The pictures sho ladies doing a 'screen test' in the studios. there is also a display case in the reception area that shows items salvaged from the studio after a major fire a few years previously.
Saturday, 30 January 2010
On this day - Tuesday 30th January 2007
Tuesday 30th January 2007 – We were collected by the van from SAT-7 in Cairo, Egypt and taken to the office which is only a few kilometres from the guest house. Fauod Farid is a pleasant man who was keen to explain his role in the organisation. He is an Egyptian who had spent much of his life in Canada, returning to assist Terry Ascott with running the Cyprus operation in the late 1990’s.
The pictures sho ladies doing a 'screen test' in the studios. there is also a display case in the reception area that shows items salvaged from the studio after a major fire a few years previously.
The pictures sho ladies doing a 'screen test' in the studios. there is also a display case in the reception area that shows items salvaged from the studio after a major fire a few years previously.
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Been woken from sleep by hippopotamuses - 12th June 2002, Wednesday
12th June 2002, Wednesday
Place: South Luangwa game reserve, Zambia. We took a few days whilst in Africa to go to a game park. We stayed in a great lodge with fantastic lodges. Our bedroom opened out onto the huge expanse of a wide river. Wildlife was EVERYWHERE.
Diary extract:
We woke up to the sounds of the hippos calling to each other over the river. I really needed a shower as there was no water (for a change!) the last night. However… no electricity hence no pump hence no water. The accommodation manager had two flasks delivered though, one hot and one cold, which enabled me to freshen up. Jane woke and asked “what can you see?” and I replied “oh, just the usual, baboons, hippo, impala etc”.
The indian ladies who were fellow guests arrived back from their early morning drive at about 11.00 and we enjoyed a brunch. Around three we left for the afternoon drive, enjoying our G & T “sundowner” overseen by a couple of lazy looking crocodiles. The drive was not so eventful as the previous evening and it was a fair bit colder – fortunately we had taken an extra blanket. This evening we saw buffalo, warthogs, more giraffes.
Place: South Luangwa game reserve, Zambia. We took a few days whilst in Africa to go to a game park. We stayed in a great lodge with fantastic lodges. Our bedroom opened out onto the huge expanse of a wide river. Wildlife was EVERYWHERE.
Diary extract:
We woke up to the sounds of the hippos calling to each other over the river. I really needed a shower as there was no water (for a change!) the last night. However… no electricity hence no pump hence no water. The accommodation manager had two flasks delivered though, one hot and one cold, which enabled me to freshen up. Jane woke and asked “what can you see?” and I replied “oh, just the usual, baboons, hippo, impala etc”.
The indian ladies who were fellow guests arrived back from their early morning drive at about 11.00 and we enjoyed a brunch. Around three we left for the afternoon drive, enjoying our G & T “sundowner” overseen by a couple of lazy looking crocodiles. The drive was not so eventful as the previous evening and it was a fair bit colder – fortunately we had taken an extra blanket. This evening we saw buffalo, warthogs, more giraffes.
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Stood on a footbridge over Victoria Falls 24th July 2002
Today we are going off to Africa. It's 24th July 2002 and I am visiting Victoria Falls in the country of Zambia. This waterfall is the most amazing spectacle - made all the more special because you feel you are a LOOOONG way from home.
This is what I wrote in my Diary:
"To Victoria Falls for 9.30 am, by the same taxi driven by a guy called Manuel. 40,000 Kwacha (Zambian currency) to get in but well worth it as the falls are very impressive.
I was able to watch through the day and see beautiful rainbows forming and moving in the mist as the sun moved around in the sky.
As the day wore on I just stayed and enjoyed the spectacle. I walked down to “The boiling Pot” which is at the bottom of the second chasm back. I met a British guy who was trying to break in to Travel Photography – he explained that he was staying into the evening to try to catch the Lunar Rainbows. I had noticed that the moon was rather full on the previous night but my visit coincided with the actual full moon purely by coincidence.
By the time I called Manuel he had assumed I had found my own way back… never expecting me to stay as late as 19.30.
Chicken and chips for my meal in the evening (!) – I was really hungry as I had only taken a snack for lunch.
To bed early – yet another early start the following day."
