One Door Closes ...

So, this week was a big one for me. I finished off my work in the Health Department, wrapped up loose ends, said goodbyes to long-term colleagues and friends.

Completing the work was the easy bit - the major project I had been working on this autumn had come to a close and it was only a matter of filing documents, and making a few plans for my successor. Harder work was going from one Xmas party to the next all week!

What suprised me this week was the number of goodbyes - from colleagues, friends and many other people that I have met while in Edinburgh. I guess I never sat down and totalled up all my Edinburgh friends and it is hard to move away, not knowing when I might be back. What makes it a bit easier is looking forward to the interesting times to come in Sri Lanka...

Speaking of which, we now have a longer period of time to say goodbyes as the Sri Lankan visa office are taking a holiday and have not yet processed our applications. Putting back our departure by a week is actually something of a relief as last minute preperations should now be a bit less last minute!

So, next week will be Christmas festivities, but should also be a chance to catch up with preparing for the trip.

Loony Dook Preparation

On new years day 2008 I will be taking a swim in the chilly waters of the River Forth at South Queensferry near Edinburgh.

I am already getting pretty nervous because the water is bound to be just over freezing point! Norny will hopefully be on hand with a towel and dry clothes for afterwards.

Apparently last year around 400 people took part in the New Year "Loony Dook".

You can sponsor me by filling in my Sri Lanka '08 sponsor form. Don't worry, you can wait until you see photographic evidence before you pay up!

The money I raise will go towards the Sri Lanka project which directly supports CWW's partner organisations in Southern Sri Lanka, and also to the Forth1 "Help a Child" appeal.

Flights

Haven't had a lot to report for a while, but this changed this week as we bought our flights! We will be departing from London to Colombo on 16 January. Although we are only planning to be in Sri Lanka for six months the tickets are one year returns which might come in handy!

My new blog

So, I've decided to set up a blog to keep everyone updated on Sri Lanka. It still seems a long time before departure in January, but I suspect the next few weeks will fly by.

I hope to use my blog for sharing photos, and a few lines about what's happening and what my reactions are to a new country and exciting new project.

Olof