Crowded Places

Now that looks painful!

…. And planes. Looking up at the sky it doesn’t seem all that crowed; Flight-tracker tells a different story ( see screenshot) .Every day there are 100,000 commercial flights,  jetting us off on holiday or to meet relatives . Costs have tumbled , so we fly more . Last century , a posting abroad involved a return home every five years . Now, we think nothing of taking multiple flights per year ; and achieved with such incredible safety and reliability. 

Early morning rush to Europe, nobody over Ukraine!

My uncles and aunts emigrated to the far flung empire , never to see their parents again.  We were fortunate this Christmas to reunite as a family from  opposite sides of the globe. Cousins could reacquaint , enjoy our wide open spaces ; yet as 16 , come together on one extended table to enjoy the festive meal . Being the South of France , clear blue sky , no wind;  meant eating outside was also possible . Spacious togetherness. 

At the start of the Autumn , the woodshed was stacked to the rafters with seemingly an infinite source of fire wood . The efficiency of our wood burning fire place had been improved by an exhaust fan on the chimney and another to extract more heat for the fire surround . So as soon as the temperature dipped , the fire was lit . Our main  back up heating is from  reverse AC , electrically efficient ; especially from that generated by our solar panels . Previous winters have been abroad ; in the warmth . This year has been a renewal of living with lower temperatures . Consequently a never ending supply of wood found its way onto the hearth . We  have an electrical tariff , which  for 30 days of the year is six times the normal rate ( France’s nuclear generation has been struggling with reliability of late )  . So extra wood embers were used to cook . By January , the remaining wood in our previously crowded  shed , was looking lonely . No problem , we were off to southern  heat ; leaving behind our handyman to replenish our shed with previously  felled trees. 

Kuala Lumpur was grown from a few huts on a muddy river bank in 1858 to now it seems infinite tower blocks jostling for ever decreasing space It is a physical manifestation of what Asia’s economic growth rate means on the ground ; or what is left of the space available. We were first here nearly 30 years ago , and change is spectacular . Back then roads were crowed with motor cycles . In the intervening years an impressive motorway network has blossomed , and a mass transit system built . Increased wealth has meant that two wheel transport has largely been replaced by four ; but in rush hour the roads seem no less crowded, albeit journeys taken in increased comfort . 

View from Petronas towers , kampungs replaced with tower blocks 

Malaysia recognises four principal religions , and with that their special holidays . Currently ,in the winter period hardly a week goes by without a religious or cultural event .( see list in appendix ). Such was the proliferation of holidays , that when I worked here , my boss insisted that we declared our religious affiliation , and only took the relevant days off . Now I have retired , I have no such constraint and can join in all the festivities. Our visit this year coincided with Chinese New Year, when for one day of the year the shops are actually shut . However not to loose too much money,  on other days , the shopping malls host Dragon dances to bring in the punters . 

A riot of red for the Chinese 

On the other hand the Hindu Tamils go in for spiritual enlightenment derived from self inflicted pain . We joined probably 1 million followers to view the spectacle , leaving before the crowds became impossible. Not to be outdone by the mercurial Chinese , there were a myriad of stalls catering to every religious and physical need , plus plenty of medical support . I suppose if the devotees trance is broken there needs to be someone on hand to stem the blood ! 

With so many cultures , there are a vast array of restaurants catering for every taste and every wallet ; from  Gordon Ramey’s , where it is possible to imbibe fine French wine by the glass ! To  ridiculously cheap street food of equal quality ! Living in KL it makes almost no economic sense to eat at home ; unless to meet a craving for simple beans on toast . In six weeks , we have eaten in just three times!  This feast of delights needless to say impacted on our own physical space . We were running out of room for fat cells and other blood related issues . Fortunately around in KL were plenty of clinics and hospitals, all very reasonably ( for us ) priced  . Diets have been adjusted to enable continued imbibition. 

