m/v Africa Mercy update no. 9 - 14-12-05

m/v Africa Mercy update no. 9 - 14-12-05

Hey people and welcome to another instalment of Paul’s little (but getting bigger!) trip away.
I hope everyone is keeping up with the goings on and not getting to bored of my consistent badgering of emails every fortnight.

Things are going really well here and I have had a great last two weeks. As you all should know by my multiple emails last week, I have been offered a place on the ship when it sets sail – hopefully April 2006. This offer comes on the condition I stay on the ship at least 18 months to 2 years and do a Segue (pronounced Segway) course. This is a 6 month class where I will get taught the basics on how to help change a society with regards to health and sanitary practices and other such helpful things that we try and teach the nations where we go.

Thank you to all those that responded to my previous email with congratulations and specially to those who have offered to support me with this expedition I am on.

Another item of great news, the day has finally come, where there are no leaks on the gas systems, they have been fully tested and now all complete! I can’t tell you how happy I am that I finally can stop going round squirting washing up liquid type junk on all the pipework connections!! We still have some brackets to add and some other minor things to finish but it’s now 95% complete. Now to begin installing the rest of the Hospital equipment, finishing off the Galley and all the other jobs we get to try our hand at.

Outside Mercy Ships, well, I have started a new sport! Its called Free Running or Parkour. If any of you saw the TV show “Jump London” or “Jump Britain” then you’ll know what I am talking about. It basically involves a cross between Rock Climbing and Running and Skateboarding-ish! Running around in an urban environment and jumping around obstacles. Sounds simple. Do some research (www.parkour.com) and find out it’s not so simple! Plus you don’t need to buy any equipment, it’s good exercise and it’s free to do! Lets see how long I can keep this sport up.

I am on night watch Duty again this week, which really confuses my brain and body about how much time I am sleeping and about when I should eat and how much. But also means I can catch up on paperwork and communicating with people. Also I got to play around with the Generators, replacing some of the bearings, with the engineers who were working late. So doing some 'proper' Mechanical Engineering.

Oh of those people resident in Cardiff I will be making a flying visit back to my favourite City on the weekend 21st January where me and Marv will be having a shared bday party. Venue yet to be arranged, but the theme is Pirates. I look forward to seeing you all there (well the Cardiffians anyway!)

Keep safe my friends.

From your ever obliging Messenger

Paul Waldron