30 July 2007

Monday!

Urggggkkkkk I still hate Mondays, seems an age until Saturday when I am free again, dont think I am working..best check on that today!

Well at least the sun is shining, plus I have a spring in my step, must be the weather.....although I am very tired this morning.

Heard the owl again last night, sounded like is was right at the window, made me jump. Hogs are now very much used to their new feeding station, they have left me little presents to say thank you for providing us with it...I actually dont mind hog pooh, its smelly yeah, but hey they are the nearest thing that I will have to having children...ha ha

29 July 2007

not too plan!

Well this morning I went to get some more hog food and bird food, also to give them some of the leaflets that Derek had given me about strimming and the dangers.

Got home nice cup of tea and the phone went....woman in the area who was having a new base put down for a green house had come across a hog with babies. Young ones at that! I phoned Derek and got his advice, then phoned Julie to take me to pick them up. After talking to Derek decided it was best if they went with him, because if mum rejects them they would need hand rearing and there is no way I would have time or the commitment to do that properly.

Got there and saw them, mum and 4 babies, no more than 4 days old, the smallest cutest prickles Ive ever seen! Got them home then Derek came over and picked them up. I just hope mum continues to feed them.

Then the sun went in....ha ha!!!

Anyway, im waiting now....very nervous I am, just hope its a good night ;-)

28 July 2007

ok

I was going to get some beauty sleep, but as I was checking outside again, I noticed one hog with some ticks, so took in to remove, now im wide awake again!

Good day today, woke with no problem, well ish, went to work. It wasnt too bad for a Saturday. Then in the pm, Derek came round (chap from hog forum) too look at the garden to see if his young hogs could be released. Spent a very enjoyable hour chatting about hogs and he has given me some very good advice about where to put boxes and feeding them etc...really enjoyed it. I also got a new feeding station and hog box so no need to build a new one as yet.

Which means I can hopefully weather permitting be out with the camera tomorrow!! YIPEPPPPPPPPEEEEEE. Think I will take a walk up on the fields, although it might be very muddy after all the rain we have had. Will have to see I think. Be nice to get up there but not at the expense of slipping on my arse!

Other than that, stuff is ticking along nicely. I know im playing my cards quite closely to my chest but just dont want to tempt fate if you know what I mean!

Oh one thing I forgot to tell you about Baku, was that I pulled!!! A rather large bosomed Russian woman...I tell you dancing with her was like nothing ive ever experienced before. Hands every where!!!

27 July 2007

It wont hurt

Ok from no plans to having plans! Just out for a couple of hours tonight, but that still gives me sat pm and sat evening to build. Plan to get the materials, well as much as I can carry sat morning, then go off to work for a bit then come home and get my tools out!

The house work was going to be done tonight, but ah well.....best jump in the shower!

Fingers crossed!

For good weather at the w/e as hopefully I will be getting 2 hogs for release in to the garden! Plan is too make another box this w/e, im working a few hours on Saturday as a favour, but should hopefully get one or two made! Lets hope my fingers see the next week!

Not much else happening here at the moment, im getting used to having my house back which is nice, still an abundant of black bird young about, plus all the other usual. The Buddlea is just starting to flower so hopefully will also be able to get some flutter pics at the w/e too. No plans to be out as yet....so all should go to plan...for once!

Oh I got my rating yesterday from work, was what I expected and good, talk of further development came up again, think I will have to decided on something as they keep going on. Im happy as I am at the moment, its not that I don't have career needs or drive or even wants, but I do think that if I take a higher position that I wont have any time to do all the other stuff in my life...there is so much more to life that work!

25 July 2007

23 July 2007

Sunset over Baku



Im not all that happy with this it looked different on the camera, think Im going to wait to do the rest til next week when I can get capture nx back, im not that keen on adobe I must admit!

Not one of mine!




Its taking an age to sort out these photos on adobe, doing my head in! Anyway this was taken by Sabrina, you can sort of see the uhm table and the wonderful spread!

Back!

Forgive me if this is a little jumbled but I am still on a different time zone, very tired and trying desperately to stay awake!

