Tag: water

17. Birthday

The digitisation of my 1988 Falkland Islands journal continues…

Wednesday 27 April 1988, Koei Maru 30

Rudely woken at 1pm – it was the fishery patrol ‘Falklands Right’ calling. (At that time the Falkland Islands fisheries directorate had two fisheries patrol vessels, the ‘Desire’ and the ‘Right’, named after the Island’s motto ‘Desire the Right’) They had come to deliver my books (which I notice are already stamped with Falklands Fisheries Directorate! – don’t they trust me or something?)

It was good to speak English and see European faces, even for a fleeting moment. It is also the first time I have seen the ‘Right’. I wish I had taken some photographs. I spoke to ‘John’ on the radio and asked if it was the same ‘John’ as I had spoken to before, and then at last he helped me put two and two together. It was John Clarke all the time – silly me.

The books are pretty good, but either too simple or too complex. When I am in England I will buy the Kanji book, it looks fascinating.

Learning Japanese
Learning Japanese

The newspapers from home are a right mixed bunch, some weeks or months old, others pretty recent. It is nice to have them though.

I had forgotten about page three girls…hideous!

Thursday 28 April 1988, Koei Maru 30

It is now the 28th. I cannot believe how time is flying out here. I don’t seem to be able to write my diary quickly enough. I have just had the best sleep since I arrived on the KM30. Nine uninterrupted hours – few dreams, no nightmares, just restful sleep. Before going to sleep I radioed Port Stanley and spoke to John B. I am so bloody clumsy on the radio it is pathetic. I tried to indicate that Jim and I would like to coordinate being in Port Stanley together – I felt such a sword (dick) asking him about the possibilities. The point (which I know well) is to have as few observers in town at the same time. But that doesn’t stop it from being a lonely job.

I couldn’t bring myself to talk to him about accommodation – that would be really pushy – but I really don’t want to go back to the Malvina Guest House.

Abe radar is a good bloke – I was embarrassed to wake him up for the radio call. He always gives me a beer (and cheese this time) and a couple of cans for my fridge. I am always humbled because they give me things all the time, but I am unable to give them anything back.

Watched the sunrise, but that is tomorrow…

Friday 29 April 1988, Koei Maru 30

Squid jigger at sunrise, 29 April 1988
Squid jigger at sunrise, 29 April 1988

Saw the sunrise. It was beautiful – I took some photographs just befort the sun broke the horizon. I was quite moved.

Another bit of Falkland news, This is becoming a bit of a FI scrapbook, but that’s OK.

Newspaper article about a Falklander who discovered Greek treasure.
Newspaper article about a Falklander who discovered Greek treasure.

It is a beautiful day, the sky is really blue and the sun is shining – I only wish I didn’t have to go to sleep now.

I woke up, once again, having had a lovely sleep – it will be murder getting back into a daytime routine again. I am almost exactly opposite a normal sleeping regime!

Watched some more Japanese TV. Their quiz shows are terrible – money this, money that. one of the quiz games is called ‘how much’ – you have to guess what a certain item in a short film clip costs in the currency of the nationality shown in the film. Stupid or what? Japan is the ultimate consumer society. Completely bonkers.

Saturday 30 April 1988, Koei Maru 30

Celebrating Deb's birthday
Celebrating Deb’s birthday

Deborah’s Birthday! Nothing else matters about today. It is 03:00 here and in the UK it is 08:00 and Deb will be up and probably having breakfast (or perhaps having an indulgent lie in). I am thinking of her very much and hope that Karen sent the flowers I asked her to. Deb will be touched if she gets them, I know.

23 today. She makes me feel old.

Birthday doodle
Birthday doodle

Correction, one other thing matters today and that is the welfare of Arsenal. I hope they won…come on you reds!

I have become a sleep zombie. I had about 7 hours of sleep today, got up, had a rather yucky breakfast and then slept for 2-3 more hours. Bonkers.

Sleeping at the wrong times is just as painful as it is, say, when you sleep in the day – real ‘boiled egg’. (Boiled egg is a family expression for feeling lousy on account of getting up too early, for example to catch an early holiday flight).

16. Scissors, Paper, Stone

Saturday 23 April 1988, Koei Maru 30

I keep wondering if I heard correctly on the radio that I am going to Montevideo, the only thing I remember about the conversation is that I will have a long-lining trip before I go to the UK, which confirms that I must be going to Monte. Ace!

