Laser Sailing

Hello chums,

Today I really got down to some exhausting work today on the laser sailing training course I am doing over at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. I've just finished a three day course covering all sorts of techniques for racing and rigging the boats to perform at their max; and whilst I really enjoyed it and learned so much, I would be lying if I said I wasn't relieved that it is finally over. All of the hiking out to balance the boat and pulling on the sheets has left my whole body feeling battered and in pain all over. Either I have worked muscles in places I didn't know I had them, or I have bruised myself in places I didn't know you could bruise.

Whilst at the academy I got to see some of the national Laser youth squad in action in the harbour which and it was amazing seeing them control the boats even in such windy conditions as we experienced on Thursday. That day us lowly beginners weren't allowed out in such conditions and so we had to stay in and for one session we ended up doing fitness circuits. Again, it amazed me how much work had to go in, physically, in order to be able to sail a Laser at a top level and whilst I was a mess rolling around on the floor attempting to do a couple of sit-ups, I could only imagine how much exercise those in the national squads have to go through.

In other non-sailing news, I am pretty darn excited to be spending the next week doing work experience in the RD&E Hospital. Monday and Tuesday will be spent in the Dermatology department and the rest of the week I will be in Neurology so hopefully over the course of the week I will see some pretty fascinating stuff as well as get a look into what it is like to be a Doctor- something I might like to do when I leave school (lets all pray that I get the grades!).

And finally, at the end of next week I am going to see Royal Blood live with a few of my mates which I am so so so so (etc.) excited for! I've only seen them once before, at Reading Festival last year, and they were without doubt one of the best acts performing at the whole festival. Their energy and stage presence was simply awesome; and if that alone wasn't enough to get the crowd going then the small matter of their AMAZING tunes were more than enough to get the crowd into a wild frenzy. Again, so excited!!!!!

I will hopefully have time to post another update at the end of next week with some pics to follow (if I can get my camera to work!).

Dan

Tests and Terriers

ello ello ello

Today has been very academically orientated to say the least. I had  my Unit 1 mocks for both Chemistry and Physics. They did not go well (to put it bluntly). Chemistry was a bit of a faff, i was working pretty well for the first half before I began having a mental breakdown when I reached a question about reaction mechanisms; and all I can say is that I have still not recovered.
After that exam I was so so so hungry but it wasnt even lunch time yet! I did think about going to the canteen to grab a bite to eat but I didnt think I had enough energy to reach the canteen and so I basically died.

More excitingly, I am more excited than ever at the thought of getting a dog. I have pretty much managed to win over my parents to the idea, but I havent really come to any sorts of idea as to what sort of dog I would like, or what breed. One of my friends has the coolest little golden cocker spaniel and I would love to have a dog like that (though I dread the thought of my getting the same type of dog as my friend). I guess I'll have to get a few ideas of my own. Some breeds that I've looked at include King Charles Spaniels, Kooikerhondjes, Pugs, and Labradoodles. I'll obviously have to put quite a bit of thought into it but it does look like there are exciting times ahead in Dan World.

This little Kooiker is looking pretty snazzy

Anyways, I had better get back to revision now. Hopefully I will be a bit more active with my blogging once these mocks are all over; but until then... bye

dan

Revision and all things coffee

I would say that this week has been a pretty studious week. Getting ready for my AS level mocks has been what its all about these last few days. On the downside I think that the more maths revision I do, the worse at maths I am becoming. Is this an excuse to stop? I think so.

In other news, working at the coffee shop this week as been pretty nice- things haven't been too busy thankfully. This gave me the opportunity to have a bit of practice on latte art and whilst it's clear that I'm no Picasso, I was pretty pleased with how this little heart shape turned out. (I'm just going to pretend that's what I had intended it to be).

Watch out! There's a new barista in town.

I think I've gotten a lot better at it recently and thankfully I think I am finally past the days of overflowing the cup and making a milky mess all over the floor - not that this didn't entertain customers. One day I hope to be dishing out beauties like this one below...

This will be me one day

Lastly, I've signed up for a Laser Sailing course over in Weymouth in couple of weeks which is really exciting. I've never really sailed in big groups and there should be around 40 other boats there and we will be getting some lessons from a few good coaches. You never know; you could see me in the next Olympic Games (or not)! But either way I hope to get a few good pics which I might put up.

dan