Shipboard Safety Course

Just been on a 3 day ship board safety course. A compulsory course that everyone who works on a boat here has to complete before their 6 months is up, though I have to add.. with an additional $250 of my money!

As sod would have it.. the road that week from Port Douglas to Cairns had had a rock slide so I decided to go up the night before via the 2.5 hour ride over the 'Range' as opposed to the 1 hour cut off one.

Beautiful journey taking me over the top of the mountain range, passed the mango winery, the coffee plantations, the ice creamery and more interesting the spy camera museum!

I had arranged to meet up with a new Plenty of Fish guy called Jaco.. he popped up the other day after sending me a kiss and looked a real sweety, so I thought.. why not?

He is Dutch, aged 24 (yikes!) and when we met up he had a lovely smiley face, intelligent and we discussed art and people's attitude to it (he has a art history degree)! He was very lovely and wanted to meet up again and come to Port Douglas. Despite me thinking 'oh my God.. he is SOO young' I actually enjoy being with him and he was the one that initiated contact with me so and he seems to be keen to move things along!

When I was driving over the Range I saw a lorry that looked exactly like the one that Kurt drove.

I texted him to ask if it was him... coincidentally he said that he was on his way to Cairns and that there were a few trucks like his up on the Tablelands that day. He said he would be arriving in an hour, then texted to say 10.30.. then 12.00.. then no, not coming. I had a room in 'our' hotel the one that we stayed in the last time.. but the double bed was single occupancy for the night!

In the morning went to the Maritime College and there sitting in the class was a Brazilian guy that I used to work with when I lived in Costa Rica... small world!

First day was a test of my narcolepsy, trying not to nod off and keep my eyes open at the same time as each other. The other people seemed very nice and included 3 girls that had arrived from my boat that lived in Port Doulgas that had driven in the morning - yep.. the road was cleared on that morning!

I had arranged to stay at Nick's place - a plenty of fish contact that I had spent some time with before. He is a lovely guy, we have a giggle together. I don't find him unattractive and he and I seem well matched in the horizontal boogie stakes, or rather, he does seem to know what makes my toes curl! I think we are both at the same point, he wants to find that one love and probably settle down with and I wouldn't mind finding that one man, but don't want anything too serious at the moment. So we just enjoy each other in our 'no strings' type of way.

It was so nice to stay over with him. He lives in a new build modern house that he rents with a friend and outside is a large granite table (made by Nick who is a stone mason) that you can sit round as you watch the sun set over the mountains, sipping a beer and chatting. I wasn't sure if we were back as we were or if the invite precluded any sex bits. So after a few ciders we went to bed.. literally.. and to sleep. It was only the morning glory that made me realise that we were back to our normal status.

Certainly the second night we were a little bit more tactile with each other... he did tell me about another girl an 'ex' that he might be linking up with again.. but despite her threat of coming round uninvited (that would have been an interesting situation!) he finally decided that he wasn't interested. He said that he was worried that she was a bit anal about things and that if at this stage he was a bit worried it does not bode well for later on down the line!

The course on the second day I lost out to narcolepsy - does it really take 3 hours to talk about what you need to put in a life raft. In the morning, though, we were firing off extinguishers and hosepipes..

The last day was fun as we jumped from a 20 ft ledge with life jackets and had to perform a 10 minute group hug and the a 10 minute conga line... just needed the music.

Saturday night ... drunken dissection

Met up with my two friends Gail and John. It was St. Patrick's day, so I was expecting a bit of a night out on the town (I had my only green dress on to get in the spirit). No sooner than I had found them in Paddy's (yep.. Irish Bar.. one in every place!) than we left to go round to some friends of theirs. They had won a stay in a penthouse apartment in Port Douglas so invited us back for drinks.

So I had a nano second in Paddy's bar and then we adjourned to said Penthouse.

So beginneth the drinking games. How many times should I remind myself to eat something before I enter the world of alcoholic consumption.

So decorum started to be the sufferer. I was fine.. but definitely kicking in.

It was certainly kicking in when Gail got upset with John . John and I were sitting next to each other when he put his arm round me and flicked my hair. Which I was totally oblivious to. I certainly would have thought it was a little bit 'familiar' even though we are very good friends. Gail is worried as she starts a forensic science degree in August and is moving away from Port then.. though John is staying, though they will still be together. I think with drink this insecurity reared its head and it didn't help that John did that to me.

Difficult situation, luckily, I hadn't noticed and so was just a little drunk and so managed to keep it low key with a shrug saying that I didn't notice 'no big deal' type of thing. It made me think that if I had noticed what would I have done or said. Probably I would have ignored it, putting it down to friendly drunken bit of affection giving, but it's difficult to know when a line has been crossed and then to make an issue out of it which saying something then will do.

So funny we were up in the spa drunk, doing handstands, diving down etc. Non of us had swim things on so we were in our underwear. This morning I noticed that I had got my g string on the wrong way round...(no not back to front. - that would have been interesting! .. but my leg was through the wrong hole so the top was the side!). Let's hope everyone else was too drunk to notice my mis dressing mistake.

