Today I went to Longwood School Family Farmyard Funday, much like school Fete's the world over I guess (does every school have a Farm? I don't Remember one when I was 10). For logistical and Animal Welfare reasons the Agricultural competition didn't involve trucking livestock in from all over the island - instead the judges went for a Drive last week (now that seems a whole lot more sensible - why don't they do that in Devon? then they could make the County Show a much smaller event with less Traffic...) Like most school Fetes there wasn't much for a grown adult to do (I had to drive home so the bar was out, and they wouldn't let me on the bouncy castle). So I took some photos and came home after a couple of hours.
On the way to Longwood I went down Ladder Hill (yes I took the scenic route) as there was no Traffic about I stopped, got out and had a good look at the road - if any of you are thinking these Cliffs are unstable then you're probably right, but the road itself is in good condition which surprised me, I had rather assumed it would be slowly sliding down the hill... I had a chat with a few guys who were sitting by the road having their lunch, still no Traffic, quite nice and quiet really considering it's the busiest road on Island. One of them kindly moved their truck as it was blocking the road to let me pass, but I had to move the Road Closed sign at the far end myself (and put it back again once I'd gone past).
Reading the paper this morning I discovered there had been a Pancake Race at Longwood last Tuesday, so I was only third in a Regional Race, not a National, phew the stress was really starting to get to me.
I forgot to mention that on Tuesday there had been a night-time Carnival after the pancake Race. Bridgwater Carnival eat you heart out, attendance was huge and about 1% of the population was involved, with the 2 'floats'! Perhaps next time there's a Carnival I'll have to get the Scouts organised and show them how it's done.
Sunday, 26 February 2012
DSV Hugely Improved!!!
DSV will continue to be updated and added to for internal use within the Roads Section, but it probably won't all go online, sorry. However I do intend to link the Sandy Bay Street View to the embedded map as well, but it's not so easy as I don't know the road so well.
Saturday, 25 February 2012
I'm a National Athlete plus...
I've been rather lax this week with no posts, sorry.
On Tuesday it was Pancake Day, a good day :) I met quite a few new faces as the Scouts helped set up the stalls and then provided a large number of competitors for the Pancake Races, unfortunately that meant Paul (the Scout Leader) and I took part in the Adults Pancake Race, which meant I had to run. But on the plus side it means I came third in a national race. Olympics here I come! or not...
Update: I have been questioned how many participants there were. No there was not just 3, there were about 8-10 I think. There's a photo of me in the paper (well you can see me, I got off to a bad start so I'm at the back) http://www.saint.fm/independent/
Other than that, this week's been quiet, lots of work and not so much time off. Thursday saw another Diving lesson, 2/5ths of the way through the classroom (but I'm doing my homework and 3/5ths of the way through the book). On Monday I hope to get a date for the first pool session :) can't wait. Friday we went to Pub Paradise for a Curry night - slightly more Normal than my earlier trip to Godfathers Rock Club - but the Goat curry had rather to many bone splinters for my liking. Still the Orange and Chocolate Chip ice cream for Desert more than made up for it :)
There's a round island boat trip in 2 weeks on a Saturday, I'm toying with the idea of going as I'd love to do it and it's the first time I've seen it advertised on a weekend. But it's an all day thing so I may not go as there's lots of other things I want to do.
Talking of other things, DSV has been much improved - but isn't on the web yet (and the mapping still won't be because of Copyright). I've replaced my MWMM (and the associated LOTSEH) with some relatively simple Java Script which makes it all so much easier. I'm planning to go to Sandy Bay this afternoon and so that may get uploaded tomorrow as I think I have enough Internet left this month.
On Tuesday it was Pancake Day, a good day :) I met quite a few new faces as the Scouts helped set up the stalls and then provided a large number of competitors for the Pancake Races, unfortunately that meant Paul (the Scout Leader) and I took part in the Adults Pancake Race, which meant I had to run. But on the plus side it means I came third in a national race. Olympics here I come! or not...
Update: I have been questioned how many participants there were. No there was not just 3, there were about 8-10 I think. There's a photo of me in the paper (well you can see me, I got off to a bad start so I'm at the back) http://www.saint.fm/independent/
Other than that, this week's been quiet, lots of work and not so much time off. Thursday saw another Diving lesson, 2/5ths of the way through the classroom (but I'm doing my homework and 3/5ths of the way through the book). On Monday I hope to get a date for the first pool session :) can't wait. Friday we went to Pub Paradise for a Curry night - slightly more Normal than my earlier trip to Godfathers Rock Club - but the Goat curry had rather to many bone splinters for my liking. Still the Orange and Chocolate Chip ice cream for Desert more than made up for it :)
There's a round island boat trip in 2 weeks on a Saturday, I'm toying with the idea of going as I'd love to do it and it's the first time I've seen it advertised on a weekend. But it's an all day thing so I may not go as there's lots of other things I want to do.
