Wales for the Day 2

05.09.01

ALVIN AND BEV’S UPDATE

I had a brain wave at 4 am on my last days off and reached out to Bev in the bed and said “What about we go to Wales for the day”. Bev being an enthusiast for new things grunted “OK but I’ll need a cuppa first”. Well by the time I had made a brew and attended to my distended bladder Bev was stacking zeds again. She had a trick of tapping on the side of the cup with teaspoon to wake me so I tried that and to my amazement she woke and sat up to have her requested cuppa.

Time was now 4.30 am. She wanted to know why I was p so early and I reminded her that she had agreed to come to Wales for the day. It took about another 2 hours to get out the door of the flat but it was an early start, still dark. The night buses are less frequent and more expensive. We had timed it right to get the first of the day buses taking us right into the city to Trafalgar Square.

Bev was worried about a young man who was drug affected. He looked like he was miming a nightmare all of his own. As we approached along the sidewalk he reeled away from the stone wall which he perceived had just struck him. He was hugging his body shivering with the cold.

Another short tube trip has us at Paddington Station just on 7 am. I read the departure board for Cardiff which indicated the train left on the hour. So we missed the 7 am and had a further one hour to wait. That time went fast. We yapped away to people who were heading to a cat show with the moggies looking petrified in their cages. The cat breeds were exotic to us but common breeds to the Poms.

I had heard of the Welsh Valleys. Probably through the association to the singers Tom Jones and Harry Seacombe and the wonderful coral singers from there. I located a small town which looked as though it was off the beaten track and away form city life. Our ticket was for a cheap day return to Pontypridd up the valley 30 minutes by train from Cardiff (38 quid)

Bev was asleep for the first hour of the two hour train trip. (I’m not sure why)

I was looking forward to seeing the bridge over the Severn River which divides England and Wales. The crossing at the mouth of the Severn is very broad, about 4 mile stretch.

O followed the map and was expecting to see the bridge coming up very soon when my view out the window disappeared as we entered the tunnel under the river and the Welsh Boarder.

10 am had us on the Cardiff platform looking at all the Gaelic names and hearing lyrical pronunciations over the station intercom. All gobble dee gook to us.

Being market day Saturday there were plenty of people in town, the streets were full to overflowing the cars had been excluded from the town centre. Market stalls are very familiar to us now and hold little interest.

The old part of Pontypridd has a museum as the centre which probably was the Council Chambers or official building in years gone by. The museum is dominated by a huge pipe organ. Welch Mining History Tin, Iron, Lead and Coal is well represented. Audio of peoples lives and upbringing in the thirties and forties held my interest. The Taff River winds its way through the town.

It is the size of the Avon in Christchurch. A spectacular single arched stone bridge spans the river. Built in 1740 something it is in great repair and now only used for foot traffic. Its all held together by its own weight, clever buggers.

Wandering through the long attached streets of housing was also interesting to me. Each house is identical two story three bedroom miners’ houses. We sidled up to two elderly local ladies and engaged them in conversation. They had lived in the same street for the last 40 years and were forth coming about the local history. They were impressed that we had come up from London for only a day and were also taken with our accents.

The school holidays are due to finish and workmen are feverishly undertaking running repairs to the internals of a primary school prior to the kids arriving. I poked my head in the door to have a look. The Principals husband who had been roped into the clean up gave us a guided tour and was very helpful with teaching us some of the pronunciations of the Walsh language. We appreciated the friendly people we met, who were apologetic for the town and saying its not a wealthy area and has high unemployment.

My brain wave at 4 am had proved to be the inspiration for a wonderful relaxing day.

I was off to work late last night. The usual night nurse was off sick which meant an agency nurse had to be called on. She had come form another suburb and had let us know that she was having trouble finding the Nursing home in the dark. Eventually she turned up at 20 past my knock off time. she still needed orientation and a hand over, something that can take up to 20 minutes when all is well. Anyway I wandered home, a walk of five minutes. As I approached our flat I could see that there were no lights on. My anxiety levels went up a gear. Bev had been to lectures at the Kings College University yesterday and today. We have security call buzzers outside the flat and my usual pattern of rings remained unanswered. I rummaged through my carry bag and found my flat keys, wound my way up the stairs to number 18. Bev was definitely not home. Checked the answer phone, nothing, no notes or messages.

What to do if you wife is not home when you expect here, late at night now 8.45 pm in New Cross, London. My irrational thinking was wandering about, thinking of a vast range of calamities that may have beset Bev. Luckily my rational mind said, have a cuppa and a shower.

