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
Friday, 12 February 2010
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
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
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
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Talks, Talks, Talks
Hi everyone,
Well this last week has just been crazily busy. Great fun though!
On Monday I visited the Wren school in North London and did two talks there which was good fun. Later that day I hopped on a train up to Bradford where I had one of Bradford's famous curries and stayed the night. The following morning I went to visit an organisation called The Lighthouse Group. I've never quite seen a setup like the one they had and I was pretty impressed to say the least. The Lighthouse Group is an organisation that works with guys who have been excluded from school and their aim is to get them back on track. An amazing fact is that two thirds of people who are in prison were excluded from school.
I worked with a couple of small groups of people there and it was great to see just how determined some of these guys were to get out there and really lead an exciting life. One of the girls has an ambition to get out to Africa and work there for a while. I know the people heading up the organisation are looking into that and it shows just how committed these people are to getting these guys back on track.
I got on the train back to London, had a super busy day with more engagements and then on Thursday I popped up to Stafford to stay at my relatives house, as I was to do a talk at their college the following day which went really well. The guys at Stafford college made us feel very welcome so thanks guys!
My throat has started to give up now so I'm cutting back on the speaking a little to let it mend but in the meantime a good old friend of mine and I are flying out to France this afternoon to go skiing for a week! We only booked it a few days ago as a spur of the moment bargain holiday but I'm sure we're going to have some great fun out there. We're skiing in Tinges which is an amazing resort, so it should be pretty good that's for sure.
Anyway, I better be off, as I've got to get out to the airport shortly. I'll let you guys know how the skiing goes when I get back.
Mike
Well this last week has just been crazily busy. Great fun though!
On Monday I visited the Wren school in North London and did two talks there which was good fun. Later that day I hopped on a train up to Bradford where I had one of Bradford's famous curries and stayed the night. The following morning I went to visit an organisation called The Lighthouse Group. I've never quite seen a setup like the one they had and I was pretty impressed to say the least. The Lighthouse Group is an organisation that works with guys who have been excluded from school and their aim is to get them back on track. An amazing fact is that two thirds of people who are in prison were excluded from school.
I worked with a couple of small groups of people there and it was great to see just how determined some of these guys were to get out there and really lead an exciting life. One of the girls has an ambition to get out to Africa and work there for a while. I know the people heading up the organisation are looking into that and it shows just how committed these people are to getting these guys back on track.
I got on the train back to London, had a super busy day with more engagements and then on Thursday I popped up to Stafford to stay at my relatives house, as I was to do a talk at their college the following day which went really well. The guys at Stafford college made us feel very welcome so thanks guys!
My throat has started to give up now so I'm cutting back on the speaking a little to let it mend but in the meantime a good old friend of mine and I are flying out to France this afternoon to go skiing for a week! We only booked it a few days ago as a spur of the moment bargain holiday but I'm sure we're going to have some great fun out there. We're skiing in Tinges which is an amazing resort, so it should be pretty good that's for sure.
Anyway, I better be off, as I've got to get out to the airport shortly. I'll let you guys know how the skiing goes when I get back.
Mike
Friday, 15 January 2010
New Website
Hi everyone,
Welcome to the new website! Hope you all like it!
We've expanded the content here and there which should make the use of the site easier. Also the blog should be easier to use now.
It's fantastic news to see that Jessica Watson has now rounded cape horn nice and safely and I'm really chuffed for her. She's always in such high spirits and I continue to be really impressed by her super positive attitude.
I've finally sent off all my university applications so am waiting to hear some replies. Fingers crossed I get the offers that I'm hoping for.
The snow is finally melting away here in Potters Bar which is kind of a good sign to be honest. Finally things can get back to normal!
Next week, I'm visiting three schools all in different parts of the country, I'll keep you updated about how it's going.
Mike
Welcome to the new website! Hope you all like it!
We've expanded the content here and there which should make the use of the site easier. Also the blog should be easier to use now.
It's fantastic news to see that Jessica Watson has now rounded cape horn nice and safely and I'm really chuffed for her. She's always in such high spirits and I continue to be really impressed by her super positive attitude.
I've finally sent off all my university applications so am waiting to hear some replies. Fingers crossed I get the offers that I'm hoping for.
The snow is finally melting away here in Potters Bar which is kind of a good sign to be honest. Finally things can get back to normal!
