Ok, You lot stand there!

Having to stand under a helicopter as it comes in to land might be different to loading up the school bus in the rain but it scares the living crap out of me every time. There is an in built desire to run away from it or at least duck but I have to stand there calmly and wave my arms around. I often question whether it is totally necessary but the pilot says it helps.

Heli Landing

Day trip to Florida

Life is as normal. But not at all normal. It is fast paced, fantastical and privileged. It is as always hard work but the surroundings are endlessly spectacular and there is nothing normal about any of it!

We cruised the west coast of Mexico, Huatulco, Acapulco, Zihuatenejo and now to Puerto Vallarta. Loaded another 300 tons of fuel, washed our balls had some beers ashore. Same old routine really.

This week I was flown to Ft Lauderdale in Florida for a day, no Disney land for me. I was very excited to have a man with a name board for me. Of course it was spelt wrong but thats a first for me. I went to meet with some dudes who represent another of the worlds super billionaires. They kindly offered me a job on a different boat doing something very similar for lots more money.

I flew back to Mexico did an afternoon of work and this evening went out with the captain and chief stewardess and drank mojitos in a Cuban bar on the waterfront where there was live music, waves breaking on the beach and a nice breeze blowing through the open bar. We came home to the boat a little peckish so we snacked on left over lobster tails and fio gras pate with fresh baked bread. So there is nothing much to report only that the circus continues and I am in the centre ring.

I can't wait to come home, make a sandwich have a nice cup of tea and watch the tele.

Happy Easter

Going Loco

We are down in Acapulco which is just as crazy as the other places that we go to and the silly things that we have to do for our guests still continue as before.

"Ok Daren, I think, when you guys are ready we can go to Acapulco tonight"
"sure thing, no problem!" It's only 16 hours up the coast after all... More shocking, is that that is just 16 tons of fuel!

Mexico has never been on my wish list of places to visit but it has been a real pleasure. I have never seen such an abundance of wildlife, whales, dolphins, turtles and the sea is just teeming with fish. We have anchored in several untouched bays with white sandy beaches and nothing but wooded hills as a backdrop.

This is our second visit to Acapulco since my trip home and it seems lively and vibrant, very similar to Rio in it's feel. There has been little opportunity to run so far though so I will still be failing to keep up with un well girl guides when I get back.

Feb 2008 Sussex mens fitness tables

Another very brief trip home to sussex in England sets off a new Daren Packham fitness program. The sussex mens fitness table ranges from super human through to girl guide with a nose cold.
1 Cliff
2 Pete Very close second
3 Nick always a strong contender
4 Graham I can do two laps after you have struggled with one
5 Claire not a man but is worth a mention
6 Dave
7 Dai
8 girl guide with a nose cold
9 Daren Packham

It is clear that I have some work to do here.