-The pictures and musings of James Purves
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MBE?!!!
Jun 17th
My Dad got a nice father’s day present today… an MBE from the Queen!!
“The Reverend John Peter Sandison Purves.
For services to the community in Sri Lanka.”
He was nominated and approved after the work he did after the tsunami.
So looks like he might be off to Buckingham Palace later in the year to meet the Queen and get his award.
His name was printed in each of the broadsheet papers but you can see the official “gazette” list online and find out more information on what an MBE is at Wiki.
Secrets… (not really)
Jun 4th
First blogged by Kristina, now answer me these questions three:
Three summer jobs I’ve had:
- Drawing maps of lots of pipelines in a power station for BP.
- Child care assistant running summer day care sessions.
- IT intern for Goldman Sachs in London.
Three places I’ve lived in:
- Spaldings – Jamaica.
- Dollar – Scotland.
- Isle of Dogs, London – UK.
Three series I enjoy watching on telly:
- Lost.
- Spooks.
- Red Dwarf.
Three places I’ve visited on vacation:
- Sri Lanka.
- New Zealand.
- Bali.
Three of my favorite dishes:
- Steak-pie supper from a Scottish fish and chip shop with a glass bottle of irn-bru.
- Apple crumble.
- Cheesecake.
Three places where I would like to be most of all right now:
- Sound asleep at home in bed.
- A nice warm beach with an ice cold mojito.
- Sunbathing on a yacht cruising the Caribbean.
Three people who I’d like to answer these questions:
- Sian.
- Ellen.
- you!
Suicide Bomb in Colombo
May 24th
Got an email from Mum and Dad this morning, apparently there was a suicide bomb in Colombo pretty close to their flat (in fact not very far away at all). Thankfully they were out and about at the time so no harm done.
More details can be found at: TamilNet or the Sri Lankan Government.
In brighter news I’m on the train north to for Oz’s stag! Should be a weekend of drunken disorganisation and laughs! Photos to follow…
Back in Blighty
May 9th
Welcome to Singapore!
May 4th
Just got to Singapore – staying at Gloria’s Mum’s flat which is great, nice and big.
Gonna go out for a few beers tonight with some of Gloria’s friends and maybe end up wandering round China town for a while.
Last few days in Bali were great, ate lots of good food and squeezed in a trip to the beach, wake-boarding (surprised myself by actually managing to get up and stay up), a massage, lots of chilling by the pool and one too many mohjito – already sorry to have left!
Taken nearly 300 photos so far, much of which are rubbish but there are a few gems to be shared here later!
Back to London late on Monday and work on Wednesday… boo!
PS: Still half-deaf!
PADI – Pain And Deaf Issues
Apr 29th
I am now a qualified Open Water PADI diver – I am also deaf in one ear and have been bleeding from places I shouldn’t be bleeding – top tip – don’t dive with a cold…
Did two great wreck dives to finish the course today – both on the USS Liberty (I think), a US supply ship sunk in WW2 near Bali – its only 20 or so meters from the beach but a great site to survey underwater. Its turned itself into a natural reef with lots of fish, coral and everything else you can think of – awesome!
Matt and I have passed all the tests and underwater skills so we’ve filled in our applications and sent them off to PADI to be made official.
Moved back down south near Kuta for a few days of recovery and relaxation! Taken a few photos which I’ll have to post when I get home… Might chill out by the pool tomorrow and read my book – hopefully I’ll be able to hear by the time I get back!
Candi Dasa
Apr 27th
Moved back to the beach, on the east coast a place called Candi Dasa.
Traipsed round a few hotels until we found the right one at the right price.
Now battling against the worst internet connection in the world but getting there slowly…
Had our first day of PADI dive training today – lots of classroom learning in the morning but the afternoon was all practical experience in the sea – great fun and only had a few minor panic attacks 
Actually was quite surprised at how good it was and relaxed it can be if you think about what you’re doing and don’t forget everything they’ve taught you. Lots of diving tomorrow, 4 off-shore dives planned so starting at 8 and finishing late!
Ubud – Culture Club
Apr 25th
Now migrated a bit further north – away from the beach to the cultural center called Ubud.
Nice “Wayan Master” picked us up yesterday and drove us the three hours north, stopping at the rice paddies, the silver works, the word craft center, the waterfalls and the painting collective – we were encouraged to buy at every occasion
ONce in Ubud we wandered down on foot to the Sacred Monkey Forest where we got mauled and abused by the malevolent monkeys – at least they were trouble until we ran out of bananas at which point they ignored us and started fighting with a random dog!
Settled for the night in a nice hotel, not bad for 15 quid a night each including breakfast. Off in a couple hours for a bus ride and white water rafting – heard good things and its raining too so should be nice and fast!
Haven’t been using the camera much but will try and get some more pictures to bring home!
Planning to head to the beach tomorrow but we’ll see how it goes…
Done a Juliet/Derek…
Apr 21st
And lost my wallet and credit cards…
And its raining…
Typical!!
But made it safe and sound to Bali – now in Kuta with a stinking hangover.
Hoping for a better day tomorrow