A further half and hour passed, I could hear police sirens and the overhead Police Helicopter providing them with assistance. My calm presence of mind was being tested. I considered going for a walk to meet her, but which direction would she come from. She is adventurous and tries many different routes home. The security buzzer sounded about 9.30 pm. A laughing voice at the other end said “Hello I’ve been lost”

After two days of lectures Bev had organised a social gathering of her class mates. An Aussie, one South African, two Nigerians and a Jamaican and a Jewish South African living in Malta. They wanted to have a debrief over wine or coffee for the Muslim and met at Waterloo Station. The rendezvous lasted until 7.30 pm when the group broke up. Bev had allowed 40 minutes to get home by train. She hopped on her train and them realized that she was sitting on train with a bus ticket. Bev got off the train at the first stop and sought directions to New Cross by bus. She did find one that went to New Cross but unfortunately it seemed to circumnavigate London before getting there.

BEV HERE

The woman in the class are great fun.

The Iranian woman has a Masters in Midwifery. She is probably more qualified than the tutor. The Jewish midwife’s history is impressive too. She moved from South Africa to settle in Israel. She studied Hebrew. She then resat and passed her midwifery again in Hebrew in Israel.

The tutor admitted that she has never used the Internet and does not know her way around the library at the University because she is the boss. She told the class that she had just upgraded her computer and traded her old PC which was not capable of running windows to her hairdresser for two haircuts.

She told us that she is the gate keeper. She will not let us qualify as Midwives unless she is 110% sure we can operate as Independent Midwives. One Nigerian Midwife lives near me at New Cross. She had been wrongly informed that the course was postponed.

She had to come to the first day after working all night at the hospital. The following day she was late because of her sick child had to see a doctor and she left early to admit him to hospital. He has Malaria.

The other Nigerian woman travels to London a long way from Sussex and will work in Lewisham with me.

It was in this context that I stayed in town a bit later enjoying the company and calculating my short journey of 20 minutes by train was a trifle.

I wonder what will happen next..

Arthur & Albert Steptoe

Wales for the Day

28.08.01

ALVIN AND BEV’S UPDATE

Our big news this week is that the UKCC the Registration Body for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors have taken the time to consider Bev’s appeal and have decided that she is accepted onto the role as a Nurse in the UK.

We figured her best her best hope of gaining registration would be via Part 10 of the register which is Midwifery, but their decision that Bev should undergo a two month adaptation course for midwifery stands.

Bev spent many hours preparing her appeal. Some UKCC staff had endeavored to dissuade her from doing so, explaining to her that there is no such process. This only strengthened her resolve. By directing a copy of her appeal paperwork to the Chief Executive of the UKCC Bev hoped that she increased here chances of getting the ear of the decision makers. You would never know.

It is very important to try to gain UKCC Registration prior to leaving NZ, especially if you intend to work straight away. We have heard of the UKCC mislaying applications. The UKCC recommends applying 6 months before registration is required. Luckily my Mental Health Registration was finalized by the time by the time I arrived, taking four months.

There is anew regulation from April this year. It you wish to maintain both Nursing and Midwifery you must practice a minimum of 200 days (1500 hours) divided equally between Nursing and Midwifery.

The time span for this experience is in the five years prior to renewal of registration.

From now on Bev plans to keep a good portfolio of experience.

Our local Practice Nurse at New Cross told us she was thwarted when she reapplied for her Midwifery after a break having children. She decided the recommended 6 months adaptation course was not for her.

The adaptation time is most often unpaid.

I have had Bev into the Super Stores of Harrods, Selfridges and Marks and Spencer. All massive Department Stores with top class goods. The bottom floor of their stores have the same departments i.e. perfume and food halls. Harrods food hall is something that would impress anyone. There are about twenty different retail points selling different products. The butchery department sells a range of meats way beyond anything that I have ever seen. Goat, rabbit along with game birds of quail and grouse, the small goods range is very extensive with a swag of stuff that looks interesting. I think the BSE and CJD scare would have toned down sales even in a posh place like Harrods. I haven’t eaten red meat since I have been here. I suppose I’ll still go senile or start growing feathers from eating force feed poultry. I have noticed I’m already growing more hair on my body since coming to this land.

Today we visited the London Zoo which entertained us for the day. It is an old Zoo trying to modernize itself. Old buildings which are historically interesting are no longer suitable for the management of animals in captivity. Overall the Zoo staff have reduced the amount of exhibits, improved the living environment and concentrated on breeding endangered species as well as education of the public. The Foot and Mouth problem had also impacted on the Zoo. Areas are off limits to the public and signs warn the public to wash their hands after touching some of the more domesticated animals.

