Green Turtles

Wow, how privileged to see them up close and in their own habitat. What a struggle they have to get back down the beach to the sea !

Got some great photos on my decent camera but cant upload them quite yet.

Well worth getting up at 6am. Only about 4 people down there too on the huge beach so quite nice, unspoilt and a real privilege :-)

At the end of the day, you're only here once so it's something not to miss !

Turtles

Bugger it was way too dark :-(

I haven't a torch and really you are not allowed to use a torch anyway.

Plan B ...... Get up at sunrise and go down the beach to see them.

Next question..... When is sunrise ?

Sundae :-)

Ice cream sundae and a pint if strongbow on ice on it's way !!!

Turtle Beach

Nice fish supper, now a walk down to long beach to see the turtles nesting :-)

Wicked :-) !!

Will post photos when I can properly from my laptop. Only on iPhone at moment.

Photos

See facebook for photos until I work out how to get them on the blog using just my iPhone ! Lol

Personal Email : gilestkeen@hotmail.com
Blog : http://gilesinsthelena.blogspot.com
Work Email : giles.keen@theaccessgroup.com

Ascension Island

Hi Peeps,

Well I'm glad I didn't have I spend more than 1 night on the ascension
Island !! There is nothing here (and that's not an understatement !!)

About 20 buildings in total dotted about, never seen anywhere quite like it !

Have walked all the way down long beach and back where the turtles nest. Going to go see the turtles tonight.

It is about 25 degrees here today ! Phew it's hot !!

Dinner is at 7pm, so 7hrs to kill :-( might have a kip as been up 32 hrs solid now as couldn't sleep on the plane :-(

Got Internet access for 24hrs tho :-)

Personal Email : gilestkeen@hotmail.com
Blog : http://gilesinsthelena.blogspot.com
Work Email : giles.keen@theaccessgroup.com

RAF Brize Norton

It's actually quite civilised !

It's just like Southampton airport, just a little smaller ! It's got a tv and everything ! Just about to watch manu in the champions league !

Tucking into a sandwich and packet of crisps as not sure what will be served up on the plane (if anything).

Just 3.5 hours to wait now !!

Personal Email : gilestkeen@hotmail.com
Blog : http://gilesinsthelena.blogspot.com
Work Email : giles.keen@theaccessgroup.com

Packing !

Soooooo.... The trick is surely to leave out some clothes to wear ?

Some socks would be handy !!! Doh !!

5 mins to open the case and get some.

Also 6kg over my allowance ! Should prove interesting at the airport. Going to give some sob story and see if I can get away without paying :-)

10 mins till the taxi arrives and dashing around like a mad thing !!!!

Personal Email : gilestkeen@hotmail.com
Blog : http://gilesinsthelena.blogspot.com
Work Email : giles.keen@theaccessgroup.com

Update.....

Hi

Well, the boiler is all fixed :-) no more dripping while I am away which is one less thing to worry about.

The Boat left Cape Town on Friday in the end and I have been told should be able to make up time which means I wont get delayed on Ascension Island and the Project can then get off to a flying start rather than constantly playing catch-up !

All the travel documents arrived today too :-) So all thats left is to prepare for the work I have to do out there, say goodbye to my car tomorrow as I have to take it up to Harpenden office to drop it off (I get a new car when I get back) :-)

I think the transfer is booked for Wednesday, received confirmation but wrong address and not a very well structured email ! We shall see :-) 5pm pickup.

Need to be at Brize Norton 3 half hours before departure due to swine flu tests etc.... If I fail them then I wont be able to fly ! I also need to call them 24 hours before to make sure they are still flying !!

Will try and get a photo of the RAF plane, although may get shot taking it if its not allowed !

Cant find my camera battery charger :-( not happy as may not be able to take my DSLR with me :-( Will have to have another hunt today.

Right.....whats for lunch :-)

New Blog Address

Hi All,

You dont need to log in anymore etc....

Just go to http://gilesinsthelena.blogspot.com

Simples :-)

Giles

Drip Drip Drip

So, how does my boiler know I am going away for 3 months, and start crying ?

Typical, filled a whole bucket with water overnight :-( Plumber called and sorting it out this afternoon hopefully, fingers crossed.

On top of that, the RMS St Helena has only just left Cape Town today on route to St Helena. It should have left on Wednesday and only left today (Sunday) therefore its 4 days late. That means I will be stuck on the Ascension Island for 5 days rather than just the 1 and delays the whole project and my arrival on the island.

Not much I can do about it, just one of those things.

Just filling my iPad with movies and programmes to watch. Just downloading Glee Series 1 (not sure why but it was recommended by someone - You know who you are !!) and Mistresses (Series 1 & 2). Plus some classic movies, Anchorman, Jaws, War Games etc.... lol

What books should I download to read while I am away ?

Welcome to my Blog

Hi All,

I am going to try and write a blog of my experiences and adventures whilst over in St Helena.

I am going for 3 months from late Feb until early May.

The travelling out to the island involves an RAF transport plane from RAF Brieze Norton to the Ascension Island which is a military base. The a few days on the Ascension Island waiting for the boat (RMS St Helena) and the 4 day crossing over to St Helena itself.

I have just received a phone call from a colleague and friend who has heard that due to rough weather, the RMS St Helena is delayed and has not yet left Cape Town. This is going to have a knock on effect and may cause me to be stuck on the Ascension Island for more days than planned. Apparently its just how things go, the weather has a big impact on things.

As long as the crossing is calm from Ascension to St Helena, that's all I can hope for :-)

I have been on some short ferry crossings before, but never on a voyage taking more than 6 or 7 hours. Should be interesting ! I have my travel sickness tablets packed :-)

Hope you can follow my blog whilst I am away. I will try and keep it up to date and post photos etc.... where possible for you all to see.