So today was the getting over the hangover day. Yuch! Gary came round and made me some lunch which was lovely of him and managed to have monosyllabic conversation with him.

Note to self.. remember to eat before I go out on the piss! How old am I.. and I should know to learn by my mistakes by now!

And Simon.. back on the scene!

Remember Simon... back in mid January, well due to him finally getting his act together.. yes, he actually managed to get a replacement phone and was able to text me (well that's a double whammy!). He did Facebook message me on the 19th Feb to come over but I was on the commercial diving course. When I returned I said that I was back and he invited me over again.

Work being more a case of 'non' work (low season, rainy season and no tourists) I was called and told that I wasn't needed.. so texted back to say I could make it.

On the way he texted me in alarm to say that all his mates were over and where was I. So since I had already driven 50 kmh I didn't do the 'don't worry I'll go home bit' but just said that I wasn't bothered and it would be good to meet his mates (though don't know quite what they would make of me!).

I arrived at his flat expected lots of noise, drunken men, and was met by a welcoming Simon and an empty almost pristine flat.

Seemed that he had managed to usher his friends away - and even tidy up before I arrived!

Bed made up, clean towel put out.. bless him!

He is saving money so it was a quiet night in. I bought a bottle of plonk rose wine (so cheap it almost could have carried the vinegar tag!), and some ciders. He is an avid rugby fan, so he asked if I minded watching the rugby (Newcastle Nights and Brisbane Broncos). All made the more interesting as the coach of the Broncos was now at the Nights (along with some team members that he had poached!). Fittingly enough Broncos won - which is the 'local' team here. Made me laugh as he kept missing all the game as he couldn't stop kissing me. He kept saying how gorgeous I was (just worried that the pillow would support my now expanded head!).

I like the way he is so disarming! He has no problem with effusing with compliments and despite a 24 age gap (swallow, gulp!) we get on well together. He has a good brain on him and an awareness about him (and OK, a great body!). I have never slept with someone who loves to cuddle so much or asks if I am comfortable and enquiring if my arm is going to sleep. Lovemaking was a little less like a Hilti Hammer drill this time and we did get a variable speed control as well!

On going to the bathroom (it is an outside bathroom) I looked in the mirror and staring down at me was a beautiful green tree frog that Simon said lived behind the mirror and utters loud croaks when he least expects it.

He does seem to work a a lot as on Sunday morning he left at 10.00 am to go to start setting up for the next week.



Gary has been around a lot since he has returned from the Phillipines. He even stayed with me for 3 nights and slept in the same bed (but no, all perfectly above board and no physical contact at all). He is a bit like a lost soul poor thing, doesn't have a job, no money and is depressed not only being back but that he doesn't have work. He has found a place to live which is massive, which I don't think it helps as the other people stay in their rooms and he just rattles around there in the massive amounts of silent air. So he has been spending almost every day here. Also using my computer as his has broken to type up c.vs and cover letters. It's lovely also for me to have company, but it's a bit like being in a relationship (he even asked that I didn't watch my Sunday sin viewing.. the Bacholerette) so it's nice to have my own space as well. I just wish he would laugh and smile a bit more also!

It's strange but I can't envisage myself in another relationship at the moment. I like where I am at the moment. I know some great guys, have my booty calls and no responsibilities and yet working within a framework of the guys also like me and hopefully respecting and liking me.

Just got the call from work.. no work tomorrow.. So now have been back for over a week and still not earned any money... not good. Been researching the commercial diving side of work and one guy has asked me to call him on Wednesday... but not holding my breath. As I said to someone today, opportunities in life haven't been known to fall into my lap that easily! (But always hoping there is a first time!).

Revision!

Yuch Yuch Yuch.. how I hate trying to cram my brain full of facts.. my one brain cell is now overloaded.

Spent all day yesterday and today cramming.... and that's on the Agenda for tomorrow.... still all good character extending stuff.

Now I know why I couldn't face university..!

Got to cram it in for the exam.. because.. due to my short term memory retention, all the facts taken in will leak out like a water through a sieve... the only facts that stay in are the stupid ones... bring on the Trivia Quizes!

Bits and Pieces...

So funny the French guy that I live with (who I would now quite happily stuff a bagette in his mouth - he fires off more words than an automatic rifle) showed off his tattoos last night.

Out came one bum cheek with "Pur Pork" written on it. I did ask him where he got the tattoo done... he replied in Thailand (I suspected as much!) ! Obviously I think it was supposed to be "Pure Pork". Reminds me of a chinese friend who mentioned that she has seen some very strange tattoos that people have had done. One girl she said had chinese characters that was obviously supposed to be deep and meaningful like 'peace or happiness" she said all it said was "meat".

