Stonehenge Visit @ Xmas

19.12.01

WISHING YOU ALL A PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS

We will probably be a little sad on Christmas Day but will make the most of it.

I’m sure I will miss the girls.

Alvin is doing night duty so that will not be too great.

I finished my adaptation course yesterday.

It was like pulling teeth to get it tied up but I finally got a letter form Lewisham. They asked me to work on the ward because they were short and I struck a deal.

Sign the letter and I will come back to work tonight. The letter says I am finished and am suitable to be a midwife. I took a train to the uni to give it to the boss lady there who signs another form to tell UKCC I’m done. But then there are the essays to get marked before Xmas so who knows. The boss of the uni told me March. I told her that was not OK. So we will wait now and see.

So now I have my life back. I will miss the University Lectures. I go out to shows with three of the women I met through I met through the class. I want to keep in touch with two others, I don’t want to lose contact with them

I plan to visit Gibraltar ASAP where Leanne lives, and Rafat belongs to another world i.e. Muslin so that will take an effort.

I am working as a nurse in Ward 5 Postnatal again. Casual call on. Ill have everything arranged to apply at my hospital Lewisham. Alvin enjoys his work at Woolich Hospital. He would like me to move to this hospital but I prefer to stay where I am as I know the people now.

We had a wonderful weekend. Went to Stonehenge. Artic conditions with the wind blowing across the plains from the Polar Cap.

The we looked for a B & B.

Found a fabulous tiny town. A Post Office/shop from a hundred years ago. So quaint they didn’t even sell what I wanted Tampax.

Asked directions for a B & B and got taken home with a lovely woman customer to her house for a cup of tea.

She was a Practice Nurse in the area and hubby was high up in the army. I kept thinking I’ve seen him on TV. Must keep my eyes peeled.

They had a dog called Nelson who I could not get enough of. He was so obedient but so willing to be a mischief. Anyway these folks introduced us to their neighbours who has traveled extensively in NZ even been to Hokitika. A real English tea party.

The pub was our destination. Wooden shingle tiles on the roof. Picture postcard stuff.

A Church next door and thatched houses all around a narrow lane. The publican is a “retired” chef and dinner was divine. His wife was responsible for the décor of the pub. I never got to meet here but I appreciated the attention to detail inside and out. It was like a fairytale. We spelt well and felt obliged to eat the English breakfast prepared for us in the morning. Just could not eat the fried bread and black pudding.

Take care and warmest wishes for a Happy New Year

Bev and Alvin

Brothers Visit

20.11.01

ALVIN AND BEV’S UPDATE

I was sitting in my car outside the Medium Secure Unit in South London eating my lunch. The gym at the Bracton Centre was the venue for a four day training course on de-escalation and patient handling. I was contemplating two things. The first being the height of the sun at midday. I raise my biro up at arms length to measure the distance of sun and the horizon and was amazed to find the distance was less than the biro’s length. This revelation prompted me to investigate this further. My atlas was my source of reference. By placing England transposed to where New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, on its correct latitude, my revelation was that I needed to place London where the Campbell Islands are in the Southern Ocean, South of Stewart Island about 200 miles. This then places Scotland way down near the Antarctica. This bit of research now helps me understand the difference in the daylight hours as it now is getting dark at 4.30 pm and not light till 8.00 am. We still have five weeks to the shortest day.

The second thing I was contemplating was my pain in the chest. SCIP Training involves working in teams of threes or more to manage patients when their minds are not able to function in a normal mode. The practices involve restraint, without using any holds which could cause pain or injury. The reason for this change in thinking is to endeavour to better maintain the therapeutic relationship which could be put in jeopardy if power and control is used inappropriately. One of the holds we had been training to extract ourselves form is a bear hug from the rear. Now this may take a bit of imagination but I’ll try to explain. Take a big Nigerian male about six foot six weighing 16 stone working as my training buddy. He approaches me from the rear and wraps his arms around me pinning my arms to my body. The first thing I should consider is he friendly or do I want him not to do this to me . if my request to, let go, fails then I move to my next stage which is to gain a good stance by spreading my legs thus lowering myself. Then I lean forward this taking my Nigerian giant off balance and placing pressure on his hold. I then puff up my chest to increase my leverage and endeavour to assist prising grip apart, by finding a weak link in his hand grip. All going well up until I try to wedge my fingers up his. I felt and heard and distinct pop under my right nipple. I call a halt to the cuddle. I don’t think I broke a rib but I have definitely moved the cartilage that joins the sternum to the rib. I have used pain killers to get off to sleep as it is tender when I roll on my right side.

