Well here we go again, after 3 terms as a p/t PhD student, I have now transferred (almost) and had my induction as a 1st year p/t PhD student at RHUL. Now only 6 years to go (hopefully less) The day started out grand and amazingly I did not have any feelings of De Ja Vu! Can you get in the Guinness book of records for how many restarts of a Degree you can do? I shall have to look, though I doubt 2 will be to high on the list. I can honestly say this time I was made to feel like a PhD student, a collogue and apart of the department, something that rarely happened at the "other place". Don't get me wrong I had collogues there and people I could talk to but rarely did you see the other PhD students other than at seminars and as far as I knew they did not meet up. Unless we saw each other at a conference or bumped into each other in the corridor. But enough of that!
The induction went well and we were all advised of what happens next. I though the graduate book with all the working titles in it was useful and you could see what the others were doing and who their supervisors were, so that you could get in contact if needed. My supervisor is very friendly and had more to say in the time I was with him, in one meeting, then I have had in the past year and half. I feel like I have a process and a path to follow rather than being left to my own devices and floundering in a pool of research that I had no clue what to do with.
I have plenty of ideas and things to add to this thesis or rather what I want to add but without guidance it was all just going to be words and nothing else. Now it feels like I have something concrete. "A PhD should be fun", he said to me when we finished, I looked a bit sceptically at him. It is great to see an academic that enjoys his job!!and I am looking forward to working with him and this new department.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Oh My mad head!!
Today I have found out I shall be going into hospital at the beginning of October. I knew it was coming but it is still very stressful. I am worrying quite a bit about what will happen and how things will work with Stan having time off to help me when I am back home from the hospital. Also it is frustrating that this has made me have so much time off and has affected my studies and ability to work so much. I just feel so lost and anxious. It would be great if I could know that I shall be able to study while I am off to at least keep my mind in one piece, though I don't know if that is possible as it doesn't feel in one piece at all at the moment!!
You want to know that everything will work out, but there is so much to sort out, I have no idea what will come of anything. All I want is to be healthy, know my family are ok and be able to study and work. But it feels like it has been such a long time since all that has been possible. I am very low and am just trying to get on with everything that is happening. I have been reading a lot for my studies and I think I am progressing with getting some framework together on how the thesis shall work. I am hoping to have some idea before I go into hospital, so I can get out and just work on it while I recover. I am sure that that is a pipe dream, but you have to try to keep busy somehow!!
I am glad my blog has been so interesting to some people, it is a shame though that they do not read all of it before making assumptions!! This summer has felt like a damp squib to me as I have been struggling with so much, but it has also been good that I have been able to spend some quality time with Stan and Hannah before everything starts happening. The 3 weeks we get in the summer are very important to me as it feels that it is the only time we get to be together by ourselves. I know there is Xmas but that is for family and Easter is not very long an dis for spending with others as well. So it is good that this summer we got to have some personal time and spending the time on the boat all by ourselves, I think means that we are topped up on alone time till next year! I think Hannah will be glad to back at school so she can see her friends and not be with her boring parents and depressed mum!! Amazingly Stan and Hannah have also managed not to spend most of the time arguing!!, I think it is because they were so busy, since I could not do a whole lot but watch what was happening.
I have started to try writing again, in a vain hope that I can concentrate long enough to get an article to a boating magazine, it might also help my confidence so I can write to more historical things, when I have the material together from my project. Now that there is a date I am hoping that I can get my head around what is happening and get prepared but we shall see what the next fee weeks bring. I am sure that there are still more stormy waters ahead!!
You want to know that everything will work out, but there is so much to sort out, I have no idea what will come of anything. All I want is to be healthy, know my family are ok and be able to study and work. But it feels like it has been such a long time since all that has been possible. I am very low and am just trying to get on with everything that is happening. I have been reading a lot for my studies and I think I am progressing with getting some framework together on how the thesis shall work. I am hoping to have some idea before I go into hospital, so I can get out and just work on it while I recover. I am sure that that is a pipe dream, but you have to try to keep busy somehow!!
I am glad my blog has been so interesting to some people, it is a shame though that they do not read all of it before making assumptions!! This summer has felt like a damp squib to me as I have been struggling with so much, but it has also been good that I have been able to spend some quality time with Stan and Hannah before everything starts happening. The 3 weeks we get in the summer are very important to me as it feels that it is the only time we get to be together by ourselves. I know there is Xmas but that is for family and Easter is not very long an dis for spending with others as well. So it is good that this summer we got to have some personal time and spending the time on the boat all by ourselves, I think means that we are topped up on alone time till next year! I think Hannah will be glad to back at school so she can see her friends and not be with her boring parents and depressed mum!! Amazingly Stan and Hannah have also managed not to spend most of the time arguing!!, I think it is because they were so busy, since I could not do a whole lot but watch what was happening.
I have started to try writing again, in a vain hope that I can concentrate long enough to get an article to a boating magazine, it might also help my confidence so I can write to more historical things, when I have the material together from my project. Now that there is a date I am hoping that I can get my head around what is happening and get prepared but we shall see what the next fee weeks bring. I am sure that there are still more stormy waters ahead!!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
a few select more photos
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| 1st mate Hannah in Charge! |
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| Molly's daily starters of Sprats! |
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| One of the forts protecting Bembridge Harbour |
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| The way to Bembridge |
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| The view from the hill of Bembridge Harbour |
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| HMS Illustrious coming behind after we left Bembridge to go to Yarmouth |
Further Photos of Dover
Mon 1st Aug Poole to Ridge Wharf Yacht Centre
The views from the boat of Poole Harbour, Rockley park, and Wareham on the way down the River Frome.
