River Thames

My week aboard Arco Arun is going by in a flash!
Another dredger, she is slightly different to the last two ships I've sailed on in that, unlike a traditional ship, her accommodation is at the forward end of the ship. So although there is no engine noise its damn noisy when we're mooring because of the mooring winches whirring away or when the anchor is dropped. Yes that certainly wakes you up as it rattles out of its housing!
I've sailed on this ship before, many years ago as a fresh faced trainee. Sadly my trip on her then was cut short when on the day I was due to join she hit an underwater object in the River Thames, near Tilbury, and ended up on her side!
She is one of four ships built of the same design, in fact, when we were loading our cargo the other day, all four of us were out there together. Here are two of them,

This week we have been loading cargoes for the Thames - Dagenham, Greenhithe and most recently Victoria Deep which is a berth right up the river near Canary Wharf.
It involves going through the Thames Tidal barrier, under the new Thames cable car and past the O2 dome to berth almost opposite Canary Wharf.

Another week at sea

So I've joined another ship today. Once again a dredger and once again a ship I have sailed on in the past but quite a while ago! The Arco Arun.
I've sailed with some of the crew on board and so a week won't be so long, will it?
It always seems such a drag having to pack up and come back to sea, so maybe this is telling me that I really don't want to do it many more times. I've become such a home bird it's sad! Anyway I know once I get on board and get stuck in I'm usually ok.
I joined in Dagenham today. Right by the Ford car plant.
I dropped off Maisie at my parents for a mini break as hubby isn't home until tomorrow! Good or bad timing?!
On arrival I had a bite to eat and then the guy whom I'm relieving started showing me round a bit. He is getting off on Thursday when we come back into Dagenham so I'll have a bit of time to re acquaint myself with everything before he goes.

So off to bed now so I'm up and fresh minded in the morning! It's been a long day!


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Paralympic cycling

Today, mum and I have made the journey down to the Brands Hatch to watch the Paralympic cycling.
What an absolutely wonderful spectacle so far.
The races today are all hand cycling races. The first race started at 1030 and was a 48km race for women followed shortly after by the men's race. These were the category of riders who were most severely paralysed and they cycle almost lying flat and using their hands to propel themselves.
The women's race included 2 British riders ( the only Brits of the day)
We managed to find a place just by the 50metre mark on the finishing straight which gave us a great view of the final parts of each lap.
Part of the 5km course goes out on the local roads and then once back inside the circuit they endure a gruelling ride up a huge hill. I'd find it hard to cycle up myself!
The gold & silver medals went to USA and the bronze was won by I e of the British girls.
Meanwhile the men were also racing and in that field of riders we were cheering for the Irish chap, Mark Rohan. We had found good spaces by the track and ended up making friends with the people next to us. There was an Irish lad called Dermot so we helped him waving his flag and then there was Tony. He had been a games maker at Wimbledon during the Olympics and had had a brilliant time. His wife is currently volunteering at the Excel arena. They are from Leicester and have spent their summer in their camper van near London. He was ill with cancer last year and wasn't sure if he would be well enough for his training let alone the Olympics but he said the thought of it had spurred him on through his treatment. He said he was a lot better now and had felt to proud of himself for doing it.
We went up near the medals ceremony and then said farewell to our cheering buddies.
We have had an ice cream, bought a couple of souvenirs and have now walked to a different vantage point to watch the next two races. Hand races again but this time we are cheering for Mr Leon. He is from Haiti and during the recent earthquake he lost his wife, 8 children and was left paralysed!! What a man!! He has just retired after 3 laps but to be here at all and compete is a true achievement.
The next two races will feature the great Italian Alex Zanardi. A former racing driver he was involved in an horrific accident which left him with no legs. He has already won a gold here and is hoping for another.

What a wonderful day we are having!

UPDATE - Alex Zanardi went in to win another gold medal !