, my porthole was underwater, which I think was not a good sign. The next moment the ship righted, and I was thrown across the room into the door. Just another 10 hours of this.....

I did not write so much last time, owing to the fact we keep losing the internet connection, and I just wanted to get that one off. See if this goes any better.

We left the survey site this morning just after 8, when it was clear that the weather, or more importantly, the sea was not calming down. We sat out a force 8 all day yesterday, and that was not so bad when the ship is not moving, we just go up and down with the waves; but, when we are moving forward, the sea effects us more, and the movement was much worse. So bad, furniture was flying across the rooms, stuff falling off shelves, and sleep impossible. In these circumstances, there is little to do other than to ride the trip out, either in a chair or in bed, and try to ignore the fact the ship is swinging 30 degrees either way every few seconds. Lunch was hilarious, as we were just sliding all over the place, and nothing really wanted to stay on our plates. Peas were a real joy to try to eat.

The client rep is not happy we are leaving the survey site, as there is a possibility of a weather window on Wednesday, but quite frankly, we have heard it all before, and the captain deems it unsafe to stay out any longer, as the weather is going to be grim tomorrow and Thursday.

As to the rest of the week, we will be in chilly Norway by eleven tonight; although I think all of us will be sleeping rather than trying to find a late night bar to try out.

So, here we are about to dock in Kristiansen, Norway; the mobiles work again, and we can call our loved ones and friends; if we don't mind the cost! We are travelling across a large bay, with towns spread all around, almost mirroring the stars above. Maybe we could even get to see the northern lights? Orion is just showing above one of the towns; it's quite a sight.

Another sight was lying in bed, and looking through the porthole and seeing no sky; as the sightline would have been some 20 feet above the normal waterline, I had to look twice. And then, just as quickly, the wave passed. Looking out to the horizon, waves rose and fell, sometimes with white caps, looking like liquid granite under the moody sky.

I looked at the long range forecast, and we could be here a week at least; although I may be replaced, and I get to go home! Best not get my hopes up too much. Although on the crew chiefs message board, it says replaced at first opp!! Just think, a couple, maybe three weeks off. Can't wait.

And I saw from the paperwork, I have been on board some 25days now; it does not feel like it, and if I had to, I could last another three weeks. I guess it's because we have had so little work to do, and time does sometimes weigh heavy.

So, here we are in Norway, and the weather is blowing a force 10 outside, and we're not going anywhere. Although I may be; seems like I may be flying back home tonight, maybe. Just waiting for the confirmation e mail from head office. As well as lots of others who also may be going home. So, by bedtime I will either still be here, or at home in my own bed; time will tell.

And our current client has not 'officially' cancelled the the job, or done it in the agreed manner, and so we are still on weather hold for them. The head office want us to move ASAP to the next port, but with force 10 and 11s forecast until Saturday, with just a brief lull on Wednesday, and 400 miles to sail; we ain't going anywhere; unless it's home; on a plane.

So, no exploring the town for me today, as I have to be on standby in case I am flying home. Outside it's blowing hard, and the waves in the harbour are substantial enough to be uncomfortable if we sailed; quite out bad it would be out to sea does not bear thinking about.

The next port of call, if i am on the boat, is Kristiansand, and I guess the transit time is another day and a half, maybe. Just working that out, that means no work again for a week.

So, as they say, things change. There was I thinking that I was going to be here for maybe three more weeks; and then the party chief says I have your flight details. I leave Norway at first thing in the morning, and will be in England just after breakfast. All a bit of a whirl really. It is a good feeling though, to be going home, for a week or three. I just have to avoid the office for a while. On the ship now, there is maybe just one or two people who have been on longer, and I guess that's the way of things, meeting new people every couple of weeks or so. And of course I may meet them again in the future.

One thing I do realise is that the crew, those that do the dirty work of making the ship move, etc, as Indonesian, and they work for 8 months or so, without a break, and they all have families. And I bet they are not on the same rate of pay as we are, or have the same rules as to how much they work. How must it be for them to see us go home so quickly, and they have to work here month after month. Also, I guess that's why the ship is registered in the Bahamas, so they don't have to go by UK labour laws.

10th January 2007

I guess it was working shifts, or at least waking when we should have, if we were working; anyway, what it means it that I was not falling asleep until after two in the morning, and no matter how early i went to bed, i just was not tired. So, when it became clear that the taxi would be coming to pick us up at four in the morning, the chances of me getting much sleep was slim. Yesterday evening, we went out into the town, for a drink as far as i was concerned, the others were going to make a night of it. Bars are much the same the world over, and the British style of pubs in also now spreading worldwide. So, we sat and chatted for a couple of hours before the others decided to head for another bar. I decided to call it a night, as i thought it would not be clever to either be still drunk for the flight, or worse sleep through my alarm. And so it came to pass that I tossed and turned for a couple of hours, and i guess I may have had two hours if that.

I will say this for the company, that all the travel arrangements worked out very well, and taxis turned up at the right time, tickets were waiting at airports, and I got back here at home just after breakfast.

As for the rest of the day; I guess my head is still spinning at the quick turn of events and being home again. Not much planned for today, just maybe some laundry, and catching up on some periodicals that arrived since i was away. For the rest of the week i will be staying here, and getting some chores and jobs done; on Saturday, meeting up with friends in Norwich for the football, before heading down to Jools's for all of next week. Sounds great.

You may be glad to know that I will be giving the blogging a rest for a few days, as most days for the past 5 weeks i have either read or messed around on the computer. So, have fun, and enjoy life; I will.