Tyrell's Crisps

I am back in the UK after a 6 week working holiday in Canada. As I saunter over to the Post Office this morning at a visa-is-running-out-must-post-application speed, I stop by the small local grocer. There are certain things I do miss about Canada, food-wise, like red licorice and good Mexican food. As I peruse the food in my local Sheffield grocer my eyes fall on one of my "new country" favourites: Tyrell's Crisps. Not only do they appeal to my taste for salt and the savoury, but the packaging is extremely clever and visually appealing. Tyrell's have a fascinating line up of crisp flavours like Ale & Mature Cheese, Beef & Horseradish, Ludlow Sausage with Wholegrain Mustard (see picture left), and Winter Worcester Sauce with Sun Dried Tomato. Each flavour is accompanied by an antique photo making reference to the flavour of that bag. One of my favourites is Naked Chips which features an old series of posed, nude women. If I didn't like salt so much, I might actually try them. Another favourite are the Root Vegetable Chips made up of beetroot, carrots and parsnips (or sold in each of these vegetables separately). On more than one occasion a bowl is put out at a party and people avoid eating it because it is often mistaken for potpourri. I have been known to accidentally eat from a real bowl of potpourri.

Mercy Ship: Interior

I have had requests to see what the inside of the ship looked liked that we lived on in Liberia. It is an old converted rail ferry from Europe. It has 8 decks, two of which are underwater. We lived on the 3rd deck, the same level as the hospital. We had a hairdresser on board for all the long-term crew Laundry facilities were on a sign up basis. Everyone had one hour a week. Of course, the hospital was the main point of the ship, as you can see one of 6 operating rooms above. In the midship's lounge there was a Starbucks coffee bar, fully kitted out with Starbucks machines and drinks. They were donated along with the training on the machines. Beside Starbucks was the snackbar with slurpees, popcorn, pop, and junk food. Above is a shot of the cafe seating area. It had wireless internet and was a great place to chat at break time. Above the coffee bar was the lounge with chairs and televisions. There was a computer area. The international lounge was for large meetings or lectures for everyone on the ship. The library (one of my favourite places to hide away in). On the top deck was a pool donated by a family on board. It was a strange sensation to swim in it while looking down at the ocean. An outdoor area for kids to play in. The community kitchen where anyone could cook their own food. The midships lounge again. The dining room where all the meals were served canteen style. The buffet in the dining room. Our couples cabin. The boutique downstairs where people left unwanted things and everything was free to take. WOW! The excercise room. The Ship Shop where you could buy most of your basic needs. Inside the Ship Shop. There were all sorts of other things too...a bank, a post-office, a school, etc...

Exhibition: The Human Right

I apologize for the terrible pictures. I need to get back to the gallery and use a flash. I had a great crowd for the opening of The Human Right despite the snowy flurries outside. The feedback was really good and there are some real gems in the show. Thanks to all who came out. The show continues until January 17th.

Liberia: What Does "Failed State" Mean?

How can you help a country that has little running water, no electricity outside the capital and a system of governance that barely functions? Guest editor Zadie Smith visits Liberia, often described as a "failed-state", to consider what the term means. To hear the 16 minute BBC program go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7802000/7802768.stm.

Quote: Albert Einstein

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution". Albert Einstein

Sudden Surge in Media Coverage

We, or shall I say mostly Nigel, has had a sudden surge in news coverage from our Liberia experience. He was contacted by Mercy Ships and asked if he was interested in taking part in publicity. He said yes, a written document was sent to him to check over and suddenly there are articles quoting him mysteriously saying very distinct Mercy Ship marketing lines. C'est la vie et c'est les médias! We did have an interview with one reporter directly, The Yorkshire Post's Martin Slack entitled, "Honeymooning Couple's African Mercy Mission". The very next day The Sun came out with an almost word for word article and the same picture (above) entitled, "Couple Spend Honeymoon Helping Others" and suddenly we were now in Africa on our honeymoon instead of our first year of marriage. Other stories about Nigel's medical experiences: "Couple Spend Honeymoon Helping Others" (The Sheffield Telegraph) "Hope on the Horizon" (Mercy Ships) "Hospital Volunteer Recognized for Work" (ISSUU) "Hospital Ship Celebrate Success in Liberia on International Volunteer Day" (IMPA) "Mercy Ships celebrates success in Liberia" (Christian Today) And Nigel's worm episode in surgery that he had published as a letter in Anaesthesia News: "More Than Just Secretions"

Waterplane Over Gulf Islands, BC, Canada

One windy overcast day in Vancouver we realize how lucky we are to know TWO French pilots who both fly water planes (one in Vancouver and one in the Maldives). This is how we find ourselves walking down a wet boardwalk on our second anniversary towards a small plane that seems likely to be tossed about on the wind. I climb in to ride beside our pilot and take in the dash board full of knobs and switches. The take off seems effortless and far less turbulent than a runway does. Looking down at the miniatures houses reminds me of my time working for B&B Scale Models who create small architectural models. I was the Assistant Landscaper. We sail past the Vancouver Airport and head out towards the Gulf Islands. We are on a regular run with one passenger on board to drop off on Thetis Island. We pass small islands along the way some of which are completely First Nations owned. It is stunning and despite the plane being small it is relatively steady. We land at the small Thetis Island harbour and say goodbye to our passenger. There is such a secluded feeling to the West Coast of Canada that I love. For both the contemplative and the adventurer it is a giant playground. Francois, our pilot, makes a sudden ascent and my head feels like blacking out from the G-force. He smiles and says he usually ascends a lot higher and a lot quicker. Does anyone else see that mischievous glint in his eyes? We head over to Salt Spring Island next where we are to pick up two passengers. This island is a lot busier and it turns out we are picking up two Texans. Nigel and I switch seats and he gets to fly next to Francois all the way back to Vancouver. I sit in the back and take more pictures out the side by the wings. The mountain ranges on some of the islands are impressive. Some sort of barrier breaks the water up as we approach the mainland. The first sitings of Vancouver appear. We have a smooth landing and quickly pose for a shot beside the plane. One last glimpse over our shoulders and we head back up the ramp to dry land.