The weather has been so gorgeous over the past couple of weeks. I'm not meant to be happy about it because we've been officially declared as in 'drought', but SAD sufferers the region over are probably as thrilled as I am. Sun, sun, sun, whoo yeah!
Sunshine aside, it's been the usual spring sights that have been adding to my more buoyant mood of late.We've been enjoying walks along the river or in the woods, as well as time in our little garden.
Camellia in the garden, growing tall above the privy
The journey to work has also been much more pleasant recently, with lighter mornings so I can enjoy the country views from the top deck of the bus. My favourite sight at the moment is a field full of lambs .There's been a really nasty disease, called Schmallenburg Virus, affecting a lot of sheep farms in the area. If a pregnant ewe is affected in can result in severe birth defects, stillbirths or miscarriages. It's really horrible, so I'm extra happy that I am able to see these lambs healthily prancing around the field.
As I work in the middle of nowhere I can only get the bus so far. Usually a colleague picks me up and takes me the rest of the way, but as she was on leave this week I had to come up with an alternative. She showed me that if I took the bus a couple of miles further on from the bus station I usually alight at, then I could walk along a country lane, up through a pretty village, and then across the scary bypass and over to my workplace. I liked the idea because I love walking, but I admit that the bypass did worry me a little. I had to do that twice this week (my boss picked me up on the third day), and because the weather was so glorious it made for a couple of particularly lovely walks. The banks of the lane were adorned with daffodils, one of the many things I love about spring. On the second day I was lucky enough to see two young deer nibbling on some grass beside a lake. I stopped and watched them for several minutes, and when they looked up and saw me they didn't run away, they just stared at me for a little while and then went back to enjoying their breakfast. I eventually tore myself away, my stomach rumbling for its own breakfast. Thankfully the bypass wasn't all that bad to cross, and I made it into work in one piece!
I love spring. I do hope that it does rain soon, especially for the sake of the plants and wildlife that will suffer the most from lack of water. But whilst the sun is shining and the sky is clear I am taking advantage of it, because in this country you never know when the next spell of good weather will come along!
On Thursday my husband and I headed off an adventure, back to our beloved Dover Castle. This place is particularly special to us as it was where we went for our first big day out together as a couple, after we'd told everyone that we were an item. It was a day where we were liberated to enjoy our relationship without feeling like we were hiding a big secret anymore.*
Anyway, I'd first been there with my family when I was 15, and fell in love with it. It has a history that spans back as far as the Iron Age all the way through to the Cold War, and it is a truly fascinating place. What makes it more unique than any other castle in the country is its the network of underground tunnels. The first of these is Medieval. Then more were built during the Napoleonic era, and really came into significant use during the Second World War. Operation Dynamo, to evacuate troops from Dunkirk in 1940, was conducted from Dover's secret tunnels. I learnt all about this on my first ever trip to Dover. I was intrigued when our guide mysteriously informed us of another set of tunnels, further below, that was used for the Cold War, named DUMPY (Deep Underground Military Position Yellow), but that it was closed to the public for reasons that were not really given...
Fast forward to that special day out when my husband and I were first an item. The tour of the Second World War tunnels was the first thing we did when we arrived that day, and my husband became instantly fascinated with this subterranean world of intrigue, but particularly in relation to the Cold War and nuclear bunkers. Ever since then we have both been really keen to see Dumpy. So, when we spotted that English Heritage were hosting an Exclusive Members tour, opening Dumpy to the public for the first time, of course we had to go!
We travelled up to Dover by train, and then huffed and puffed our way up the very steep hill to get there, only to find that the rest of the castle was closed and that we couldn't get into the grounds until just before the tour was due to start. It was a lovely warm spring day, but we couldn't bear the thought of going back into the town and then walking up that hill again so we stayed just outside the main gate and ate our picnic. With a couple of hours to go, our caffeine levels were beginning to ebb, so my wonderful husband did venture back down the hill to buy us some tea from Costa. It wasn't much longer after that, when more and more history fanatics, urban explorers, and fellow geeks had joined us just outside the gate, when we were allowed into the grounds.
We all convened in one of the site restaurants, where we received an introduction from a group of experts who would be leading our tour, and then we were finally on our way down to Dumpy itself. We were led to a concrete block where we were given yellow lanyards to keep track of us, and then through a door and down some steps to the lift that would take us down to the tunnels.