Malaysia is close to Australia , well closer than Europe , so off we went to visit friends and relatives . The flight takes 8 hours of which just to cross the continent of Australia takes four . With a population of just 27 million , it cannot be described as a crowded place . However , that population wants to live where it isn’t dessert , so the edge of the continent is in big demand . That and the greed of developers , means that on new estates the bungalows are so close they could share rain water gutters. The challenge in Malaysia seems to provide space for the AC units . Space is always relative!  

Malaysian holidays

• 1. Eid-ul-Fitr (Hari Raya Aidilfitri)
• 2. Chinese New Year
• 3. Deepavali
• 4. Christmas
• 5. Eid-ul-Adha (Hari Raya Aidiladha)
• 6. Thaipusam
• 7. Hari Gawai
• 8. Pesta Kaamatan
• 9. Wesak Day
• 10. Pongal
• 11. Merdeka (Independence Day)
• 12. Malaysia Day
• 13. Awal Muharram
• 14. Nuzul Quran

Trains and Boats and….

That bridge:(read on) ps not sure that isn’t photoshop ed!, spectacular non the less

 Trains and Boats and Planes are passing by (Peter Paul and  Mary ) … well it’s about time we used them to take us away . After all we have been at home since April. Our water supply has been secured after an eventful summer ; so we can leave without worrying that our return will be quite so stressful. 

SNCF were advertising cut price tickets at an unbelievably low cost . Well it was applicable if your trip was FROM  Paris ; from Argeles they were not quite that bargain . By then we had set our minds on a trip to Bordeaux , so just had to pay ; the alternative of a 5 hour drive was just not appealing . To compensate for the cost of transport , we managed to find a Home exchange apartment where we could use some of our accumulated membership points .  

The beauty of french trains is that they are so reliable . There was only a 9 minute change over in Narbonne ; no sweat , no problem ; they nearly always run on time . Perhaps I should qualify that reliability with the caveat that as long as they are not on one of their frequent strikes . With everything booked , we found out that strike days coincided with both our proposed outward and return dates . Fortunately the apartment owners were using trains to travel to and from Paris to meet us in Bordeaux; so dates were put back to accommodate missing rail workers . 

Travelling by train is an enjoyment in itself . Relax “ and let the train take the strain “ British rail slogan ( from when they could say it and actually mean it ! ) ; ah and a Matt Monroe jingle !

One of the delights of Argeles is its main line train station , So it was the spectacular trip across the ‘etangs “ complete with pink flamingoes , to Narbonne . That 9 minute change over , then joining an intercity from Marseilles to Bordeaux . In my ignorance I thought that meant TGV at 300 km/hr . No ! We had to contend with half that speed. Now that is still faster than the traffic on the adjacent motorway . So why then I thought,  with Uk’s much shorter distances between cities , why spend all those billion and billions trying to emulate France’s TGV ; and then there is still no guarantee it will start actually in central London ! Another UK cock up , along with Brexit , aircraft carriers that don’t work and can’t be defended and … no I’ll stop there.

On time in Bordeaux , together with the rain . Well it is France’s Atlantic coast in November . But we weren’t finished with trains , actual trams . There was the possibility of a tram direct from the station to somewhere near our apartment . Given the rain, the dark , and a strange city ; we opted for a taxi . We were met by the apartment owners , a lovely couple for whom we were their first HomeExchange guests ; they were anxious to please . The accommodation itself did that . Recently refurbished and located in the heart of the city in the old quarter, comprising period housing , cobbled streets ,charming; oh! and surrounded by never ending restaurants, and a short walk to the tourist office. In the sun the next morning , we completed that walk now convinced that we had neglected Bordeaux for far too long. 

Our three day tourist pass offered discounts on the major attractions , and free tram travel . Located next to the central tram junction we set off on our first visit . Now those trams deserve a paragraph of their own . We first came across something very similar in Cuenca ( Ecuador ) . Wikipedia informs that the APS ( Alimentation par Sol ) is a product of Alstom . The power supply is a third , but buried rail , divided in segments that only switch on with the tram right over it . The French government has reported that “ there have been no electrocutions from this system” . So we can walk the streets in safety ; taking care not to actually walk in front of the tram ! This system was developed for Bordeaux and avoids unsightly overhead wires . It is clearly more expensive than those wires , since as soon as the tram leaves the historic centre , the trams’ pantograph pops up to connect with now provided overhead wires. All very impressive . 

