Sunday, 23 October 2011
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Chernobyl Blog
Its been a very long time since I've blogged. Just lost track.
Right straight to it....
Nothing really happened till i was boarding the plane, during check-in i scanned for fellow Brits or British passports, didn't see any till walking down the gate, so started a conversation.....
His name is Ian, hes a senior examiner, lives in Kiev and has done for ten years. He answered a few questions i had and it turned out he was sitting in the seat opposite me. We had quite a good chat and he offered to sort me out a lift to my hotel, cheap.
The flight went well and i had my first taste of airline food (Ive always flown budget airlines before, so never experienced it) and to be honest I've had worse from take aways. We were late arriving, so customs was slow as a plane of Turks had arrived before us. took around an hour to finally get outside....
This was the first pic i took over there. Welcome to Kiev
Ian's driver drove this beat up estate car, complete with wonky wheel and an oil leak seeping into the air con haha. Anyway, it saved me 220 hryvnia, so Thank you Ian, if you ever see this, i appreciate the help and advice you gave me!
It was around 8.30pm when i got to my hotel (Hotel Rus). I went straight up to my room and unpacked. The hotel was very smart, my room was basic but functional (the soviet way).
I had a wash, got changed and went out for a stroll. Even though it was overcast, it was still 28 degrees out. I went to a nearby bar and had a few drinks. Kiev isn't really tourist friendly, i felt abit out of my depths (Ive travelled a fair bit, but this was the first time solo, in a place with a Cyrillic alphabet).
I ended up ordering room service and getting an early night, ready for my trip to Chernobyl.
-------
I decided to set my phone alarm and set up an automatic room call, which turned out to be a horrific noise! So i was woken suddenly wondering what the hell was going on.
Got changed and headed towards Hotel Kozatsky, on Independence Square, ready for the 9am pick up. It was pissing it down.
I joined the group, paid and was checked off the list. Onto the bus and a 2 hour drive to the exclusion zone. They played a DVD about the accident, which was very interesting. There were around 12 people in the group, 3 English, 6 Scandinavians and a few Russians.
When we got the to first check point, we had our passports checked. The armed guards made it feel more real. Into the 30km Zone we went....
We went to this small town, for our briefing and a short history lesson of the area.
Here's our guide talking about the radiation spread:
On the way out we saw this memorial to the brave firemen who were first on the sceen, not realizing what the dangers were at the time:
Then onto Chernobyl and Pripyat...
This is the sign for the town of Chernobyl, which is a few miles south of the Reactor. Around 4000 people live in the zone, mainly scientists and military personnel. There are some natives, who didnt move when the reactor blew, many are still as healthy as those out of the zone.
We stopped off shortly at a shop in the town. Apart from the occaisional car, there was no-one but us there.
First radiation signs:
Ground reading of 7.83 roentgens an hour, about a half mile away from reactor number 4. The typical exposure a human gets a year is about 23 microroentgens per hour.
In the red forest, near-by, it reached 500 roentgens an hour! We decided to stay on the bus there.
Mugshot of myself outside of Pripyat:
First glimpse of the town trapped in 1986:
People wearnt evacuated straight away, infact it was a long time till the government said there was a danger, so when they did get the people out, they had to leave most of their belongings behind. They were allowed back to get some things, as long as it wasnt contaminated.
We first visited the secondary school, it was eerie walking around this place, the silence and atmosphere was just unreal. We had to watch out for broken glass, hanging wires and trip hazards. There was very little radiation inside as it had all its windows closed during the exposure. There was still the days work on the chalkboard, kids schoolwork around the desks and various projects 25 years on.
Gas masks, thousands of them, as it was still the cold war era.
Walking around on my own, i kept coming across other people in the group, not a word said, just aknowledgement.
Someones film has survived....i wonder if the people in the pictures survived?
25 year old pickled peppers:
Then onto the gymnasium:
This pool was still in use by the staff of the zone up until 2000.
Now the ''amusement'' park....
It was built for the May celebrations, but never used, as the accident happened in April.
The reading around here was 7.16 roentgens an hour.
A quick visit to the theatre and the town parade, then onto lunch at the military canteen, 1/2 a mile from the reactor.
Getting scanned on the way in:
Borscht soup, chicken in some kind of batter, rice, veg and a salad. Pancakes for dessert.
I was joined on my table by a fellow brit and a guy from Japan (didnt get either of their names), both travelling solo.
Finished lunch and headed to the Number 4 Reactor, the epi-center of the disaster.
Quick stop at the rail bridge to see the giant catfish:
Another mug-shot:
It was so unreal to be there.
That was the end of the tour, i slept most of the way back.