This morning waking up in the marina it was strangely quiet, you could look out to the breakwater and hear very little but see all the activity of a working harbour, while on the other side you could watch all the people go by going to work and shopping. I sat at the end of the pontoon with my feet in the water watching all the fish below and it felt so peaceful.. It was very hot and we were making our way to Ridge Wharf on the River Frome, we still had not heard from the EA about a mooring but we hoped that if we got there we could solve any problems from there. I had decided to escape and so Captain Stan, 1st mate Hanna and seasick molly were making the trip by themselves. I was going to get the car and meet them there so we could begin to take things home, so the boat smelled less like a unwashed laundry bag!
It felt very strange to be in a car again and even stranger to think that it had taken us 2 weeks to do a 3 hour trip from Chertsey to Poole! A domestic were beginning on the boat again, as Hannah has been able to charge her Nintendo DS and was in game mode and had little interest in anything else, but she was dragged away for the last leg of the trip! I was hoping that they managed to get to Ridge Wharf without throwing each other into the river along the way! Apparently, my leaving was wrongly timed as it was the best part of the trip! Typical! We also had the good news the EA had a mooring for us and we could take it that day! However we still wanted to moor at Ridge Wharf to charge the batteries and fill the tanks again before settling on the mooring. After settling in Capt David got some bubbly out and we got to celebrate the success of our first sea going trip!! It was great to share a bottle with the new friends we had made on our trip and fitting that they shared this with us. We are hoping to be here for a few months as Corisande has to come out to renew the anti fouling and now also to waterproof the gunnels!! Hopefully by next season we shall have got most of the work we wanted to do done and have seen some of the area before going back to the Thames.
July 31st Sun- Yarmouth to Poole Harbour
We didn’t have to leave till midday, so we had another leisurely morning this time watching all the other boats trying to get out of the harbour, having been in Yarmouth all weekend I imagine they were all trying to get out while the wind was up and get back to their home ports. We watched a sailing loose control and swing round to the other 3 it was rafted to scratching the nearest one before running off quite quickly. We thought at this point that was enough entertainment and we should start getting ready to move. Both Bonny Rose and ourselves were going to be sailing to Poole harbour were we could await news if we had managed to gain a mooring on the River Frome, near Wareham.
Having checked the weather and seeing it was going to be choppier than we had been in before; we made sure to fix everything down we could. Once out of the harbour we found out exactly how choppy it was going to be particularly with the business of Solent to contend with as well!! It was chaos once out of the harbour with all manner of boats chasing and trying to get round us as well as the ferries criss crossing our path. The most annoying was the very big new boats who zip past without seeing where they are going, boy it would be good to put them in a tin tub and see how they feel when a speed boat zooms past at 20 knots!!
The sight of Hurst castle and the needles was terrific, you see the postcards but it still looks amazing when you get to see it up close yourself. You could almost imaging you were being taken to Hurst Castle to await your sentence, like a certain King we all know!! After taking a few photos Seasick Molly and I took our places in the forward cabin, though it is more bouncy there at least when you lay down you feel like you are not being pitched around uncontrollably. Little did we know! 1st mate Hannah took the helm while Captain Stan checked all the ropes and such and she got to yell a few choice words at some of the speeders trying to wash us away as we got caught almost immediately out of the harbour.
It was very choppy all of the way to Poole and Seasick Molly made sure to live up to her name, though training has meant that she stayed in the head while she was sick! After coming into Poole bay, things got even worse, I had dozed off to the pitching of the boat and both me and Seasick Molly got rudely awakened by a flood of water coming in under the windows and gunnels. As we came to a place called Christchurch Ledge, Corisande began to roll as well as pitch and we touched water on both sides we were rolling so much and as it became apparent we had a leak in the forward cabin; though only when the boat sloshed side to side. A sheet of water came in and soaked poor Seasick Molly making her run for cover on the floor, where she thought it would be safe. However it was then all the things all the side fell down on top of her. The rest of the boat was just as bad and we lost a mug and glasses that were fixed down. Capt Stan had taken over the helm and both he and Hannah were holding on for dear life upstairs. While Molly tried to get back onto the bed by jumping from the floor, but during her jump we pitched to starboard and she hit the roof instead! So I picked her up together on the bed with me just as we heaved to the other side and I got to hit the roof too! Molly had enough by this time and hid in the head to stay out of the way.
Hannah came to check on us and sat with Molly and took up the seasick cause as well, though not that she was going to tell Capt Stan! She quickly made her way back to the top deck where she could watch everything with Capt Stan. Bless!!
Needless to say if we wanted adventure we got it today, this was the longest 3 hours of the trip and ever! Having arrived in Poole quay, it was like heaven, I felt like jumping off and kissing the ground! It was hard to believe the difference between the outside and the inside of the harbour. It was amazing coming into Poole harbour having only seen it by car and walking along the quay. Now being on the other side, you felt strangely separated yet so near, as it was so peaceful in the marina. After that trip a few drinks in the pub was required to calm the nerves!
July 30th Yarmouth day 2
Can't get much closer than this!!
We stayed in Yarmouth a second day hoping to spend some time at the beach, yet when we woke up the day began grey and miserable. So as you do, we got up late and the captains played with the engines! Seasick Molly thought it was most interesting what the captains had uncovered and was most annoyed when she was shut away in the forward cabin! 1st mate Hannah, 1st mate Pamela and I decided to go for a sail in the dinghy with the electric motor and had an adventure scaring the local wildlife with how quiet we were. Particularly a large Herring gull who had a large fish and had to try and run as it was too big to fly with!