My brother Garry and Christine Steel arrive here next week and I’m looking forward to spending time with them. I dialed up my niece Louise Bradley who is also over here in North London. Arranging a Rendezvous and get together. Garry and Christine had spent a couple of weeks catching up with our relatives in California and Florida. Departing Florida to New York about the same time as the most recent plane American Airline Crash there. This security alert put their travel plans into turmoil being diverted to Chicago before being allowed to fly back to JFK Airport at New York four hours later. Their visit to NY was very memorable as they were able to go up the Empire State and view across to where the twin towers used to be. They found they were not able to climb up the Statue of Liberty due to Osman Bin Ladin but able to walk all about New York city outside the exclusion zone from ground zero.

Once here we visited the sites of London again. Louise met us at Waterloo Station prior to our visit to the London Eye which helped them orientate to the City. Christine is an old hand at moving about in London and showed me some new places she had visited previously. Harrods is fully decked out with the Xmas stocks and kept us entertained for a while.

The next day the All Blacks were playing Ireland at Landsdown Park, Dublin. Louise arranged for us to meet up in Hendon North London at her local Irish Pub. We traveled North by the tube and to our surprise, Peter Teen of Hokitika Vintage spotted us outside the Tube Station. He seen Garry initially and was unsure about his perceptions, but when he spotted me there also he said “Christ Olson’s everywhere”. It was great catching up with him again. He was unaware we were coming up to watch the footy. We met about 20 Kiwis at the pub that afternoon, mostly from the Coast but several from Southland and few from the North Island.. Moynihan, Growcotts, Dee Monks. Angela Walls, Jack Stewart, Jimmie Teen, Louise Bradley, Peter Teen, Christine Steels and the Olson boys to name a few. The Irish gave us a challenge in the first half, keeping the anxiety levels up and the beers flowing. The second half was as we all expected and the desired result was achieved. The big screen is a great way to watch sport. The Aussies won league and Garry’ soccer Team Arsenal achieved a draw. I enjoyed my afternoon at the pub leaving with smelly clothing and sore red eyes from the cigarette smoke.

Just south of London about 50 miles is the famous Leeds Castle. Garry, Christine and I had a day down their poking about a bit of British history. Garry and Christine have now moved on to have a week in Ireland with the famous Wiscock, a suspected IRA criminal.

I wonder what will happen next.

Anton Oliver

My turn to Cook

RYE

29.10.01

ALVIN AND BEV’S UPDATE

Its my turn to cook tonight. Bev is at lectures at Kings College University. I think she has only two more that she must attend before the end of her Midwifery Adaptation Course. When we were settling down to sleep last night, she mentioned that she had a craving for meat. I took this to mean the edible type and filed into my memory until I could do the shopping today. Since we have been in the UK, we both have avoided re meat (Mad Cow Syndrome), our basic meats have been chicken, turkey, along with a vast array of fish. It has not been hard to avoid red meat, at the local markets there is generally a hop or stall selling off cuts from sheep or cows. The condition in which is is sold is sometimes beyond belief.

About thirty years ago I worked at Andrews Brothers Butchery in Hokitika. I was taught basic butchery and my job as junior was keeping a clean work environment. The old white pine blocks that the meat was broken down into saleable chunks were often impacted with fat and blood. My job at the end of the day was to use an abrasive brush to remove all traces of the meat juice right back to pristine wood. You may remember the old butchers blocks were often worn away on one side due to the rasping of the junior. I don’t think they employ juniors over here. The butcher shops are often small outlets. The breaking down of meat is done in the back of an old van and the floors of the shops have sawdust to assist in the soaking up of the blood and fat. Often scrawny chickens are strung up by their heads and feet still intact. Pig trotters are to the fore, which must be a delicacy for the local African population. Poorly washed tripe is also on sale to add to the revolting scene. Legs of low quality lamb are advertised as New Zealand lamb. To me it looks more like goat meat, very lean and without the quality control identification stamp we are used to in NZ. The price is sometimes higher that English lamb, offered for sale alongside, as if to reinforce the genuineness of the false product.