Our guides wanted us to imagine that we were important members of the civil service who had been called down into Dumpy in the middle of the night. Dumpy was to be a seat of regional government in the event of nuclear attack on Britain, and so personnel were required to kept somewhere 'safe' where they could plan for the aftermath, and communicate with similar bases across the country. Just standing there in front of the lift gave a real sense of the dread that nuclear war could bring. These personnel would have no contact with their families or friends for about a month in the event of a nuclear attack, and they would have no idea how their loved ones would be faring above ground. In fact, due to morale, the information regarding what would have been happening in the country was limited only to those who needed to know for the sake of their role. If you put yourselves in that position, isn't it a sinister feeling? I think I would want to run back and be with my family, and yet the sheer horror of the unknown when it comes to a nuclear bomb, a potential Armageddon, could be enough to freeze you to the spot. Certainly the last thing I would want to do is go and work, even if it was for the good of the country! I couldn't bear not knowing what kind of world I would emerge into at the end of the month. The amount of professionalism and resolve these people would have needed if this situation had ever occurred is really quite remarkable.
The lift down underground...
The personnel who would have been required to work in Dumpy did undertake exercises down there during the 1960s, which apparently felt very real. I found a video by English Heritage on YouTube about this. If this is the sort of thing that you're interested in as well, it's only 10 minutes, so worth a look.
Down in Dumpy itself we were treated to explanations of how communications would have taken place between the other nuclear bunkers and ROC posts in the region and the wider country, how the air conditioning and ventilation worked in such a way as to minimise any potential radiation absorption, the limitations of the water supply and how 28 days was about the maximum time that could 'comfortably' be spent down there, and how the Chief Commander would have managed the staff and dealt with the information that came through to him.
We were taken through a series of corridors, and shown the air conditioning units, the Commander's office, the cabinet meeting room, the science room, the communications area, the small radio broadcasting room, and finally the toilets! Our guides were very informative about what life would be like down there, but they also gave us an insight into what it could be like up above. For example, the BBC would only broadcast a radio announcement at particular times, as people had to conserve batteries, advising people to ration their food and water sensibly, and to stay calm. And that was pretty much it. I can't even begin to imagine how difficult that advice would be when the fear of fallout must be truly terrifying, and that's if you were far enough away from the initial blast!
One of the comms rooms that once was full of teleprinters etc
Unlike the other main visitor tunnels at Dover - Annexe (used as a hospital during the Second World War), and Casemate (used for Operation Dynamo and other important communications) - Dumpy has not been dressed up or designed to create a visitor experience. Whilst I love that about the other tunnels, I also appreciated seeing Dumpy in such a raw format, and understanding just a little more about the Cold War and what the threat of nuclear attack really meant, thanks to our brilliant tour guides, I think it came to life just as much as if the rooms had been recreated as the other tunnels had been. Some visual aids were used, which were greatl, and we got to see plenty of real artefacts which was a treat.
After the tour we were taken up to the old mess hall, which is now used as a wartime themed tea room, where we were treated to tea and coffee, along with some delicious sandwiches and cakes.
I think the tour vividly created a sense of what a terrifying prospect nuclear attack once was, although it also raises many questions about just how capable the government would really have been if it had ever happened. With the kind of disaster they perceived, would any of their planned methods of governance have made any difference? And would they really have operated that efficiently? How could a few people underground cope with the masses above ground who were fighting to survive with limited resources and fear of radiation? I guess that's why the nuclear holocaust is such a popular topic for books and films, there are lots of 'what ifs?' I know so little about the Cold War generally, and indeed our parents have never mentioned what they thought of it back in their youth, or if the idea of a nuclear attack ever really bothered them. But I have decided to investigate the topic further and learn at least a little more about it.
And we had a great day out, courtesy of another brilliant English Heritage Members Event, huzzah!
Photos my own.
*I appreciate that this may sound quite cryptic. I do intend to explain it on my blog one day, I promise!
The last week has been one of small celebrations that have brightened up March as the sun has begun to shine more, and spring has truly sprung.
The first celebration was Pi Day on 14th March - or March 14th I should say, as it actually makes sense the American way for this occasion ;) Pi is a highly revered number in this household, something I am reminded of everyday as for years the symbol has been permanently branded on my husband's arm in the form of a very handsome tattoo. This year we didn't do anything irrational to celebrate but we did indulge in steak and stilton pie for dinner that evening. Naughty but delicious. And, you know, it's not appropriate to celebrate Pi without pie!
