Top Gear

Another interesting duty to really top up this week's duty hours, providing first aid duty at a recording of Top Gear.

Sitting in a hanger in Dunsfold Aerodrome (which I drove to...YEH!!) we watched the three boys do their thang!

In the morning we watched the rehearsals, and watched the Stig and celebrity go round the track numerous times, then, after lunch of course, we watched the show being recorded. Unfortunately we didn't make it onto the show or get to talk to any stars, but it was still a good experience!

I'm still finding the packets of biscuits lying around everywhere :P

Guilfest 2009

I am a member of St John Surrey, therefore I went to Guilfest :P

Instead of doing nightshifts, as I did last year, I decided this year I would do the earlier shifts. So for three days I was there 1000-1800. It was a pretty uneventful duty for us really, so it was a good opportunity to catch up with other members, and also to see some random bands and to look around the stalls.

One thing I did see however was a Abba tribute band, a heavy metal Abba tribute band, which was special. I also saw Toploader, which was awesome!

Same again next year??

My Review of the SDU

[I'm catching up on blogs, so these are a bit over-due]

As a member of St John Ambulance in Hampshire (somewhat temporarily..but meh) I got picked to trial a new uniform for duties. I had three months to trial it, and I did my best to wear it out and test it to the max. It was an interesting experience. I've never had so many people stare at me, point out there was no writing on my arse and fondle me in public (especially when my flies were undone on Southend Sea Front). And I'm from Essex...

So, after three months, this is my opinion -

Shirt - I like the green shirt, especially as it is to be worn open collar with no tie. Its a good colour, but the material was a bit thick and hot during the long day duties. I couldn't bring myself to wear the long sleeve version much, it was mainly worn just for trial purposes. The pockets were useful, and I got used to having a pen pocket on my sleeve. As for the printed writing, it didn't seem to come off like the new white shirts but then I only had it for 3 months.

Overall - Thumbs up!

Trousers - I liked the pockets and the design, but unfortunately I don't think they were cut right for my body shape. They could have been longer, and not up to above my belly button, but I guess these are just fashion preferences. The top pockets, however did go all the way down to my knees, which could have been cut better. I liked the side pockets, with the pockets within them, and think its a great alternative to a belt pouch. However, one major flaw. When tuff cuts are in the designed pocket, and I knelt down, the tuff cuts poked their way out the top of the pockets and fell out when I stood up. Fial.

Overall - Good design, maybe a bit more style guys!!

Belt - Belt was good, nice design but had one major design flaw. When the plastic/leather/black stuff heated up it became safe, and the adjustable teeth design failed and the belt fell apart. This nearly resulted in casualties being knocked out, so this one needs a re-think.

Overall - After a re-design, thumbs up!

High Vis Hat - I can see the practical use for this, but no, just no.... After a few uses on the black side the high vis side became dull, and the front visor bent into shape.

Overall - No

Beenie Hat - I liked the design, but unfortunately didn't get to wear it much, as the trial took place during the spring, but I would have worn it during the winter, so all is good :)

Overall - Good :)

Reversible Fleece - LOVE IT - I miss it so much. Was lovely and fleecy on one side and waterproof on the other, with zip pockets. They better keep this in the uniform!!!

Overall - WOOP

Parker Jacket - Again, I didn't get to wear this much, but it was a nice thick coat, which will do anyone well for those artic condition winter duties! With hundreds of pockets on the left side, and 2 on the other, I thought it was kinda swung towards the righties but they were very useful!

Overall - Good for winter :)

Jumper - I didn't get a jumper in my pack, but I'm not sure I liked the round neck jumper look, I would much prefer just the fleece with a shirt.

Overall - hmmmm

So thats it, I miss it already, and I wait with anticipation as to what national have to say! Bring it on, I think it's going to be a great improvement for the image of St John Ambulance, with a much smarter uniform (thats actually a uniform) which is much more practical for the work we do.

MJ (the lack of)

The death of Micheal Jackson, very unfortunate, and I wish his family all the best at this tough time. He will be sorely missed.

However, why are people so shocked that he has died young?? He gave his body so much abuse, no wonder! OK, I'm surprised he died THIS young, but still!!!