Bordeaux was British for 300 years ( 1152-1453) after an opportune marriage of Elenor of Aquitaine to whom would become shortly Henry II of England . I suspect that it always maintained a close link with UK as it was an important destination for fine regional wines . The money from that , its’ role as Europe’s second biggest port , ah and the slave trade ( but they talk too much about that ); meant that the 18 C saw the construction of fine houses . These have survived German occupation and greedy development , and remain truly emblematic .; a UNESCO list sight .  A previous Mayor , Alan Juppé reversed a city decline , so now it is clean tidy and safe ; and with those trams, a joy to visit .

So off to our first stop : Le Cite de Vin which  is light years  away  , architecturally , from the city centre . This museum to wine was informative , interesting ; overwhelming this visitor with a wealth of detail. So it was with some relief we retired to the top floor for the view and a well earned glass of Bordeaux’s finest ;  well for free , something drinkable. This being France , a party of teenage school children joined us for this last leg of the visit , wine and all.

Next stop, a tram , bus and walk to another construction eyesore ; the German U boat pens that were located on the adjacent dock . These were constructed with solely functionality in mind : to protect the submarines from allied bombers . 60,000 cum concrete , a roof over 5 m thick they have proved immune from those bombs , and any thoughts of demolition . Given the lack of demand for submarine storage ; although if Scotland had voted for independence and UK not left the EU  ; they could have been a home for then England’s nuclear deterrent. Enough of that . So now they proved acres of internal wall space for a never ending light show . With all that water and concrete  it provides a sanctuary from heat of a summers day ; on stormy winter afternoon  , it invites just a cursory visit before it was off via Uber to warmth, food …and our choice of wine .   

Now unfortunately the most memorable part of our visit had absolutely nothing to do with Bordeaux , apart from  it’s temporary  location . A virtual reality adventure which required only those funny head sets and a strange room who’s walls and ceiling were covered in odd triangles. But the visitor is not supposed to see that , the head sets transformed us back to a 19C meeting of  French impressionists in Paris . Fascinating, and slightly scary, as despite the knowledge of our actual location , our brain was telling us a completely different story ; to the point that we were recoiling from rearing horses ,scared to walk across a plank and trying to board a steam train . 

Our visit was not yet over , a boat ride enticed onto a trip on the Gironde for a different view of Bordeaux skyline . Again , the most memorable , for me as an engineer , was passing under a peculiar looking bridge with four 60 m high pillars in each corner . Our guide explained that the cables affixing each of those corners enabled the deck to be hoisted to the top , to facilitate cruise ships tying up right in the historic centre . Apparently they had to pay 4000 euro each way for the privilege to mooring their 14 story floating hotel along side 3 story architectural masterpieces . I wonder if the city’s citizens now think the investment in that bridge was so wise.  

It was an intercity electric train that a transported us back home , at least part of the way . This time we missed our connection , took another train which terminated in Perpignan, then with only minutes to spare took the 1 euro bus to Argeles . So impressed by the latter’s  ride , we took it again a few days later to explore Perpignan’s shops . 

As for planes , well that’s another story !

Ah finally the picture of that other architectural masterpiece???? Ps it’s not the submarine pen

Oh technology still not working 

Water , water everywhere …

 

Dawn on a new beginning?

Now I really must be risking fate , starting to write this blog  before our deluge comes to pass……

‘ Water , water everywhere, nor a drop to drink ‘   (The Ancient  Mariner ) .That could be us except we are  just ageing , not yet classified as ancient .    So the only water available to us has been the swimming pool , and you would have to be particularly desperate to drink that .  At least we can  shower and flush the loo with it . I only once made a mistake taking a mouthful , in horror spat it out before swallowing . I didn’t make the same mistake twice . 

