Sun, sea, sand and Uh huh huhhhh

I'm going to take you on a little journey... To where myself and my friend Natalie Natawee 'perma-pants' are now...

So, close your eyes and journey to the beach with me... (actually don't close your eyes because then you can't read :)) we're at Gatwick airport... I've just handed my car keys over to some random to go and park my car, which I booked on the Internet. For all I know, I could have just given some man a very nice present. I hope I have a car to get back from the airport! If not, someone will be getting a phone call from us at 3am on Monday morning.

Checking in and our 10kg hand luggage is over weight.. Good start... Now we have to check them in! Oh well they didn't charge us the £28 to check luggage in so all good. Charging to check bags in, what is that?! Are they going to start charging us to walk to the plane and opening the door for us soon?

Monarch airlines wasn't as bad as easyjet though, noone attempted to sell us anything and no scratch cards involved.

A few hours later we arrive in Palma and a few more hours later and we arrive at our hotel, after driving round dropping others off on a coach thinking 'please don't let ours be this one...'

Checked into our room... The smallest room in the world, a double bed and not much else...not even any space.
We walked straight out and got our room changed. Now we have 3 beds :) Still no TV tho... Oh well...

Now I'll involve you in our entertainment. Picture a dark hall, old 70's style fake velvet sofas and arm chairs, a room full of tattoos and people from t'up North.
Then Spanish Elvis comes on stage...
Olaaaaa uh huh huhhhhh
I'm not a big drinker, but this week, I have discovered Apple schnapps and am enjoying lots of it, in plastic cups.

Ok you can open your eyes now.
I'm making it sound worse than it is.
We came away for a cheapie holiday away from everything and to sit by a pool/beach and do nothing. And that's what we've got.

I'm currently writing this from besides the pool, listening to the sea and boats and eating ice cream. Our supply of ice cream is endless :)
The sun is blaring down. It's 5pm and its still HOT.
I've been for a walk over to the cliffs on the other side, a sudden burst of energy yesterday and we'll be exploring the beach tommorow. The water is so clear, it looks amazing.

For now, we're going to continue chilling, doing absolutely nothing but chatting and taking in the sun and eating ice cream.

Next act on stage is Natalie with a special dance rendition of "I like big butts". She has been rehearsing all week. I hope she wins a lanyard.

(and for anyone who thinks I'm serious, I'm not... Have to clarify that because she is going to kill me for writing it... ;) )

Laters alligators :)

Apple tea and singing in the rain...

We have arrived in Monaco!
It's been raining alllllll day and it's pretty miserable here. Glad I got to spend a day in the sun back home yesterday!
We left home at 4am and came into work to meet the guys who got here yesterday and continued with putting the garage up. Always takes a while in Monaco due to the lack of space, so we're shoe horning all of our stuff in to the small space we have! All soaked, but in a few days everything will be up and running and ready to gooooo!

Anyway, yesterday I went to the queens jubilee parade at Windsor castle. Drove in early to get a parking space and walked down the long walk to get a good view for the fly past. Which is what I went for! I don't know what any of the planes are, but I like looking at them. Especially the Red Arrows. Love them! We waited agggggges for the planes but it was worth it in the end, and it was good to chill and chat over cold coffee and cake while waiting! I've now got that fun day in my head to keep me going for the week. I need to sort my SLR out as I haven't used it in a year and I've forgotten how to use it properly! Better get out taking more photos soon, and get the lens cleaned! :)

I'm still absolutely shattered so having an early night in my huge hotel bed, watching friends and drinking apple tea :) lots of distractions in my head at the moment. Whether they are good or bad, I'm not sure... life's pretty confusing at times hey... One day everything will click into place :) Better get my head back into IT mode!

On another note, had a message from the female GP3 race driver, Alice. Made me think about what her journey to where she is now has been like and hope she gets high up on the grid and shows them that it's not just a man's game :)

Back to Friends and my tea which is getting cold!

Hopefully this week can be a 1-2 week... We certainly need it to be!!! :)

Is it a Secret? My random ramblings....

It's weird being home for more than a few days. I'm knackered!!! Can't seem to get over the tiredness this week for some reason! Been back at MTC getting ready for Monaco...Now we are all set and ready to go!

Now on a different note, do you believe in fate or does life bring you what you go out looking for and set your mind to? That's what I'm pondering on at the moment. Random, I know!
Have you ever had something where the same thing keeps popping up out of the blue, and little things keep reminding you of that, without even doing anything... strange. Fate is an odd thing. It's like when you look for something, you can never find it. It's when you're not looking for it, it appears from nowhere in an obvious place.
I read the book "The Secret" a while back. It's about the laws of attraction. Not attraction in the sense of relationships, but attracting positive and negative energy. Usually I'm a total cynic about stuff like this and in a way, I still am. But I do wonder whether there is any truth in it. Otherwise, why write it.
I do believe though that you attract positivity or negativity. Even more so after reading this book. Therefore I am sending everyone positive energy, because the more positive you are, about anything, the more positive energy you attract and the happier you are! I sound like someone into all the mystical magical hippy type things, when I'm really not. Just having some strange thoughts recently and trying to work out my confused mind! Or maybe I'm just tired, and really need to get some sleep! haha