Back in Kiev, had a wander round.
The Olympic stadium:
Then went back to my hotel, for some more room service, a bath and sleep.
View from my hotel:
Up early the next day, pack, wash and get a taxi to the airport. On my way out of the hotel i find out my bank had blocked my card, so no gifts or vodka :( I had just enough for the taxi and a pint at the airport.
What i left:
What i came home to:
The end.
It was an interesting trip to say the least, i learnt alot out there.
Right straight to it....
Nothing really happened till i was boarding the plane, during check-in i scanned for fellow Brits or British passports, didn't see any till walking down the gate, so started a conversation.....
His name is Ian, hes a senior examiner, lives in Kiev and has done for ten years. He answered a few questions i had and it turned out he was sitting in the seat opposite me. We had quite a good chat and he offered to sort me out a lift to my hotel, cheap.
The flight went well and i had my first taste of airline food (Ive always flown budget airlines before, so never experienced it) and to be honest I've had worse from take aways. We were late arriving, so customs was slow as a plane of Turks had arrived before us. took around an hour to finally get outside....
This was the first pic i took over there. Welcome to Kiev
Ian's driver drove this beat up estate car, complete with wonky wheel and an oil leak seeping into the air con haha. Anyway, it saved me 220 hryvnia, so Thank you Ian, if you ever see this, i appreciate the help and advice you gave me!
It was around 8.30pm when i got to my hotel (Hotel Rus). I went straight up to my room and unpacked. The hotel was very smart, my room was basic but functional (the soviet way).
I had a wash, got changed and went out for a stroll. Even though it was overcast, it was still 28 degrees out. I went to a nearby bar and had a few drinks. Kiev isn't really tourist friendly, i felt abit out of my depths (Ive travelled a fair bit, but this was the first time solo, in a place with a Cyrillic alphabet).
I ended up ordering room service and getting an early night, ready for my trip to Chernobyl.
-------
I decided to set my phone alarm and set up an automatic room call, which turned out to be a horrific noise! So i was woken suddenly wondering what the hell was going on.
Got changed and headed towards Hotel Kozatsky, on Independence Square, ready for the 9am pick up. It was pissing it down.
I joined the group, paid and was checked off the list. Onto the bus and a 2 hour drive to the exclusion zone. They played a DVD about the accident, which was very interesting. There were around 12 people in the group, 3 English, 6 Scandinavians and a few Russians.
When we got the to first check point, we had our passports checked. The armed guards made it feel more real. Into the 30km Zone we went....
We went to this small town, for our briefing and a short history lesson of the area.
Here's our guide talking about the radiation spread:
On the way out we saw this memorial to the brave firemen who were first on the sceen, not realizing what the dangers were at the time:
Then onto Chernobyl and Pripyat...
This is the sign for the town of Chernobyl, which is a few miles south of the Reactor. Around 4000 people live in the zone, mainly scientists and military personnel. There are some natives, who didnt move when the reactor blew, many are still as healthy as those out of the zone.
We stopped off shortly at a shop in the town. Apart from the occaisional car, there was no-one but us there.
First radiation signs:
Ground reading of 7.83 roentgens an hour, about a half mile away from reactor number 4. The typical exposure a human gets a year is about 23 microroentgens per hour.
In the red forest, near-by, it reached 500 roentgens an hour! We decided to stay on the bus there.
Mugshot of myself outside of Pripyat:
First glimpse of the town trapped in 1986:
People wearnt evacuated straight away, infact it was a long time till the government said there was a danger, so when they did get the people out, they had to leave most of their belongings behind. They were allowed back to get some things, as long as it wasnt contaminated.
We first visited the secondary school, it was eerie walking around this place, the silence and atmosphere was just unreal. We had to watch out for broken glass, hanging wires and trip hazards. There was very little radiation inside as it had all its windows closed during the exposure. There was still the days work on the chalkboard, kids schoolwork around the desks and various projects 25 years on.
Gas masks, thousands of them, as it was still the cold war era.
Walking around on my own, i kept coming across other people in the group, not a word said, just aknowledgement.
Someones film has survived....i wonder if the people in the pictures survived?
25 year old pickled peppers:
Then onto the gymnasium:
This pool was still in use by the staff of the zone up until 2000.
Now the ''amusement'' park....
It was built for the May celebrations, but never used, as the accident happened in April.
The reading around here was 7.16 roentgens an hour.
A quick visit to the theatre and the town parade, then onto lunch at the military canteen, 1/2 a mile from the reactor.
Getting scanned on the way in:
Borscht soup, chicken in some kind of batter, rice, veg and a salad. Pancakes for dessert.