This is what I wrote in my Diary:
"To Victoria Falls for 9.30 am, by the same taxi driven by a guy called Manuel. 40,000 Kwacha (Zambian currency) to get in but well worth it as the falls are very impressive.
I was able to watch through the day and see beautiful rainbows forming and moving in the mist as the sun moved around in the sky.
As the day wore on I just stayed and enjoyed the spectacle. I walked down to “The boiling Pot” which is at the bottom of the second chasm back. I met a British guy who was trying to break in to Travel Photography – he explained that he was staying into the evening to try to catch the Lunar Rainbows. I had noticed that the moon was rather full on the previous night but my visit coincided with the actual full moon purely by coincidence.
By the time I called Manuel he had assumed I had found my own way back… never expecting me to stay as late as 19.30.
Chicken and chips for my meal in the evening (!) – I was really hungry as I had only taken a snack for lunch.
To bed early – yet another early start the following day."
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Visited Mazār-e Sharīf in northern Afghanistan and seen the pigeons who represented the souls of the dead
When we visited Afghanistan we went to the north of the country to a town called Mazār-e Sharīf on 5th September 2004. There is a Mosque called the 'Blue Mosque' and outside there are lots of pigeons who are believed to represent the souls of the dead.
We were told that one of the western aid worker once hit one with his car- there was a serious negative reaction from the locals.
We were told that one of the western aid worker once hit one with his car- there was a serious negative reaction from the locals.
Over the road from the Mosque was a carpet shop. I snapped this carpet that seemed to have an interesting theme. What do you think?!
Monday, 18 January 2010
Time to come home!
It was soon time to leave Norway. As you can see it was still very cold - but there were a couple who used the onboard outdoor jacuzzi. (I didn't intrude by photographing them... although I noticed she wore a wolly hat!
There was some stunning scenery on the way home. By the way - how is it that even in the extreme north they can keep an airport open but in the UK the first bit of snow shuts everything down?
There was some stunning scenery on the way home. By the way - how is it that even in the extreme north they can keep an airport open but in the UK the first bit of snow shuts everything down?
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Sunday 11th January - Captains Bridge
On Sunday I was able to take alook at the actual 'Bridge' of the ship that we were on - the MS Richard With.
It is a very modern vessel with lots of sophisticated electronic aids. The panoramic view from up there is AMAZING. The room is kept dark to allow the seamen to see any potential hazards at night.
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Saturday 9th January - beyond the Arctic Circle
We had passed through the arctic circle early in the morning. There is a globe onshore marking the spot but no pictures because it was too dark. We passed under a graceful bridge linking some of the many islands.
In the evening we had a change to have a dog sled run. We travelled out to th dog farm and had a chance to see the dogs. We got all dressed up in waterproof suits then clambered onboard - there was a driver or 'musher' behind. At the end we all got to sit around a lovely fire to warm up.
In the evening we had a change to have a dog sled run. We travelled out to th dog farm and had a chance to see the dogs. We got all dressed up in waterproof suits then clambered onboard - there was a driver or 'musher' behind. At the end we all got to sit around a lovely fire to warm up.
Friday, 15 January 2010
Friday, 8th January 2010 - Ålesund
A reminder of how this is working...
I am working one week behind-times. We were on holiday last week so what I am writing about happened one week ago.
In the night of 23 January 1904, the town was the scene of the "Ålesund Fire", one of the most terrible of the many conflagrations to which Norwegian towns, once built largely of wood, have been subjected. Practically the entire town was destroyed during the night, a gale aiding the flames, and the population had to leave the town in the middle of the night with only a few minutes' notice. Only one person died in the fire, the 76-year old Ane Heen, but more than 10,000 people were left without shelter. In January, in Norway!
The town was re-built in an 'Art Noveau' style and on this day we were able to take a guided tour around; It was very cold!
I am working one week behind-times. We were on holiday last week so what I am writing about happened one week ago.
In the night of 23 January 1904, the town was the scene of the "Ålesund Fire", one of the most terrible of the many conflagrations to which Norwegian towns, once built largely of wood, have been subjected. Practically the entire town was destroyed during the night, a gale aiding the flames, and the population had to leave the town in the middle of the night with only a few minutes' notice. Only one person died in the fire, the 76-year old Ane Heen, but more than 10,000 people were left without shelter. In January, in Norway!