On another note, to do with photography, a few years back, I found websites on urban exploration. It's all about finding derelict places and photographing them. I went to an old derelict asylum which has been derelict since the early 90's. It's one of the strangest thing I have ever seen or experienced.
The massive building was all blocked up, except for a few holes here and there, and everything inside was left how it was. As if everyone occupying it just upped and left one day. We found medicines and packets which had sell by dates of 1987, old TVs, cassette tape recorders, old documentation and reels of negatives. Walking through the long corridors in the hospital, with the paint peeling off the ceilings and walls were eerie and I couldn't sleep that night thinking about what I'd seen and imagining what it may have been like 20 years ago. It was interesting though and thinking about it again recently has made me want to look up urban exploration again and find more interesting sites to go and explore and photograph.
I'm dusting off my proper camera again tommorow to go and photograph boring things and make them interesting... hopefully! :)

“What is important is to spread confusion, not eliminate it.” 

― Salvador Dalí

Home and thoughtful...

Yay we are home again :)
It's been a strange week. I don't even feel like I was in Spain about 6 hours ago! Getting on a plane to Barcelona feels more like a bus journey than getting on a plane, I've done it so many times!

I've just been looking at photos and articles on the fire yesterday. It's quite emotional looking at the photos. Seeing guys I recognise looking quite distressed and realising what one small flame can cause.
I came out of our truck yesterday wondering why everything was so smoky outside. I looked toward the other end of the paddock and saw black smoke bellowing out but didn't know where it was coming from. I walked out to the front of the garage to find out and saw some of our guys running back with empty fire extinguishers, coughing and looking pretty dazed. We could hardly see past the Ferrari garage with all the smoke in the paddock.
I've seen a few comments about the camaraderie between teams. And although F1 is about racing and competing against each other, when I first started I was surprised at the friendliness between teams. We are all there for the same reason, doing the same job and I think there is a sense of neutral thinking that goes on. We often catch the same flights as various other teams and it's almost like seeing the same friends at the airport week in week out!
Although the photographs I am looking at are of horrendous scenes, they are, as people are saying, also nice photos of how everyone in the paddock are able to help each other out and it's nice to know I work in such an environment. I wish I wasn't looking at photos like this to realise it though.
It's such a shame that this happened and Williams couldn't celebrate their victory as they should have been able to. I hope they will recover from it quickly and be on top form for Monaco again! I'm sure they will! :)

Barcelona is one of my lesser favourite races, because I have been there so many times Testing! At least the sun was out though and life is all about learning from mistakes. I think that's a lesson with everything! I know i've made mistakes in the past and I look back and realise how far i've come because of them. Not just in a work sense but personally.

Now that I have a few days back in the UK I'm going to make the most out of using my new mountain bike and planning fun things to do with the rest of my year! (when i'm not working!)

First things first... Iceland... I'm going to be researching this for a while :) I've still got the tent by a lake image  constantly stuck in my head and I need to do it so that my image can be replaced with a new one!

Where's the Paella?

Currently sat at the hotel waiting for the others.
It's been a long week. I've felt shattered this week for some reason.
Finished early last night and it was nice to chill by the pool, not that I got in, too cold! But I could sit by it and pretend I was by the sea!

We heard the news about Lewis being put to the back after we got back yesterday. A disappointment but I guess that's the game we're in. If there wasn't ups and downs it wouldn't be a race and it wouldn't be exciting for viewers! Just a shame we got put allllll the way to the back!!!

There isn't a lot to do around here, not that we've had much time to explore! Went to a Chinese restaurant on the first night in a local town. Was quite nice, a change from pizza or croquettes at the hotel!
Nice views of the circuit and the area around us tho as we're on the top of a hill.

It'll be interesting to see what happens today. It's been a mix of podiums all season and it's good to see that the finger isn't pointing at number 1 every week :)

Now, let's go racing! Bring it on!!!
Oh and no sign of rain, a sunny sky this morning!

The sky last night... half an amazing sunset, half totally black!

My travel list...

Since going to Malaysia, learning how to smile lots and talking to someone about the many places I want to visit, I'm making a list of places I want to go to and the reasons. For myself really so I don't forget and so I can cross them off as I go along. Therefore I'll be frequently updating this page as I go along and find new experiences and new places to add! I also hope to photograph these places and make photo books of my journeys to look back on. If anyone has any stories of any of these places, I'd love to hear them.

So here we go...

1) Iceland
I want to be surrounded by snow and ice. Even camp in the middle of nowhere in the freezing cold, staring at the stars and the haze on the sky from the cold climates, sitting by a blazing fire. I've also wanted to see the northern lights, so hopefully I can catch this while there too. I want to go to the blue lagoon and go into hot baths while the air outside is freezing. I also want to find an Ice hotel. But for this one, I want to find someone to take with me.. could get quite cold alone ;)

2) Cambodia
I've recently found a site which has amazing photos of the temples of Angkor Wat. I now want to visit these and take photos of my own. I want to experience the culture and explore a country I have no idea about.
http://exploreangkorwat.com/angkor-wat

3) Morroco/Marrakech
I see photos of markets filled with spices, wooden huts with carpets and candles to chill out on and another completely different culture. The scenery, (yes, I know someone will be saying, "you? Scenery?") interests me and I think this could be an amazing place to photograph.

