I didn't do much work at all during the vac, so I was in for a rude surprise when I saw what needs to be done by the end of the month. There is a fair whack, but on the other hand, I think I needed the uninterrupted time to rest and recover from last term's shenanigans. Anyway, it's shoulder to the wheel again and I've realised by now that in even the most pressured situations when you have a million deadlines, if you keep your head and work through things systematically, you will invariably come out fine on the other side. So I'm not really phased about being busy over the next while. As long as I work consistently.
I have had an interesting few days. Firstly, I went off to Southbroom with some mates: Harpur, Shonk, Tarryn, Crowder and Siobhaun. Siobhaun and I drove down on the Monday - the others had been there for a few days already. Lots of fun - I love the South Coast of Natal. Maybe its because we always went down there on holiday as kids? Anyway, that was a goodie. Spent the rest of the (very short) vac chilling with Keith and Dale and just knocking about in general.
I got some sort of viral infection which sucks since I can't cycle (or do any exercise) for +/- two months. I have been walking though - keeping the HR low but at least getting the muscles to work a bit. So Tour Durban is out. I'm bleak about this since it might have been a good ride for me. Well, I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles.
On Monday we (Keith, Angie, Shonk, Tarry, Siobhaun and I) had coffee (I think I may have had tea though) at a place in Kloof called Vanille. Interesting spot. Fairly pleasant, but a bit girly to be honest. I did however, get to experience the joys of dippy eggs and Marmite soldiers - the reason for them being called soldiers is that the pieces of toast are cut straight up and down giving them the appearance of soldiers who are standing at attention. This fact seems to have been lost on whoever was making the soldiers since what was presented to me was less ranks of soldiers standing smartly at attention and more a bloody mess of torn and ripped soldier bits - possibly after having driven over a landmine in their little A.P.C. (Armoured Personnel Carrier - for the less militarily inclined among you). The runny egg yolk only heightened the perception of carnage. Perhaps it was some sort of sick joke on the part of the chef? I plan to go back and ask some time. Also, there was no Marmite. Damn it!
What else? Oh ja, watched a great documentary about a police unit in Brazil known as B.O.P.E. Not for the faint of heart, but the environment in which they work undoubtedly calls for some of the tactics used. They are quite literally at war with the drug dealers and criminals in the slums of Rio. Well worth a watch.
I also managed to see the Zhen Hua No. 23 berth in Durban Harbour on Monday morning (I think). Apparently, she is the biggest ship to have come into the harbour and she was carrying a cargo of cranes that will be use to speed up the rail transfer times (as far as I was told). What amazed me is the way that the cranes are secured to her foredeck! One can only imagine how she handles in heavy seas. I suppose she must have enormous ballast tanks. She left yesterday - the tugs towed her quite far out too, probably to a point in line with West Street or whatever it's now called.
Quite amazing to see.
I think that's all for now. Photos to follow.
P.S. My Camera is broken, so they may take a while.