Anyway back to my meal tonight I went to TESCOS a big supermarket chain. They are the retail outlets for a lot of New Zealand product. I bought a half leg of lamb for £3.69 which is about $11.00 NZ. I’ll roast some sweet potatoes (not the same as kumara) spuds and butternut and accompany that with some spinach and carrots. A lot of food is pre prepared here. Just slip it in the micro wave and wait. We tend to cook meals on our days off and resort to the quick options when we are on shifts. It is great to smell the leg of lamb cooking and Bev will be in for a shock when she gets home tonight.

Yesterday we were both off and decided to have some country therapy. I had detected a noise of emanating from the rear of the Volvo, which I though was coming from a faulty rear wheel bearing. I took this up to the local garage to have it diagnosed because I didn’t want to be left on the side of the M25 with a broken down vehicle. The mechanic thought the problem was a crook diff, which should continue to be crook, not terminal, for sometime, so we set off for Kent, and the South Coast. I have been driving and bullying my way around traffic here for about one month. My confidence growing as I clock up the miles. The main motorway between London and Dover is called the M20. Once on this, we kept up with the flow of traffic reaching speeds of 80 mph in some places.

Bev had a crash course on navigation to direct us to a South Coast Port town of Rye. On a recent visit to Hastings we had been told that Rye had maintained a medieval history with half timbered buildings, winding cobbled streets and old churches and fortifications. The town is popular with tourists and was up to our expectation. A number of the old shops have been converted into teashops to cater for the hungry visitors and the strict building codes maintains the old nature of the town.

Antique shops do a great trade. Given that it was raining we poked about in several of these. Organised day trip tours from the continent include Rye as a destination because of its character and antiques. Even on a bleak a rainy day it was charming and peaceful. We will return in the spring.

We hoozled along the South Coast to find a stylized image of a man holding two poles, one of several mysterious figures cut onto the chalk hillside. It was getting towards dark about 3.30 pm and a shower of rain had just passed so we didn’t bother climbing up to the site. I pointed the Volvo for home up the A23 to connect with the M25 then back home. This was a simple plan that soon came unstuck, rain, mist, darkness and speed and a lot of twists and turns stuffed up my navigator and myself. We arrived home much later that we intended.

I wonder what will happen next

Alvin

Milwall Football

21.10.01

ALVIN AND BEV’S UPDATE

My adrenaline is still flowing, I can hear the sound of the police helicopter overhead watching the crowd dissipate and providing an eye in the sky for police operations. It is now two hours since I left the Millwall Football Stadium. I have this weekend off and planned a weekend of rest and relaxation. Last week was very hectic. It was my plan to recuperate and get base camp stocked and tidy.

Being in close proximity to the stadium, car parking in this area is a premium prior to a game. The streets are decked out with no parking signs and the main gate to our complex is shut. This means I could not get out, by car, if I wanted to. I thought that I cant beat them so I may as well join them. I had a quick feed and cuppa and joined the throngs heading for the ticket booths. I really didn’t know the set up and the seating arrangements so I thought I’d get in the middle somewhere in the west stand.

I was surprised to see Mounted Police outside the gate. The horses were well protected with plastic visors to protect their eyes. Their legs were also protected from the knees to the hoof. The coppers on top had special helmets with a strong visor that could be pulled down. In the saddle in front of their legs there is a leather bag containing fire arms and truncheons. Each police officer had radio communication and presented an impressive sight. Once I had taken all this in I stood back and observed the very high police presence both uniformed and non uniformed. I think the club must also have a very high degree of security which is well organised and presents a high profile with their hi-vis jackets.

Being about an hour before the game I thought I ‘d head on in to the stadium, grabbing a coffee an chips and a Millwall Official Match Day Magazine.