Ok, I shall begin at the beginning and try to remember everything as I am going along. Tuesday got picked up by some friends, had a cup of tea and a chat before we went, filled in the visas etc. Went off to phills mums had more tea, and then went down to the pub for a meal, about 9pm. His sister came down and met with me and the two friends, did my head in and at one point I really wanted to come home, as they started talking about phills ex’s and how they had all fucked him over and got a house out of him, which at that point I had to say uhm “I didn’t”. To be honest it was hard as his sister was saying all this stuff about him that wasn’t true, I didn’t want to rock any boats so found the only thing I could do which was to bite several holes in my tongue and keep going outside to smoke!

Anyway, after a crap night’s sleep we was up at the crack of dawn and off to the airport, boy was it busy, we queued then queued and queued some more. I of course got patted down at the airport, they were very strict at what you could take and not take! At one point they changed the direction of the queue, talk about confusing! Eventually we got through then on to the plane, which took forever to load and we set off late. 5 and ½ hours later, we were landing in Baku. Then the fun really began, passport control, then visa, then passport control, wait and hour for the bags, customs and then we was through! Phill and Sveta and the littlelun met us at the airport think it was about 10.30 ish by then and it was HOT!!!

Short trip to where we was staying, but that gave me the first taste of how they drive...very fast and not keen on giving way or stopping, to say it was a bit scary is an understatement. The apartment was lovely, big rooms, air-con, two bathrooms and kitchen; they had also stocked up the fridge with some beer and food...YAY! Phills mum wasn’t very well so went off to bed and we went to phills apartment for dinner, this was now about 11.30 ish. We were also joined by Svetas mother and her friend Niela and her daughter Sabrina. The kids were playing in the bedroom with plasticine (I really wanted to play, but had to have dinner first) so, there was myself, rick, Sharon, Tim (phills brother) and his dad with Sveta, Vera, niela and phill. Sveta had made a lovely dinner, all types of salad, rice, chicken and bread. You don’t as such sit down to a meal that has been put on a dinner plate, you have a small plate and take a little of the salads and meat, then keep topping up.

I did get to play with the plasticine, after I had eaten and drunk some wine; I missed the vodka as I was making hogs out of the plasticine. The girls are lovely full of energy especially Nata (Svetas daughter) nonstop and this was now getting on to 2 am! Think it was about 3 am ish that we went back to the apartment, not tired as still on UK time so we sat up had a few beers and a chat till about 5 am, then went off to bed!

Not a particularly early start to the day on Thursday. Everyone was tired, bit dazed and man it was hot and sunny. The heat wasn’t humid but very very very hot. The type of heat you can’t stay out in for long as it is just too hot. We walked in to the main part of the city, I never realised it would be so big, but it’s HUGE! Lots of shops and everything is so much cheaper over there than the UK. For example packet of 20 cigarettes......50p. Can’t go wrong with that can you! Changed up some money, had a look round the shops, had some dinner, then Sveta, Nata, phills mum and I went off to the wedding venue for some last minute checks. It was a subway ride; there subways are so much cleaner than in London, just as packed though. The venue was lovely and the way it was all decorated looked beautiful really did.

After that, we all met up again on the boulevard. Now people in Baku being a Muslim country don’t really drink, so you don’t see lots of pubs or bars etc. Instead they all walk down the boulevard and sit and drink tea. Doesn’t matter what time it is, normally the later the better they will all be out and down there. It’s a very family and friend orientated place, so all the families get together and sit drink tea, talk and laugh. Such a change from the UK way of life, big eye opener. A lot of these people have nothing, yet they would give you anything that they do have, their selflessness has had a big impact on me. We met up with some of phills friends, drank tea and ate cake.

That night Phill was staying at the apartment as he couldn’t see Sveta before the wedding, unfortunately he had come down with a bad tummy, so instead of going out, we got a take away, it was lovely, kebabs and salad. We sat, drank and ate. Phill went off to bed quite early, so Tim, his dad, Sharon and I sat up again til about 4 am...I was still on UK time, it was a killer I can tell you.

