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Middlesbrough parking
at 17:43 4 Dec 2023

I was in Boro earlier, Zetland car park by the train station is £2.30 all day, including match days. This is just a couple of minutes from the A66.

Most car parks in Boro can be paid for using the RingGo app.

If going up by train, there are works to the train station going on, with one of the entrance/exits closed.

If coming up by car my advice is to take A1/M18/M62/A1/A19 there are major roadworks from Barnsdale Bar that cause a fair bit of delays!

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In a hotel in Johor Bahru
at 14:53 29 Apr 2023

Got an iFollow pass for the match. Had to really didn’t I?

COYB!!
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I’m not saying I should quit my job
at 13:47 25 Apr 2023

But…. We haven’t lost a league game since I got back home from sea on 10th January.

I go back to sea on Saturday…
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TWTD is everywhere
at 19:12 18 Mar 2023

The first weekend of March I went down to the British Motor Museum for a Jaguar Breakfast Club gathering (yes, I know it sounds cool!).

The evening before I met up with a Captain that I had sailed with for dinner. He was also going to the JBC. I met him at a restaurant just off the M1 on the way down to my overnight stop.

He introduced me to Mark, and didn’t really give much of a background. Eventually it turned out that they are on the same Jaguar forum.

I got chatting with Mark and it was dropped in to conversation that I was formerly a resident of Suffolk. After a little while he asked if I was a Town fan, and then if I used TWTD.

It was MarkTWTD. A very random dinner with a colleague, and I got to ask MarkTWTD what his favourite cheese is. Disappointingly he’s not much of a cheese fan. He’s not into football either.

He’s a thoroughly nice chap, although didn’t let on to any TWTD technical secrets.
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A long read, but damned worth it
at 07:07 27 Aug 2022

There really isn’t a lot that we in the West can say apart from “sorry”. And we should be.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/interactive/2022/kyiv-battle-uk

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Leila Ives absolutely killing it at the CrossFit Games
at 21:13 5 Aug 2022

Leila currently sits in 4th Place, jet lagged, running on little sleep and pure adrenaline. She has Multiple Sclerosis and is competing in the Neuromuscular Adaptive division. She’s a mortgage broker and qualified for the Games.

https://games.crossfit.com/leaderboard/games/2022?division=25&sort=0

https://morningchalkup.com/2022/07/17/crossfit-games-bound-leila-ives-proving-il

It’s an incredible achievement, the heat in Wisconsin has taken its toll on her too.

If anyone is interested her next event is called Mixed Mode Madness and is

Neuromuscular:
For time:
20 ring pull-ups
60-m shuttle sprint
1-min rest
15 hang power snatches
60-m shuttle sprint
1-min rest
15/20-cal row
60-m shuttle sprint

You can watch it here in about 10 minutes



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Alright chaps?
at 20:07 2 Aug 2022

Well it’s been a fun few months.

Seb had his cousins living with him whilst their mother was waiting for court and the closer it got the happier he was. Eventually their mother was told she was not guilty of inflicting injury on a 2 month old baby (her son) whilst she was in a different room. Her ex-partner (the boys father) was found guilty.

So after 7 and a half months Seb finally got his bedroom back to himself. And his mother. He’s still not sleeping over. I just think he’s got so much leeway at his mums house that he can’t abide the rules and routine here. I was pretty sad about it to begin with. I’ve gotten used to it now. He’s 9, he will be wanting to go out to his mates houses soon rather than spend any time with us. Unfortunately the court case started the Monday after EdwardStone’s BBQ. Seb wouldn’t have enjoyed going down, and the twins and MrsN aren’t much fun on long car journeys!

A few weeks back he went to see one of his aunts. Everyone knew she had covid. Apart from me. He was then sent round to see me like normal. We weren’t told. Rather unsurprisingly we got covid. The twins got it pretty bad. Ended up getting them large pet cooling gel pads for them to sleep on. That wasn’t a fun time.

Speaking of covid. It ran rampant through my last ship. I managed to stay clear of it, and thought I must have been immune to it! We went from a crew of 28 to 5. We could barely run the ship. We were in dry dock. The superintendent told us he didn’t care about covid and work must go on.

When I saw him a few days later I left him in no doubt as to my feelings. The company didn’t really care. They didn’t want us to test or report to port health. It was a case of if you don’t test then it isn’t confirmed. It was quite a stressful time. On top of that I had to do stability calculations to make sure that when the dock flooded again that the ship didn’t fall over. Spoiler alert. It didn’t.