Talking of other things, DSV has been much improved - but isn't on the web yet (and the mapping still won't be because of Copyright). I've replaced my MWMM (and the associated LOTSEH) with some relatively simple Java Script which makes it all so much easier. I'm planning to go to Sandy Bay this afternoon and so that may get uploaded tomorrow as I think I have enough Internet left this month.
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Another Car
...I'm not sure whether they were more concerned about the headlight being out (shipping damage) or the fact that it had the same numberplate as theirs!
Come On, surely you realised it was a TOY Freelander?
Saturday, 18 February 2012
St Pauls Cathedral to Scotland in 5 minutes
Well, today I drove a Landrover from St Pauls Cathedral to Scotland, it was less eventful than my previous post about driving to Scotland, and it took less time, a lot less.
I've uploaded some photos of the A1 to my website. You've previously seen DSV which covers the section of the A1 from Jamestown to the top of Ladder Hill, I've now uploaded photos of the Key Landmarks on the rest of the A1. There aren't many. I then drove to Scotland.
Update on Diving:
I didn't get wet and I have homework :( But on the upside I should be able to complete the theory in a couple of weeks and then start the practical :) Next lesson Wednesday, dry again :(
I've uploaded some photos of the A1 to my website. You've previously seen DSV which covers the section of the A1 from Jamestown to the top of Ladder Hill, I've now uploaded photos of the Key Landmarks on the rest of the A1. There aren't many. I then drove to Scotland.
Update on Diving:
I didn't get wet and I have homework :( But on the upside I should be able to complete the theory in a couple of weeks and then start the practical :) Next lesson Wednesday, dry again :(
Thursday, 16 February 2012
The Job
Since arriving I don't think I've blogged much about the reason I'm actually here, have I?
The Job isn't what I thought it was, especially it isn't what I thought it was when I was on Ascension, which is a good thing.
If you can imagine a Highway Authority, say North Somerset or Devon. In that Authority there are people who plan routine maintenance; people who do inspections; people who design maintenance schemes; people who know about structures, who inspect them and plan repairs; people who know about drainage, again inspecting, planning repairs and designing improvements; people who co-ordinate work, who talk to the utilities to make sure that roads don't get dug up too often (I know some of you don't believe me, but it's true we DO do that); what have I missed? Oh yes there are people who know about road safety; people who write traffic regulation orders; people who design road signs; people who design road improvements; people who design town centre improvements; people who arrange traffic surveys; people who do Traffic Surveys; people who speak to developers to make sure they don't screw up the roads; people who deal with difficult members of the public and people who liaise with Councillors. Oh I nearly forgot, people who know about materials, who sample materials being used and make sure they meet the standards; people who write those standards; people who oversee works; people who run databases with asset records and construction histories; people who make sure that contractors do what they're supposed to. In small authorities some of these people may be the same person, but in many Authorities these people will be a small (or large) team of people. In St Helena they're me. Well they were till Monday, now I have a Technician.
Oh I did forget, in the UK you would also have Senior Management levels with the Contractor; Plant Managers; Trainers; and the like. That's mainly me too.
That's not to say I don't have a very good team working for me, I do. But they're people who actually do real work, there's the Guys who dig the holes (you know what I mean), the Guys who tell them to dig the holes and give them the spades, the Guys who make sure the holes are where we want them and they've got enough spades; and the Roads Maintenance Manager, who is basically a Works Manager (but isn't as the Works Manager is a completely different job, same words, different meaning - it's caught me out a lot) and makes sure everyone is busy and deals with day to day running of the contractors operation.
It's a challenge. While I've done many of these jobs before, I've not done them all (Plant Manager?) and I've not done them all together!
Last night I was listening to the Radio and I heard an announcement: "The Directorate of Infrastructure and Utilities are seeking Expressions or Interest to supply a..." I was intrigued, what are they after now? "...Lorry Mounted Road Sweeper", oh, its me, I want one of them. And with a bit of luck next week it'll be a JCB, Dumper, and 2 Transit Trucks. Oh and a Tar Spray Tanker. What do I know about any of this stuff? Well a lot more than I did a month ago, and, unfortunately, more than anyone else it seems...
But I don't just buy plant. On Tuesday I commissioned a speed survey at Half Tree Hollow so I'm now working with my Technician (ok he is doing most of the work) to try and work out how the speed loops work.... Commissioned wasn't really the right word.
Oh and I need to make sure we have enough Colas (Tar) to keep working, and because it's in short supply I need to make sure that everyone knows to prioritise jobs that don't need it.
And I need to design that bridge widening....
Luckily, as I've said, I have a very good team. So the next job is being developed by my Works Manager and he's doing all the public liaison and ordering the huge concrete pipes that we need (I didn't want to design a whole bridge!). I don't actually have to supervise much, once or twice a week I pop out to make sure my face is recognised and to make sure they're doing things ok.