Kath’s due back from her European tour in a couple of days and I’m looking forward to hearing about her adventures.

I wonder what will happen next.

Alvin and Bev

27.08.01

London Zoo

28.08.01

ALVIN AND BEV’S UPDATE

Our big news this week is that the UKCC the Registration Body for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors have taken the time to consider Bev’s appeal and have decided that she is accepted onto the role as a Nurse in the UK.

We figured her best her best hope of gaining registration would be via Part 10 of the register which is Midwifery, but their decision that Bev should undergo a two month adaptation course for midwifery stands.

Bev spent many hours preparing her appeal. Some UKCC staff had endeavored to dissuade her from doing so, explaining to her that there is no such process. This only strengthened her resolve. By directing a copy of her appeal paperwork to the Chief Executive of the UKCC Bev hoped that she increased here chances of getting the ear of the decision makers. You would never know.

It is very important to try to gain UKCC Registration prior to leaving NZ, especially if you intend to work straight away. We have heard of the UKCC mislaying applications. The UKCC recommends applying 6 months before registration is required. Luckily my Mental Health Registration was finalized by the time by the time I arrived, taking four months.

There is anew regulation from April this year. It you wish to maintain both Nursing and Midwifery you must practice a minimum of 200 days (1500 hours) divided equally between Nursing and Midwifery.

The time span for this experience is in the five years prior to renewal of registration.

From now on Bev plans to keep a good portfolio of experience.

Our local Practice Nurse at New Cross told us she was thwarted when she reapplied for her Midwifery after a break having children. She decided the recommended 6 months adaptation course was not for her.

The adaptation time is most often unpaid.

I have had Bev into the Super Stores of Harrods, Selfridges and Marks and Spencer. All massive Department Stores with top class goods. The bottom floor of their stores have the same departments i.e. perfume and food halls. Harrods food hall is something that would impress anyone. There are about twenty different retail points selling different products. The butchery department sells a range of meats way beyond anything that I have ever seen. Goat, rabbit along with game birds of quail and grouse, the small goods range is very extensive with a swag of stuff that looks interesting. I think the BSE and CJD scare would have toned down sales even in a posh place like Harrods. I haven’t eaten red meat since I have been here. I suppose I’ll still go senile or start growing feathers from eating force feed poultry. I have noticed I’m already growing more hair on my body since coming to this land.

Today we visited the London Zoo which entertained us for the day. It is an old Zoo trying to modernize itself. Old buildings which are historically interesting are no longer suitable for the management of animals in captivity. Overall the Zoo staff have reduced the amount of exhibits, improved the living environment and concentrated on breeding endangered species as well as education of the public. The Foot and Mouth problem had also impacted on the Zoo. Areas are off limits to the public and signs warn the public to wash their hands after touching some of the more domesticated animals.

Kath’s due back from her European tour in a couple of days and I’m looking forward to hearing about her adventures.

I wonder what will happen next.

Alvin and Bev

27.08.01

Brixton London

20.08.01

ALVIN AND BEV’S UPDATE

A couple of weeks ago we wandered up to our local railway station at New Cross Gate, trying to work out where we might head off to for the day.

Rain was pending from the south. It didn’t look much on the forecast so the decision was to get a cheap day pass for Hastings on the south coast.

To get the intercity trains you generally have to head to one of the main stations closer to town.

London Bridge Station had about 12 platforms with trains coming and going about every 2 minutes on at least 5 of those.

The main information boards help your destination with the platform for departure signaled alongside.

It’s a bit daunting when the express train charges through without stopping. Wind and dust is blown up and you dare not stand anywhere near the edge of the platform.

I remember back to the railcar rides in the coast. We often traveled down to Hokitika from Reefton to visit cousins. The old railcars were fun to ride on especially the novelty of using the toilet while it rocked and rolled.

The ride south to Hastings took two hours. The first stop was well into the journey as we cleared the city in a short time. I commented to Bev about the relaxed feeling you get when you can see open country side.

We are country people at heart.

Between London and Hastings is the county Sussex.

Most of the summer crops have been harvested now and the field remain bereft of stock. All that can be seen are the tracks where the machinery scooped in the harvest and a few rabbits.

Hastings is a typical English town. The best one I have been to so far.

There is a quaint mix of the old and new.

We started with a cuppa on the beach. The wind was blowing at about 30 knots so to unpleasant to remain on the exposed coast.

The beach is made of gravel flint stones about the size of golf balls. Not the sandy beach we are used to at home.

In the past the coastline was the cliffs. Man has placed barriers along the southern coast to protect property and so no chance of the sand being reformed by natural erosion.

