Nine months, it was a good run

Just thought I'd give you a quick update on the work scenario. Sheryl and I were both offered the a one month role working for the Core Addictions Unit of the NHS (National Health Service) in the Boscombe area of Bournemouth.

I've decided to take them up on that which has meant early starts and use of the public transport system to get me there. Sheryl's hopeful she'll get offered a customer service role with an insurance firm tomorrow, which would be great 'cos the pay with them is pretty good.

I'm into my fourth day and I can tell it's going to be a long four weeks. The work isn't overly stressful but they do want me sort through what looks like years of neglet of any sort of filing work.

There'll be use of a shredding device at some stage, which is really going to be a highlight. But before I shred those deceased patient's files, I'd better make sure they really have kicked the bucket by putting my training to use. I was given a good twenty minutes practice on the NHS's very own prehistoric computer system - PEAK. This baby's DOS based but without the use of functionality keys, arrows, tab keys etc. And they wonder why the health service has gone to poo in this country!

The pay's decent for the work I'm doing and better than what our employment consultant said we'd get temping in Bournemouth.

I can't say Boscombe is a great area - waiting for the bus every day after work you can take your pick of drunks, loiterers and generally dodgy looking folk in the bus station. I'd go as far to say it's the most 'Chavy' area of Dorset I've seen! For those of you who don't know what a Chav is - think British tracksuit wearing white trash.

Still, it's good to be earning some sweet sweet stirling at last to put towards near future expeditions. Watch this space!

Bournemouth Birthday Bash!

Had my 25th birthday bash last weekend in Bournemouth. Headed into the Moon in the Square pub in the town centre first for some cheaper drinks, and then onto the usual alotment of pubs and clubs. Ended up the night in a vodka bar drinking none other than 42 Below Manuka Honey - yum!

Had a family do the next day although I was a) a bit hung over and b) pretty tired after two early morning phone calls from New Zealand.

Girls Night Out

Well, I am not as much of a blog-wizz as Dale, but I thought it was time for me to add a little something. A few weeks ago I went out for a bit of a girls night with Dale's cousin Jennie and her friend Sabrina. We had a few drinks before heading out to the Brass House, Censo and Elements (quickly becoming some of our regular spots for Bournemouth night-life). A good chance to wear my new outfit from the girls back in NZ!


(Sabrina, Jennie & I at the Brass House)


(The DJ with Sabrina & I, and Jennie with a sweet looking random)


(Ahh the plastic shot glasses, classy!)


(Score, free chupa chups from the DJ again.... and didn't we enjoy them!)

Winter update

Well I say a winter update but really we're not so far off spring, at least not if global warming carries on as it has been doing. The winter weather has been reasonable on the south coast these past few weeks. We've substituted the rain for a drop in temperatures. A reasonable trade.

Since our few days in London we've been on the hunt for work. We both signed up with Hays, a recruitment agency, but having now waited nearly a fortnight we're very close to trying with someone else. We're after some run of the mill office/admin temping work for about three months, as Sheryl's friend Anna is in the UK through the summer so we'll take some time to travel and hang out with her.

Possible countries on our next expedition include Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany (again), Czech.Republic and maybe Austria and Hungary. But it will all depend on how much we can earn between now and the summer time.

Last week I went to Southampton, about half an hour away by car, with a guy from my 5-a-side football team to watch Sheffield Wednesday in action. We didn't play very well and lost 2-1 but the atmosphere amongst the away fans was great.

We've tried not to let the cold weather keep us stuck inside all day, and the reserve right across the road is a good reason for us to stretch our legs most days. There's some nice walks through the wood and a couple of streams and plenty of wildlife - squirrels mainly (their scattyness is quite entertaining) but I'm sure I saw a rat yesterday! Well maybe people should stop dumping rubbish over there...

It's my birthday this weekend and with my cousin and her hubby coming down from Glasgow for a few days it'd be rude not to see what Bournemouth has on offer. Bring it on!

Anyway, some photos...

(From the St Marys Stadium in Southampton...to the Kinson reserve across the road)


(More nature shots...and check out the flying squirrel!)


(More nature serenity)


(The venue, or should I say The cage, for my Thursday night 5-a-side)