Next morning, again not an early one! Tim had come down with a bad tummy. My hay fever was dreadful and the old tonsillitis was threatening again! Still it was the day if the wedding and none of us was going to miss that! I went down to get my hair done at the local hair dressers where Sveta was getting hers done. They washed it then styled it (took a while I can tell you), had my nails done, well to be fair the lady kept telling me off and shaking her head as I bite my nails. I also then had my eyebrows done, they use the twisted cotton method, it is much quicker but man does it smart! At one point I had tears rolling down my cheeks, but they did a good job. All of that for £12...can you believe that £12 that was all! Right result.
So the countdown to the wedding begins, the heat has made everyone a bit dozy, the cars are set to pick us up at 5.30, but there is the camera man coming round before that. I got back from the salon about 3.30 to find no on getting ready really, phill was still un shaven, Tim still in bed. I did what I do best, I got bossy!

First thing first food, I helped Sharon get bacon sarnies for everyone and of course tea! Now its 4pm, Phill is fannying about, I put the shower on and push him in it, get his shaving gear ready for when he gets out. He is out, Tim goes in. After I have trimmed Phills eye brows, I can then get in the bath, and it’s now 4.30 pm. Quick bath, make up on, check hair, go outside sweat make up off, go back in put back on! 5.10 The groom isn’t dressed nor anyone else. Soon sort that out. 5.20 everyone dressed and ready....phew!

Take a few photos, and then the camera and video man show up. Then the fun began, now I won’t describe this very well as you would really have to see it to believe it, but when I get the DVD of the wedding I will put some on here as you will be amazed! Two white mercs came to pick us up. Phill and his mum and dad went in one and the rest of us in the other. If you are getting married over there, its tradition for the cars to drive with their hazards on, with a wedding horn constantly being pressed! It was mad! It was a three lane road and every now and then we would stop, block up the road and the horns would be going, then we would speed up like something out of wacky races, trying to beat the other cars, and then break suddenly. To say my tummy was in my throat.... At one point we stopped 3 cars abreast, not sure why we did that. Then another car that was in the party that had gone off ahead saw that we were stopped...oh I remember why now. The man that was videoing the wedding was in another car, that had its boot propped open with a broom stick and was hanging out the back and the side door, filming the cars, his broom stick had fell out so we stopped for him to put back in again. Anyway the other car, then turned round, drove against the traffic (which was heavy) at full speed, hurtling towards us, then did a hand break turn spun the car round and joined us. All our mouths were open in shock and he just looked shrugged his shoulders and grinned! Boy of boy that was one hell of a ride!

We got to the restaurant in one piece...just! Took some photos outside then went in. They had the ceremony in the restaurant. It was basically signing the paperwork, then a drink, and then they bought in this thing that looked like a rocket launcher and shot shiny confetti everywhere. Had a few tears at the wedding part, it was really lovely.

Then the meal and OMG what a spread, it was the same as other meals, lots of salads, we had small plates, but we couldn’t help ourselves everything was served to us. I made the mistake of picking something up and the chap who was looking after out table came running over and took it out of my hand. Every time you finished something, he would bring more up, after changing your plate. Every time your glass was half empty it was filled back up again. I managed to avoid most of the vodka by pouring it into a glass that had some fruit juice in, but then as it was so hot I was drinking the fruit juice forgetting it was full of vodka...so yeah I was worse for wear by the end of the evening, but not my fault!

Everyone was again really friendly, got on the dance floor and was dancing away with everyone, took loads of photos, actually at one point, Sabrina was going round taking photos for me, they love photos over there, it was quite funny to see a little girl with a big camera, mind I have a lot of photos of tables and the floor now...bless. Oh and I had to make a speach too! I of course couldnt do it. It was sprung on me, wasnt prepared and got emotional. I stood holding phills dads hand and managed to get a few words out, not looking forward to seeing that on the wedding video!

There was lots going on throughout the wedding, a lot of tradition, bride and groom had to walk up and down the restaurant several times, not quite sure what it was all about, but it was a very good and different wedding, one I will always remember. Got home, had a few cups of tea, then off to bed!