I was interested in the history of the place particularly because we are new to this stuff. Above the city is the remains of Hastings Castle. The Normans used it as a camp when they cane from France to invade England in 1066. Hastings cliffs have stone age caves so we are talking about a very old town.

We enjoyed exploring the Old English part of the Hastings town. The street, alleys and passageways between the buildings have remained unchanged for centuries. Shops and pubs are geared for the tourist trade now but the essence of Old England remains. Away from the waterfront quaint old shops serve the locals so there is a genuine feel about the place. If both Bev and I entered a shop there was no room for anyone else because they are so small.

I think it was King Harold of England who was deposed by the Normans. He met his demise when he received an arrow in his right eye. That would hurt.

The wind died down towards evening and made our walk out onto the Hastings Pier a bit more pleasant. Most of the other loopies had moved on and I think some of the stall holders had given up and gone home for the day. The coffee shop we entered had very welcoming staff. They gave us tea cakes for free to go with out 2 pound eighty pence Cappuccinos (NZ $7.20). They hook it into you over here.

The sea was still very wild from the earlier high winds and roared below the Pier. I had a close look a the piles and metal frame work. Looked a bit dodgy to me. There are big redevelopment plans for the pier and I noticed on a sign that the refurbishment would be completed for the millennium celebrations.

Some friendly locals we got talking to suggested that we must try the fish and chips. I was dubious of this after my experience at Margate a month or so back. Huss was a species that was new to me along with Plaice, Pollack and Lumpsucker. I opted for one piece of Huss and chips. This fish was very similar to Rig, sweet with a grain and to my surprise had the cartilage remaining in the thick fillet. It filled the spot, I’ll try it again.

On our next day off we left early to go to north of London. This cheap day return ticket allowed us to head north to Cambridge, change trains five times and take in the sights of the big bulge in the east which is called Norfolk.

The land is more open and flat especially as we got close to the sea at Yarmouth. I was surprised t see windmills, which had been restored. They dated back to the 18^th century and were used to grind corn until 1908. river channels called broads have an array of sail craft and holiday boats plying the waters. Large inland freshwater lakes abound. I learnt that these areas had there origins as peat marshes as there are very little woodlands in this area. As the waters found their levels it made it increasingly difficult for the peat cutters and the industry died out. Yarmouth is a beach resort for the central part of England. The weather in Norfolk in the east and away from the prevailing winds would appear to the best of English weather. I think the whole low lying area could do with the humping and hollowing, a land draining method adopted by farmers on the West Coast to turn Pakahi and swamp into productive farm land.

Alvin and I went to Brixton on the bus for a look. You will recall it has been in the news lately with race riots between whites and Asians. It is a trial area for more liberal marijuana laws. Decriminalizing of possession for personal use. It is in South London, about 30 minutes north of here. The first thing we came across was a lively black gospel group singing and praying under the trees in the centre of the community. There was a drunk jiving to the sound and drug addicts sitting about.

Brixton offers a seedier slice of market life than we had seen before. Bigger piles of garbage too and smellier fish market stalls. In a humid 20 degrees I had to hold my breath and push through the crowds in case I vomited.

The tatty stalls are cluttered either side of dogleg alleyways with perhaps 4 to 6 feet for the crowds surging shoulder to shoulder to squeeze through. The butcher stalls with pigs heads displayed axed open, are crammed with the carnage of red meat and offal

Obviously only my hellish perception as I saw some folks sitting opposite having a cuppa and the stall holders next to the reeking fish were selling clothing or rolls of fabric.

Stalls clamor for space in airless disused warehouses. Where they are set up outside there is flurry of activity to cover them in sheets of plastic for rain showers.

Breathing easier out on the main street I watched Alvin’s back as he queued to get money out of a cash machine. He thought the screen told him the money was not available. As he walked away the next customer a young black woman called after him that his money was there. Some other guy followed us up the sidewalk to tell us that never happens here in Brixton you are so lucky. We bought sweet corn, beetroot and a pineapple from the corner stall, from which we observed a few young men strutting about the intersection. As we moved on Alvin commented that he sensed something sinister in their behaviour. We speculated this could be the reason for 6 cops in 2 police cares, sirens and lights to flash past us back to the scene.

I imagined young cops in training being sent here for frontline experience. The shoppers we spoke to were pleasant, courteous and helpful with directions for the buses.

My final memory of Brixton is queuing with cleanly presented people for overcrowded buses. Despite the weight of the grocery bags I was unwilling to reset them on payments that are splattered with vomit and urine.

A troubled world.

The beetroot was nice.

I wonder what will happen next

Aldo and Flo