A Whale of a Tale

source BBC

After this weeks Minke Whale stranding in the Humber River at Immingham Docks I realized just how much I miss my animal rescue work.  Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change a thing right now.  I am glad I have moved to the UK with my husband and enjoy the new experiences and challenges life brings me.  I have however, been motivated to get involved with similar work here in the UK.

Source BDMLR

The organization that coordinates stranding response in the United Kingdom is 'British Divers Marine Life Rescue'.  This charity has been working since 1988 in response of stranded pinnipeds, dolphins, and whales.  They have equipment and volunteer responders around the country to maintain and educate.  I am extremely excited to get involved with them!

(c) ASRE, my start in rehab

Coincidentally, one of the facilities I worked with in FL is about to hit the big screen!  Nearly 20 years ago, I did an internship at the Clearwater Marine Science Center in the Animal Care department.  Two years later I moved to Florida to volunteer and continue to get experience in marine animal care and rehabilitation.  Soon afterwards the Marine Animal Stranding Response Team was developed which became the standard for communities around the globe for volunteer response teams. 

my first marine mammal stranding

Over the next 10 years or so, the Clearwater Marine Science Center went through many changes.  North American River Otters became a common rescue, we became recognized for our achievements both in and out of accredited circles, and even changed the name to Clearwater Marine Aquarium.  Staff changes were also plentiful as it is difficult to keep a non profit business running with all the staff needed and getting the right staff and board of directors is even more difficult.  Some good changes, some not so good changes, all water under the bridge now.

Blondie, eventually released!

About 6 years ago one of the biggest events in the Aquarium's history would occur, not known  to anyone at that time.  A rescue was made on a young dolphin tangled in a crab trap line.  Numerous facilities turned down this baby as she had very little chance of survival.  In America, we will rehab an animal even if it can not be released, but will recommend euthanasia if it does not seem to have at least a chance.  Dr. Cianciolo, the veterinarian for CMA at the time, would not give up on the infant though. 

The little dolphin was named Winter as it was the season in which she stranded.  She lost her tail, but not her will to live.  She has advanced prosthetic technology which in turn helps humans especially our wounded war veterans.  She has also helped numerous children accept their own differences.  On September 23 in the States (October 14 in the UK), she will be seen on the silver screen, in 3D no less!  

cuddle time (zinc on back as sunscreen)

my last intensively involved stranding

wanting to help me clean!

The film 'Dolphin Tale' is a fictional account of her story in which she does most of her own stunts.  She was the last dolphin I interacted with before making some moves of my own.  Each time I see a movie trailer my heart swells and my eyes well.  I am more motivated than ever to get back into my work and look forward to the opportunity to be involved with some amazing people and animals. 

The American Suburbanite In London

(C) ASRE

After our time in North Wales we headed down to London for a couple of days. We planned most of our activities for our short stay in advance as we were staying for such a short time and utilised our Tesco Club Card points to exchange for vouchers for attractions. 

Rather than driving into the city we parked our car at Ebbsfleet International Station for the week.  We figured this would be easier than navigating  and we would be catching the Eurostar to and from Paris from Ebbsfleet as well.

We parked the car, grabbed our bags for London and took the train to our hotel.  We stayed at the Danubius Hotel Regent Park and were glad to be a bit outside of the hustle and bustle of the city tourist attractions since we were in the middle of the summer school holiday.  It did not take us long to get anywhere we needed by the tube and our feet are quite capable of walking as we so often do on holiday.  The hotel was lovely and even had a door man dressed in tophat and tails.  I am ashamed that I did not get a picture of him!

(c) ASRE Madame Tussauds

First stop was Madame Tussauds and although it was crowded we did not really have a problem getting in to see any of the figures.  We had a lot of fun and a few people took pics of us posing with figures because of our crazy antics!

Mayor Boris Johnson

Russel Brand

After our time at Madame Tussauds, we walked about the city to Trafalgar Square where they have the official clock counting down the time to the 2012 Olympics.  We are so excited to have tickets and there is a chance I could even see the American Womens soccer team play! 

(c) ASRE The lions looking great after their bath!

tick tock

(c) ASRE

Since we didn't climb on the lions (pressure washing) we headed towards Buckingham Palace.  With the cycling trials held the previous day, the city was in fine form.

And seemed quiet and safe compared to the news reports the week prior regarding the riots.  There was plenty of police presence all around the city as well.

(c) ASRE

After all of our walking, we built up an appetite, we walked to Covent Garden in search of an Italian resteraunt we had a meal on my first visit to the UK, but couldn't find it.  Instead we stumbled upon a gem of a burger joint called Byron Hamburgers.  These pictures do not do them justice, but trust me, they were FAB!

(c) ASRE My Byron Burger (bacon cheese burger)

(c) ASRE My 'courgette fries' aka fried zucchini

With a huge burger sitting on us, we did a bit more walking and stumbled upon M & M world 

We were much to full to indulge in any chocolates, but we walked all 4 floors and could not believe how OTT the store was.  It was like Disney in the middle of London, in fact the Down Town Disney M &M store is a hole in the wall compared to this store. 

(c) ASRE The scene that caught my attention!

(c) ASRE The filling lab

(c) ASRE

 All of this in one day... more from our second day in London soon!!

The Master Suite

a legacy left by the builders?

As I have mentioned before, I have moved into my husbands home in England which will be 200 years old next year (according to the deeds).  Needless to say a few things are always on the list to get done around here.  

I have started the list very cautiously handling things that I know I can complete without too much drama and trauma!  I redecorated a purple bedroom to a lovely sage green, ripped up the carpet and put in laminate flooring (with help from the hubby).  Needless to say, I still have to install the secondary base/skirting boards.  But that will come soon. 

Just before I was asked to leave the country, I had started our master bedroom.  We had an accent wall of deep red.  Although I love the color, I did not feel the bedroom was the best place for it.  I managed to change the red to "brown sugar" however, I did not finish cutting in or the other walls before my extended time in the States.  Part of it was indecision, I wanted to paint the eves and ceiling in the same color.  I was only planning to do this in the section with the bed to give it boundaries in our open plain master suite.

The late great Mona in front of  the red wall in the bedroom

The other day we were in the city strolling in and out of charity shops and junk shops and I bought a magazine rack, a little rattan one to keep my husbands reading materials neatly contained on the side of the bed.  It was just enough inspiration to put me back into action redecorating the house.

The Inspiration

The Results

I am so pleased with the outcome and can't wait to finish the rest of the room!  We have a futon with no hardware to attempt to put back together and some major roof and ceiling work that needs done raound the chimney, but I think it looks great.  I was a bit timid about painting such a large area a deep color as we plan to sell in a few years and head back to the States, but I think the neutrals work well together and keep it from being too overwhelming.  

Ra sitting proud on the bed, he climbs over two stacked baby gates to get up here...

I completed the project (minus a few picture hanging details that will come after a trip to Ikea) with only one mishap.  

This time, instead of the paint not adhearing or big sheets peeling from the ceiling, 

Spare bedroom redecorating, paint did not want to adhere to the plasterwork

I pulled one of the radiators from the wall.  I was leaning across and balancing on the radiator when, out came the screws from the drywall...  no stone walls here, I don't think the builders really knew what fittings to use.   

That box of paperwork is the only thing  holding the radiator against the wall right now!  I see a trip to B & Q in our future!