"Life's a Gas" by T-Rex

The end of an era.

My "home and workplace" for 10 years of my life is sadly being taken apart.

Let me explain; I worked on a Gas Compression Platform called MCP01 for 10 years of my career. It was located in the North Sea 110 miles north of Aberdeen. I worked a 2 week on 2 week home rota like most people did then in the North Sea oil & gas industry. Therefore it was inevitable that I would become attached to the place. It was like a village and it had lots of characters from all walks of life. We worked hard during the day but had a good social life in the evenings playing games, having quizes and watching films together. Christmas & New Year were always very special too with the best of food and professional entertainment flown out to the platform for our pleasure. We also put on our own entertainment specials too. All good fun.

Now MCP01 is being taken apart as it has stopped being part of the UK / Norway gas transmission system and is redundant.

TOTAL E&P along with Aberdeen University have commenced a project on the UK part of the FRIGG system from the design & construction through to their decommissioning, tying in with colleagues working on the Field including a history of the life on board.

Here are some photos below of the recent event held by TOTAL & Aberdeen University when I met up with Barry Scott & Harry Ross to reminisce over past good times.







Photos from past times.

"London Town" by Paul McCartney

We are just back from a few days holiday to London. We took the train from Aberdeen and stayed near Russell Square. I was keen to see the exhibition for the First Emperor, China's Terracotta Army at the British Museum in London before it finished in April. For me it was an opportunity of a lifetime as I have always wanted to go and see this magnificent find in Xi'an, China and this is the next best thing to going there. We also went to the King Tutankhamun exhibition and saw the musical show, Chicago.

LINK TO MY PHOTOS HERE, just click your mouse here.

"Walking in My Shoes" by Depeche Mode

Spring is almost here in Aberdeenshire (it's early this year) and I have been out on three small walks over the past 10 days or so enjoying the dry weather.

The first walk was to an area 20 miles north of Ellon at a place called Forrest of Deer.

View looking north to Mormond Hill

The next place was near Cullen (famous for its fish soup called Cullen Skink) walking up Bin of Cullen where we had great views of the coastal area of the Murray Firth. It was blowing a high wind at the top as you can see from our hair.

Janis, Iain & Esmae at the top of Bin of Cullen (320m)

Looking down -- and Esmae's new shoes at the top of photo

Looking up from our shoes

Lastly, we had a walk up Benachie along with a 3 yr old who continually ran on ahead putting us to shame on the steep climb.

"Walking in the Park" by Paul McCartney & Wings

I was out walking in my home town of Ellon the other day and took some photos at the river Ythan. A cold winter's day does no justice to any place but here is our village in all its bareness of winter.



RIVER YTHAN








AND THEN THE SNOW CAME!

"Questions & Answers" by Biffy Clyro

Tagging time! Thanks, Irene. Here goes.......
A- Attached or Single? Attached
B- Best Friend? I have a few good friends. How can you say that one is better than another one?
C- Cake or Pie? Either, but just a little bit.
D- Day of Choice? Each day is wonderous.
E- Essential Item? It has to be my PC.
F- Favorite color? Blue.
G- Gummy Bears or Worms? Yuk!
H- Hometown? I have never thought about having a home town, but if I am pushed it is East Kilbride.
I- Favorite Indulgence? Eating out with friends.
J- January or July? July for the warm weather
K- Kids? Yes please.
L- Life isn't complete without? Family and Friends.
M- Marriage Date? July 1972
N- Number of Brothers and Sisters? I have one lovely younger sister.
O - Oranges or Apples? Oranges every night.
P- Phobias or fears? Spiders, rats & snakes.
Q- Quote? Ok, so far.
R- Reason to smile? Seeing children happy at play
S- Season of choice? Autumn or Fall
T- Tag three friends or family. Lord Celery, Gosia, and anyone else who wants a go.
U- Unknown fact about me? I was Scotland’s Junior champion in cycling a long time ago.
V- Vegetable? I like most vegetables.
W- Worst habit? Won’t say.
X- X-ray or ultrasound? Whatever the doctor recommended.
Y- Your favorite food? Indian and Italian food.
Z - Zodiac sign? Capricorn