This was a big wedding even by Sri Lankan standards.
Some 480 guest met to celebrate the nuptials of Pavithi Weerasinghe with Udara Rajanayake, both physics graduates from the University of Peradeniya. [Read more…] about Sri Lankan Wedding
travel
Glastonbury 2014 Ramblings
My wife Lyn and I worked at Glastonbury for a charity called Festival Medical Services (FMS). I worked as a driver and Lyn a first aider.
FMS are responsible for providing medical services ranging from first-aid and paramedic to surgery and psychiatry. [Read more…] about Glastonbury 2014 Ramblings
Self-Employment In Sri Lanka
While in Sri Lanka, quite by chance we came across a party of ex-pats calling themselves the ‘Discovery’ group. They meet once a month and go off to explore a hidden part of Sri Lanka. Hidden to tourists and even most Sri Lankans that is.
Today a convoy of 6 vehicles left Kandy for the south and we soon turned off the main road to an un-named village in the jungle.
Kandy Lake vs Chandler’s Ford Lakes
Sunday morning in Kandy, Sri Lanka, time to walk out around the lake looking smart, long trousers of course; only tourists wear shorts. On an energetic day we walk to town but this means braving ‘The Tunnel’.
The tunnel is dark, damp and has deep drainage channels on both sides. Water drips from the roof and there is barely room for pedestrians and cars. [Read more…] about Kandy Lake vs Chandler’s Ford Lakes
Dispatches From Sri Lanka
During my time at Southampton General Hospital we always had a junior doctor from Sri Lanka in training. Some of them worked with me and many became friends.
After retirement my wife and I decided to go and live in another culture for a while; Sri Lanka was the obvious choice. What was it like? What happened to us? What are the differences compared with Chandler’s Ford? Here are a series of blog posts for anyone interested. [Read more…] about Dispatches From Sri Lanka
Immigrants
The head of my department at the University took on two foreign students but he did not have the patience to supervise them. He wondered how the young, green lecturer would cope. I came to be supervisor of two Egyptian men ‘of mature years’ as it is quaintly put. That is, older than most students reading for higher degrees.
It took them a while to overcome the culture shock and get their English up to a reasonable standard. [Read more…] about Immigrants
Lost and Found
I have just gone through a period of losing things. At least I hope I have gone through it and will not lose any more essential and valuable objects. Some years ago odd socks would appear and no matter where I looked the partner for it never turned up. After hanging around in my sock drawer for a while I would throw the sock away.
The next day the other one would turn up. [Read more…] about Lost and Found
Swans and Cygnets on the River Itchen
While waiting for a Planetarium show at the Winchester Science Centre with our grand-daughter, we decided to kill some time along the River Itchen.
We parked nearby the river at Itchen Stoke and were hoping to find some ducks for Lucy to feed with the remains of her packed lunch.
As it was, there were no ducks around and so [Read more…] about Swans and Cygnets on the River Itchen
Gliding Holiday Costs
I promised to give a breakdown of the costs of my holiday flying a glider.
The glider is a Duo Discus, 2 seater and near the top of the range in terms of performance.
I travelled down alone but came back together with my co-pilot and the glider in its trailer. [Read more…] about Gliding Holiday Costs
Not Only Gliders
It is not only gliders we see flying at the airfield at Santa Cilia in Spain.
Here are four other types of flight.
Helicopter
The Spanish army brought their helicopter for the troops to practise abseiling down from 50 feet up. [Read more…] about Not Only Gliders
Remember World Scout Jamboree Hampshire 2007
Every four years the scout movement holds a World Jamboree attended by scouts from all over the world.
In 2007 – the centenary of scouting – the jamboree was held in Britain. To coincide with this, Hampshire County Scouts held a large camp at the New Forest Showground near Brockenhurst. [Read more…] about Remember World Scout Jamboree Hampshire 2007
Soaring The Pyrenees
A clear blue sky with not a cloud is sight suggested a difficult day of soaring. Thermals are usually under clouds and if there are no clouds, are there any thermals and where are they?
Thermals are large bubbles of warmer air which rise from the ground. If you have ever watched a lava lamp you have an idea of how they work. Unlike a lava lamp you cannot see the bubble. [Read more…] about Soaring The Pyrenees
The Guild of Church Musicians
Last weekend it was my privilege and pleasure to visit Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk for the annual conference and AGM of the Guild of Church Musicians, and particularly so as the Guild was making me one of several new honorary fellows (Hon. FGCM for short).
About 150 honorary fellowships have been awarded in the past 25 years or so, some to clergy (including Archbishop Desmond Tutu) [Read more…] about The Guild of Church Musicians
Sharing The Sky With The Vultures
After a six-hour drive through France and Northern Spain beneath low cloud and many showers of rain, I passed Pamplona and the weather changed. The cloud broke up and the sun shone from a blue sky. The weather improved over the next 50 miles to Santa Cilia.
Met with my colleagues who sadly had not been able to fly as the wind was blowing at 27 knots [Read more…] about Sharing The Sky With The Vultures
Holiday – No Holiday?
Holiday – No Holiday? That is the question.
All set to go gliding in the Pyrenees from a small airfield called Santa Cilia. We stay in the village in a typical stone Pyrenean house run by a wonderful lady called Toya. She looks after all the glider pilots and many pilgrims who are walking the trail to Santiago de Compostella. [Read more…] about Holiday – No Holiday?
St. George’s Day: Fascinating Dragons
Last summer, my friend from Ahmad Tea gave me two free tickets to visit Buckingham Palace on its preview day.
It was the day before the palace summer opening of the State Rooms. I took my son with me for such a privileged visit as VIPs for a day. Yes, I touched the grand staircase at Buckingham Palace designed by John Nash. That was a happy day. [Read more…] about St. George’s Day: Fascinating Dragons
Nottingham for a Holiday?
You would not go to Nottingham for a holiday would you? It is said to be the murder capital of the UK. Cricket lovers go for test matches at Trent Bridge and there is the legend of Robin Hood.
We went to visit a friend and found a delightful haven at the Attenborough Nature Centre & Reserve. It is a mere 5 miles from the city centre. [Read more…] about Nottingham for a Holiday?
Wedding of Chandler’s Ford Girl
On Saturday 12th April 2014 Chandler’s Ford born and bred Rowan Esther Catherine Cameron wed Robbie Stewart Weir at Weetwood Hall in Leeds. With names Cameron and Weir it was no surprise to see guests turning up in highland dress with kilts, black barathea jackets with silver buttons, sporrans and ghillies on the feet.
Modern political correctness meant that the sgian-dubh was not worn but [Read more…] about Wedding of Chandler’s Ford Girl
Richard Stock: Fundraising for Ovacome
I’m pleased to tell you that Richard Stock completed the London Marathon in just over 4 hours yesterday.
This is a remarkable achievement for somebody who had never run a full marathon and indeed had never run over 20 miles!
Richard ran the marathon to raise money for Ovacome, in memory of my daughter, Dr. Lisa-Jayne Clark, [Read more…] about Richard Stock: Fundraising for Ovacome
China In Bath
Just a few yards off The Circus in Bath is the Museum of East Asian Art in a beautiful Georgian house on Bennett Street.
The contents were collected by Brian McElney OBE, a British scholar of sinology who worked as a lawyer in Hong Kong. After retirement he tried to present his collection to other museums of Chinese art but eventually set this one up himself. [Read more…] about China In Bath