Today’s game was against Nottingham Forest a team two places higher on the league division. My seat was in a great position and was easily found. Two rows back from the fence about twenty meters from the half way mark and the tunnel. I was full of anticipation as I read the Magazine an swilled my coffee. I thought that the crowd was going to be small as there were a lot of seats around me unfilled with about 20 minutes to kick off. I was wrong. Soon a swag of pissed people arrived all dressed in the Millwall Football Supporters Colours. I was soon surrounded by ardent Millwall fans.

The east stadium is kept especially for the visitors supporters and fans. Initially it was only a quarter full, even after kick off it was only half full. Within 20 minutes of the game though it was full. Singing and barracking broke out as the Millwall team scored first. This provoked a response from the Nottingham supporters with well rehearsed chants and songs.

We are Millwall, We are Millwall, We are Millwall. No one loves us and we don’t care etc etc. the atmosphere was charge and tensions running high. The score see sawed all day and the tension ratcheted up as the visitors went 3 to 2 up. I was taken by an idiot sitting in front of me. He was pumped full of adrenalin and offering advice to everyone that would listen. Full voice amplified by channelling it through the rolled up magazine. To watch his behaviour was as interesting as the game. In the final minute in injury time Millwall popped in the back of the net, equalising the game 3 all.

Crowd numbers where announce as about 20,000 all pushing and shoving trying to get out the gate all the same time. I held back to let the majority of them move ahead. Only when I reached the outside of the stadium did I get an appreciation of the police presence. There was a line of fifty police with riot shields standing in a wall separating the visitors and the Millwall fans. Behind the line of police where six mounted police with even more protection on the officers and horses than I previously described. I struck up a conversation with a bloke and asked if this was normal police presence. He looked at me as though I was from another planet but did take his time to explain some of the history of the “Den” and past riots that have occurred here. The high police presence is a major proactive initiative to endeavour to keep trouble to a minimum. I think I have wetted my appetite for soccer and will go to a premier division game in the ear future. In the past I have only watched amateurs playing and the skill level today was impressive.

We have had a sad week with the passing of Nana the matriarch of our family. Bev went back to New Zealand to be with the family. Prior to my departure I had said goodbye to Nana. She had said she would hang on until I come home again for a visit in April 2002. this wasn’t to be. I will miss her. She was a special person. Len passed away twelve months ago so my mood has been down a bit with all the reflections going on in my mind.

All the best to everyone..

I wonder what will happen next.

Alvin

England Manager

New Job

16.09.01

ALVIN AND BEV’S UPDATE

There has been some major changes since our last update. I have completed my time at the Nursing Centre for Elderly Mentally Ill and look forward to a new position at Queen Mary Hospital Woolwich in a weeks time.

Bev commenced her maternity adaptation course to gain midwifery registration. She has had one week thrown in the deep end of a very stressed workplace. She may write more about that when she reflects back after completing her course requirements.

We have been linking in with our two children to reassure them we are OK and the following extract is a part of Bev’s letter to her Mum which we share with you.

No we are not relishing the thought of war.

If I ran the world the word would not be used.

They could bash the Afghan people who are already dead as one sensible woman said on TV here.

In your life you saw 2 world wars but there is no possibility of a third because the planet would not survive.

I was relieved to see the PLO leader giving blood to the USA

What a great message. His own people can not misrepresent that act.

I think its brilliant.

America must stop baying for war.

Intelligence is all they can use effectively

The unpopular view is that the USA must also look at their big bully behaviour.

Pakistan is in a no win situation as sanctions would have made them destitute, if they don’t cooperate with USA.

Afghan refugees will flood in there, they already have a million of them.

So they will suffer that way too.

The Taliban were the result of Russia bashing them up for years and they have lost their fear of dying as Imran Khan says here on TV.

My thoughts are that we are all on the same planet as if we all have to inhabit the same refugee camp- namely our world.

This is certainly the picture here in London.

Will we ever forget about land ownership and share the worlds resources?

Peace equals no poverty.

I think Britain is close to this although most British Whites wish it was otherwise. This is a melting pot of nations. Especially London.

Forget race. Forget nationality sovereign

I really think NZ will be Asian when our kids grow up.