After our trip exploring the River Yar we met with the Captains and set to Yarmouth for Lunch, which was good timing as the sun began to come out. So we hurriedly got back to the boats to change into swimsuits for our jaunt to the beach. After arriving at the small beach adjacent to the harbour we could watch all the boats and ferries in the Solent busily on their way, while Captain Stan took the time to have a snooze. Hannah went beach combing and Pamela went swimming. The views from the beach were amazing and in the distance you can see what seems to be 100’s of sailing masts in Portsmouth harbour, that look similar to a forest of trees! There is rarely a dull moment in the Solent and it was very easy to lose track of time watching the world go by.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
July 29th
Morning arrived bright and early having been woken by many day trippers frantically trying to get out of the harbour for a day’s adventure. Following on the slack tide, Bonny rose and Corisande , having made the decision to make a trip to Yarmouth the night previous made preparations to move. With Capt’s Stan and David planning our course though the many obstacles awaiting us, the crew quickly made ready to sail. Getting out of Bembridge harbour was very easy, a lot easier then getting in and what was to come!! After passing the 3 forts that protect the way into Bembridge it became a free for all of every type of boat imaginable! With boats, Ships, cargo holders, ferries, sailing dinghies, etc, vying for space in the Solent. Both Bonny Rose and Corisande more heavily were pitched to and from for most of the 3 hr trip to Yarmouth, the other side of the Isle of Wight. AT one point we even had had the aircraft carrier, HMS Illustrious following behind us. Both Capt Stan and 1st mate Hannah thought they maybe being boarded for some unknown reason, until Illustrious changed course to sail down farther the Solent leaving us behind..
Having dealt with the excitement of being overlooked by an aircraft carrier, we then had the wash from the Isle of Wight Hovercraft going to Ryde from Portsmouth and the Ferries going to Yarmouth, where we were aiming for. Everything that could fall down inside did, including me, by which time Seasick Molly and I made the decision to go back to bed where it was safe and leave the more adventurous crew to their excitement.
1st mate Hannah was allowed to keep the helm throughout the journey and sailed us in most of the way into Yarmouth Harbour, where we rafted to Bonny Rose again on Pilings marked out near the Isle of Wight Ferry!! An interesting night this will be! We spent most of the afternoon watching the ferry toeing and frowing and the harbour masters guiding boats into the harbour. Yarmouth is a very energetic place full of interesting sailors and a few motor cruisers. In fact we met someone in Bembridge who said he was excited to see a Broom 30 having made its way this far!!
July 28th- The adventure continues from Shoreham to Bembridge, Isle of Wight
Have had some internet issues so these next posts are obviously time lagged!!
Up early to ail for a 6hr trip to Bembridge Harbour, on the Isle of Wight. The sea was a millpond coming out of Shoreham and continued for most of the trip, with it only getting choppy near to the Solent. As it was so still the crew were having trouble keeping awake and were regularly catnapping between times on the Helm. Capt Stan allowed 1st mate Hannah to have the helm for most of the trip allowing him to doze away quite happily dreaming of the waves to come! Seasick Molly and I were quick to position ourselves in the favoured bed in the bow. There was little to see as we were too far from the shore and a mist had settled on the distance, so an expanse of Lobster pots and the aft of Bonny Rose were the most exciting visions.
Bembridge is protected by 3 forts which after coming through you then need to follow a course of Buoys into the harbour that keeps sailors from the high sill that protects the beach head at Low Tide. Having arrived outside Bembridge harbour, the master was called and we were told to anchor till High Water as the sill was very difficult to manoeuvre at that time and we could get stuck. So we rafted to Bonny Rose who anchored for both of us and 1st mate Hannah was the first to jump in to the sea (with a little help from myself!) Feeling left out the crews of both boats and Capt Stan jumped in as well. While Capt David of Bonny Rose took to his dinghy as one should! Seasick Molly decided to watch from the deck, rather confused by the shenanigans of the Capt and his crew!! Attempting to be serious, Capt Stan decided to look at his prop shafts and detangle them from bindweed. The water was very clear and we could see the bottom for 8ft. After a fair time in, everyone went to clean up and we decided to make our way into the harbour, led by a sailing boat that got stuck half way by his keel. Oh Dear!! We waved as we sailed past and suggested perhaps a longer wait, which I am sure was appreciated by the crew of the sailing boat!!
The Harbour was full when we arrived and the Harbour master had thoughtfully gone home so we rafted against Bonny Rose who also had to raft alongside another larger boat and set off to scavenge for food before it was too late. Bembridge Harbour or rather Duver marina which is within the harbour is very lovely and quaint, with plenty to see. Everything is a far walk away but you are very near the dunes and can fish off the side for lobster and crab. The harbour is split with one way going to St Helen’s a small village and Bembridge village, which is a bit larger. Walking to St Helen’s you walk along a causeway that divides the harbour and is a beautiful site with some fantastic wild flowers and a few select ducks to lead the way. After walking into St Helen’s we found a terrific pub full of local life and very friendly, where I got to enjoy an amazing fish pie stuffed full of Prawns, mussels, oysters and salmon. Stuffed to our hearts content the ladies of both crews decided a chocolate feast was required which the Capt’s Stan and David watched us eat in disgust. (Though I am sure there was some secret envy as well!)
Finishing our time at the pub and having decided on our movements for the next day. The intrepid travellers went back to the moorings minus torches and in the very dark night. With the Capt’s Stan and David leading the way and the crews feeling their way back after having been left behind. We finally made it back to our beds for a good night’s sleep.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Day 12, July 27th- The adventures of Cpt Stan, Seasick Molly and Kevin the pit monster
Today started very good and Capt Stan had the crew up and going by 8:30 am, which was quite a struggle and we had a meeting with Kevin the Pit monster. But after a few tears, tantrums and grumps, we made a start and set sail by 9:30 am. The weather was fine and Seasick Molly was able to keep her breakfast down and had an uneventful trip keeping the bed shipshape. Capt Stan kept charge but after Kevin, the Pit monster's appearance in the morning. Hannah the1st mate kept the ship tight to its bearings, while the cabin crew kept up with cups of tea and food to keep the crew going.