Right now I am still testing positive by PCR. The company has recently decided that we can only join if we have a negative PCR. So it looks like more time at home. I’m having to pay for weekly tests at a centre in Newcastle. The guy on the desk doesn’t bother asking for ID any more.

I’ve seen a lot of the MS threads during my lurking. Obviously donating to the cause was a given. It’s a disease that I watched my mother suffer from. She had primary progressive MS. My high school girlfriend got in touch with me in February. She had been diagnosed with MS. I feel like the Brody family in Jaws. But instead of a shark it’s MS.

Speaking of MS. There is a fantastic lady called Leila Ives (who used to play for Leicester Womens football team). She has MS and is competing at the CrossFit Games this week in the Neuro Adaptive division. She was fundraising, before linking her page on here I managed to get in touch with a massive CrossFit news outlet in the states and told them about her. They ran a feature on her and she managed to raise the funds she needed to travel to Madison, WI to compete.

You can read more about her here

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-ne

So this week, I’ll be doing some housework and tuning in to the CrossFit Games from Thursday. The mother in law is coming to visit on Sunday. Bringing MrsN’s youngest sister. Which means I’ll be firing up the pizza oven and trying to hide outside.

I hope you’re all well TWTD. Take care of each other.
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Patience - The Sebby Diaries
at 23:52 23 Mar 2022

Hey Seb.

It’s been a while. I was home for Christmas, it was my first one for a good few years.

You’ve been having a tough time on your Mam’s side of the family and it had a bit of an effect on our time together. My patience with you is pretty limitless, not so much your Mam.

It’s been hard watching you suffer, especially knowing I can’t really do much other than support you and give you the space you need. Sometimes in life adults make poor choices, your cousins living with you for months has been a necessity whilst court decides what to do. Maybe one day we will talk about it. But for now, I’ve been doing what I can to help you.

Christmas was over quite quickly, and before we knew it I was back away. Joining in dry dock. I’ve been working harder than I’ve worked for a long time. I hope I can show you how hard work pays off, and that you must also remain humble during the good times.

It’s been a hard couple of years Seb. Your brother and sister were born and very ill. Covid lockdowns, having to quarantine to join ship, delayed getting home. My new job meaning we can’t speak as much. Your Mam making things difficult. There has been a lot of change in the world, and our world. The one constant being that you’ve always got us, you’ve always got your own space with us, and you’ll always have me.

I should be sleeping right now, but I wanted to write to you. I’ve not done it for so long and for that I am sorry.

I’ll see you soon Seb, hopefully next leave will be better.

Take care of each other TWTD. I hope you’re all well. I’ll see you soon too. Maybe.
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England coach leaving St George’s Park
at 23:08 10 Jul 2021



Covid anyone?
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I’ve been in quarantine for a week so far
at 16:50 7 Jul 2021

I’m in Montevideo, Uruguay.

I received an email last Saturday telling me that somebody in the office had forgot to inform me that I needed to be outside of the U.K. before joining ship. A Brazilian regulation states that people can’t have been in various countries 14 days before being in Brazil. One of those countries being the U.K. Our next port after Montevideo is Itajai, Brazil.

So, here I am. Forced to leave my family 2 weeks earlier than planned. Not entirely happy about that and am having words with my company about it.

The food that I get given every day isn’t overly delightful. It’s slightly better than the food on the ship, but not by much.

I am managing to get over 10000 steps a day whilst locked in my room, a room that is 12 steps wide.

I can see the approaches to the port from my hotel room.

How’s everyone else doing?
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I suppose an apt day for an update….
at 18:24 20 Jun 2021

I got home mid April, receiving a text message a week later telling me that I had been in contact with somebody who had tested positive for Covid. Giving me an instruction to self isolate for 36 hours (that was the end of the self isolation period after being in contact with said person). I had flown home from Montevideo, Uruguay. Had a bit of a journey getting home.

We decided that we would isolate when I got home despite being exempt. I took lateral flow tests and all showed negative. The person I was in contact with had been on one of the many flights I had been on or an airport.

The twins just grow and grow. MrsN has done an incredible job. Seb was a bit of a pain when I first got home, his mum didn’t help.

