Thanks to Colm for the jibjab 
Archive for the ‘Friends’ Category
It’s been a busy seven days.
Last Saturday, Graham ‘The Odyssey’ Hughes surprised us all by magically teleporting himself from Rome, Italy to the bar at FACT, Liverpool! Great surprise! A ‘Skype-ing event had been planned and around 30 of his friends gathered for it, as a live link-up had been arranged. For those of you not in the know, Graham’s currently mid-Odyssey, attempting to visit every country on Earth – by surface – in the shortest time possible. He’d secretly returned to the U.K. so as to attain some visas for the middle-east. Shortly after the event began, we lost sound, followed shortly by faint cries of, “can you hear me…can you hear me?” until eventually, the webcam link went down. Suddenly, and as if by magic, Graham appeared in the bar, shouting, “Can you hear me now?!”. It was great.
On the Sunday, we headed to his folk’s place for a similar event, and a similar surprise for his family, which also worked a treat. On Monday evening, I met up with Graham & friends in a bar in town, and seeing as we had a busy day planned for Tuesday, I got the last train home. Tuesday arrived, and post breakfast, we worked on a little bit of the Odyssey website and some film conversion, before heading to Granada Studios in Manchester for some filming for the news’ Granada Reports. Later on, we headed over to the BBC studios as ‘Auntie’ was also interested in The Odyssey. We headed into the studios of North West Tonight for a live interview with the legend that is, Gordon ‘The Krypton Factor’ Burns. Post interview, we met up with a technician from NWT, who was keen to get involved with the project.
On the Wednesday, Graham headed to London for an interview with ITN for the national lunchtime news, and later that night, I put out a news story on his website indicating that he was home. Thursday arrived and was spent generally catching up on the events of the week, sending & receiving e-mails and news contacts via the website. On Friday night, a meeting was arranged for The Odyssey team, but it fell through, much to my annoyance. Tonight (Saturday 13th Feb), I’m staying in with the wonderful Yvonne, our little angel Katrina, and enjoying the calm that is Seán staying at his Nana’s for the night! Bliss…
Here’s the footage from the ITN news piece on Wednesday.
Bye for now x.
BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Paul & Dawn Wilson on the birth of baby George, who was born at 12:24pm today, weighing in at a VERY healthy 9lb 9oz – now THAT’s a boy! Wonderful news…we’re delighted for you all 
Nearly two weeks ago, my next door neighbour, Ida Gossage, died suddenly. She’d been ill for a while with cancer, but it was still a bit of a shock. I knew snippits about Ida’s life, but it was at her funeral last Friday that the gaps were finally filled in. She led an interesting life, having left Poland at the end of WWII – then aged 7 – when her father was executed. After some short periods in refugee camps, she and her family sailed to the U.K…eventually settling down in Liverpool. She met the love of her life, George, and moved to the U.S. for some years, before finally returning to U.K. and moving into their own place in the house next door to mine.
She was a lovely woman, always cheery and pleasant, and she always had a positive outlook, even when she became ill. It’s a shame, but then again, that’s life for you – one new life comes into this world, and one departs. She’ll be missed.
BIG congrats to Paul & Dawn who’ve just announced that Parker Wilson baby number two is on the way. The Liverpool Skellys are absolutely delighted at the news….hooray!! Sorry I missed you guys yesterday – someone has to bring home the bacon, and all that.
It’s here! The Odyssey UK starts tomorrow, Tuesday 21st April 2009, as we attempt to visit Ireland, England, Scotland & Wales in just 1 day! Yes, just one day! Some really tight deadlines in there, but you can follow it all instantly here! To refresh the updates below, press F5…
- I’m home…back in Liverpool, and knackered! What a day. Must….sleeeeep…zzzzz… 3 days ago
- Leg 7: Just got word from Odysseus that they’re now en-route on their bus to Manchester – THEY MADE IT! 4 countries in 1 day!! 3 days ago
- Sitting in Belfast City Airport watching The Matrix on my media player. Great movie, small airport. 3 days ago
- This is where I disembark from the British Isles’ leg of The Odyssey, as I’ve arrived at Belfast City Airport for my 20:30 flight. Thank … 3 days ago
- Leg 6: Yahoo…we’re at the Belfast ferry terminal…and ON TIME! Next stop; Stranraer. 3 days ago
- Leg 5: The Odyssey UK is full steam ahead! Yahoo…we’re on our way to Belfast on a train! BIG thanks to Colm for meeting us at Connolly Statio … 3 days ago
- Leg 4: We made it! Next leg of The Odyssey is underway, as we’ve just caught the Dun Laoghaire DART to Dublin Connolly. Whoo-hoo!! 3 days ago
- Just found out that we are 5 mins behind schedule in Dun Laoghaire port… 3 days ago
- Leg 3: We’re on the ferry to Dublin. Very smooth travelling so far. Just had a word with the crew, who will ask the captain to ‘put his … 4 days ago
- The Odyssey UK is well and truly underway, albeit slightly drunk at 09:22 . We’re here at Holyhead waiting to check-in for the ferry. 4 days ago
- Leg 2: made it…we’re on the way to Holyhead. Just finished breakfast. 4 days ago
- Leg 1: just got on the train to Chester. Graham & co. haven’t been home from the night before, and there are beers to be had at 6am! 4 days ago
- Good night… 4 days agoJust about to hit the hay for a 5am start…The Odyssey UK is almost here! 4 days ago
Yes folks, in keeping with the spirit of The Odyssey Expedition, I’ll be actively participating on Tuesday 21st April. Four nations in one day is the goal, and there are some stupidly tight timetables to keep otherwise all will be lost, i.e. we’re off the Holyhead-Dun Laoghaire ferry at 12:24pm and on to the DART to Connolly Station at 12:38pm! Can it be done? We’ll find out…but I’ve sent an e-mail to Stenaline asking if we can be let off the ship before anyone else – it’s the squeaky bits that get the oil, so if you don’t ask, you don’t get!
It’s an open invitation, and we’re meeting at 6am SHARP on Tuesday. Some are travelling a little of the way…others are meeting mid-way, and the rest will meet in Manchester at 01:25am on Weds morning. Me? I’ve just made a snap decision to travel three-quarters of the way to Belfast & will fly back to Liverpool from there – the airport is 5 mins from the ferry terminal, so I’ll be waving the Belfast-Stranraer ferry goodbye, and walking down the road to George Best airport. Who?!
For those of you following THE ODYSSEY, click here for the latest news. If you haven’t already donated, please, please, please do so here – thanks. It’s ALL FOR WATERAID.
BIG Congratulations to Jacqui & Dave, who welcomed baby Henrietta to the world yesterday afternoon! Can’t wait to see her…wonderful news. Well done to you both.