We arrived in Shoreham by early afternoon and had a quick sluice down of the boat before heading to the shops. The marina/ cum working yard has a terrific chandlery, with an Aladdin's cave treasure trove of bits and pieces that plenty of money can be spent on. However we managed to keep to buying fender ropes and a cpl of pins to secure the mast. Having nearly lost many of our fenders due to ropes turning to dust it was a necessary buy to keep the boat in top order. A bit of a panic occurred in the early part of the trip when the alternator would not turn off but this was resolved and no problems have been found thus far. Bonny Rose, the other boat in our contingent also had to jump start one of their engines. So there seemed to be a Broom curse coming from Eastbourne marina. If you want to believe in Conspiracy theories!!
Sea sick Molly has been being fed by 1st mate Hannah on a diet of Sprats for the past 2 days and appears to have gained some confidence as she tried to jump ship to Bonny Rose at one point to check out their larder, but came back disappointed by her findings and demanding more food for her efforts! we are aiming to make Bembridge on the Isle of Wight tomorrow under the planning of 1st mate Hannah and the steady tutelage of Capt Stan. The weather is meant to be good and dry and we should be able to poodle at a staedy pace and arrive in good time tomorrow afternoon. So more tomorrow!!
We arrived in Shoreham by early afternoon and had a quick sluice down of the boat before heading to the shops. The marina/ cum working yard has a terrific chandlery, with an Aladdin's cave treasure trove of bits and pieces that plenty of money can be spent on. However we managed to keep to buying fender ropes and a cpl of pins to secure the mast. Having nearly lost many of our fenders due to ropes turning to dust it was a necessary buy to keep the boat in top order. A bit of a panic occurred in the early part of the trip when the alternator would not turn off but this was resolved and no problems have been found thus far. Bonny Rose, the other boat in our contingent also had to jump start one of their engines. So there seemed to be a Broom curse coming from Eastbourne marina. If you want to believe in Conspiracy theories!!
Sea sick Molly has been being fed by 1st mate Hannah on a diet of Sprats for the past 2 days and appears to have gained some confidence as she tried to jump ship to Bonny Rose at one point to check out their larder, but came back disappointed by her findings and demanding more food for her efforts! we are aiming to make Bembridge on the Isle of Wight tomorrow under the planning of 1st mate Hannah and the steady tutelage of Capt Stan. The weather is meant to be good and dry and we should be able to poodle at a staedy pace and arrive in good time tomorrow afternoon. So more tomorrow!!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
July 26th Day 11 second post
Have arrived in Eastbourne marina. very posh and tidy. The most largest spider crab was seen off the starboard bow once we had moored and Hannah attempted to catch it till we told her that it would not be very nice. So instead she has been catching Seasick Molly's starters! Which was most enjoyed by the cat. We arrived with another boat named Bonny Rose, a lovingly cared for 37ft Broom European. which is on her way to the Isle of Wight. We shall now stay with them for a cpl of days for company and some better expertise! Captain Stan has been enjoying the trip around and has made sure we do everything in an orderly fashion!. Hannah is now becoming an expert map and bearing reader.
The marina has the best showers ever, we had to stay in them for ages just to get all the salt and aches and pains out. As I doubt we shall have another shower as good as that till we get home. We are aiming to get to Shoreham tomorrow which is supposed to have a lovely little harbour, I think. The tide was not too bad today, so was able to be more active and not lay in bed feeling like death. So so far so good on our trip around.
The Pit monster keeps attempting an awakening but luckily we have managed to keep it away. She might be worse for wear tomorrow though as we have had a long day and she is now doing map work with Captain Stan. But more on her as we continue on our trip.More news tomorrow!!
The marina has the best showers ever, we had to stay in them for ages just to get all the salt and aches and pains out. As I doubt we shall have another shower as good as that till we get home. We are aiming to get to Shoreham tomorrow which is supposed to have a lovely little harbour, I think. The tide was not too bad today, so was able to be more active and not lay in bed feeling like death. So so far so good on our trip around.
The Pit monster keeps attempting an awakening but luckily we have managed to keep it away. She might be worse for wear tomorrow though as we have had a long day and she is now doing map work with Captain Stan. But more on her as we continue on our trip.More news tomorrow!!
July 26th Day 11? I think
We are just due to leave Dover Marina after a few frantic days visiting family and going to a wedding. We arrived on Friday after a very choppy trip. I did not enjoy the trip at all and had to lay down most of trip and pray it would end. Thank god, it was only 3 hours sail from Ramsgate to Dover!! A motor cruiser tends to bounce around like a rubber duck in a bathtub as it has no keel and means you have to choose you sailing times more effectively. Unfortunately we had to move Friday other wise we would not have made the wedding. After arriving though the marina was great and we have had a beach next to us and could watch all the activity of a busy harbour from our boat. Also got to try the local fish as we finally found a fish stall. Which Hannah has been looking for since we left Limehouse!!
Saturday arrived as quite a nice day and we caught the train to Folkstone for the wedding of Stan's cousin's daughter. As she was marrying into a Cypriot Greek family they had managed to mix the service together and we were entertained with a semi English- semi Greek Orthadox? service. Though a bit longer than usual it was made better by the fantastic festival of boats that had been set up in the church. The bride was beautiful and the whole service was very entertaining, we found out afterwards that there were some add ons put into the service by the family. Lots of back slapping and the bride's name got mistaken by the priest! oops!!
