Man’s best friend, friendly
and craving indulgence from
clomping day skiers.
by Scooj
Month: February 2016
119. Soldeau, Andorra (1)
There is little in the way of street art that I have been able to find, so far, but there are one or two graffiti hotspots. What I find most interesting is that the handwriting style of the tags is quite distinct and different from the style you see in the UK.
Graffiti, Andorra, February 2016
Graffiti, Andorra, February 2016
Graffiti, Andorra, February 2016
Graffiti, Andorra, February 2016
Graffiti, Andorra, February 2016
All taggers unknown. Maybe some future talent here?
Earworm
I’m on the top of
the world; The Carpenters and
me in Andorra.
by Scooj
Flight EZY6029
Airport musak calms
the nerves while children bicker
and slide on the floors.
by Scooj
118. Hepburn Road (1)
I am going to be clear about this. I want to find more pieces by Face F1st. I love the simplicity of the lines. The sentiment of the faces. The cool colours.
I have not been able to find out much about the artist other than that they belong to the PWA (Pirate Wall Art) crew.
This little side street in Stokes Croft is bursting with street art with a very high turnover. There is a lot more to come from here.
8/10
Demob happy
All thoughts of work are
done. Holiday begins soon;
only two more sleeps.
by Scooj
22. Booze and balls
Sunday 15 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
Another nothing day.
Tried to telephone home, got Mum and Ad, but I think I may have left them with a very depressed image of me…not entirely untrue. Couldn’t get Deb, perhaps I was dialing the wrong number. Instead I called Karen, but she was out, so I spoke with Matt – this was a much better conversation. I hope Deb isn’t too upset. I asked Karen, via Matt, to ring Deb to tell her I had tried to call.
Had lunch at the Boathouse – not bad really, and cheap.
I want to start saving some money. Emma’s really is a piss-hole, but who cares? Tomorrow I begin some work, but I don’t quite know what.
I like not having a beard.
Monday 16 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
My work begins. Spent most of the bloody day in front of a computer doing data entry.
Lunch at the Goose, bought for me by Jim.
Not a bad day – blue sky, but cold and quite windy.
I am to begin work on a strategy for the long-lining. I hope I am up to it.
I had a great evening – just me, Phil and Jim at the Goose. Not over-drinking, but having a pleasant number of beers and at last finding things to talk about.
Jim took the bull by the horns and went to visit KSJ to ask permission for passage to Montevideo…then he went and told Jacko, who I don’t think was too pleased having previously said no.
Beautiful sky at night – the stars were spectacular.
Tuesday 17 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
A day at FIPASS (the floating port facility left over from the war) – ok – beautiful day. Sky blue – no wind. Things are beginning to happen really quickly now. I am much happier than I was the other day.
Phoned Deb and got through, it was lovely to speak to her – she sounded very remote (not distance-wise, but emotionally). She is working very hard for her exams in June – I hope she does well. Her voice was tired and dopey.
Evening was a booze up in the Globe. It was very interesting all about PDA *(my employers) and Peter Derham in particular.
Wednesday 18 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
First full day at FIPASS – also a letters day, but it was puny – one TLS, that’s it! what a contrast to yesterday weather-wise. Terrible wind and rain. Unbearable.
I am back at Emma’s now and am so sad for the kids here. No love, no attention. Their mother is having a breakdown I think, she can’t cope with their crying and only compounds the problem by screaming ‘shut up!’ at them. It is no wonder that they are so friendly with the guests – they need the company. I am concerned; I don’t think that she’s violent yet, but it is just a matter of time. The war is over now – at last.
On reading this last passage again in 2016, with a family of my own, I am curious about my view of the situation at Emma’s Guest House. I know now how hard it can be bringing up children. I think I saw the world through a young man’s eyes and my values and judgments were different. I wonder what I would have thought of the situation if I were the me of now, and whether I would have tried to help.
Thursday 19 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
Out at FIPASS again for the morning. Drin and Liz also went out. The storm has died down and it is a fairly calm, but overcast day.
Looking forward to the May Ball tomorrow, but what costume shall the poor ‘boy’ wear (corruption of and reference to a Japan cover of a Velvet Underground song).
FIPASS is like a moon base, quite claustrophobic and synthetic – the strip lights etc.
We moved more of the office over and now the computers are at FIPASS. I will work from there from now.
Went to the Desire for a booze up down at FIPASS – it was a resounding success. I was plastered and puked at Emma’s (in the sink). Whart a great evening – an excess of McEwans. Jim and John and Phil and Steve and Peter and Alistair were there.
Friday 20 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
Ball night. Sean found an egret and brought it into the new office.
Mega piss up at the ball. Dear oh dear.
Globe – Goose – Ball.
Whiskey coat! ‘just going for a coat’.
