The final leg of our journey was in Dahab, a diving paradise in the Red Sea. Taz and I decided we couldn't really wish for a better dive site then the Red Sea to get our Advanced Open water qualifications.. So for 2 days, we dived ourselves into a coma - really beautiful - particularly the blue hole and canyon, and explored an entirely different type of aquatic life. Lionfish abound with the ragged tooth sharks being largely absent; replaced by new coral formations and a refreshingly varied underwater menagerie. Had James, Rich and Raiman and Olie with us which made [View Full Entry]

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The other significant stop while staying in Dahab was a moonlit hiking ascent to the summit of Mt. Sinai. I've always wanted to visit the spot where Moses received the 10 commandments - twice! as well as walk around the same desert that the israelites wondered for 40 years - no wonder they complained - we were all pleased to return to the sea after only a few hours of being away! We reached the top at 4am along with many other hikers, bedoins and camels, and pulled out the sleeping bags to nap for a couple of hours on a [View Full Entry]

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What a fabulous weekend - just spent the past 4 days with Russ in Scottland. We camped at Peebles and spent a glorious day milling around the lively and cultural city of Edinburgh. The timing was such that we caught the end of the Fringe Festival so were able to enjoy and participate in the atmosphere and goings on. Saw a brilliant acrobatic show from 2 polish twins as well as the Edinburgh tatoo. This is something that my dad gets goosebumps just thinking about, so when i realised that we happened to be there on the last night it was [View Full Entry]

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Hooray for the summer, long light evenings and warm temperatures. This has afforded many fabulous mountain biking adventures into the llandegla forest, in north wales, after work, as well as some exciting hiking weekends. Snowdonia National Park is only about 1 and a half hours away, so very quick to sneak off for a nice weekend. In fact summiting Snowdon from various angles seems to have become the latest challenge. Beany, aka Steve, is a brilliant hiking partner and cant seem to get enough of it. Most of the time, camp has been in a nice welsh farmers sheep field, which [View Full Entry]

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The past 7 weeks have been more then a little exciting. Having expected to have found a job within a few days, 7 weeks has been unexpected to say the least. But praise the Lord, I start tomorrow at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Cheshire. The Norman family have just been a real home away from home and have made this rather difficult time so much more manageable. I also would never have been able to have existed unemployed for so long without their incredibly generous hospitality. So if you guys are reading this - thank you so much - you made [View Full Entry]

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This is the last night in London. Tomorrow I set off on a whole new adventure, and hopefully a bit of stability for the next few weeks: Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Cheshire. Just had lovely dinner with Kerri, and will be heading back to my couch in Cheswick later. I'm excited and nervous at the same time... Thank goodness for the Lord's comfort and prescence - its definately whats keeping my heart in my rib cage and not in my throat! Good Night London, and Bye Bye for now... [View Full Entry]

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Happy birthday to Mozart! Craig and I have just returned from the most incredible week enjoying the thrill of skiing in Austria. We stayed with Beda, a colleage of his, and were treated with the most amazing german hospitality. Due to space, Beda put us up in a typical austrian bed and breakfast - it even smelt austrian. That was my first introduction to what a "good austrian breakfast is" - its just a greater variety of breads and cheeses! Was most surpised to find "lunch" on the table instead of bacon and scrambled eggs! However the rest of the austrian [View Full Entry]

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