Fixer upper

This abandoned house is across the street from friends of mine in Bridgetown and I thought it would make a good fixer upper project.....until I peeked around the side and discovered the house had no roof.

So much for that idea.

so...back to the beach at Worthing for a snorkel and cold Banks beer.

2 terrorist attacks Aug24,2004 and I'm on a flight INTO Russia...oops

August 24,2004 was not a good day to be flying from Domodedova Airport, Moscow. Chechen suicide bombers brought down 2 planes that day. Flight 1303 was en route to Volgograd and Flight 1047 was headed to Sochi. I was also in the air that day and headed into Russia from Seoul, South Korea. Sometimes its best to not know all the details and just carry on with your travels. Days later on August 31 the Moscow subway was bombed and 1o people died. Then on September 1, 2004 we were notified of a hostage crisis in Beslan. Little information was provided and we had limited access to TV news coverage. The Russian military was surrounding our camp as this was the largest foreign investment project in Russia and rumour was that the Chechen rebels might try to attack the project. After several days the Russian military launched an assault on the school where the rebels were holding the hostages. I believe 335 people were killed and many of those were school children. I think we were all pretty nervous about what was happening especially when we considered the significance of the project we were working on and how it could be a target for political purposes. I was glad to have the Russian military patrolling the perimeter of the camp and security was tight at the gate. Even the unmanned blimp that seemed to be photographing us was welcomed. I do remember having the 'what if' discussion with several expats just so we would be prepared in case of a terrorist attack. Who had access to weapons? what container would provide the greatest protection? where was fuel stored? things of this nature. It was early in the project and we had no idea the Russian Mafia had such a presence onsite. Looking back on it now from the security of home there's little chance a group of rebels could have penetrated the camp. The landscape and presence of the FSB made infiltrating very difficult.

Entry into and out of Chayvo was controlled by security personal at this gate. It was annoying to have them rummaging through your luggage searching for alcohol and weapons but the staff were respectful and most of us appreciated their diligence in keeping trouble outside the gates.Security checkpoint at Chayvo.

my boot story

ok.... I have to tell my boot story! I bought these Red Wing boots in Nelson for the Sakhalin 1 project in Russia that I was assigned to during summer of 2004. They were the most comfortable boots I've ever owned and over the course of the first 6 week rotation in Chayvo those boots and I put on many miles. Upon returning home after the rotation I went to the shoe store where I'd bought them to purchase boot grease so they would be waterproof for the next rotation. The lady looked at me and then asked 'are you the fellow who bought those Red Wings a couple months ago?' My reply was 'yes, those are the most comfortable boots I have ever owned!' She started to laugh then replied 'did you find yourself stumbling alot?' I said no, the boots are excellent. She then said ' you better check your boots when you get back to camp to confirm the right boot isn't a size 13 and the left a size 9 1/2.' I laughed and said 'there's no way the right boot could be size 13! I'd be tripping and stubbing my toe if that was the case. I put on way too many miles in those boots to not notice such a size difference between them!'

to make a long story short: when I arrived back in Chayvo the first thing I did was check the boots. I nearly fell over when I compared the two and realized the right boot was a couple inches longer than the left! Then, of course, I had to work for 6 weeks in the odd sized boot! Now that I was aware of the size difference I seemed to be stumbling and tripping over everything! When I returned to Nelson I took the boots into the store and the lady howled when she saw them. She gave me the proper fitting right boot but now after 12 weeks of work the left boot was scuffed and worn so here I was with a brand new right boot and a scuffed up left boot! So she offered to polish up the left boot and she did such a good job I had almost matching boots. Of course by then it was winter in Chayvo so we were wearing snowboots! The Red Wings sat on the shelf till spring but provided endless chuckles throughout the winter for all of us. The boots survived Russia and then spent 2 years on the hard Marro ground in Barbados till the heels broke apart and I had to retire them. I left them for a Bajan to repair and I bet they are still being worn. So thats my Red Wing boot story!