May Queen – Melanie came third. I was forced into a dance with Miranda.
Very very pissed.
Post – letters from Charlie and Beth – I was very chuffed to hear from them. Also from Granny who seems to be a little better, from Karen too.
Jim fell over!
Saturday 21 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
Deb has sent me a fun pack. There was a packet of cartridges, some newspapers, a Private Eye and some crisps – also a rose – one which I gave her. Here are some petals
Deb sent this before, but I’ve only just gotten round to sticking it in. I miss her terribly. I want to be at home. (This musician, Martin Stephenson, was to play a significant part in my adventure at a later point)
The day was beautiful and sunny. Tonight is the second ball preceded by the KSJ dinner.
117. Dean Lane (3)
On previous occasions when I have tried to photograph this Andy Council whale, there have been vehicles parked, on the grass, right up to it. I finally got a clear shot at it during a recent walk to Bedminster.
The style is unmistakable…a natural form created from architectural elements, usually recognisable Bristol landmarks.
This piece was painted during Upfest 2015 and is one of my favourites by Andy Council.
8/10
21. Land at last
The Falkland journal continues…
Wednesday 11 May 1988, Koei Maru 30/Falkland Desire
Well I’m angry and upset. I still haven’t been picked up. I bet I end up staying at least another week. I think I’ll go bananas soon. I am getting pissed off. If I come back with the Koei Maru 30 on the 25th, I’ll have spent 6 weeks on this bathtub. What a nightmare. I want to go back to Port Stanley and I don’t want any fuss. Balls.
And as the philosophy goes – everything always works out in the end (unless you die, and if you die it doesn’t matter anyway).
I was woken by the Sencho (Captain in Japanese) at about 3pm…”Fishery Patrol”. This was good news. the Desire (a patrol ship called the Falkland Desire) had come to collect me. I spoke with them and packed quickly. In the process I forgot my chocolate cake, my casettes, my loligo and my films. What a bloody pain in the arse, but small prices to pay for freedom.
What really pisses me off though is that had I not called KSJ (the Japanese fishing company) to query my pick up date and time, I would never have been rescued. Some bloody organisation this is.
Anyway, I am on the Desire and had a wonderful mixed grill and trifle for supper, followed by a Bond movie.
I am happy.
Thursday 12 May 1988, Falkland Desire
Having slept pretty well from 8pm to 1.30am, I am now wide awake, and there is no chance of me going back to sleep, so it is letters and diary time.
The crew (apart from one or two exceptions) are almost entirely fat. Too many fried meals and not enough exercise.
Picked up Elizabeth. (Another scientist on a different vessel)
Got well tanked up in the evening. Home tomorrow.
Friday 13 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
Friday 13th – what a day to come to port! We came into Port William by 9.30am and went to Port Stanley. Jim is resigning! This is terrible news. He’ll be going at the end of this month. My only ally in this adversity. I will feel very alone once he has gone.
A plethora of letters. It’s nice – it makes all my letter writing worth it. I actually feel a bit of a plonker because I get so much more mail than anyone else. Sorry to find out that granny is so unwell – if I were a believer I would pray for her – I know that she is safe in her own faith though. It is grandpa I also worry about.
Met Phil at last and am sharing a room in ‘Emma’s’ with him – we all got well pissed in The Globe and in John’s house. The Suntory whiskey was worth opening.
I got home and read the remainder of my letters. I cried unashamedly at granny’s letter – I don’t think she’ll last much longer.
It is nice to be clean shaven after so long with my beard.
Saturday 14 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
A day of indecision, I wandered around Stanley and found Jim at Fishops (Fisheries Operations). Went to the Upland Goose for lunch with Jim, Anna and Sean.
Nothing to do, but it is quite nice.
Ended up watching Mona Lisa at Goodwyn’s and supping Tim’s Whiskey. Then went on to The Globe for a few minutes before trundling off to the Town Hall to see the C.S.E show (Combined Services Entertainment – The islanders benefitted from the shows that came to entertain the troops at Mount Pleasant air base).
It was terrible – naf, but in a corny way, quite fun.
- a compere who kept saying “no”, like they do when they tell jokes and laughing through his teeth ‘sheee’
- a dancing troop called Sassie? terrible dancers
- a corny magician, old tricks
- a dreadful female singer
- a band
They tried hard and I appreciated their effort and anyway, it was something to do.
Met a Korean man called JK. Great bloke and long-line skipper for twenty years.
Got pissed in The Rose and back at Tim’s. Watched a video.
Liverpool lost the FA Cup final to Wimbledon. Yahoo.
old news…AFC lost to Luton 3-2. I am desperate.
New arrival
It came in the post.
Unspeakably excited;
Ericailcane.
by Scooj
Natural adventures 