The second celebration was St Patrick's Day. We're not Irish and we have no Irish blood that we're aware of. But our youth minister comes from Belfast and she planned an Irish themed party for the youth group on Friday. We encouraged fancy dress, played a range of Irish music, and served green lemonade. There were plenty of potato and leprechaun themed games, a quiz on all things St Patrick and Ireland, and the kids got to decorate their own cakes with green icing. The highlight of the evening was when we sat them down to watch a Riverdance video, and as soon as the music grew dramatic all of us leaders burst into the hall attempting Irish stepdancing ourselves - Michael Flatley, eat your heart out! It was hilarious, although I don't know who was laughing more - the youth or the leaders!
The third celebration was Mothers Day. We went up to stay with my husband's family for the weekend, and on the Sunday the grannies came to visit and we all went out to a local country park for a walk. The park was covered in daffodils and many other beautiful spring blooms. We wandered around the nature reserve where we were lucky to see lambs basking in the sunshine, piglets playing together, and many other cool animals, including a raven who cried out rude words! We then headed back to the house for a tea party. We had actually intended to have a picnic at the park but the weather was on the temperamental side, so we decided it was safer to have an indoor picnic instead! There were lots of sandwiches and cakes and plenty of tea. It was lovely, and very relaxing, and as far as I can tell my mother-in-law and grannies-in-law enjoyed themselves. I plan on treating my mum to a gift and afternoon tea later this week.
We got home too late to go the evening service at church, but we still went along for the youth group that's held afterwards. As we were walking down there my husband pointed out Orion. This is nothing new, we can see Orion all the time from where we are, so I decided to go one step better. I proudly pointed out Jupiter and Venus to the right of us, shining brightly and beautifully in the night sky, and then to the left of us, Mars, its red glow making it stand out especially from the stars we could see around it. My husband checked a phone app to ensure I was correct in my planetary assertions, and indeed I was. OK, I'll admit my knowledge was thanks to one of my friends pointing Jupiter and Venus out to me a few weeks ago, as well reading my mother-in-law's Guide to the Night Sky that morning, as she is an enthusiastic amateur astronomer. But anyway, how cool is it to see the planets? Agreed, it's even more fab through a telescope. We got to see Saturn through my mother-in-law's last year, rings and all, awesomeness! Anyway....
Spending a few minutes gazing at the stars and planets was a lovely end to a pretty good week. Next up is an adventure of the historical variety. We're so excited we might not be able to sleep the night before! I hope to report back in a few days!
Our latest social justice & advocacy campaign at church is water and sanitation. We're encouraging people to take action by putting pressure on world leaders, who are meeting in Washington DC this April, to place water and sanitation higher on the development agenda. This is part of Water Aid's Water Works campaign, summed up in this brilliant little video:
As you can see, access to clean, safe water has far-reaching benefits, yet it is such a simple initiative.
The campaign is also asking people to post photos of what water means to them, to show just how important clean and safe water systems are. You can find out more on their website: http://www.waterworks.me/.
This has got me thinking about what water does indeed mean to me. I take water, and the constant supply of it, completely for granted. Drinks, washing, cleaning, gardening, food preparation - I use it everyday and rarely stop to think about how privileged I am to have safe, running water on demand.
This campaign comes when our region is facing a 'water crisis' due to two consecutive dry winters. A hosepipe ban is predicted and a the water companies have got a campaign underway to encourage us all to use less water. That's all very well, but I object to the term, 'crisis'. It simply isn't representative of our minor irritation compared to the serious water and drought problems that occur in other parts of the world.
The Water Works campaign vs our media's scaremongering has given me much food for thought. I believe I do need to be more conscious of how much water I am using on a daily basis. It's common sense, because water is truly a precious commodity. But it's also made me stop and be thankful for what I have.
When we stayed on the favela in Brazil I learnt just how little I ever thought about my water use back at home. One of our host families had seven of us staying in their tiny house for three nights, and they provided the meals for the entire team (fifteen in total). Water was delivered by the government about twice a week, and there was a butt on the roof to collect rainwater, which the shower was connected to. The toilet could only be flushed by pouring a bucket of water down it. Obviously this was quite different to what we were used to, but I think we all thought we could cope just fine.
On the first night a group of us did the washing up after dinner, to thank our host family for a delicious meal. On the second night our host mother insisted that she should clean the dishes instead. We thought that she was being too kind, but after some translating we realised that she was politely trying to tell us that we had used too much water the night before! We had just used as much as we pleased, like we would at home, without really thinking about how limited it was. Having seven of us use the shower and toilet for three whole days must have been a huge sacrifice for them. They never once complained but they did guide us on how to be sensible with what we used.