The reception was at a fantastic venue overlooking the sea and, the band and evening also had a Cypriot theme that kept everyone entertained. Lots of dancing and wine and food. I think everyone felt welcome and even though we had not met the bride and groom before they made us feel a part of the festivities. John, the cousin from the U.S. got a special gift of mushy peas and Branston pickle which was highly enjoyed by the rest of the table.
Sunday was another day of family entertainment. We all appeared to be in the same hotel and no one wanted to leave as we had not seen each other for some time. So we all went for a walk along the seaside and then met in a pub to continue over the rest of the afternoon till the U.S. contingent had to move to their next destination for a BBQ. We came back to the boat and met with a cpl of people Stan had joined the army with, we had a few beers and a lovely curry as required when you meet up with other army people.
Monday,after a clear out of the boat, Hannah and I went to the beach, while Stan had to go to Folkstone to buy a new inverter as we blew the last one. 240 plus 12 volt does not equal 252 it equals blow out!! Last night we had a boat moored next to us with a Canadian ensign , they were from Toronto and travel a different part of the world each summer for their holidays. We had a cpl of brews and a good chin wag and by morning they had gone. But it was great to hear the same accent again! After a few calls the decision was made to set sail for Poole. We shall be sailing to Eastbourne today, a 6 hour trip- hopefully better than the last one! other wise I shall be in bed all day! Then tonight we shall decide where to next. We are supposed to have 4 good days of weather and we can make Poole in that time.
It feels like we are in a different part of the world even though weare still in England but the difference in travelling and views make it different. It shall be interesting to see how it feels sailing into Poole harbour instead of travelling there by car.
Saturday arrived as quite a nice day and we caught the train to Folkstone for the wedding of Stan's cousin's daughter. As she was marrying into a Cypriot Greek family they had managed to mix the service together and we were entertained with a semi English- semi Greek Orthadox? service. Though a bit longer than usual it was made better by the fantastic festival of boats that had been set up in the church. The bride was beautiful and the whole service was very entertaining, we found out afterwards that there were some add ons put into the service by the family. Lots of back slapping and the bride's name got mistaken by the priest! oops!!
The reception was at a fantastic venue overlooking the sea and, the band and evening also had a Cypriot theme that kept everyone entertained. Lots of dancing and wine and food. I think everyone felt welcome and even though we had not met the bride and groom before they made us feel a part of the festivities. John, the cousin from the U.S. got a special gift of mushy peas and Branston pickle which was highly enjoyed by the rest of the table.
Sunday was another day of family entertainment. We all appeared to be in the same hotel and no one wanted to leave as we had not seen each other for some time. So we all went for a walk along the seaside and then met in a pub to continue over the rest of the afternoon till the U.S. contingent had to move to their next destination for a BBQ. We came back to the boat and met with a cpl of people Stan had joined the army with, we had a few beers and a lovely curry as required when you meet up with other army people.
Monday,after a clear out of the boat, Hannah and I went to the beach, while Stan had to go to Folkstone to buy a new inverter as we blew the last one. 240 plus 12 volt does not equal 252 it equals blow out!! Last night we had a boat moored next to us with a Canadian ensign , they were from Toronto and travel a different part of the world each summer for their holidays. We had a cpl of brews and a good chin wag and by morning they had gone. But it was great to hear the same accent again! After a few calls the decision was made to set sail for Poole. We shall be sailing to Eastbourne today, a 6 hour trip- hopefully better than the last one! other wise I shall be in bed all day! Then tonight we shall decide where to next. We are supposed to have 4 good days of weather and we can make Poole in that time.
It feels like we are in a different part of the world even though weare still in England but the difference in travelling and views make it different. It shall be interesting to see how it feels sailing into Poole harbour instead of travelling there by car.
Friday, July 22, 2011
July 22nd Day 7
Well we ended up staying in Ramsgate for another day as Molly had to be taken to the vet's, her funny turns ended up being hypertension and she had high blood pressure she was at 280 and should have been at 180. Which is why she was having fits. So we were lucky to have got her to the vet on time, I think. it cost £150 but I think it is money well spent to keep a beloved pet for much longer. We sailed this morning to Dover, a 2 hour trip which was very choppy! I hated it, it felt like I was on a roller coaster for 2 long hours and couldn't get off! All I could do was lay on the bed and pray for it to end! So I think I am only a sunny day sailor me thinks! But unfortunately we still have to get back. While in Ramsgate we were taken on a tour of the local area by a friend and then had some lunch, which made for a grand day. Dover is very large and has a lot here, though as we are going to a wedding in Folkstone tomorrow, I don't think we will see much of it!!
I have had contact from Holloway and arrangements are being made to start there in the new semester, though I think I may have to delay that a bit what with this operation I have to have and recovering from that. I have been reading about nursing in Britain during the period from 1900 to 1948 and it is a very complicated period with a lot happening and no cohesiveness to the nursing system. I shall also have to chase for further funding after the holiday as I am self funding and am struggling now with making fees and expenses. I have spoken to a few charities and a cpl look hopeful.
It is very difficult being a PhD student when you have not had a first and the bigger funding agencies won't look at you. I also feel that PhD students get a hard deal, we are sort of a afterthought to any funding and government proposals particularly. here has been no comment made on how funding for PhD students will be in the future, even though our fees will be going up as well. I know there are students who can afford a PhD but there are many of us other PhD students who are doing this because we want to teach and have a passion for research but have always just come up sort of a target, whatever reason that may be. It would be great tha if you have the motivation and determination to succeed that there is grants out there to access. Or maybe there is it is just made hard to access them. I know I am doing a PhD because I want to teach and I love to research. I also know that my career will help my family one day. It is also one of the only tools I have that help me deal with the many issues I have had over the last few years and are continuing in the present. If I couldn't do my research and studying, I don't think I would have got as far as I have in fighting how ill I have been. I can only hope things will work out some how.