Perhaps the second World War nearly made it happen sooner.

It’s a good thing that so many countries are talking moderation and the futility of military strikes.

Russia is refusing to use soil to facilitate military strikes on Afghanistan.

How amazing TV is being able to see in our home the boys making the decisions and having to justify their actions.

Lets hope for moderation in what will happen next.

Alvin and Bev

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

Bev to London

28.07.01

BEV HERE

My energy has gone into appealing the UKCC Registration for Health Professionals decision NOT to give me Nursing of Midwife Registration.

The Brits are not used to this challenge and I don’t have high hopes but need to give them a go.

2 days ago I was interviewed by a dusty Academics at the biggest University for Midwifery Training in London. She didn’t know what to do with me, they have been instructed to arrange an adaptation course to get me up to their standards for Midwife Registration. The problem is they are embarrassed by my experience.

Of course I have already done all the practical stuff they want. So now I have to study to the equivalent of Post Grad Level. The vast majority of practicing Midwifes in the UK would not meet the current criteria.

In an increasing litigious society with medical model domination of health, they are desperate to present nursing and midwifery as an academic qualification.

I have to front up to the uni next week and write an academic essay under exam conditions.

Like a 2001 graduation midwife would know how to do.

Frustrating.

It will be next year before I pass.

The exam topic is:

Discuss care given by a midwife to a women having her first baby.

It doesn’t matter that I have been doing this for 20 years I will have to quote research and write in academic style.

So you see why I am also pursuing appeal.

Off to the Museum today. We have 2 way radios, marvelous takes all the apprehension away from getting separated.

A lot of people here.

The underground is like rats in a sewer.

Cleaner than that but same anonymity and a dehumanizing experience until I get desensitized.

ALVIN HERE NOW

It is great having Bev here with me, we will be able to get through all the above barriers together. I’m looking for a new posting in South London. Probably doing Community Psychiatric Nursing. I won’t need a car as I’ll be able to walk along a street or suburb to find enough trade.

Bev is coping well with the change to city life. She went into the city on her own the other day and found her destination. Once you get the major landmarks sorted then its not a problem. The railway stations are a good reference point. They are set in a circle about the city and you can radiate out from them.

We do have walkie talkies which I think have really helped Bev and I to reduce our anxiety over being lost. The units are as big as a cell phone but have a range of up to five miles.

Providing you are with in a bulls roar you can quickly find a spot to rendezvous.

BEV HERE

I was sitting on an underground train with Al when he realized it was the wrong one and got off.

OK so I hurtled out 10 miles in the wrong direction while he contemplated his error of judgment.

A nice bloke saw what happened and managed to gesticulate a message to Alvin as the doors were closing, that he should stay put and that I would return.

So there are real human beings traveling and help is just an enquiry away.

Within 5 minutes I was back at Alvin’s platform

My thoughts were going back to NZ.

As Alvin says I am growing more confident and I did travel alone once, and I did reach my destination.

The train that I got in that time was a surface train, quite old with manual doors, 1950s style.

But I nearly got out the wrong side of the carriage onto the electrified tracks. Again a nice young bloke sitting by the door practically foot tripped me to stop my exit.

ALVIN HERE

We live near a park which is surrounded by Blackberry Bushes. The fruit is in full flesh at present and we have had blackberry and apple pie for puddings, Bev is freezing the surplus. Most of the locals we talk to don’t know much about the berries and have nothing to do with them leaving plenty for us.

The school holidays commence today and traffic jams are the order of the day. I think we will go to London and check something out, I’m still not sure what will happen until it does.

We buy a one day travel card which allows us to jump on and off all the buses tubes and the Thames Ferries. I suppose we could travel up to a hundred miles on a days outing. The newer tubes are nice and smooth with tidy ungraffited windows.

The central and northern line is very primitive compared.

The load speakers remind you to MIND THE GAP which is often a step of up to a foot between the platform and the train.

The air supply in the old system is very poor. You can look around and see people asleep or yawning due to the lack of oxygen. The smell is also like a football clubs used socks locker room after a game.

Well we are both off this weekend and are away to explore more of London. I’ll wander Bev past the abode of the fat faced fourteen year old female to se if Bev gets the same response as I.

