First week in Antibes, South of France

I left London in the early hours on the 13th of April with Malc. We headed to Gatwick airport via the Gatwick Express. After checking in myself and Malc went to grab a coffee and breakfast at Costa coffee shop. It was sad to say our good byes and I headed through to my gate to catch my plane to Nice in South of France. I boarded the plane and off I went!

2 Hours later I landed in Nice :) I made my way through to the buses and caught the 250 bus to Antibes. Once I got to Antibes my mission was to find some sort of accommodation. (I had tried to book but everywhere always said they were full so I decided to just come to Antibes and find somewhere) I walked the streets with my bags looking around and I happened to run into a friend Jess. She pointed me towards where it was all happening. Eventually I made a mission to a crew house and got a spot for the night. That night I wondered about the pubs and met a very nice bunch of guys from France. We had a few drinks and chatted for the evening. The one guy had been to South Africa so we had many things to chat about. The other guys however did not have strong English and the conversation had 2 parts to it. English and french being repeated alot by Charles, the guy who has been to SA and many African countries. Needless to say it was a very different but enjoyable night.

The next day I walked around the Docks handing out CV's to various yachts along the docks. I came across a South African Skipper and we chatted about the industry. He gave me some great insight and it helped alot. In the evening a went down to the pub and found one of the guys I was staying with and sat down to have a drink with them. We got chatting and the one guy said he might have some work for me. So we exchanged number and off I went, back tot he crew house. I was now staying in the Town house which is linked to The Crew House. It is a great place to stay. A little pricey but great facilities. I could now concentrate on getting on with work and see what the industry was about.

Early the next morning I got the call from a guy Jono who was next door to the yacht I was gonna work on. I jumped out bed had some breakfast and was off on the train to Nice Port. about 1 hour later I arrived there and met up with Jono and Rupert (First mate on the yacht I was gonna work on). Day on had started! Another Philippeno Guy called Ian was working with me on the deck. Our job for the week was to Sand and Varnish all the Capping Rails along the side of the Yacht, detail all the stainless steel and polish up scuffs on the super structure. Through out the week I got to know the crew a bit better. Really nice people and we got on very well through the week. My first week of work considered of very little off time.Up at 5.30 to get to Nice and work finished round 5. After work was the trek back to Antibes and I usually arrived home round 7ish. However it is all worth it in the end! During the week I learnt a lot and got to see iZumi (the yacht next to us) head up and leave port. I got to watch how the deckies and stews operated while leaving which is good to see as I will need to be doing it myself.

At the End of the last day I was approached by Rupert. He proceeded to offer me a job... to be apart of the crew! I was Shocked! I couldn't believe it! I was super stoked! Great yacht, lots to learn and good people! I will be moving onto the yacht on Monday the 21st of April. As for now I will be taking the weekend to Relax! Thanks to Calvin and Jono who got me the opportunity in the first place. Trance party when we all in CPT!

"Cam"den Town and London Walk about!

London and Camden!

I had a fantastic day with Cam my friend from Cape Town. We met up in at Liverpool Station and made a mission past Tesco's for some Bacon, Egg, Patties and Pork Sausages. We had a fry up at the apartment and made Huge Dagwood sandwiches!

The weather was great on the day so we decided to take a walk around and explore some of London. We walked around Barbican and down to the Thames... Walking all the way down past London Bridge and down to Tower Bridge. Looking at all the fantastic buildings and history. Once at London Bridge we decided to take to underground to Kings cross station. Where we popped into the Harry Potter store. Cam enjoyed seeing all the different things you could buy. The shop was a bit crowded so we didnt stay long.

We then headed up to Camden from Kings cross on foot. Asking a few police officers along the way we seemed to end up in a suburb area near Camden. Us, having no clue what Camden was all about started thinking it was all a scam and we had ended up in a dodgy neighborhood. We stopped by a pub on the main road and asked for some directions. Eventually we found what we were looking for... Camden Market!
What an awesome place! never in my life has such a place extended the expectations of the word Market. It is litererally the biggest, weirdest, coolest, funkiest, hippiest market you can thinking of! So much stuff and so many things to look. We got lost in there for hours! It was flipping SICK!

Later in the evening we made a mission back to the apartment to rest for the night out ahead. Malc came home and we headed out for supper in Sheperds Bush with Joe and Bryan. We had a really nice Jug and Burger! After this Malc, Cam and I went down to Carnaby Street for some drinks. As the night went on an old friend Sarah who I haven't seen in 16 years met up with us for drinks and a night out. We went down to Soho and jolled in Thirst for the rest of the night... Getting home at 5 in the morning! Needless to say the hangover was horrendous!

Today I saw my Aunt and Cousin and we did some exploring and sight-seeing together. I was really great to see them! Tomorrow I am off to Antibes in France to continue my journey!