The town was re-built in an 'Art Noveau' style and on this day we were able to take a guided tour around; It was very cold!
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Sailing up the coast of Norway
I must admit to laughing at the sign in our onboard 'facility'! The button is the toilet flush...
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
6th January 2010
Hi - we got back from our week holiday.
What I am going to do is blog a week 'in arears' so I can share what we got up to exactly a week ago.
We travelled from Aberdeen in the morning of 6th January. We had a look around Bergen... it was too cold to enjoy sightseeing though, to be honest.
The first night our ship, the MS Richard With, was in port. We ate a buffet meal onboard and settled into our comfortable cabin.
What I am going to do is blog a week 'in arears' so I can share what we got up to exactly a week ago.
We travelled from Aberdeen in the morning of 6th January. We had a look around Bergen... it was too cold to enjoy sightseeing though, to be honest.
The first night our ship, the MS Richard With, was in port. We ate a buffet meal onboard and settled into our comfortable cabin.
Back from holiday
A short pause since my last post as I was on holiday... taking a cruise into the darkness of northern Norway.
I will post about this shortly!
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Visited a bomb shelter in northern Afghanistan...
Sunday 5th September 2004
Up in good time to call in at the office of the “Community Development Program” then off on an hour or so drive towards the mountains. It was hard to work out how to tell where the road was but our Driver, Dave, was reassuringly relaxed.
Pulling up into a small village Jane was immediately whisked away to be with the women – I never saw a woman in the whole morning we were there. The purpose of the visit was to discuss what assistance was required by the village. Half way through the morning we stepped outside to watch a man from the village rescue a sheep that had fallen into a 10 metre deep well.
The well was wide but there was no way I would have gone down there. Sheep successfully rescued we walked up through the village and viewed the systems of wells. These are fed by an ancient tunnel down through the hill – a sort of underground canal.
Moving on and higher we saw the caves which had been built to shelter the villagers from Russian bombing in the recent past. It was at this point I realised that I was doing what you were NOT supposed to do, walking around off the beaten track. I tried not to think how stupid I would feel if a lost a leg to an explosion.
We were offered some lunch – Okra and Nan bread with water melon. I declined the Okra and enjoyed the Nan – later I was told that the safer option would have been vice-versa.
I was delighted that Jane, whilst very tired and hot, seemed to have enjoyed the experience. On the way back we saw a camel and some ordinance lying at the side of the road.
The afternoon consisted of shopping for a carpet – probably the prices were too high but Jane settled for a wall hanging in the end.
We moved on to a marriage hall for our evening meal which was in the grounds – lit by hundreds of Las Vegas style lights.
We were all amazed to see the hotels stretch limo turn up!
Hit by the runs in the night – far from ideal as we had to rise at 4.30 for our flight back to Kabul.
Monday, 4 January 2010
Handled one of the real 'enigma' code breaking machines
I have handled one of the real 'enigma' code breaking machines.
Many years ago I was a Trainee Radio Technician at GCHQ. GCHQ is one of the three UK Intelligence Agencies and a part of the UK's National Intelligence Machinery. GCHQ works in partnership with the Security Service (also known as MI5) and the Secret Intelligence Service (also known as MI6) to protect the UK's national security interests.
As part of my training we did a brief course on codes and cyphers. We were shown one of the ORIGINAL "Enigma" code machines. An original machine is very rare.
An Enigma machine is any of a family of related electro-mechanical rotor machines used for the encryption and decryption of secret messages. The first Enigma was invented by German engineer Arthur Scherbius at the end of World War I.[1] This model and its variants were used commercially from the early 1920s, and adopted by military and government services of several countries—most notably by Nazi Germany before and during World War II.[2] A range of Enigma models were produced, but the German military model, the Wehrmacht Enigma, is the version most commonly discussed.
