Eight years ago this month I got married. We went to Canada for our honeymoon. We had four weeks travelling around and exploring that wonderful country. We started our travels in the east and made our way slowly west ending up in British Columbia. When we were at Niagara Falls we decided it would be nice to walk across the falls into America and have lunch. When we got to the other side of the bridge we showed our passports and had our fingerprints taken. We hadn't planned a trip to America so hadn't got a visa so we were told we had to pay some dollars to get one. Sadly they didn't take Canadian dollars, we didn't have any American dollars and if we wanted to pay by credit card they was an extra charge. We had a think about it and decided our lunch would be a very expensive one if we paid so we decided to turn back to Canada.
It wasn't that simple though. We were told we were now "illegal aliens" and needed a special paper to leave and get back into Canada. We hadn't even stepped into the US! We waited 20 minutes and got the necessary paperwork and walked back to Canada. We couldn't believe it really but we didn't let it spoil our honeymoon. We could never have known how important that day would become.
Last year hubby and I had an invitation to go to America to visit my cousin. My mum travelled with us. Anyone who has ever travelled to the US will know that once you have flown there, the process of going through customs and immigration is not a quick process.
Once we had stood in the queue hubby and I ended up being taken to a waiting room with several other people. We waited for over an hour. We didn't know why and the reply from the officers when asked was a standard' I don't know'.
They asked us about our last trip to America and then we slowly realised they were interested in our entry during our honeymoon. On their records it stated we had been excluded/expelled from America. After we had explained what had happened they stamped our passports and let us through.
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Sunday, 21 October 2012
Thursday, 18 October 2012
American adventure
My family is spread all over the world. Like in many families it's not often we all get to meet up except on special occasions like weddings or funerals.
One of my cousins lives in New York and has lived and worked there for many years. I have been to visit him a few times over the times he has lived there. He is getting married again so we all got an invite.
After a long flight from Heathrow to JFK airport we were first faced with a long long queue to go through immigration. An hour and a half we stood, shuffling just a few paces forward every few minutes. As you do in these situations you speak with complete strangers about how ridiculous it is to be waiting so long. We were chatting with a couple from Scotland who were here to visit their grandson.
We finally got to the front of the queue and got the nod to come forward. The nice young man at the counter got our fingerprints and photos taken. he asked us where we were going to be staying and for how long. then he looked at our customs forms. Finally he stamped my parents passports and handed them back. Then he got a yellow highlighter pen and drew a big yellow line through mine, " come with me" he said and led me away to another room..............( to be continued)
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One of my cousins lives in New York and has lived and worked there for many years. I have been to visit him a few times over the times he has lived there. He is getting married again so we all got an invite.
After a long flight from Heathrow to JFK airport we were first faced with a long long queue to go through immigration. An hour and a half we stood, shuffling just a few paces forward every few minutes. As you do in these situations you speak with complete strangers about how ridiculous it is to be waiting so long. We were chatting with a couple from Scotland who were here to visit their grandson.
We finally got to the front of the queue and got the nod to come forward. The nice young man at the counter got our fingerprints and photos taken. he asked us where we were going to be staying and for how long. then he looked at our customs forms. Finally he stamped my parents passports and handed them back. Then he got a yellow highlighter pen and drew a big yellow line through mine, " come with me" he said and led me away to another room..............( to be continued)
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Sunday, 23 September 2012
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 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.
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
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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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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Friday, 7 September 2012
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!
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 !
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