4) Hawaii
I've always had an obsession with Hawaii. I want to wear a hula skirt and chill on the beach with a cocktail. I don't want to go to any commercial places. I want to see the islands of Hawaii and the culture that goes with them. Sitting in the forests singing and dancing with the natives with my fire torch. Also I hear a lot that I could be Hawaiian. So it would be interesting to go to a place where everyone looks like me. Maybe I'll finally find a place where I fit in?

5) Canada
I've been to Canada once, last year, with work. My impression of Canada is a city, with huge burgers and Steak and Lobster, as well as an F1 circuit. After speaking to a friend about it and reading about it, I see there is a lot more to it. I need to go and see the mountains, polar bears and drive through Canada exploring what it has to change my impression of it just being a commercialised city like anywhere else.

6) Thailand
One of my best friends is from Thailand. I love her cooking and I want to go there and stuff my face. When taking time out from eating, I'd like to see the islands, the culture and walk around the markets. As well as see the hussle and bussle of Bangkok. Orrus Wasana Auby, I appoint you as my personal tour guide ;) And when I'm too fat to walk any further I intend to check out the beautiful beaches and relax.

7) America
I've only been to Vegas... and that was for 4 days. I've never been so drunk in my life, I even managed to last a night in the highest heels ever.. and for those who know me, that's an achievement....
America has never really interested me as much as other places have. But I would like to do the whole drive around America thing and visit some proper hill billy towns on the way. Would have to stop off at Universal Studios too and eat lots of giant cakes :)

8) Poland/Germany/Brittany
Ok, I'm merging these 3 places as I have listed them for a reason. I have a weird obsession with war. I can't list off facts and figures or tell you much about the war but stories from those times interest me. It amazes me what people went through for us to get to where we are and what they had to suffer for it. Also the mentality of some people and how they dictated. It makes me sad, but at the same time I want to learn more about it. Strange I know...

9) Japan
Being half Japanese, I want to learn more about where half of my family is from. I've never really explored Japan but I know there are several places which are culturally different from each other and from what I've ever experienced. I want to find out more about the other half of me.

10) Peru
I want to do the Inca Trail and see the breath taking sights on the way. I don't want to try the local delicacy of gerbil, but I want to experience every other bit of their culture!

11) Brazil
I want to go and dance in the streets of Rio. I love south american style dancing and music and would love to go out there and be a part of it. Notting Hill just doesn't cut it :)
I went to Brazil last year too with work. I think there is more to it than fast cars, over dosing on meat and Senna's grave.

12) THE Island
I am in search of the perfect island. Previously in my head this was the Maldives. But I think I can find somewhere even more amazing. I don't want a luxury hotel on an all inclusive island eating a full English breakfast. I want to be out in the open, roasting marshmallows, spending time with my soul mate and appreciating the sunset and the sound of the sea. This is my hardest destination as I have a number of things to find before I can find this one. One day I'll find it though...

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” 

 St. Augustine

Testing my patience!

So Mugello's been a mix of global warming!
Arrived on Saturday to 30 degree heat and lots of sun! We went straight into the circuit from the airport to start setting up what we could for a few hours.
The scenery driving from the airport to the circuit was amazing. Lots of mountains with windy roads and a huge lake that we crossed over. Made me want to get out, grab a tent and go wandering round the mountains, set up camp and roast some bananas on a fire under the sunset.
In the evening we found a taverna and had yummy pizza! Had been wanting pizza all day as all I'd had was yucky plane food so it was goooood! :)

I was thinking I didn't bring enough shorts with me for the week... But didn't need to worry about that as the next day, and the next, we had cold and rain. Looks like all the others arrived bringing the English weather with them!

Testing is always long hours and can be quite painful as obviously its a time for testing and if it doesn't go right, we keep trying and trying until it does. We have to make it work as failure is not an option! Talking about my IT computery stuff here.

It's a shame we don't get time to go and explore as this place seems really nice and i'd have loved to go and take some pics! Holiday in Tuscany coming up I think! :)

This week I've had an obsession with camping. I've been thinking about camping out in huge open land. Walking around mountains and seeing amazing views. Iceland is at the top of my list to do this. Gonna be cold, but I think it would be amazing! :) Definitely got to find the northern lights too.

Testing is now over and we're back in Spain in a few days. Hopefully the test will have been worth it :)

I'm now back home and looking forward to ordering a curry tonight and sleeping in my own bed. Had a panic that I'd lost my passport half an hour before we were due to leave this morning so thought I was going to be stuck in Italy!

I've done a lot of thinking about various things this week while being at the circuit for hours and hours...and realised how things have changed since the start of the year. My perspective on life seems to have taken a full turn and I'm appreciating a few things a lot more than I previously have done. And I'm smiling a hell of a lot more than I have over the last year :)

Now, maybe I'll open SSX which is still in its wrapper since January... Time to chill out and relax before the madness starts again :)