Exercise, is good for all and sundry, including myself, if I just could do it more often :)

Now this 'Exercise' wasn't about me it was about trying and training for a 'relocation' if it could become necessary. Events last weekend showed, how fast everything can unfold these days, wondering how much more it would have taken to unfold into full blown internal conflict.

"State of Affairs"

So for such and other cases we exercise, at least once a year to be prepared, well, we are trying to be prepared, because when events happen, one is never really prepared, but one has to try, and that what we did. Late June is not the best time as the weather has become hot and sultry, yesterday being no exception. The air was already balmy in the morning, and even the light walk to the assembly area made the shirt stick to the skin. As usual people trickle in on their own pace, it was a Saturday and an off-day, but eventually by ten we were able to set off, albeit not on the MV Carolyn, but by bus. The sea was a little bit choppy, not bad for adults but children might have felt very uncomfortable and therefore it was decided not to use the boot. We drove in a long convoy, with armed escort, as it would play out in a real scenario to HQ, the host country security forces also being involved. It took us longer then usual, as we were in a convoy, and many of the locals were looking and maybe wondering what was happening. MV Carolyn was still in the port at HO, and since it was planned that it was a cornerstone of the exercise, we visited it in in-port to familiarize our selves with the ship. I guess that and the shelter exercise that followed in the HQ was exciting for the dependents who made up a major part of people taking part.

In order to make it all a bit easier to considering participating, a BBQ lunch had been organized in the mess, which, I muss admit, was actually not bad. After that it was all re-tour to Tyre and disembarking, of the busses was shortly after 3 PM. All in all it was all fine, considering that it might or could (can) become one day important to have exercised all of this. The weather has no really gotten hot, with summer in full swing. According to the newspapers, due to recent events in the country and the region, combined with travel warnings of many western and gulf countries, this will not be a good tourist season for the country. But then again I say, no wonder, it is not many places one can go anymore and visit as one does not really feels safe and unless you have family or friends here, it is not attractive to come under such circumstances and spend your holiday. I maintain, so much potential, so underused so badly managed. I used the OMD 5 and are quite happy with the results. It is really smaller then the usual DSLR, easy to bring along and with the right settings capable of a lot of things. Wish I could use it more but then, as said before, one has to be cautious what to photograph. A new beach resort has been opened on the road to Naqoura, called “Turquoise” , it looks good and stylish on their webpage and I shall check it out next Saturday, early morning. Early mornings are these days the only way to do some activity, be it walking, swimming or even photographing as the morning air is on most days still acceptable in humidity level, well except yesterday morning. One more month and I be on my long leave, can't wait. Tomorrow is “D”Day for UMOJA, let's see how it goes! I am watching from the shade :))

This is all for this time, take care and bye bye.