At the end of April I ventured north to Scotland to collect my fathers ashes. I saw some family, heard some things about my father. That was all a bit of a mess too, the man that took care of my fathers funeral and estate passed away whilst I was at sea. I had no way of getting in contact with his family.

Getting that sorted was a bit more stressful than it should have been.

So, the kids…

Seb - he has been a bit of a pain, kept refusing to stay the night. I never made him, but I did tell him that he couldn’t pick and choose. His mum disagreed…. Until she wanted to go away for a weekend. Then she decided that he had to stay with me. I said to her that she couldn’t pick and choose either. That’s seemed to have resolved it b

He’s doing ok in school, although he doesn’t try very hard. His mum has given him far too much screen time during the lockdown.

He’s still a wonderful little boy, who I am just having to be a bit firmer with when it comes to screen time and exercise, and sweets…

Madeleine - my little girl. She has grown. She’s just utterly beautiful. Her smile and laugh make me want to cry with happiness every time. She has started chatting away in the baby babble lately. She finds stuff so funny too. I love cuddling her. She’s sitting up, and doesn’t like being on her belly. But she is standing and trying to take steps. She’s going to walk before she crawls!

Michael - he laughs at everything, he is so relaxed. He still has a few reflux issues. A surgeon consultant is seeing him towards the end of the year for hypospadias. He has no interest in sitting up, or standing. But he will cuddle for hours if his mam would let me! His excitement to see me in the morning absolutely lights up my world. I love my mornings with them both.

Maddie and Michael had no centile when they were born, as they were almost 2 months premature. They’ve both tanked on weight despite the cows milk protein allergy. Both of them are fantastic eaters, we cook for them every day. I’ve got the oven on for making vegan pesto pinwheels as finger food for them right now. We are just starting them on the milk ladder, which introduces cows milk into their diets.

I’ve been called back to sea for 13th July, which is a shame. But I can’t stay much longer in the country due to tax reasons. I’ve been requested back to my last ship, they want me back, I put in a lot of work there, I will go back.

As for all things ITFC… an exciting future lies ahead.

There are many on here who have helped me in many ways, helping me become the man and father that I am.

Obviously Hoppy is in my thoughts today, CT would be proud.

I’ve been lucky enough to meet many on here, all who I am looking forward to the twins calling Uncle Mullet, Uncle Hoppy, etc.

I’m exhausted. Three kids. Plus me. Poor MrsN.

All the best TWTD, look after you each other. I’ll see you soon.

Happy Fathers Day, and Happy Summer Solstice for tomorrow. Enjoy the longest day!
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Sometimes there are no words
at 11:35 10 Feb 2021





I’m sure I saw a loaf of bread with his name on it, then I realised it said “thick cut”.
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“Set up an office in Europe”
at 02:57 7 Feb 2021

“To make trade easier” a British business is told by the government in the wake of Brexit woes.

Brexit leaves a bitter taste and a mountain of clothes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-55858598
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I’m having a pretty shoite night
at 02:45 21 Jan 2021

We are in Santos, Brazil. I do day work in port. So I came down to the office to check on things at 0700 before I went for breakfast. I finished at 1800, after being around for the handover between the junior officers. Cargo in progress, 3 cranes, departure at 0630. Everything else complete.

I was about to get some kip at 2020hrs when my phone went. The third mate giving me the good news that our heeling pump is no longer working.

The heeling pump keeps the ship upright in port. We have a panel that has sensors to sense how much of a list the ship has, and then pumps water from one side to the other when that list exceeds the limit that I set.

When I joined I was told that this pump is leaking water into the oil reservoir of the pump. The engineers say they just change the oil when it stops working.

Oil is changed and they say everything is fine. I test it and it’s still not working. Yeah he engineers say it must be working. They have a new mechanical seal for it, but it’s an 8 hour job and they want to do it when it properly fails. Which annoys me as it will “properly fail” in port when it is needed.

After some back and forth the 4th Engineer goes back down to the heeling pump. Apparently it’s making an awful noise.

So now I am the heeling pump. Moving ballast from one side to the other using my ballast pumps.

I imagine I will finish tomorrow once the pilot is off, so that will be around 0830.

I would leave my duty officer to do it, but I need them on deck monitoring cargo and checking the cargo securing as we are going on a 24 day crossing to Singapore.

Balls!
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I thought there wouldn’t be much that could surprise me...
at 23:23 6 Jan 2021

But...