I have had contact from Holloway and arrangements are being made to start there in the new semester, though I think I may have to delay that a bit what with this operation I have to have and recovering from that. I have been reading about nursing in Britain during the period from 1900 to 1948 and it is a very complicated period with a lot happening and no cohesiveness to the nursing system. I shall also have to chase for further funding after the holiday as I am self funding and am struggling now with making fees and expenses. I have spoken to a few charities and a cpl look hopeful.
It is very difficult being a PhD student when you have not had a first and the bigger funding agencies won't look at you. I also feel that PhD students get a hard deal, we are sort of a afterthought to any funding and government proposals particularly. here has been no comment made on how funding for PhD students will be in the future, even though our fees will be going up as well. I know there are students who can afford a PhD but there are many of us other PhD students who are doing this because we want to teach and have a passion for research but have always just come up sort of a target, whatever reason that may be. It would be great tha if you have the motivation and determination to succeed that there is grants out there to access. Or maybe there is it is just made hard to access them. I know I am doing a PhD because I want to teach and I love to research. I also know that my career will help my family one day. It is also one of the only tools I have that help me deal with the many issues I have had over the last few years and are continuing in the present. If I couldn't do my research and studying, I don't think I would have got as far as I have in fighting how ill I have been. I can only hope things will work out some how.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Wednesday, July 20th Day 5
Awoken at 4 am this morning after a 4 hour cat nap from the previous trip from Limehouse to Queensboro' that ended at 11;30. Started out well and the weather was terrific. Watching the sunrise after just watching the sunset is a bit strange but still beautiful. Sailing to Ramsgate, the sea became very choppy and needless to say- it is not an easy matter to make bacon sandwiches while being pitched form side to side! Managed to make them, have the cat steal the bacon, fight for it back and then decide I cant eat it after all as I am now feeling green!
Molly has had to go to the vet tonight for some tests and a check up- we are hoping our smallest crew mate shall be back tomorrow fighting fit and ready to start again. The vet asked if she always walked spread eagle and I had to explain how that is her sea legs! Ramsgate is a nice but strange place, but I think I will like to leave here sooner rather than later. We are hoping to make Dover on Friday weather going well and all. I am hoping that Molly will be ok as I really will be upset if she isn't as she has been with us for 18 years. Especially with everything else happening having Molly ill is making me struggle even harder at the moment.
Hannah is in Nintendo mode, which means that talking to her is like talking to a tree. No comment. Ah the joys of teenagers!! Stan bless him is very hyper and has been running all over the boat all excited about his trip to sea! He must have every map ingrained on his brain! as he checks and rechecks so many times and that was before we started the trip!! He has been checking weather reports on the hour in case it changes even when we are not leaving the marina!!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
July 19th Day 4
Today started sunny and bright and the decision has been made to set sail this afternoon. We shall sail from Limehouse at 4:30 arriving at Queensborough by 11 pm, then up again at 4 am to set sail for Ramsgate. Not looking forward to the early morning but the views will be great. Molly was very unwell last night and began to have funny turns, we thought at one point we would have to find an emergency vet service. But she finally settled down and had a good sleep. This morning fine and hardy and chasing for food as per usual cat like nature! Hannah and I decided to wash the boat down which meant I got soaked and an innocent faced child was stood there with a hose!! hmm not quite believing her saying I was not aiming at your head!! Stan has just tried going through the charts with her as I was listening on the side and I think chart work may not quite be her forte as she tried to keep up. But at least it gave a bit of frustrating father and daughter time. Frantically trying ot get everything ready before we set sail now and we still have to see how to drop and achor and how to catch a bouy in the dark!! Hmm think this shall be fun!!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Day 3 of our holiday
Well, today started well, weather wise, but the decision was made to stay at Limehouse marina for another day so that we could do some jobs on the boat before we set sail and meet with the American cousins again. We spent the afternoon around central London. Needless to say this was not the most enjoyable time. The company was good but the frantic pace of London was very difficult to deal with and needless to say I just wanted to be in my bed!! The weather held off till late afternoon and Stan and Hannah enjoyed themselves immensely entertaining everyone and showing them around London. You wouldn't have thought we had been living away for 15 years!!
Tomorrow we shall aim to go with the tide in the after noon where we shall sail to Queensborough and moor on a swinging mooring till 4 am the following morning then sail the last part to Dover marina, we hope to be there on Wednesday morning all things going well!
I feel I should say something of my research at this point as well. I have managed to gain a place at Royal Holloway and am hoping to start there for the new semester, all things going well! But first I must resolve my issues with the department at Brookes and then have an operation in September of which I shall get to luxuriate in bed for 8 weeks. Something I am not looking forward to. Mind you I shall have plenty of time to write this blog and read.So far though things have gone well this year with my research, though I have not done much archive work. Mostly I have done conferences 3 in the past 6 months and attended a course seeing some worthwhile archives in London. I have been doing plenty of reading on Nursing and have found that the study of the History of Nursing is very difficult!! There are few books written on nursing in the period I am writing on that are not textbooks for nursing. So trying to locate sources is interesting to say the least. Of course there is the Royal College of Nursing to go to but I am trying to understand the period from different points of view and finding that is the difficult bit. Though that is what this studying is for really!! I had my first request for information the other day which I was most impressed with as it means someone thinks I know what I am talking about!!