Saturday was spent chilling out, in the evening we met up with some more of their friends and had a meal; we walked round the old part of Baku, plus went on a boat trip around the harbour. This again was on the boulevard. So many people all out there, the boats were packed, they have such a simple way of life, and it’s very endearing and tempting for me to change to something like that. Certainly been an eye opener! The thing that I will take the most is the way the people are; it’s very much your family is my family. I know if I was to go back there, there would be several places that I would be able to turn up and stay. I think that phill and sveta would have a house over there as well as here, hope so as I would really like to be able to go back and see everyone again.

Well now, that was a long post, but I’m sure ive missed a lot out. I’m now going to work on the photos, should have some up on here too later. My tummy has now taken a turn for the worse, so am going to go get some Imodium to block me up!
All in all it has been a fantastic trip it really has and one that I will defiantly take again.

17 July 2007

and done...

with two hours to spare no less, now all I have to do is spend a night at the ex in-laws.......

Panic levels 0
Stress levels 500!!!!!!

Bags packed

That was easy! Also got a card, not taking a present as they give money over there, so I will get them something when they are living over here.

Next job is to pack my hand bag with tickets, visas and instructions.

Ha ha its 13.22 and im almost there!!! Who said you need to plan in advance, now if I could only get this orange of my hands!!! Bleach didnt work nor did scrubbing, hmmmm wonder what else I can use!

Panic level uhm cool 2

Shopping!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Not that I dislike shopping at all, damn it I forgot to get a card, bugger. Will pack first then pop out again.

PANIC LEVELS uhm now 7

Count down

Woke up and im orange! All over orange with white ankles where I must have forgotten to spray them with the fake tan....fuck it fuck it fuck it! Several people that I have called for help have found this very funny! My palms are orange too and my fingers. Fuck it, got to run need to drop off my mates lap top that ive been fixing then get to toon and shop....update later.

Panic levels uhm 5

16 July 2007

Panic Moi??

The dress has been bought, I actually did see this lovely white dress, reduced from £250 to £30!!!! It would have looked lovely, but didnt think that I should really wear a white dress to a wedding!!! Settled for a black patterned dress, its very 50's in style, fitted over the bust then flows out from the waist. So as not to just wear black I got a wine coloured scarf thing to wear as well. That is the colour of phills cravatte so I kind of match!

Well, after a day of fannying round, I eventually pulled out my finger and have started to get stuff ready to go, ok the day before to start to do your washing etc might scare some people, but hey I thrive on stress!!! Made my list of stuff to buy tomorrow, I want a few vest tops and some 3/4 length trousers, stuff from boots, not much to be fair.. Ive applied two lots of fake tan this evening, will do another before I goto bed so im all bronzed, will also keep applying whilst over there so I dont look like a ghost!

Need to clean camera and pack, which I can do tonight, then once Im back from toon tomorrow then I can pack my bag.....eeeeek me pack my own bag now that will be fun! Must remember to get some photos taken for the visa too. Ive written a long list to take to toon tomorrow so I HOPE I DONT FORGET ANYTHING!!! Bound too really its me after all.

Must remember a card too, god there is so much to do still. MY hog sitter is moving in tomorrow to care for the house and hogs, of course ive cleaned top to toe of the house as well, gosh thats a woman thing!

Im sure there is something that im forgetting, oh I know, Im not sure where my passport is, bum, best go and look for that...........

12 July 2007

Stupid cow!

This afternoon I have been feeling really odd, dizzy, pins and needles in my lips, every time I turn my head its like my brain is 2 mins behind. When Ive been walking I havnt been able to feel my feet. Ok slightly concerned, it has bugged me all afternoon. Ive been trying to think what on earth could be wrong with me, thoughts of some very odd disease racing through my mind. On the walk home decided I would ring NHS direct, but if they suggested going to A&E wasnt going to do that.

As I walked in and looked at the table, guessed it, who is the stupid cow that hasnt taken her AD's for the last 2 days.....uhm me! Its been withdrawal symptoms and boy are they feckin bad, now im really not looking forward to coming off them, however I am going to have a controlled reduction, doc wants to do it in a months time, I will give it a go, but too be honest Im actually happy staying on them now, im really used to being like this now, yeah Im still up and down some times, but much less than I was. What a turn around eh?!

