Friday 12 February 2010

Recovering

Hi everyone,

Sorry about the silence on my blog recently, I've been a tad preoccupied!

I arrived in Sydney last friday morning and after meeting up with David and Pete the other two crew members from overseas we jumped in our hire car and headed off to find the park we're staying at. It was great to see the boat and see the guys expressions the first time they saw her. I'm sure they both shouted "she's tiny!" Don came by later in the evening after driving up from Hobart with all sorts of bits and bobs.

Saturday was the first day of the sea survival course and after just an hour or so, I decided I was feeling pretty ill and went out to get some fresh air. I later headed back to the cabin in a taxi as I wasn't getting any better. I thought it was only dehydration but it turned out to be a little worse..

After waiting to get better I headed into hospital to get checked out as I'd been advised to, and they decided to keep me in overnight for observations as they couldn't define what was up with me. Another day followed with another night in hospital with more tests and the day after that they decided to operate and see if it was my appendix that was causing me a load of constant pain. The op went smoothly fortunately and I was later told that my appendix was certainly inflamed so it was a very good call to have it taken out.

I spent another night in hospital recovering and then the guys came and picked me up and brought me back to the cabin. I'm currently resting up a lot and not really doing much to be honest! Sleep is a little difficult as is moving around but it will hopefully get a lot easier with time.

There's lots happening to the boat in terms of small modifications which are exciting to see and it looks like she'll be going in the water very shortly which should be fun.

Mike

Tuesday 9 February 2010

Appendix gone

Hello everybody

I thought now Mike was on dry land he would be updating this blog, but alas he has just had his appendix removed and has asked me to update.

Mike flew to Sydney a few days ago to meet up with the other guys signed up as Bounty Boat crew and to help prepare and take part in the training Don is working up. Mike only managed the morning of the survival course before retiring with abdominal pains then throwing up and fainting a couple of times. He was taken to hospital by some kind people who Don knows. He was admitted straight away and after a couple of days of tests and monitoring the surgeon took the decision of removing his appendix. Great news…one less thing to worry about in the future…. shame he couldn't have his tonsils and any other redundant organs taken out at the same time! The doctors and nurses have done a great job at looking after Mike and BIG thanks to everyone who has visited him.

Peter
Dad

Wednesday 3 February 2010

Off Piste

Hi everyone,

I got back from skiing on Saturday and wow what a good week it was. I went with an old friend of mine Tom and we generally skied down any piste or off piste available which was certainly a good laugh. We were up in the French resort of Tignes and the choice of piste and off piste was just huge so we definitely explored a good bit. Amusingly every single lunch time we'd ski to the same restaurant on the mountain and have the same pizza there as it was one of the cheapest meals on the mountain - especially what with us being students, every little bit of saved money helps. Surprisingly the resort actually felt quite empty, which was a good thing as a lot of the slopes were nice and empty, although the nightlife did suffer a little subsequently.

Since getting back, I have been totally absorbed making changes to my book, reading and re-reading it before it goes to the printers. I will post details of outlets and how it may be obtained overseas, when they are all firmed up.

Tonight I'm jumping on a plane to Hong Kong which is my transfer airport for flying out to Sydney, arriving there Friday morning! Almost a day in the air! Crazy! I've been looking forward to heading out to Oz a lot and I really am very excited. Especially as it's nice and hot there now too! I'm out there training for the BountyBoat expedition and so I'm sure as team we're going to bond really well which I'm looking forward too.

Right, I suppose I better pack! I'll keep you updated with how the training progresses.

Mike