The machine has become well-known because, during World War II, Polish and British codebreakers were able to decrypt a vast number of messages which had been enciphered using the Enigma. The intelligence gleaned from this source, codenamed ULTRA by the British, was a substantial aid to the Allied war effort. The exact influence of ULTRA on the course of the war is debated; an oft-repeated assessment is that decryption of German ciphers hastened the end of the European war by two years.[3][4][5]
Though the Enigma cipher had cryptographic weaknesses, in practice it was only in combination with other factors (procedural flaws, operator mistakes, occasional captured hardware and key tables, etc.) that those weaknesses allowed Allied cryptographers to cryptanalyze so many messages.[6]
Many years ago I was a Trainee Radio Technician at GCHQ. GCHQ is one of the three UK Intelligence Agencies and a part of the UK's National Intelligence Machinery. GCHQ works in partnership with the Security Service (also known as MI5) and the Secret Intelligence Service (also known as MI6) to protect the UK's national security interests.
As part of my training we did a brief course on codes and cyphers. We were shown one of the ORIGINAL "Enigma" code machines. An original machine is very rare.
An Enigma machine is any of a family of related electro-mechanical rotor machines used for the encryption and decryption of secret messages. The first Enigma was invented by German engineer Arthur Scherbius at the end of World War I.[1] This model and its variants were used commercially from the early 1920s, and adopted by military and government services of several countries—most notably by Nazi Germany before and during World War II.[2] A range of Enigma models were produced, but the German military model, the Wehrmacht Enigma, is the version most commonly discussed.
The machine has become well-known because, during World War II, Polish and British codebreakers were able to decrypt a vast number of messages which had been enciphered using the Enigma. The intelligence gleaned from this source, codenamed ULTRA by the British, was a substantial aid to the Allied war effort. The exact influence of ULTRA on the course of the war is debated; an oft-repeated assessment is that decryption of German ciphers hastened the end of the European war by two years.[3][4][5]
Though the Enigma cipher had cryptographic weaknesses, in practice it was only in combination with other factors (procedural flaws, operator mistakes, occasional captured hardware and key tables, etc.) that those weaknesses allowed Allied cryptographers to cryptanalyze so many messages.[6]
Sunday, 3 January 2010
I stood on top of the Empire State Building in New York, USA
13th February 2005 saw us take an evening trip up the Empire State Building. It was very cold but we enjoyed our visit... we saw a string of aircraft lining up to land at a local airport in the crystal clear air.
Saturday, 2 January 2010
I have stood on top of the tallest building in the southern hemisphere
I have stood on top of the tallest building in the southern hemisphere.
We visited friends who live in New Zealand and on 2nd January 2001 we went up the "Sky Tower".
The Sky Tower is an observation and telecommunications tower located on the corner of Victoria and Federal Streets in the Auckland CBD, Auckland City, New Zealand. It is 328 metres (1,076 ft) tall, as measured from ground level to the top of the mast,[4] making it the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, and the 13th tallest member of the World Federation of Great Towers. Due to its shape and height, especially when compared to the next tallest buildings, it has become an iconic structure in Auckland's skyline.
Try this in your browser: skycityauckland Sky-Tower-Demonstration.html
We visited friends who live in New Zealand and on 2nd January 2001 we went up the "Sky Tower".
The Sky Tower is an observation and telecommunications tower located on the corner of Victoria and Federal Streets in the Auckland CBD, Auckland City, New Zealand. It is 328 metres (1,076 ft) tall, as measured from ground level to the top of the mast,[4] making it the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, and the 13th tallest member of the World Federation of Great Towers. Due to its shape and height, especially when compared to the next tallest buildings, it has become an iconic structure in Auckland's skyline.
Try this in your browser: skycityauckland Sky-Tower-Demonstration.html
Friday, 1 January 2010
I have
...watched on TV whilst a man walked on the moon
It was July 21, 1969. My mum woke me up and I watched on a little black and white TV as a grainy image appeared of a man walking on the moon. This is one of my earliest memories.
It was July 21, 1969. My mum woke me up and I watched on a little black and white TV as a grainy image appeared of a man walking on the moon. This is one of my earliest memories.
I have...
It looks like 2010 will be a bit of a challenge (!)
So I thought it would be good to look back at some of the cool things I have done in my life up to this point. I made a little list of things that I have done and will post one here every now and again. Several items can be illustrated with photos that I took at the time.
I hope 2010 is a good year for you.
Steve W
So I thought it would be good to look back at some of the cool things I have done in my life up to this point. I made a little list of things that I have done and will post one here every now and again. Several items can be illustrated with photos that I took at the time.
I hope 2010 is a good year for you.
Steve W
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Steve
Steve