all aboard

we are finally on the boat!

watching three tugs manouvering another container boat out of the port of liverpool while i type (i obviously have less patience than fi who is watching the procedure in detail) - these are relatively small ships compared to those going to ports like felixstowe. however, it is amazing to see all this stuff being loaded on and off the ships, thousands of tonnes of future landfill. all the vehicles and people needed to sort out the huge logistical operation yet it may all be for kinder surprise or something else equally ephemeral. it is both a hugely impressive feat and a stark reminder of what is needed to keep consumers happy

arriving at the port it became obvious that port of liverpool is not a tourist hotspot with the guard at the gate somewhat mystified by our arrival.

it is fair to say that both security and health and safety was less stringent than i expected - the port bus taking us and crew for another nearby boat dropped us off in our teeshirts when all around were geared up with luminous jackets and hard hats with containers flying over our heads

the room is pretty great we have a lounge and a room with a double bed plus ensuite shower and toliet. what makes this differen to a travelodge is that the stereo and tv are both straped down with cable and the chairs are super heavy.

exciting times although with ten days to go and a missing cable to connect the dvd player cabin fever may set in ealier than we hoped !

Manic Monday

another delay, engine problems, lets hope they fix them by the time we are due to depart on Monday.

Thought we would upload this awesome card - thanks Kate and Steve ((John Wayne and Uma to party goers)

Delay the away

We had a phone call from the travel agents to say the ship is running late, it might not be bon voyage until Saturday night or Sunday - good job really as we still aren't sure where we are going when we get there,  thinking about going to look at horse crabs in Delaware http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseshoe_crab

Thought of some potential Friday questions in the pub last night:

New Olympic events?

What is the best colour to have your false limb?

Party On

Great effort from everyone - as you can see from the outfits.

Especially Cody (2nd photo) in particular!

Madly trying to sort stuff out - uploading these photos is the most fun I have had all day!

Things I won't miss:

Bedfordshire topography

Things I will miss:

All our great friends
Inappropriate lunchtime conversations
Biking with pals
The Friday question
Frisbee!!

Thanks all who came to the party - just a couple of days to go, will be stocking up on books and DVDs for the 10 day trip

Containership

Much to the amusement and bemusement of friends and family we have decided to start our trip by containership.

This is for a couple of reasons but primarily environmental.

By not using planes we are not promoting the industry of flying. However, it seems to me that opposing the tide of rabid consumerism is a more difficult task and that ships would be coming and going whatever our actions (the same is probably true for flying - but it is best not to acknowledge the futility of your actions if your an "environmentalist")

This is certainly much more a principle then any real contribution to the environment. Depsite the fact a containership is not contributing to radiative forcing it will still be churning out loads of CO2 and our total trip, although mainly by public transport, is not necessary and is essentially a waste of CO2.

We are trying (I am especially according to fi!) and I think that is worth something.

The great irony is of course we will have no idea what is in the containers, knowing our luck it will probably be filled with stuff like this, this, this, or even this.

But I think it will be an adventure, for maybe the first 2 days and then I will go insane for the next 8. we will be the only passengers which will be interesting!

Getting quite excited now but have to sort out the leaving party first!

If you want to keep track of us ( or to see if we get caught by Somali pirates) and see what the ship looks like just look up here - independent concept