I was joined on my table by a fellow brit and a guy from Japan (didnt get either of their names), both travelling solo.
Finished lunch and headed to the Number 4 Reactor, the epi-center of the disaster.
Quick stop at the rail bridge to see the giant catfish:
Another mug-shot:
It was so unreal to be there.
That was the end of the tour, i slept most of the way back.
Back in Kiev, had a wander round.
The Olympic stadium:
Then went back to my hotel, for some more room service, a bath and sleep.
View from my hotel:
Up early the next day, pack, wash and get a taxi to the airport. On my way out of the hotel i find out my bank had blocked my card, so no gifts or vodka :( I had just enough for the taxi and a pint at the airport.
What i left:
What i came home to:
The end.
It was an interesting trip to say the least, i learnt alot out there.
Monday, 2 May 2011
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Take the two....
Lets try again.
There we go, my cert in that. I finish my NVQ tomorrow, so ill be able to put that up with it :)
Got some more vinyl today, including two of my favorite albums.
Dirty Acres, double LP, gatefold.
When life gives you lemons, paint that shit gold. Double LP, sadly not gate fold.
Also a few singles:
That is all :) Think ive taken up enough bandwith on here :)
There we go, my cert in that. I finish my NVQ tomorrow, so ill be able to put that up with it :)
Got some more vinyl today, including two of my favorite albums.
Dirty Acres, double LP, gatefold.
When life gives you lemons, paint that shit gold. Double LP, sadly not gate fold.
Also a few singles:
That is all :) Think ive taken up enough bandwith on here :)
Saturday, 5 March 2011
YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Its a saturday night and im actually at home, but rather than go out and socialize (hahaha) im here blogging. Pft like ive got people to meet round here.
This is a pic led blog tonight. First of my trip to Padstow:
Had a great time there, its a real nice village. Pubs are varied, The Shipwrights was my favorite, nice game of pool with the locals, some eccentrics there. Id avoid the Golden Lion, that was rough.
I ate SOOO much over them two(ish) days, 4 courses plus a bottle of wine a day (Y) then on monday night i went out for a steak and 4 pints. Not having to pay for anything was a plus haha. Made the most of it.
I tried crab, lobster, oyster, squid, razor clams, shrimps, prawns and some fish. Its still not my thing but atleast i tried. Sadly Rick didnt turn up. We were the only chefs on the course and it showed, as we were the first to finish all the time.
Next up, a few things ive bought :)
*Fuck sake i cant upload anything at the moment, ill carry this on another day
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Pissing with a semi
This is quite an early blog for me.
Video #1
Seeing Primus in July now :D £32 for a ticket though :/ But still its extremely rare they come over here. Just need Atmosphere + QOTSA to gig this year and ill be sorted haha.
Put down a deposit for one of these yesturday :) Should be on the road by the end of march, i cant wait. £2500 boom! Need to get my ''leathers'' (im actually getting textiles) soon. CBT is in March.
I saw this link on FB, i had forgotten about them and how good they actually were. Takes me back to my youth. I cant believe its 13 years ago when this was released. Getting old.
That is all.
Video #1
Seeing Primus in July now :D £32 for a ticket though :/ But still its extremely rare they come over here. Just need Atmosphere + QOTSA to gig this year and ill be sorted haha.
Put down a deposit for one of these yesturday :) Should be on the road by the end of march, i cant wait. £2500 boom! Need to get my ''leathers'' (im actually getting textiles) soon. CBT is in March.
I saw this link on FB, i had forgotten about them and how good they actually were. Takes me back to my youth. I cant believe its 13 years ago when this was released. Getting old.
That is all.
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Immortal Technique:
''Look, let me make something abundantly clear for people that are so bereft of activities they feel like they gotta comment on mine. First of all being a vegetarian should never be associated with being a revolutionary or being open-minded, that's a dietary choice.
If someone wants to proliferate the type of ignorance we're supposed tobe fighting by thinking that, you're just fucking yourself. I don't go around promoting beef and poultry shoving it in people's faces. I don't castigate people for not eating steak sandwiches; and i would never diss someone for being a fucking broccoli-head, or living off of radishes, or eating grass or tofu.
I like a lot of vegan cuisine. But the illogicality of expecting everyone to adopt their particular idea of what being healthy is is just preposterous.
I've seen some of you herbivores and if you want to argue health, y'all need to eat some kind of supplement, because some of y'all are so skinny that it's disgusting; looking like the only hip-hop motherfuckers on schindler's list.
Being a malnutrition-ass got nothing to do with being revolutionary or being on-point. I'll be damned if i let somebody else push their agenda on me.