Next week, I'm visiting three schools all in different parts of the country, I'll keep you updated about how it's going.
Mike
Monday, 11 January 2010
Snow - 10th January 2010
Hi everyone,
We finally put away the chirstmas decorations here in at home yesterday. Late I know!
It's been so nice having christmas at home here in the UK this year, and to have a white-ish christmas made it even more special. It's been snowing rather a lot here recently and I find it hilarious how the UK can just grind to a halt at times with only 6inches of snow. It does seem like the country is getting used to it though as the roads are steadily improving now.
I'm looking forward to visiting some schools over the next couple of weeks over the country as part of my Live the Dream schools program. It's always exciting to visit schools and talk about the trip.
Not much else to chat about at the moment really, but I'll keep you all updated in due course.
Mike
Reader Comments
Dan near Toronto :
Thanks for the update Mike. You Brits have more bloody snow than we have near Toronto..lol..and me sitting here with my snowplow truck and nothing to do. Great to hear about more school program stuff..please post more as it happens with that..maybe links to news articles etc.
10/01/2010 18:39:01
johnboi :
Hi mike, 6inchs of snow, lucky. Only got an inch here so far, but saying that, there is plenty of ice. Times like this I wish I was back at school, those kids you visit are very lucky. Enjoy the snow! john
10/01/2010 19:05:18
Jim :
So, Mike - how did you enjoy your first experiences driving in snow? Or did you drive in it? We have ice and a bit of snow here in the Atlanta,USA area and I found out that even experienced drivers in the stuff can go sledding using the car as the vehicle : ) Not recommended. I was on the way to a store to buy something to create a 'surprise' for Timothy and the car just developed a life of its own. Glad you were able to get out and enjoy the snow you had. Hope your talks go well next week.
11/01/2010 02:34:05
We finally put away the chirstmas decorations here in at home yesterday. Late I know!
It's been so nice having christmas at home here in the UK this year, and to have a white-ish christmas made it even more special. It's been snowing rather a lot here recently and I find it hilarious how the UK can just grind to a halt at times with only 6inches of snow. It does seem like the country is getting used to it though as the roads are steadily improving now.
I'm looking forward to visiting some schools over the next couple of weeks over the country as part of my Live the Dream schools program. It's always exciting to visit schools and talk about the trip.
Not much else to chat about at the moment really, but I'll keep you all updated in due course.
Mike
Reader Comments
Dan near Toronto :
Thanks for the update Mike. You Brits have more bloody snow than we have near Toronto..lol..and me sitting here with my snowplow truck and nothing to do. Great to hear about more school program stuff..please post more as it happens with that..maybe links to news articles etc.
10/01/2010 18:39:01
johnboi :
Hi mike, 6inchs of snow, lucky. Only got an inch here so far, but saying that, there is plenty of ice. Times like this I wish I was back at school, those kids you visit are very lucky. Enjoy the snow! john
10/01/2010 19:05:18
Jim :
So, Mike - how did you enjoy your first experiences driving in snow? Or did you drive in it? We have ice and a bit of snow here in the Atlanta,USA area and I found out that even experienced drivers in the stuff can go sledding using the car as the vehicle : ) Not recommended. I was on the way to a store to buy something to create a 'surprise' for Timothy and the car just developed a life of its own. Glad you were able to get out and enjoy the snow you had. Hope your talks go well next week.
11/01/2010 02:34:05
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Happy New Year - 2nd January 2010
| Hi everyone, Happy New Year! What an amazing year its been and wow do I have many incredible memories of it. From surfing 50ft waves in the southern ocean to exploring the back roads of Latin America finding deserted and beautiful tropical beaches. I've met some incredible people too, which has by far been one of the best bits of the year. I'm getting very excited about the up and coming training in Sydney for the Bounty Boat expedition. It should be great fun and I'm sure we will bond as a crew really well. The Bounty Boat is now well on it's way to Sydney packaged up nice and safely in a container. I'm looking forward to seeing her again when I fly into Sydney in the first week of February. I'm sure Don is too! He's currently down in Antarctica with Margie leading an expedition down there which sounds good fun. Its been fantastic to watch Jessica Watson's progress through the southern ocean go so smoothly and I'm really super pleased for her. I speak to her on the phone every now and again and I'm always very impressed by her high spirits. Fingers crossed, she'll have a smooth rounding of the Horn soon enough. Well happy New Year everyone once again Mike |
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