So reminder to my readers on our water woes ( Summary version! ) . So the borehole ran out of water first week in August . Not catastrophic as we have an old well , but then found its pump was not powerful enough to serve the upstairs .  First new pump was lost by the courier, second only lasted a week before burning out . Supplier needed five weeks before replacement could be considered ( Why ? Perhaps they were trying to “ starve “us into submission . ) . Leak found on pool, now repaired; leak also on pipe from well, pipe replaced . Storage tanks and pump installed to take water from borehole ; to balance out supply and demand and settle sand and silt. Awaiting alteration of electrics and controls for borehole . “ Things can only get better !”

Last week our electrician wired in the new pump in the Storage tank , and replaced my previous horrible wiring for all the other pumps. . Found a company to change the control for borehole , they looked at the house , waited three weeks knowing we were desperate, and then sent a quote for Euro 12,000 ! Do we really look that dumb? ( no need to answer) . So I continued to chase the borehole pump installer to quote . Finally he arrived after two half months of my pestering ; together with his very nice dog,  who welcomes our open spaces .  Things are getting better. 

So good news! ; after a summer resting , the water level in the borehole had returned to 26m down , leaving 70 m usable water underneath . This is almost exciting news ! All ( ? ) that  remains is to change control so that it pumps into the Storage tanks , and from there into the house . Awaiting alternative quotes from  electrician and borehole man . But first need to fill the storage tanks, can’t wait weeks for the borehole to fill them . Straight forward ? No !

Our friendly vineyard has a tractor drawn tanker , but I need to get permission from the town a hall  to take some of their precious water . Suitable form completed , submitted together with proof of ownership of house ; apparently paying rates for twenty years was not good enough ! Form vanishes into Marie , never to be seen again . By chance I had also met the mayor , but he was particularly unimpressed by our plight , with the rejoinder “ I am in the countryside with my own water problems “ . 

But wait! ( we have been) , on Monday a huge tanker is arriving with 16,000 litres, to fill storage tanks , and top up pool ( to protect its structural integrity  …allowable under drought rules ). Our borehole man gave us  his contact ; arrangements took just one phone call . Clearly a private contractor , with his own water supply.   My long suffering wife , she of changing hair colour with washing in chlorine ( I think a nice colour , a view not shared!  ) ..is planning a very long shower Monday night in compensation for the months of chlorinated submersion.   ..and yes ( The excitement is building ) , the pump supplier embarrassed by the long delay is sending a new pump ,  ( for the well)  . We will have two sources of water . I suspect another long shower is in the offing .

Ah , not quite so fast , none of this water is truly potable as it is coming from tanks or the well . Still not a drop to drink ! , although it must be said a considerable improvement on drinking that from the swimming pool !  So we await the return of our plumber to install improved filters,  and UV sterilisation. No problem , we have a hall, full of water in plastic bottles which will need using up. 

As water woes drift off into the sun set , I can relax ; ah except for that necessary to get the wood fire operational before winter sets in . Nothing is straightforward. To be continued ……and it arrived …. 16000 litres … liquid gold!!!!!

Pipes Galore

3372 pipes make up this German made organ in a temple to music and Art Nouveau. Imagine our surprise when we turned a corner of “ a cramped street “ to be met with a truly fantastic example of Barcelona architecture . It was all the more surprising as for us it was completely unexpected , I think we were just looking for a coffee. This  for us was served in the three story glass fronted atrium , which doubled as a protective skin to preserve the original facade. 

You can only visit the building with a guided tour , and we were in luck.  My words cannot hope to describe the buildings seemingly endless incredible features. The tour finished in the main concert hall , where our guide added that they had spent euro 1million plus restoring the original mechanical organ features with the latest electronics. To complete a visual assault,  our  journey concluded with  the German organ; driven by Japanese technology and Silicon Valley programming ; exploding with Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor . No organist required, technology had taken over !  