Cohiba Cigars

the House of Cuban Cigar shop at the Careenage, Bridgetown

One of the many pleasures of living in Barbados was going down to my favorite cigar shop in Bridgetown on Saturday afternoon and picking up a pack of Cohiba mini cigars. The little Cuban lady who ran the shop was always so happy to see me. We'd chat about our respective nations and I'd always come away from her shop with a smile on my face. The little mini cigars were perfect for late night chat's on the deck with neighbour Phil. We'd listen to the frog's chirping and watch the firefly's dancing across the night sky while indulging in a cohiba or two.

Albert the dog 1998-????

Albert on our favorite trail.

on the morning of Friday July 31, 2009 Albert the dog went for his usual walk around the property to check on cat activity and other critters who may have crossed paths during the night. When he hadn't returned by 10am I became concerned that something wasn't right. He hadn't eaten his breakfast which was unusual for Albie. He does like an early morning stroll down the road to see 'lil dog' (neighbor Moe) so I went over to check. No sign of Albert. I walked down to the highway expecting the worse but again no sign. I checked the ditches and the beach because its been hot and maybe he decided to go for a swim.Then I remembered the neighbor who likes to shoot dogs if they step on her property. I walked a mile down Longbeach Road but again no sign of Albie despite my whistling and calling. So I headed home. I worked Friday night and expected to find Albert tucked into his favorite cool spot in the backyard upon my arrival at 10pm. Nope, no sign of Albert. Saturday I did the same walk checking ditches and the lake for any sign of him. Again Sunday and Monday I went back to my previous house on Kokanee Landing Road and to the park to see if he'd wandered over to visit the dog beach. No sign of him anywhere. My neighbor Barb had called the SPCA to report Albie missing and Tuesday morning they called to inform me that no dogs had been turned in missing that matched Albert's description. Its been 4 difficult days coming to terms with the thought of losing my buddy who's been with me since January 1998. I think the hardest part is not knowing what happened to him. Thursday night I had groomed him after our walk and his collar was not put on properly. Friday morning I found his collar on the lawn so he had no identification. Anybody finding him would figure he was a stray and this is what I think happened......

for days I've been going out to the backyard and checking his favorite snoozing spot under the deck where its cool and sheltered. I must have checked 6 times today and no sign of him. About 2 pm I heard a noise in the back and figured the cats were wrestling and one of them had jumped off the deck. As I was heading down the steps I noticed someone had taken a big drink from Albert's water bowl. I was SHOCKED to see 2 beautiful brown eyes staring out at me from beneath the deck. Albert was back!! My eyes must have looked like saucers as I crawled under the deck to touch him and confirm I wasn't hallucinating. Nope, it was Albert! The neighbors must think I've lost my mind as I jumped around and cheered. I don't know what happened to Albert or where he's been but I know he's come a long way and must not have slept for some time. He came out to greet me and is very wobbly on his legs. I gave him some food and he just wolfed it down so he hasn't eaten either. Once both of us had settled down I gave him a bone and he lay down on the lawn and slowly chewed. Bones are his 'thing'.....

I sit here thanking GOD and the universe for returning my little buddy from where ever he's been. I just wish he could tell me the whole story! I learned a good lesson about collars. This also reaffirmed how much I love Albert and how important he is in my life and how many good memories we've shared. I also truly appreciate the support I've got from friends who helped me come to terms with the thought of never seeing him again while staying positive and not to give up on a happy ending. Thank you all!!! Albert's sleeping now and I'm going to go have a nap too! We've both earned a rest.....:-)

Empire Theater in Bridgetown Barbados

The Empire Theater is located on Probyn Street in Bridgetown. The limestone and brick building was built by a consortium in 1922 and featured live theater, vaudeville acts, and motion pictures. In the 1940's it was owned by the British Colonial Film Exchange. The theater was closed in 1975 and gradually deteriorated until 2007 when the Barbados government announced a $10 million restoration plan. The restored structure will become the home of the National Company for Performing Arts.

most of the stonework appears intact. Some of the woodwork can be restored or used as patterns for replacement

there used to be large round limestone globes sitting on each of those pedestals

wonderful stonework and woodworking

inside the theater