Also, I don't really understand why it is so necessary to play MJ excessively on the radio. EVERY OTHER SONG!!!! I love MJ's music, and don't mind hearing his songs frequently, but seriously...

On Tuesday I was listening to the radio (Heart, formally Ocean FM) for 5 hours....bet you can't guess how many MJ songs I heard... Answers on a postcard....

In True British Style...

I've had a truly awesome weekend. As per usual, none of it took part in Portsmouth, but for a change the weather was hot!

Friday I bombed it up to Bristol to visit my boyfriend, who had dinner waiting for me. I've not had tastier mash that the one I had that evening :D

Saturday we got up, had bacon sandwiches, said hello to snaky and headed off into the town. First stop, The Bristol Museum, to see the mighty works of Banksy. For those of you who haven't heard of Banksy, he does lots of graffiti-art...

Unfortunately there was a bit of a queue, about 45 mins, but the weather was good, and we managed to grab dragonfruit juice from people random giving out bottles of it in the street. The exhibition was worth it, so it didn't bother us.

Bristol is quite a pretty city, and isn't bad just to wander around for a while :) We bought random picnic foods from tesco and sat in a park for lunch, then headed home.

A few errands later and off to Guildford we went... where much mars bar and snickers cake suddenly got produced so we had plenty of sugary snacks for...

Biggin Hill Airshow :D

Again, much queuing occured to get in and out of the site, but the air show was worth the wait! There was an awesome fly over with both a 747 and the red arrows, and also an appearance from the Red Bull Matadors, which are always good for entertainment :D

There were lots of displays on the ground as well, from people such as the police, air force, air ambulance etc etc...

Although some of the displays did concern me somewhat...

Explosive search dogs????? How do they make them explosive???

Genetic modification to the max :P

Beach Trip

Tis the time of year, when the duties stopped again,

We pile in a bus and head straight down to the beach...

*cough*

Well we nearly all piled into a minibus. The glorious 12 seater we had broke down :( So we were stuck with tiny mini bus and luckily someone else had a car to drive the stragglers down :D

So, from Guildford, we headed down (not necessarly straight down :P) to West Wittering beach. The sun was shining, and the water was warm....eventually :P Spent much of the day in the water or lying on the sand soaking in tooooo much sun :( Cripsy Di.

After the tide hid all the sand from us we decided to head to a camp site and pitch a marquee, for us all to sleep in, then have a BBQ for dinner :D See we ain't half organised :D The sun went down and the rain came, so there was a swift retreat to the marquee for tea and biscuits before the torches and sleeping bags came out.

Once everyone had woken up (not necessarily in the place they fell asleep) breakfast :D

Breakfast was fabulous, baps chocka block full of sausages, bacon, eggs, mushrooms and cheese :D See we know how to eat at LINKS.

Back to beach, when the cripsyness continued. The 8ft bin bag came out and terrified most people on the beach, but definately got people to notice us :D The kids certainly loved it. Not good to jump on though :P Once that epically failed, we just chilled (HA) with ice cream and a kite until time to head back to Guildford and straight to the pub :D

BROWNIES ALL ROUND

And when all else fails theres always spooning, forking, and cheese weaponary....

I'll be good from now on...Honest

Need to start blogging again.

Been a bit busy recently....

So I'll start again from here :D But first...the excuses...

1) Since the beginning of March I've been chair of Surrey LINKS. Work. Mucho. Nothing more to be said, but it's been great :D

2) Since the end of March I have been trialling a new uniform for St John Ambulance. There is no rest when you're a trialler. None at all... I've been everywhere, done everything, and to be honest, touched in ways I will probably be touched before... Including having my zip undone at the Southend Festival of the Air. I know I'm from Essex but this kinda thing doesn't happen very frequently.

I've been to lots of duties, to name a few, London Marathon, Fratton Park Football Games, Wheels, FA Referee Trials in Portsmouth, Festival of Steam in Portsmouth, Southend Festival of the Air, University of Surrey Students' Union End of Year Show.

3) I'm having driving lessons...BRROOOOMMM. My driving instructor still hasn't got past the clutch on to the side stage yet... this worries me...

4) Been to Bristol too :D

5) I discovered the brilliance of Mars Bar Cake.

So from now on, I pledge to be a good blogger... and you shall hear all :D