I hope Arsenal won today and the top five clubs all lost.

I really miss Saturdays at home – either at a match or watching old Des and the teleprinter on TV.

Sunday 24 April 1988, Koei Maru 30

The first thing I learnt today was how to play oli oli iddle (Scissors, paper, stone) in Japanese:

the paper is called ‘Pa’

the scissors called ‘Choki’

the stone is called ‘Gu’

Just before that, I knackered my back lifting a huge basket of squid. Bloody foolish. It hurts a lot. I took an asprin and had a fag. I hate to admit it, but I’ve started smoking rollies…only about one a day, if that. I don’t like them, but I am going through a rebellious phase and they make me feel the part of the wild marine biologist, beard and all.

The reason the crew played oli oli iddle, was because the loser had to provide a box of chocolates as a snack for everyone. The loser was Abe radar. He was amusedly pissed off.

I have spent at least two hours drawing onto pieces of paper the numbers 31-35 and 36-40! This is for labeling the boxes of squid and refers to the number of pieces per box.

image

I asked for a crate of coke or juice earlier today. I think it has caused as bit of a fracas. I know I was being talked about by Nananuma, the captain and other crew members, by the glances which were cast my way during the conversation. It is very unnerving, especially when you can’t communicate things properly.

Monday 25 April 1988, Koei Maru 30

For the first time on this voyage, I kept the same hours as the crew and it was good to see the sunrise. I radioed Stanley at 10:00 and spoke to John and confirmed the Montevideo plan, so there is no doubt in my mind. It is on, as far as things can be at Fishops.

I was on a real high before going to bed, but now don’t feel so sure. I miss home. Still I should be back in a matter of two months or so. After that being out here will be easy.

Yesterday was a ‘holiday’ for the crew – a rough sea and an appalling catch. I was lucky to get even one sample.

I have got to get my letter-writing act together, I am falling well behind.

Yesterday I developed my own clinometer. It is built using the window (porthole) catch as the pointer and a piece of paper in the shape of an arc as the dial. I think it is ace. It is graduated with 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 10 degrees.

Tuesday 26 April 1988, Koei Maru 30

O-Zone paperback from my voyage

I can’t honestly believe that I wrote nothing today – what terrible neglect. Probably because I began reading O-Zone and also watched the film ‘Parker’ – a great film. Not much else to say.

Meniscus

 

With consummate ease,

walking on water is like

a stroll in the park.

 

by Scooj

Brown Trout

 

Distorted shadow

obscured by rippling waters;

unmistakable.

 

by Scooj

Fool at Poolside

 

Cool and Inviting

the azure ripples beckon –

left my trunks at home.

 

by Scooj

 

I was pleasantly surprised to see a commission by Cheo, a Bristol street artist on the far side of the pool. See more here and here.

Cheo at Portishead swimming pool
Cheo at Portishead swimming pool

Heron

Hunched and replete

while Old Father Thames glides by;

enough fish today.

 

by Scooj

Leviathan

Blue whales arrive with

a message in a bottle –

don’t throw it away.

 

by Scooj

As part of Bristol Green Capital, this enormous public art installation will be launched on Friday 17 July. I saw the artists making the finishing touches to ‘Bristol Blue Whales’ today. It is stunning.

image

 

image

 

image

 

Princess candy

Bulging eyes, wet skin.

Ma said ‘you’re no oil painting’;

your ship will come in.

 

by Scooj

Second Division

Day in Birmingham,

‘Venice’ of middle England.

Canals, not beauty.

 

by Scooj

 

30/30 Bristol Frome

Hidden from all view,

ancient brick culverts guiding.

Secret river Frome.

 

by Scooj

http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/30DaysWildInfo

Bristol Frome
Bristol Frome

This Haiku has special resonance for me, because it relates to some of my work which is to help the citizens of Bristol, and visitors, understand more about the hidden waterways beneath their feet.

How can they care about what they cannot see? I believe that by helping people connect with these hidden secrets, they will care more, and maybe, just maybe, change the way they interact with the water environment.

Use less water, waste less water, stop using toilets as waste bins, stop chucking household waste into the river, enjoy the abundant biodiversity water brings. Water is life.

Bristol Frome
Bristol Frome