Yesterday (Wednesday) we had a works meeting. I did a power point, which I think went down ok, there were a few Jokes and some serious stuff. Whether I got the balance right I don't yet know. They certainly seem to have accepted me, but whether they think I'm weak I don't know. Still, I think there may be a couple of disciplinaries coming up, so that should set the record straight.
In essence my summary of my job is 3 lines:
I think I'll probably cope, but it's going to be a tough first year or so. Still, looking forward to tomorrow when I get my first diving lesson J there are some advantages of being here!
The Job isn't what I thought it was, especially it isn't what I thought it was when I was on Ascension, which is a good thing.
If you can imagine a Highway Authority, say North Somerset or Devon. In that Authority there are people who plan routine maintenance; people who do inspections; people who design maintenance schemes; people who know about structures, who inspect them and plan repairs; people who know about drainage, again inspecting, planning repairs and designing improvements; people who co-ordinate work, who talk to the utilities to make sure that roads don't get dug up too often (I know some of you don't believe me, but it's true we DO do that); what have I missed? Oh yes there are people who know about road safety; people who write traffic regulation orders; people who design road signs; people who design road improvements; people who design town centre improvements; people who arrange traffic surveys; people who do Traffic Surveys; people who speak to developers to make sure they don't screw up the roads; people who deal with difficult members of the public and people who liaise with Councillors. Oh I nearly forgot, people who know about materials, who sample materials being used and make sure they meet the standards; people who write those standards; people who oversee works; people who run databases with asset records and construction histories; people who make sure that contractors do what they're supposed to. In small authorities some of these people may be the same person, but in many Authorities these people will be a small (or large) team of people. In St Helena they're me. Well they were till Monday, now I have a Technician.
Oh I did forget, in the UK you would also have Senior Management levels with the Contractor; Plant Managers; Trainers; and the like. That's mainly me too.
That's not to say I don't have a very good team working for me, I do. But they're people who actually do real work, there's the Guys who dig the holes (you know what I mean), the Guys who tell them to dig the holes and give them the spades, the Guys who make sure the holes are where we want them and they've got enough spades; and the Roads Maintenance Manager, who is basically a Works Manager (but isn't as the Works Manager is a completely different job, same words, different meaning - it's caught me out a lot) and makes sure everyone is busy and deals with day to day running of the contractors operation.
It's a challenge. While I've done many of these jobs before, I've not done them all (Plant Manager?) and I've not done them all together!
Last night I was listening to the Radio and I heard an announcement: "The Directorate of Infrastructure and Utilities are seeking Expressions or Interest to supply a..." I was intrigued, what are they after now? "...Lorry Mounted Road Sweeper", oh, its me, I want one of them. And with a bit of luck next week it'll be a JCB, Dumper, and 2 Transit Trucks. Oh and a Tar Spray Tanker. What do I know about any of this stuff? Well a lot more than I did a month ago, and, unfortunately, more than anyone else it seems...
But I don't just buy plant. On Tuesday I commissioned a speed survey at Half Tree Hollow so I'm now working with my Technician (ok he is doing most of the work) to try and work out how the speed loops work.... Commissioned wasn't really the right word.
Oh and I need to make sure we have enough Colas (Tar) to keep working, and because it's in short supply I need to make sure that everyone knows to prioritise jobs that don't need it.
And I need to design that bridge widening....
Luckily, as I've said, I have a very good team. So the next job is being developed by my Works Manager and he's doing all the public liaison and ordering the huge concrete pipes that we need (I didn't want to design a whole bridge!). I don't actually have to supervise much, once or twice a week I pop out to make sure my face is recognised and to make sure they're doing things ok.
Yesterday (Wednesday) we had a works meeting. I did a power point, which I think went down ok, there were a few Jokes and some serious stuff. Whether I got the balance right I don't yet know. They certainly seem to have accepted me, but whether they think I'm weak I don't know. Still, I think there may be a couple of disciplinaries coming up, so that should set the record straight.
In essence my summary of my job is 3 lines:
- The Road Structure is basically fine
- The Road Surface is basically not
- The Road Section organisation is in disarray from divided management (now resolved) and no clear dedicated leadership for the last year or so.
I think I'll probably cope, but it's going to be a tough first year or so. Still, looking forward to tomorrow when I get my first diving lesson J there are some advantages of being here!
Monday, 13 February 2012
Getting Wet
Over the weekend it's rained a lot, and was basically wet all day Sunday, it's drier now though... Annoyingly the guttering on my house seems to be designed to maximise the noise made by the water, which isn't great at 3am...
On the plus side, now it's raining I may as well get wet. First diving lesson on Friday J can't wait!
On the plus side, now it's raining I may as well get wet. First diving lesson on Friday J can't wait!
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