Still hopefully I wont feel like this when I come off them, well best get in the shower im oot for dinner, ive just had an ad and im feeling much better instantly!!

Stupid cow me!

Love this song

says a lot to me too....

11 July 2007

Extra time

As its raining this morning, phill is taking me to work so dont have to leave as early..YAY! Actually I will miss the walk as I find it very calming especially on the way home.

Anyway as I dont come home for dinner anymore, I normally go to a small park area and eat, I would stay at work, but I do like to get some air and some wildlife. There is quite a large pond there too, full of mallards and moorhens and their young, so sweet little balls of wire squeaking. Not many other common birds really, lots of piggies as you would expect in toon. Some blackbirds and tits, but not a great deal else.

One thing that does make me smile is the squigs, they are the tamest in the world and are quite happy to sit on the bench next too me sharing my lunch. They normally end up with more of it than I do so now I carry a bag of monkey nuts in my bag and they get a treat each day, they will even take them from my hand they are that tame. Then they zoom off to bury them, before one of the others see what they have.

If the weather ever brightens up I will take the camera with me too take some photos as its pleasant up there, ok its no beauty spot, but its in the toon and great to sit there on your lunch and just be with the wildlife....

10 July 2007

Bleated...HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Pete!!! Wish some one would have reminded me, im crap at b'days!! Hope you had a lovely day.....and yes I owe you dinner now!

Other news, im still feckin ill, cant seem to shift the cold and cough, getting bored now and of course the penicillin has done something else to me!

Shit look at the time, best run.....

07 July 2007

Tut!

Despite petes comments I would like to say I didnt stand him up AGAIN! Its not my fault that the weather has been crap and that I forgot I was working this Saturday! Anyway I thought that when you was stood up it was when the other person doesnt turn up, not when they merely wish to re-book.

Thanks for your comments btw, not sure I can do this as often as I was doing it as I dont seem to have the same time that I used to have before, I will try and update in the mornings, seems the only time that I have right now! Stupid cough has started now so was up again last night, soooooo tired now havnt really slept all week, so im getting that glazed look about me. Shame I have to work today as the weather is quite photo friendly for once, still lets hope its still nice when I return from work, although im meant to be going out tonight, but thats still un decided in my head as im still feeling like crap right now.

Shopping after work, think I need some more under wear ;)

06 July 2007

I know.....I know

However I do have a very good excuse this time! Its called tonsillitis! Knocked me on my arse for the last week, been the most painful ever, ive been drugged up to my eyeballs which is great when you are running a fever too, lets just say ive spent many a night wandering about the garden!

This will have to be a quick catch up as I am going back to work today, well im trying, I seem to have a very nasty cough now, probably bronchitis...yeah yeah if I didnt smoke!

Talking of which the ban is in.....of course ive given up..yeah right. Actually I went to a pub on Sunday and it was weird not being able to smoke in there, didnt seem right, all the old boys in there were having a right moan about it, think a lot of them its one of their only pleasures left a pint and a fag, shame. Is it me though or do the pubs look less busy now?? I think that they should have just left it the way it was really, but then im not that keen on being told what I should and shouldnt do. I think there are much more pressing matters that the government should tackle. Binge drinking, should we ban drinking too? Heard also on the news that kids are now going to have lessons in school on how to conduct themselves like human beings, has this country gone mad, shouldnt that be the parents or guardians job? Dont even start me on the punishment of crime, it seems a motoring offence can get you more time than being a pervert, whats that all about? Should they really be cared for in the community? Now I like to think myself as a pretty fair person, but really should these people be integrated back into society, can you really change the person you are? I dont think you can really, I think that you are who you are and some people are just plain bad and its only this nanny state that stops us from really dealing with the problem.

Well think thats enough for today, I would like to say though that these are my opinions on the above and whilst im still allowed to have them I am happy to express them, wonder how long until we are all censored in some aspect of our lives..