26 June 2006 - The Long Road to Alaska...

26 June 2006 - Ellen's last visit to my house
The road to Alaska sort of began with the realisation this would be Ellen's last trip to my house, if I went. At the very least it was the end of an era - her living in Bonn, me living in Keyworth, but with a convenient one hour flight connecting our local airports.

30 June 2006 - My last day at BGS!
The weather was glorious - a good omen. A fine turn out over at the "Miserable" Plough for a farewell lunch, with Chris handing out gifts and Helen helping. Both had been great friends through the BGS years. An MSc in Computing was still more likely at this stage, and I wasn't getting my hopes up for Alaska.

Late July - Italy and UK

After Ellen finished working in Germany, I flew out to Rome and we met up on my birthday, then travelled to Bologna, London (where we stayed with Carmen and Paul), and Bath (where we stayed with Rachel and her mum).

29 July 2006 - Farewell BBQ!

Again, perfect weather for a family BBQ at my spot. Jo, who had been such a brilliant housemate, had just moved out, and will be missed.

4 August 2006 - Harlech day trip with Jared

This was a great trip down memory lane with my brother. As kids, Mum and Dad used to take us to Harlech every year, at least one. The castle and the beach are fantastic. While they are now more thana mile apart, at the time the castle was built, it was on the coast.

10 August 2006 - Ricky & Marie reunion

It had been more than 3 years since I'd last saw Ricky and Marie. Together for about 3 years we'd run the various MVO monitoring programs and lived and breathed the volcano 24-7. It was such an intense experience and its just so hard to imagine those days are now so long ago. It feels like just a few months have past.

14 August 2006 - Leaving my house...

Another difficult step. While in Montserrat I could never have imagined myself in the UK with a house and a mortgage, well for 2 years I lived that life. And then I had to let it all go. Over the previous month I'd sold the car, the TV, amplifier, DVD player, video player, and hundreds of CDs, DVDs and books, and got rid of two mattresses and a bed. It had been really great to live just 20 minutes up the road from my folks, and pop over for Sunday dinner, and have Dad on hand for DIY. But the job just wasn't going to lead anywhere good.

15-30 August 2006 - Prince Edward Island

Another chance to see Ellen, still not sure if Alaska would happen or if I'd get some MSc offers. My first time in Canada and it was great to see where Ellen came from, and meet all the family And I mean all ... uncles, aunts, cousins, ... In fact it seemed like everyone on the island was related to Ellen. (Bit like Montserrat then!)

31 August 2006 - went down to London and had my visa interview!

Early September 2006 - life at Breachfield Road

Having put my house up for let, I was now living back with my folks, awaiting my visa and passport by courier. What should have been a relaxing few days with family was a little chaotic because of all the box packing, and trying to get someone to ship them.

10 September 2006 - leaving Barrow

Leaving family was hard. After being away from 18 till 32, I'd now spent 3 years just up the road, putting down some roots. A big part of me wanted to stay, but was also excited about the adventure ahead. I took a taxi down to Gatwick.

11 September 2006 - an unexpected twist

Having inadvertently booking a flight for the 5th anniversary of that terrible day, I was a bit nervous about the flight and glad for all the extra security. But I got an unexpected bonus when a computer glitch allowed me to upgrade to first class the whole way for about £100. The first and probably last time I'll get to do that.

12 September 2006 - first day in Fairbanks

It might have been first class, but I still barely slept. The next morning I stumbled from my hotel apartment on a glorious day, and enjoyed a 5 mile walk to work, and a much longer trip down memory lane. Already it was beginning to feel so familiar, Fairbanks having hardly changed since I left almost 7 years earlier. Hungry and sleepwalking towards an 11am meeting, I stopped at Gullivers Bookstore for a bagel and a chai tea...