A long overdue update

so its been a while since i have posted, so i thought i would take this time, whilst a map i have spent the last day and half georeferencing and georectifying (for those non-geographers this means making the map match up in overlay with another map - it sounds more exciting in technical terms i think) goes ahead and reprojects into a new co-ordinate system. This always takes at least 2 hours on my computer, not entirely sure why - image size combined with working on a shared drive possibly (answers on a postcard please) so i thought i would use my time productively rather than my usual occupations of how long i can balance on one leg, counting the bricks on the wall, balancing books on....yeah ok you get the idea.

this then is a general catch up on what i have been up to recently. since i last posted i have:
- been to France for the weekend, to bosch's parents house in Normandy, several of us went on motorbikes and had a bloody good weekend, spent most of Saturday travelling from the ferry port to the house sightseeing as we went, including Bayeux, Aramanches sur Bain and Omaha beach and had a monster 5 course dinner at a lovely local restaurant - mmmmm so tasty. Boschs pillion seat however is not kind and i walked like John Wayne for a couple of days afterwards.

- worked hard, both at uni work and and work work (which is in uni, confusing huh?)

- and of course, me being me, partied pretty damn hard too hehe

But as far as I am concerned the best part of the past month, and the main reason for me not blogging, is going away for work. To Oxford (added bonus as i could spend a serious amount of time with mum and dad) The main reason for going was to research and copy maps relevant to the work i am doing - and this is the best bit - a legitimate reason to go play in the Bodleian Library - one of the earliest and best libraries in the UK and a damn good map library - i was in out and out geek heaven. It also featured in the Harry Potter films. yes i know the bod has so many more claims to fame than this, most of them better, unfortunately people seem to remember only the most recent achievements of both buildings and other people even if they are not their best so therefore this is the reference i shall make.

The added advantage of gaining access to the bod was that my readers card allowed me access to areas that tourist very very rarely get to see - and it is beautiful in there. The oldest section is actually medieval, called Duke Humfrey's library, and is filled with very old leather bound volumes, medieval painted wood panelling covers the walls and ceilings, with renaissance stained glass windows - absolutely amazing. The rest of the library is beautiful - white washed walls, large, lead filled windows and the best bit, as it is a copyright library every book that has ever been published in the UK, and in many other countries, has a copy here - squeee

and as for the maps, wow, one of the books i worked with was a 1829 atlas - and it was so beautiful, not just the maps but the paintings they included to show scenery from the relevant countries - why cant we get books like these nowadays? America looked a bit funny though hehe.

ok so i've finished geeking now

As for whats coming up, it looks pretty manic both on the work and play front (yes i know but i will be cutting down a bit, honest!) its going to be tiring and ch alleging but hopefully at some points enjoyable and ultimately rewarding. All i have to say is roll on the summer, lots of festivals, fun with friends and max coming over to visit -booooooooom :D, and a visit to Amsterdam too of course - hehe look out summer here i come ;)