The emotion for me was completed with memory of the one time I had the opportunity to play our church organ at the age of 12 . The church was empty , and the air provide by electricity ; us sweet choir boys had , with too enthusiastic pumping , had broken the handle of the manual pump; mid service ! An organ is an incredible powerful instrument , and at full volume, I blasted the non existent congregation with my rendition of “ In the Bleak mid Winter “ . A sense of power never to be forgotten . 

The next series of “pipes “ are actually sculptured from  sandstone by water erosion . The Orgues ( organs) d’Ille-sur Tet were one of those tourist features right on our doorstep, which for twenty years we had never visited . Looking to take summer visitors somewhere new , we added this previously  unexplored location to our days itinerary; which was primarily going to be the Agly valley and Carthare castles  . They were on the way! The location itself also featured some sculptured metal work along the path, I will let the pictures describe ! 

The organ pipes themselves are a strange sight , with hard rock forming a rainproof cap to columns of sandstone , in places resembling those pipes . The whole edifice is purely transitory as water erosion will eventually wash all away . Fortunately with the drying climate , their life expectancy is being extended . 

A winding drive across limestone hills , through vineyards,  that miraculously survive in such a harsh environment . Apparently that leads  to better quality wine; which must have some truth, as the Agly valley wines are some of the best in the region . So of course we had to stop at the cave in Maury , to sample both food and wine . We were not disappointed . Ah , but we are supposed to be sight seeing ; which is of course more difficult with the preponderance of wine and food in France . So it was onwards and upwards to the heights of the castle ( strangely called a chateau ) of Queribus . 

It is definitely a castle , high on a promontory in the Corbières ; with magnificent views , especially of the Canigou . However to see the mountain top , its best before the cloud builds up around mid day . So there is the conundrum ; eat lunch or see the top , can’t have both . Sorry Canigou , no contest ! Anyway the view of rest of the countryside made up for it ! Scampering along , we finished up in the adjacent village of Cucugan , famous for its stone ground ancient wheat flour ; milled beneath the windmill . The latter is for show , electric is more reliable.  Fortunately the bakery also turns out   speciality bread . This truly had to be a special treat , targeted at the tourists ; price excludes every day consumption . 

Suitably replete , we set off down the Agly  valley , shocked to the see this once significant river had decayed into a series of stagnant pools . Our sécheresse (drought ) is having devastating consequences . Which of course applies to our abode , where for nearly three months our only source of water has been the swimming pool . But have no fear , additional of numerous pieces of hard ware , including a seemingly never ending array of pipes heralds the arrival of proper  water . 

To be continued ( I hope ) 

Penny Black

👋

 Yes !  it really is me emerging from my literary hibernation . I had been meaning to get round to it , but something always seemed more urgent . The words were buzzing  around in my head , never loud enough to prompt action ; until now ! Perhaps I had just run out of all the things that needed doing around the house ; and thus excuses . So here I go. 

Value : “ the regard that something is held to deserve : the importance , worth or usefulness of something “. This is clearly an individual thing ,relative to circumstances and  varying in time and space . 

For the traveller in the desert , that bottle of water cannot be valued ; it could be the difference between life an death. It was beginning to feel that way at home , ok that is a bit of an exaggeration ! Our house is not connected to mains water , relying solely on our own supplies . The principal one is a 130 m deep bore hole , and that just stopped pumping anything but sand. No panic , we have a standby 15m deep well in the woods , and that was ( and is ) half full .

 So water restored enough to clear out all the fine silt  throughout the house plumbing . The four in line filters had removed the sand . But then that pump supply couldn’t  maintain a minimum pressure . It would seem that whereas it had been good enough for watering the garden , the starting pressure was too low for the upstairs facilities. Not a catastrophe , I have yet another pump which takes water from the pool , originally to fight potential fires ; but connected to the house provided enough for all except potable use. Well at least for the next 200 days … if we are careful. 

To eke out the volume ; the pool had its winter cover put back, we showered in a plastic basin , and use that water to flush the loos . Our off site laundry service does more and live in guests discouraged . Fortunately we have no holiday rentals this year. …Oh and AC units proved enough to water the pots , at least when it is hot and humid. 