I have had one of the crew come to me complaining of stomach pain, acid, and heartburn. Complaining that it’s after eating the food.

The food is pretty oily, fair bit of spice put in it too.

Unfortunately the person complaining that the food is making him ill is.... the cook.

I am not kidding.

It’s really quite something.
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It is 0500 here in the South Altantic
at 04:22 27 Dec 2020

I am an hour into my navigation watch.

Sunday morning. I’m on the 4-8 watch. This is the morning watch.

My new role, Chief Officer, is a lot more stressful. I’m enjoying it. Or starting to.

Christmas on board was the standard affair, not much to write home about. New Years will bring more of the same.

As for 2020, it’s been a trying year. It’s tested my relationship with MrsN, it’s tested my patience, it brought untold happiness in the form of the twins, Seb has been his usual self (which is a good thing!). To end the year I got promoted to Chief Officer and I found out my father died on the same weekend. My father and I weren’t in contact for years.

Looking ahead to 2021, the twins will be growing and getting stronger. Madeleine still needs to see a cardiologist and Michael needs to see a surgery consultant.

I have some weight to lose (again).

It seems that COVID will still be an issue for crew changes, so making plans for the year ahead will be somewhat difficult.

Otherwise it’s going to be the same as every other year. Take it as it comes. MrsN likes to plan ahead. I like to deal with the near future.

I need to stop rambling and finish planning work for my crew for the day. I’ve got 4 able seamen, 2 ordinary seamen, and 2 Thai painters to plan work for everyday. I have to plan the maintenance of the accommodation and everything outside it on deck. The engineers just take care of the belly of the beast down there.

We have had a little project this crossing of doing maintenance to lashing bridges. They were pretty rusty, so needed chipping and painting. I’ve got ballast tanks to inspect before the end of the year, and have to prepare for our South America coastal run in that starts on 2nd January.

Between now and the coast I have to also monitor where the engineers are using their fuel oil from, and ensuring that the ship remains stable throughout the voyage. I’m having problems with torsion right now, which is a bit of a headache but I know these ships well, I know how to fix it.

Have a great day TWTD, I’ll try to look in on the 4-8 evening watch (the dog watch).
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As Christmas festivities are in full swing
at 11:10 25 Dec 2020

I have come to my cabin for a bit of quiet reflection.

Thank you TWTD. You have been a constant in my life. You’ve been there for the heartache of miscarriages, the joy of pregnancy, and the worry of emergency section.

Where MrsN is Polaris (North star) in my life, she is unwavering, a guiding light. TWTD is the rest of the universe. Some unknown quantities, some stars, some that are not of human being.

Wherever you are, whoever you are with, I hope you have a wonderful festive period.

I wish you all fair winds and following seas.
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You know what’s weird?
at 23:55 7 Dec 2020

I was invited into a Facebook group of ex RAF, all of which had the nicest things to say about my father. It was like they knew a different man, a father that was there when I was very young. One that was replaced by something else.

I almost don’t recognise the man they are talking about.

I should sleep. I’ve not slept much the last few days due to work.

I can only hope that I learnt from his mistakes... and that my kids don’t have too many of my mistakes to learn from.

It’s time to remember the good times, however few and long ago they may have been.

All the best TWTD.

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Currently sat in Hong Kong airport
at 11:49 6 Dec 2020

Waiting for the results of my rapid Covid test. 8-12 hours sat here apparently. No food available.

How’s your day going?
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The Sebby Diaries - Even though I’m leaving...
at 07:58 4 Dec 2020

Hey kids

At 0200 with Michael feeding, and Madeleine starting to stir, I kissed MrsN goodbye and left before she could see the tears on my face.

It’s going to be a long weekend. I’m travelling to Hong Kong. I have to get a COVID test in London, and then one on arrival in Honkers. I will be left to wait in a “holding pen” until my test result in Honkers comes back.

All going well I will board the ship Monday morning. It’s currently Friday morning.

I have been promoted to Chief Officer. The job I wanted. It’s a lot of responsibility.

I relish the opportunity. But leaving you all has never been harder than it was today.

It’s been a hard leave, full of hospital appointments and anxiety. I hope we are making progress.

When I get home you will all be bigger, stronger, and in more of a routine.

It’s a short one for now, I can’t put into words how much I miss you all. I hope that by doing what I do I can give you all the opportunities and happiness that I never had.

You’re all everything I love in life.

Here’s a song to convey my feelings.

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