Last night had a lovely evening. Beautiful Finnish man called Jonas (think Morten Harket of Aha lookalike) whisked me off my feet. With such chiselled fine features he could slice butter with one look! I had spotted him earlier and was just dancing near him and he came up and started talking to me. We immediately hit if off and he even bought me a rose.. but (and yes .. there is always a but). The drinks were kicking in and in the end after a particularly whirling round the dance floor in a great gyration.. great dancer! It was all down hill as I steered him towards the queue for the taxis with the immortal words "do you remember where you live" ... yep.. ended up in the taxi as well.. I knew that nothing was going to happen, but I didn't want to let this one escape! Arrived at his place where he proceeded to get naked and then with the pull of gravity implanted his head and body across the bed in crash position. I gingerly managed to move an arm and perch on the edge, where I went into a slumber (bra and knickers on).. no worry about waking him up with my snoring!

In the morning was a bit worried he might wake up with a big shock as he looked across the pillows at last nights 'pull' and wonder just how drunk he had really been! And then sees himself naked and think that I had ripped his clothes off and had my wicked way. So I assured him that he had taken his own clothes off.. he was also, I think, relieved to see that I still had my underwear on, so I did assure him that we did not have carnal knowledge of each other (........ but by golly I certainly plan to!).

We had a lovely conversation (his favourite actor is Steve McQueen and he loved the film Papillon..) as I draped myself over his bulging pectorals, I think he was still a bit inebriated. All was short lived as the hangover from hell started to kick in and when he became monosyllabic I decided that was the time to make my graceful exit.

I was hoping he would have called me later on or made arrangements for tomorrow (bank holiday)... but no.. I did call him on the phone to check he was ok.. and we have arranged to meet Tuesday (but I don't think I will hold my breath for that one!).

Another 'but.'.. I met him after he had had a dinner date (which poses the question what happened to the girl that he had met) and back at his place on the bedside table.. two condom containers.. one used and one still to be used.

I must admit that I can hardly blame him... I bet he gets women falling over him. He said he was attracted to me as I didn't look at all Australian and I think he likes the touch of the exotic, which is what I have found in the past with Scandinavian men, being that blonde is a little common for them they like the darker complexion and hair.

Well.. if nothing else a memorable, wonderful night..

Another dive another day...

Don't you just love the zero visibility full face mask commercial diving look.

Yep.. we used to yearn for 20m visibility.. but in the world of commercial diving the worse the conditions the better. Today's dive was 0 visibility. The task was to inspect a mooring.. which I found out included me following the chain down up to my arm pit in mud to find the anchorage.

A couple of days ago it was a 'clean the hull' operation. How lovely was that to find myself covered in sea lice including inside my ears wiggling! Good one was that by scraping off all the gunk from underneath the hull the local fish life loved it.. so got to see fish swimming upside down as they hungrily gulped down their unexpected treat for the day.

One guy on the course complained that he had all this debri in his hair (he has long hair) and he was due to go on a date that night. In his words.." sea lice up here, crabs down there (hoped he was joking).. a total smogasbord!"

Last night we had a night dive without any torches or lights.. yep all by hand feel.. which involved sawing off a cube of wood.. and then drilling in holes to make a dice. Did you know that the opposite sides of a dice all add up to 7? 1+6, 5+2, 3+4!.. Nope I didn't until last night! Learn something new every day.

All challenging interesting stuff - though still worried about the theory - this weekend will be full of cramming and revising and reading... ah interesting stuff.

Spoke with Josh this evening he is back at work now.. sweating it out on the mining fields..don't know if he will make it over to Port Douglas, but he is definitely keen to take up diving.

How strange.. blast from the past...

How strange is this..

Just received an email message from a guy called John:

Oh my god Pen I just saw your name on a website I was looking at or property in Costa Rica!! I know theres not many Penelope P's out there so i googled you and see that you've reinvented yourself as a scuba diving artist?? And you are in Oz again now? Haha what a surprise that was. I'm sorry that we lost touch - I dont really know why we did - i guess we already had a bit after Sydney - but I suppose we were young and there was no facebook back then. I think email had only just been invented haha.You know thats actually almost true cos it was like 20 years ago (no that cant be right can it?? 1992). That profile photo looks like you've hardly changed!

Well just to quickly fill you in - I've been living in Vancouver for the last 7 years. I got married to a Canadian girl in 2005 and I've now got 2 young kids (Leo who's 2 and Emma who's 4 months). I go back to UK every now and again - still see Chris whenever I go back. He's also married with 2 kids but he started well before me. I just work enough to enable myself to go snowboarding regularly and to have enough money to travel - although the family are making that a bit less adventurous. We love Costa Rica and went there for the first time a few years ago. I cant wait to go back and we were researching a trip out there this year.

Well drop me a line if you're happy to get back in touch again and we'll talk more.



The only thing is... I haven't got a clue who he is.... if my memory serves me right.. I didn't sleep with him! Yep... with a memory like mine.. not so sure about that one either!

Wrote back and said .. get onto Facebook... maybe a photo will jog my memory!