A lowering of the pool revealed the principal cause of our discomfort . A pipe had sprung a leak hidden within the wall , but now clearly visible . We would never had known this without lowering the water level by using the pool for our house supply ;  in normal use the pool has an automatic refill. Consequential actions are : 

1. Repair pipe , and pool lining . 
2. Meter main water demands .
3. Change pump in the well in the woods so that it provides proper alternative supply 
4. Install a level controller so that the borehole stops before the sand in the bottom . 
5. Provide a large tank to settle out and silt and sand 
6. Provide another large tank as a buffer volume to even out demand on the bore hole . 
7. Install a separate feed to all the toilets from  our recycled water , thus permanently reducing water demand on the borehole. 
8. Limit garden planting to that than can be sustained by the now reduced recycled water volume . 
9. Continue to capture the condensation water from the AC units .

   

Phew , no wonder I have had no time for artistic pursuits . 

So back to that Penny Black . This  was apparently the first adhesive stamp issued in Britain , in 1840 . An envelope with just such a stamp , fetched £ 2 million in auction . To some person with what looks like infinite wealth , it was considered to have that value . To the desert traveller , and most people in the world , it is valueless. 

The author’s partner collects stamps ; no not that Penny Black , but first day commemorative covers issued by The Post Office . Her collection spans many decades , and with an increasingly varied range of subjects , from Black Adder , Pepper Pig and now of course King Charles III. Reflecting a modern monarch his subjects include the Commonwealth , diversity and sustainability . Stamps valuable to her and other numismatics .

Gazing into my collectors eyes across the table at our 55th wedding anniversary celebration , I was reminded of what true value is ; family and friends 

Concentration

😎

“ No man is really defeated unless he is discouraged “ ( Bruce Lee ) . This morning I am stepping out with confidence ; the weather is cool and overcast and I am feeling good . Nothing to discourage me in beating  my previous best time : of 1hour 9 minutes for my 6km walking route. With the potential for a fierce sun at 2500 m and on the equator , and early start is essential . Today is the day .

I have been timing my route of several weeks , so as to provide an objective . My Apple phone provides a timer function complete with lap options . So it is Lap 1 : 12 minutes to the reservoir; Lap 2 & 3 : 22minutes each around  the reservoir embankment ; Lap 4 : 12 minutes home . A target time of 1 hour 8 minutes to beat. Recording those times in itself requires concentration , having the phone app open at just the right time , then making sure the buttons aren’t  inadvertently pressed at the wrong time . 

Starting;  I am off,  striding out with determination , keeping that stride length and pace constant . This requires concentration ; swinging those arms to help maintain the momentum . It will be 12 minutes before I can check if I’m on track . Ah no , 12.04 , 4 minutes too slow.  So chest out , spring off those toes, swing the arms , concentrate of speeding up. 

For me it is impossible to concentrate just on the act of walking for over an hour , my mind wanders , among other things , thinking about what can be in the net blog . So I though about  inspiring physical achievements  , how  athletes just keep going ; perhaps a bit of that could rub off on my aspiration to beat my own time .

Netflix have some great docuseries ( I think they also made up the word  ) . Anyway one of those was based on a woman called Diana Nyad ; who decided at the age of 60 decided to swim between Cuba and Florida , having first failed at the age of 28 . The distance in 110 miles , takes over two days of constant swimming . She followed an underwater light at night, used  electronic shark repellents, and  a special face  mask to avoid jelly fish stings . On the fifth attempted she succeeded , now at the age  65. To maintain her concentration she sang ( in her head ) continuously . I must learn sufficient songs with the right rhythm ( Stayin’ Alive is one ) .

Ah back to my rhythm ; swinging  those arms , especially uphill. Scott of the Antarctic must have had incredible mental strength . To spend weeks walking to the Pole , only to find he was second . His discouragement , poor weather and lack of food no doubt contributed to his demise. I ‘m just walk-in 6 km in near perfect weather , so not quite the same ; but I must maintain my pace ! 