It was definitely an eye-opening experience, and whilst it still challenges me now to be conscientious with how much water I use (even though I fail dismally), it also serves as a reminder of how we've got it made, even with an inconvenient 'drought' to look forward to this summer. Hot and cold water on demand, power showers, clean drinking water direct from the tap, flushing toilets, as well as plenty of water for pleasure, such as fountains and other pretty things.
The contrast of any 'water problem' in the UK to some other countries is sobering indeed. It is a disgrace that so many children in Africa die as a result of diarrhoea everyday. As the Water Works campaign points out, water sanitation is simple, effective, and cheap. With the correct systems in place diarrhoea is preventable, and there are numerous other benefits. Clean, safe water is a basic human need. Let us be grateful that we have it, and let us push for others to have the same!
I recently changed my Facebook page to the new Timeline style because rumours were circulating that it would eventually be enforced upon all users and I wanted to get to grips with my privacy settings etc before that happened. As with all of Facebook's past changes, I've quickly got used to the new layout and resent it far less now then when I first saw it.
Anyway, this afternoon I was procrastinating, and I ended up trawling back through the past few years, casting my eye over my status updates of yore and revisiting a few old wall posts etc. I had a good laugh as many happy memories resurfaced, particularly of university days. My favourites were messages between my friends and I when we were on the verge of insanity due to massive workloads and impending deadlines, as well as bizarre references to Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, and other Classical figures who we blamed personally for our work related madness!
Looking back has given me a little snapshot into how much I've changed, not only since I first joined Facebook in 2006, but also since I left the council. For example, a number of my past statuses show just how desperately unhappy I was in my old job, and with my daily commute to London for my job before that. They also demonstrated just how unwell I had been. I have an archive's worth of status updates about feeling ill. I usually get at least one bad cold annually but according to my status updates, when I was in my old jobs I was unwell over and over again. My sickness record for work is fairly average, so each time I claimed to be 'ill' on Facebook I wasn't necessarily missing work and hiding under the duvet. I think there was a direct correlation between my unhappiness and how I was feeling physically, whether or not I was actually 'sick'.
So, even though I knew I had been struggling for a long time in my old job, the sheer volume of negative status updates relating to it did shock me a little. But on further reflection, I really was that miserable. It's just that now I have been moving past it, and a lot of the nasty feelings I associate with the old place are beginning to fade.
Thankfully I'm not too much like Eeyore, and all of the miserable or angry updates are counterbalanced by many happy or excited updates and other jolly material. And so this random record of my feelings at over the past few years has made me very reflective this afternoon.
I remember all too well how much I struggled with difficult housemates and a heavy workload during my MA. I remember how tired the London commute made me. I remember how bored I was in my previous two jobs. I remember how some mornings I did not believe it would be possible to leave the house and go to the office because I was so unhappy. I remember how many problems we had with our old flat.
I remember how stressed I was planning our wedding, but also how much fun it was. I remember the stress of my degrees, but also how fascinating I found the research and how I never really wanted my studies to end.
I remember how amazing my trips abroad have been. I remember how fantastic Muse were the three times I went to see them perform live. I remember all the silly jokes my friends and I shared that only we understood. I remember how beautiful all the weddings were that I have been to. I remember how much I missed my brothers when they were away at university and how I loved being home for the holidays.
Good or bad, I don't need Facebook to help me remember any of these things. But, like finding the diaries I wrote when I was younger, I think a little reread, a deliberate revisit to the thoughts and feelings of the time, does good for the soul. And today it has conjured up a whole wealth of different emotions in my heart.
I look back on those bad times, remembering every ounce of misery, and know that I have moved on and that I have emerged a stronger person.
I look back on those good times, remembering every ounce of joy, and smile with fondness and am thankful that I had those experiences.
My Facebook statuses and old wall posts remind me of the conversations I have with old friends when we are feeling nostalgic. We reminisce, we, laugh, we congratulate or encourage each other on coming through the other side of whatever life has thrown at us. We bring back lots of memories, the good, the bad, and the hilarious. Although looking through the old Facebook stuff isn't the same as chatting with a friend, this afternoon has had a similar effect.
I sit here, in my desk chair, the sun beginning to set, and I feel content. All too often I dwell on the past and think about how I wish things had been different a lot of the time. But this half-hour of procrastination on Facebook has once again reminded me that I've had some pretty fantastic times in the past six years, and that although I've been through a lot emotionally I am a stronger person because of it. I needed that reminder today, and so I am grateful that Timeline gave me that little look back.