Tomorrow we shall aim to go with the tide in the after noon where we shall sail to Queensborough and moor on a swinging mooring till 4 am the following morning then sail the last part to Dover marina, we hope to be there on Wednesday morning all things going well!
I feel I should say something of my research at this point as well. I have managed to gain a place at Royal Holloway and am hoping to start there for the new semester, all things going well! But first I must resolve my issues with the department at Brookes and then have an operation in September of which I shall get to luxuriate in bed for 8 weeks. Something I am not looking forward to. Mind you I shall have plenty of time to write this blog and read.So far though things have gone well this year with my research, though I have not done much archive work. Mostly I have done conferences 3 in the past 6 months and attended a course seeing some worthwhile archives in London. I have been doing plenty of reading on Nursing and have found that the study of the History of Nursing is very difficult!! There are few books written on nursing in the period I am writing on that are not textbooks for nursing. So trying to locate sources is interesting to say the least. Of course there is the Royal College of Nursing to go to but I am trying to understand the period from different points of view and finding that is the difficult bit. Though that is what this studying is for really!! I had my first request for information the other day which I was most impressed with as it means someone thinks I know what I am talking about!!
Congress 2011 in Fredericton New Brunswick, Canada
Canada was eventful time. The week was terrific. To be able to talk to so many different people in the same subjects was great. Thug the more I study History of nursing it becomes more apparent that it is a very little studied topic in the way of a historical topic. What I mean that there were very few people I have met that have not been nurses in their previous life- so there is little of the history of nursing that has been studied because it is history but has been studied as topics of interest of previous nurses. The History of Medicine appears to be a bit further in the venture of gaining historians to study the History of Medicine but have a similar problem.
It would be great if there was some way to do the Humanities congress in Britain. It was terrific how the Canadian Humanities and Social science have come together to allow for all the associations and societies of these subject to be brought to one place to discuss further and current research in their fields; to see so many societies that are of these 2 subjects in one place, shows how big an impact the humanities has in society today. With the climate of change in Britain at present, this I think, would make a great forum and advertisement of what the Humanities and Social sciences have to offer.
In the presentations I attended there were some terrific papers on both the History of Medicine and the History of Nursing, most were of North American n, but there were a few presentations about Britain. There were also some presentation in conjunction with the Canadian Historical Association, which were themed on the difficulties of primary research and how it is archived and how easy or hard it is to access those archives.
Finallly posting again!!
17 July 2011
Well is been a long time since I last wrote on here and I am sure that if there were any people reading this they may have thought I have given up before even trying!!
Many things have happened and I shall try to no bore anyone trying to go through some of them!!
Currently though I am on the family boat Corisande sailing down the river Thames with Stan and Hannah and of course Molly the cat in our second trip out to sea. I hope to keep track of our 3 week holiday so that you can see what we have been up to.
Yesterday was day 1 and we arrived from rainy Dorset, to the mooring at Chertsey, with us three and Stan’s parents, who are in their late eighties and a very chilled out cat- having dosed her with some herbal anti anxiety remedies for a day. All the way up until we stopped the car, then it seemed the sky had pity for us as we suddenly were able to get all the things we needed to do done and have lunch outside before moving off to Teddington for the evening; our hope being to set sail early today for Limehouse Marina
Today, Day 2 arrived very early to catch the tide we had to be through Teddington by 4 am, as this meant that we could go down river with the tide, also we needed to be at Limehouse marina for 8 am as that was the window they allowed for on either side of the tide.
Once arrived at Limehouse, we went to sleep for a bit before making the journey across to Leytonstone where Stan’s parents live as they were have family to visit from the U.S. I had a terrific time meeting these new people and of course Stan’s cousin and her friend. After a small tea and cake session; Stan, Hannah and I came back to the boat just the 3 of us to begin our holiday properly. We hope that tomorrow the day will be ok and we shall be able to start on our next leg of our trip to Dover.
We hope to get there in the next 2 days or so and spend some time there as we have a wedding to go to on Saturday. After that we are still deciding whether to continue our journey to Poole or to return back to the Thames. Molly our ever adventurous cat has spent the day happily dozing all day- whether this was from the herbal remedies or from being lazy we are not sure but when we got back she was very keen to be fed a first for the past day as she would not get up at all.
Hannah was a very moody teenager the first day but we seem to have returned to normal today as she has been her ever cheerful self. The parents of course were as eventful as ever and we were glad, as I am sure they were, that they had returned home today. Though Stan’s mum looked like she enjoyed herself on the boat immensely! This boat is way too small for taking the parents on a trip down river!!
Monday, March 28, 2011
What a busy week!
Well, what a manic time so far! Last weekend we were in London at a concert for Stan, and watched his band play. Then we had to drive back to Blandford via Andover to take Hannah back to school and Salisbury for a hospital test. I reckon there should be some way to limit the amount of things that can stress you out at any one time!.
I am currently waiting to hear about a operation to repair a defect in my stomach that I have had for 7 years and had the privilege of having a Nerve Conduction Test! As I have been losing feeling in my leg for a while now and they have only just discussed the idea that scar tissue may be the cause! Anyway,this is a very strange experience were they stick small needles in your extremities and you can watch them move without you being in control. I came out of it feeling like I had gone for a run, but did not get to enjoy the rush afterwards!!
This week I also had to go to Royal Holloway University to see man about a van!! Actually it was to discuss research opportunities, which went quite well, I thought. Though if people were made to have an easy life, I am sure that I got lost on that road or was never given the map! Because so far everything I have tried to achieve, in my life and studies, always seems to be done in a very long winded way. Since starting on this journey to have an academic career, it has not been easy. I spent the first 2/3 of my BA in a hospital bed and spent my MA trying to catch up, especially as I had done my first degree in a department that had no experience in my research field that I decided on.