Three of the four laps completed , and the time is looking good . Ok , I have twinges from my foot and slight stomach pain . It reminded me of my school cross country event , which was considered compulsory for all pupils ; sadists ! 440 yds was my best ( greatest )  distance . I finished , can’t let the house  down ; but was then promptly sick . 

This last lap is slightly uphill to add to the discomfort ; perhaps this is my “ wall” , apparently what marathon runners have to breakthrough to finish . This is a gentle , almost invisible hillock . With the end almost in sight and a good time possible , I speeded up . 

Finished in 1 hour 6 minutes and 38 seconds . Smug satisfaction. Ah but next time out this has to be the time to beat !! 

 Ah wait we will soon be back in Argeles , and with all this training at altitude,  I will have to find a more challenging exercise route !

 

 

 

Stayin’ Alive. ( Bee Gees )

 

“ Start”

I need to circumnavigate this exercise route along side a local reservoir , without breaking any of the posted restrictions. Regular exercise to help me keep alive for a few more years !

Reservoir just after construction ; now completely surrounded by upmarket housing. Built on the side of a hill in an earthquake zone , I hope those embankments are big enough !

The reservoir is a large balancing pond serving it’s associated power generation station . The first indication of its purpose comes from the sight of two adjacent huge chimney like structures, which are actually surge columns to prevent the feeder pipes to the generators from  bursting in the event of sudden shut down in generation . For me surge is a very real issue . When in India , surge broke a valve on our pumping main , and killed a passing innocent stranger ! 

 

Hibiscus is a flower that thrives in this climate , the temperate temperatures , no frost , and frequent  rain is perfect for them . Incidentally it is also the national flower of Malaysia . Unfortunately the bloom really only last a day , but what a day ! . 

“ Life is good when people come together to help each other “ A wonderful inspirational phrase spoken by a women whilst firmly strapped into a stretcher ; waiting to be carried down a North Wales mountain, by Mountain rescue .( BBC TV ). She had unknown serious injuries , and after some persuasion ,  had been given strong pain relief . Her rescue from probable death ,  prompting her insightful comment . She was going to stay alive !

 Uv Index  Extreme: 11+

“Take full precaution. Unprotected skin will be damaged and can burn in minutes. Avoid the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., cover up, and wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Don’t forget that white sand and other bright surfaces reflect UV and increase UV exposure.” 

 …. I better walk quickly before the sun is fully up . We are at 2500m , on the equator , so on a clear day we keep out of the sun . Yet around the pool at the local country club , still some people sun bathe !

UK Foreign Office travel advice . “ Advise all but essential travel  “ … to the west of the country . Guayaquil is firmly in the centre of the war against the drug cartels .It is OK to go to the  Galapagos , but all planes stop briefly in Guayaquil . All seems eerily  quiet at the moment ; never the less our trip to see tortoise as been deferred to next year . In our view not worth the risk …..”Stay’n  alive ! 

I have reached the end of the path , without recourse to …“A nudge from a song like “Stayin' Alive” appears to help ensure the pace for CPR. Participants in the study listening to the song performed CPR at the recommended rate, about 100 beats per minute.  “ 

Well the Bee Gees would have been surprised by the benefit of their song ; although I suppose they didn’t do very well , with only one of the original 3/4 still around .

. I just hope that I am not on the receiving end of that CPR ; but it will add an additional emotion when listening that  song .

…

Stayin’ Alive ….Much to the disappointment of this pair of black vultures which have taken up residence at the end of the path . Fortunately they are not Condors , with a 3 metre wingspan , which would be truly scary close up . This pair had decided feeding would be much easier right next to bin that receives , amongst other detritus , dead fish from the automatic screen cleaner on the inlet of the reservoir .

This Heath Robinson contraption , is the automatic screen cleaner …or bird feeder.

 

Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother

You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin'
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive
Oh, when you walk

It’s also a good rhythm for walking , so I am off tomorrow for another  6 km .  I can’t miss views like this .

I trust I am around for the next leap year blog