Blogs from Europe - page 12030

This past weekend we played Cherburg, one of the stronger teams in our division. They have three Canadians, all good players, a pitcher, a shortstop, and a second-baseman. In our first game we were completely shut down by their pitcher; he struck out nine batters and almost all of the rest he made us hit to second or short. I pitched the first game; we lost 2-0, their two runs coming in the 4th inning on no hits and three errors. The second game we lost 5-1. Our pitcher for the second game pitched very well, recording 9 strikeouts in seven innings. These two losses bring our record to 5-3, third place in our division. During the first game I was on second base during a timeout in the action and the other team’s shortstop ... read more

Well here it is...our return to the real world. Adam has now started work at Leeds University and is loving being back in the lab. His work colleagues are very friendly and have been welcoming which has been a lovely bonus. Meanwhile, I myself have started work too! After a total of seven sleeps in Leeds. I’ve whisked myself off to Scotland to take a six week locum in an acute stroke unit. I’m working at a small district hospital in Alexandria which is 40 minutes west of Glasgow. I must confess it is quite sobering to be returning to work after the amazing break we’ve had, not to mention trying to muddle my way through a foreign health system! But having been here a few weeks now, I’m beginning to get the hang of ... read more

26 April 2007. Started out the day walking around Vilnius on some of the other main boulevards we missed on Wednesday. The morning light on Cathedral Square was auspicious and lasted throughout the day. I was intrigued by St. Helena atop the cathedral and can’t recall many other cathedrals topped with a female figure other than perhaps Mary herself. Now to figure out what St. Helena’s claim to fame was…. We had a coffee on Gedimino prospecktas across from the National Drama Theatre with its dramatic sculpture of the three muses overlooking the theatre entrance. We also stopped at a cool record (and some compact discs) jazz and classical music shop called Thelonious (www.thelonious.lt). The basement door was locked, but the owner quickly opened it and was clearly excited to tell us about his favorite ... read more

Arrive in Moscow after 18 hour train journey, exactly on time. Shocked at the lack of delays - would just not be acceptable in England. Again, the weather is fantastic. We successful negotiate the metro, with me speaking Russian like a native (paddy), drop off the bags in Sweet Arbat hostel (v nice, great welcome, fab location on Moscows main street), and dash across the city to complete my world tour of stuffed former communist leaders. Lenin is on display in his mausoleum on Red Sq until 1pm on Thursdays and having just made it in time to see him, I have to say in terms of presentation he is the clear winner of the 3 (Chairman Mao and Uncle Ho being the competition). Walking down the steps into his crypt you are plunged into almost ... read more

BANGKOK - Anzac Day in Bangkok. Pretty quiet day today as I feel as though I have been mauled by one of those Tigers I drank last night. We do some shopping and prepare for our Midnight departure. PARIS…. 26th April 2007 We arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport, which was tired and dark when we were here in 1995 - it is now tireder and darker. The Customs and Immigration process here is painful as it is almost everywhere. There are no lines or ordered queues just a press of humanity moving in dolly steps towards a race where you are then channelled to a booth/desk. The usual bored to death officials found the world over staff these desks - they must all do the same course in sternness followed up by a Diploma in ... read more