So for my PhD, I decided to divert my ideas yet again, staying in the same field making it more interdisciplinary. It was then I found that yet again, the University I chose is not as integrated as I first thought. So, I may be on the move; I just have to choose more carefully this time! It would be great if there was an easier way to understand the many ways you have to make decisions and how they affect every part of your career just by what university you do you first degree at. I f I had known then at the beginning what I was going to choose for my dissertation and was able to choose my university because of that, I think I would have been having a whole easier time now.
But that is not the way things go! The plus side is that you become great at networking and having the confidence to talk to many of your peers you may not have done before.
This week I am presenting a paper in Glasgow at a History of Nursing conference. Yet again I am very nervous, as these people definitely know more than me on the subject of nursing. I am hoping that being invited means that they think I might know what I am talking about! Because sometimes I feel that I do not know what I am talking about. You spend so much of your time in your own head trying to resolve the research you have found that it is only when you speak to other people in your field of research that you see whether you have cottoned onto it properly. Having a topic that is interdisciplinary means that you have to do this on as many levels as fields you are working with. It is not surprising when you miss things.I picked up a book this week that discussed many minority groups that came out of Europe in the period I am looking at and there are a couple of large ones I had not considered!
If anyone knows where I can find information on Irish refugees who nursed please comment!!
I think I have now managed to distract myself from writing this presentation enough now so TTFN!!
I am currently waiting to hear about a operation to repair a defect in my stomach that I have had for 7 years and had the privilege of having a Nerve Conduction Test! As I have been losing feeling in my leg for a while now and they have only just discussed the idea that scar tissue may be the cause! Anyway,this is a very strange experience were they stick small needles in your extremities and you can watch them move without you being in control. I came out of it feeling like I had gone for a run, but did not get to enjoy the rush afterwards!!
This week I also had to go to Royal Holloway University to see man about a van!! Actually it was to discuss research opportunities, which went quite well, I thought. Though if people were made to have an easy life, I am sure that I got lost on that road or was never given the map! Because so far everything I have tried to achieve, in my life and studies, always seems to be done in a very long winded way. Since starting on this journey to have an academic career, it has not been easy. I spent the first 2/3 of my BA in a hospital bed and spent my MA trying to catch up, especially as I had done my first degree in a department that had no experience in my research field that I decided on.
So for my PhD, I decided to divert my ideas yet again, staying in the same field making it more interdisciplinary. It was then I found that yet again, the University I chose is not as integrated as I first thought. So, I may be on the move; I just have to choose more carefully this time! It would be great if there was an easier way to understand the many ways you have to make decisions and how they affect every part of your career just by what university you do you first degree at. I f I had known then at the beginning what I was going to choose for my dissertation and was able to choose my university because of that, I think I would have been having a whole easier time now.
But that is not the way things go! The plus side is that you become great at networking and having the confidence to talk to many of your peers you may not have done before.
This week I am presenting a paper in Glasgow at a History of Nursing conference. Yet again I am very nervous, as these people definitely know more than me on the subject of nursing. I am hoping that being invited means that they think I might know what I am talking about! Because sometimes I feel that I do not know what I am talking about. You spend so much of your time in your own head trying to resolve the research you have found that it is only when you speak to other people in your field of research that you see whether you have cottoned onto it properly. Having a topic that is interdisciplinary means that you have to do this on as many levels as fields you are working with. It is not surprising when you miss things.I picked up a book this week that discussed many minority groups that came out of Europe in the period I am looking at and there are a couple of large ones I had not considered!
If anyone knows where I can find information on Irish refugees who nursed please comment!!
I think I have now managed to distract myself from writing this presentation enough now so TTFN!!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
My First Post!!
Hi All, as the title says this is my first post and I hope not the last!! I though I would start with a few things about myself. I am a very busy mum and wife, who works and is crazy enough to do a PhD on the side. I want to be able to share my experiences and thoughts with the world and hope that I can take some people on my travels through my crazy life! I am originally from Canada and have lived in the U.K. for 18 years now. I came here as a young and naive 19year old (the people who can count keep the age to yourselves!!) Some could say they have been long years, but I fell that I have had a great time and many opportunities that I might not have had back home. My husband is fantastic and supports me in all that I do and as a family unit we are always there for each other. All three of us! Not only am I Canadian, but also I am a army wife as well, my husband is a musician with the Corps of Army music and is a terrific Bassoon player in my opinion!!
I live away from my family for half the week while I study and work at Brookes and it can be very hard. It is not fun being away from home and family but I am aiming to achieve great things and I feel this is my opportunity to do something that will be good for me and my family in the long run. Many things have happened in my life and I may even post a bit of it on here, but I know that I have had a good life and hope for many things for the future.
I have set this blog up so that I can write, not only of my PhD experience, but my project , what it is like to be a "mature" student and my life. All practice makes perfect right? Hopefully it will be interesting to some people who will follow me on my journey and discuss it with me.
That's all for now folks!!
I live away from my family for half the week while I study and work at Brookes and it can be very hard. It is not fun being away from home and family but I am aiming to achieve great things and I feel this is my opportunity to do something that will be good for me and my family in the long run. Many things have happened in my life and I may even post a bit of it on here, but I know that I have had a good life and hope for many things for the future.
I have set this blog up so that I can write, not only of my PhD experience, but my project , what it is like to be a "mature" student and my life. All practice makes perfect right? Hopefully it will be interesting to some people who will follow me on my journey and discuss it with me.
That's all for now folks!!
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