You know i don't eat pork, not because i'm a muslim, i just don't really like it, but i really willfuck a bird up. And fish is good when that shit is fresh.
It's like my nigga Vast Aire from Can Ox said; ''if you don't like the smell of burning meat, well then get the fuck off the planet''.
You know i don't criticize people for eating moss, then don't open your fucking mouth
about my food, man.
I like beef and broccoli motherfucker. Mind your god-damn business.''
QFT
If someone wants to proliferate the type of ignorance we're supposed tobe fighting by thinking that, you're just fucking yourself. I don't go around promoting beef and poultry shoving it in people's faces. I don't castigate people for not eating steak sandwiches; and i would never diss someone for being a fucking broccoli-head, or living off of radishes, or eating grass or tofu.
I like a lot of vegan cuisine. But the illogicality of expecting everyone to adopt their particular idea of what being healthy is is just preposterous.
I've seen some of you herbivores and if you want to argue health, y'all need to eat some kind of supplement, because some of y'all are so skinny that it's disgusting; looking like the only hip-hop motherfuckers on schindler's list.
Being a malnutrition-ass got nothing to do with being revolutionary or being on-point. I'll be damned if i let somebody else push their agenda on me.
You know i don't eat pork, not because i'm a muslim, i just don't really like it, but i really willfuck a bird up. And fish is good when that shit is fresh.
It's like my nigga Vast Aire from Can Ox said; ''if you don't like the smell of burning meat, well then get the fuck off the planet''.
You know i don't criticize people for eating moss, then don't open your fucking mouth
about my food, man.
I like beef and broccoli motherfucker. Mind your god-damn business.''
QFT
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
March 24 is the 83rd day of the year
PackFM's new album is epic
Hes supporting C-linguists on their tour. :)
Speaking of gigs, Primus are back on tour, so im going to see about going.
Ive added some blogs to the left side of the screen, please check em out, some creative stuff going on there.
Getting sized for my motorbike gear on thurs, looking forward to that. Want to get it all sorted by the end of march. Freeeeeedom.
These are getting shorter and shitter. I need to start drinking more, back then i could ramble on for ages.
Hes supporting C-linguists on their tour. :)
Speaking of gigs, Primus are back on tour, so im going to see about going.
Ive added some blogs to the left side of the screen, please check em out, some creative stuff going on there.
Getting sized for my motorbike gear on thurs, looking forward to that. Want to get it all sorted by the end of march. Freeeeeedom.
These are getting shorter and shitter. I need to start drinking more, back then i could ramble on for ages.
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Off to see Cunninlynguists ^^
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D March 28th, 4 days after my birthday, gonna be epic.
Sadly my trip to Botswana isnt going to happen but i hope everything turns out okay for Kel and Laura :( Its unfair that it happened to her.
So now i have 10 days off and no-where to go, so i might go to Malta with dad again for a week then have a weekend in Amsterdam with jim (if he actually goes).
Ill finish this off another day.....
Sadly my trip to Botswana isnt going to happen but i hope everything turns out okay for Kel and Laura :( Its unfair that it happened to her.
So now i have 10 days off and no-where to go, so i might go to Malta with dad again for a week then have a weekend in Amsterdam with jim (if he actually goes).
Ill finish this off another day.....
Friday, 14 January 2011
*Witty title*
Had my diet reviewed at the gym yesturday, im now on 5 meals a day!! I have to eat a decent amount of food every 2 hours! And i dont think i can haha I think ill just increase what i eat for the 4 times a day.
Im now down to 4 pints a week :) Its been pretty easy, just needed the right frame of mind, also been clean since early Novemeber aswell, just dont see the point of it anymore, same old shit each time.
Still not sure where to go on holiday at the moment :/
My bass is at Daves getting a new preamp put in :( I WANNA PLAY IT!!! I got the chrome cover engraved on thurs too, dedicated to a special friend :)
Not much else really.....nearly done my NVQ.
Im now down to 4 pints a week :) Its been pretty easy, just needed the right frame of mind, also been clean since early Novemeber aswell, just dont see the point of it anymore, same old shit each time.
Still not sure where to go on holiday at the moment :/
My bass is at Daves getting a new preamp put in :( I WANNA PLAY IT!!! I got the chrome cover engraved on thurs too, dedicated to a special friend :)
Not much else really.....nearly done my NVQ.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
''Im the talcum malcolm''
Smart line. So is ''Im Todd Palin, i get dumb......pussy''. Haaaa insulting Sarah sneakily.
Well first post of the year...yeah! wooo!
Havnt got much to say to be honest. Im in a good place.
Something different
Well first post of the year...yeah! wooo!
Havnt got much to say to be honest. Im in a good place.
Something different
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