I wonder what will happen next

Andy Capp and Flo

Water Bomb

22.06.01

Alvin’s update

Let me take a minute of your time to update you on my adventures. This last week or so has been busy a degree stressful. My new position at Manley is that of Charge Nurse, looking after aged mentally ill clients.

There are generally about 19 clients in the unit at any one time. The carers working with me are very good at their job and have been very helpful with my transition. Kath is my mentor and is helping me to understand the policy and procedures of the hospital.

I generally work 12 hours per day 8.00 to 20.00 hours. Plenty of extra work if I want it but have to pace myself while I’m the new boy. Bev starts at Manley on the 20^th of July on the same shifts and days off.

I have been approved for my tenancy in a one bedroom flat which is within a half a kilometer of work and easy working distance. I don’t want to buy a car yet because I have found the public transport system so easy to use and available.

I generally try to take a different route home from all parts of the city to assist my orientation and was looking for a railway station that neither Kath or I had used in the pass. To get to this station you have to pass some big housing estates. The trap had been set months ago, on reflection, I bet many others had been caught like me. The shopping center Kath and I are used to is very modern only about four years old. It is 20 minutes enjoyable walk from here via a park, I decided on a deviation from the normal route and set off looking for the railway station.

As my Zone of Awareness (ZOA) had been reduced to about 10 meters, coins on the footpath were of interest to me. A fifty and twenty piece coin lay on the ground. This is equivalent to a one way bus ticket back to the flat. I slowed my pace and looked about; no one was looking so I stooped to pick up the coins. As soon as I tried to pick them up I realized they were super glued to the footpath. Something hit me on the right leg which made me stand up but I was then hit behind my right shoulder. I was a bit shocked and thought Christ I’ve been shot as I could feel fluid running down my jacket as I reached to rub the spot. The big picture soon came to me though, as I looked skyward I could see fat faced 12 or 14 year old female looking down at me from about 5 stories up. She had thrown a small balloon full of water down onto a sitting target, hitting her mark with both shots. I started to laugh realizing the situation and told here that was a great joke. I don’t think she expected praise and yelled “FEEK OFF YOU WANKER” I think she might be a trainee Hooligan for Millwall Soccer Club. I’ll have to have vertical ZOA as well from now on.

On our last days off, Kath and I met up with John and Sue Annan for the day.

We took a trip on a Thames river cruise down to Greenwich Park and back.

The gardens are in full flower now as it is the longest day. People are out in droves on the parks and all seems well with the world. A lot of the people sitting on the cruise where looking at the group of odd ball Kiwis laughing and joking at the back of the boat. The one thing about over here is anonymity. You never see that same person twice. I often have pointed to a person and said to Kath “ See that bloke” Kath replies “Yes” my next quip is “Well you will never see him again”. It was a lovely day and we will catch up again soon.

This morning I carried Kath’s suitcase into Kings Cross Station. She is off to Scotland for the weekend with Kerstin Leonard. They have planned a grand old time shopping and site seeing. Kath has a four hour train journey and will arrive as fresh as a daisy and ready to explore her Drummond ancestry further.

You may have seen the Trooping of the Colour pageantry that took place in the wet last week. I didn’t go to the parade but went into the city the next day to see where everything was, as I had watched it all on television at home in the dry. I was inquisitive and began looking about Horse Guards in Westminster and was drawn to the stable area. I mossied around and while the guard wasn’t looking I poked my head in the door to have a look at the horses. A voice to the left of me said “You can’t go in there, move on” which startled me. The big menacing guard in all his finery had come off his position at the front of the building and was standing over me with his sword drawn. I think he meant business so I beat a retreat and buggered of for a walk in Hyde Park.

The National Portrait Museum was interesting. All the Masterpieces were on display. I could easily spend many hours there again but will wait until Bev gets here as I’m sure she will love that place.

Well Kath and I have been a bit home sick lately and she and I would appreciate some updates from the land down under. So get your fingers tapping and knock us up a line or two. If you don’t want to receive my updates you will have to write back and tell me to delete you from the list

I wonder what will happen next..

Alvin