Manic Monday!!!
I had a prior blog detailing an uneventful week, which after recapping what had happened, turned out as a reasonably eventful week after all.
This week however, as I sit down and do my Monday update (on a Saturday), I have no doubt that this week was an eventful one.
My last update had me doing a marketing trip up country. Off to Obuasi on Wednesday for a 2.30 meeting, which was very interesting and dealt with some reverse engineering, which based on my last job was something I was very used to, and managed to set up our Obuasi operation for February. I have written about Obuasi before, but it is really a 100 year old mining town, with good (new) roads and the squatter camp view. Larger than Tarkwa, it could be called “quant”. As I will be spending a fair amount of time there next year, it made sense for me to make sure I paid attention on how to get where.
85km away is a City called Kumasi. You will note I said city – cause quite honestly that it what it is. The largest place I have been to since Accra, and once again a sprawling city with abject poverty interspersed by opulence that would not be out of place at Dainfern. The Unilever Guest House is a sight to behold. We checked into a hotel called “Roses” which at GHC270.000 per night (ZAR180.00, USD30.00) reminded me of the Boksburg North Hotel. The pub defiantly reminded me of the Boksburg North and they redeemed themselves by serving Captains! The room was basic, TV did not work (which was fortunate cause I missed Man United’s 3-0 hammering in Turkey) and had a shower that was quite nice. The highlight of the evening? NANDOS!!!. Zak told me there was a Nando’s in the town, and of course that was what was on the dinner menu. The problem? We did not know where Nando’s was. Zak got some directions and all things considered he listens to directions the same way I do. We did the scenic tour of Kumasi. At night!. We passed the stadium, the abattoir, the palace and every Mobil Garage in Town. Why Mobil you asked? Well the Nando’s was apparently at a Mobil garage. We even asked for directions. Which for two guys in a car is quite an achievement. We got all sorts of directions, but for some reason could not find the bloody garage. Finally, one of the locals we asked directions from decided these two brunies need a lot more help then “left at the traffic circle” and accompanied us to the required garage, where to my joy and happiness – a hot ½ chicken and chips with a coke was had. (GHC 56.000. ZAR 38.00). I was smiling.
The ride to Nando’s – 65 minutes. The drive back to the hotel – 10 minutes. One had to chuckle. Two captains after dinner at the hotel and sleep. Breakfast was early, and early to us seemed to be before the kitchen opened. Bacon and Eggs and off we toddled to Ahafo where Newmont are setting up a new mine. 20 minute meeting introducing ourselves (oh yes – after a 2 hour trip), we reversed course to Bibiani (subject of many a blog), New mine at Chirano (10 minutes) and the Bauxite Mine. (30 minutes – Zak has old friends there and they needed to catch up). 4 hours back home and we arrived back, knackered, at 7pm.
I continue to be amazed at the following:
• The amount of really old (and unroadworthy) trucks on the road and the consequent amount of trucks broken down on the side of the road.
• The fact that certain roads are fantastic, but the majority of the roads border on impassable.
• The time taken to visit people here. We traveled 600km’s over the two days for a total of 11 hours traveling time, for a total of 4 hours spent meeting people.
• The fact that everyone still drives in the middle of the road.
• That there is very little cell coverage
• That new mines do not have electrical connections and they are required to build their own electrical supply lines.
• Railways is effectively bankrupt
• There are loads of Aussies here
• And loads of yanks
• And loads of South Africans.
• Not too many poms *g*
I slept well on Thursday night!
Friday saw all our remaining expats depart on a chartered flight to Accra (courtesy of the Client who was really happy that they got the mill up and running in 7 days instead of the 14 days that was mooted at the start), and a not so nice email from my other site, with a very frustrated client. Wishing everyone good fortune and relishing their happy smiles as they looked forward to home time and Xmas with the family.
Off to the 90 minute drive site (which I now have down to 60 mins), and sympathized with the clients frustration. I was part of a team that installed a new belt on the Conveyor (and I am getting better walking to the top – handrails do help). Installing the belt took two hours, having battled through the following:
• Spindle that was too thick to fit in the unwind hole of the belt
• Use of a spindle that was too weak and bent as soon as load was applied.
• Having to supply the client a new light pole as we bent one of their light poles *sigh*
• Almost beheading one of the workers as yet another pole bent and the belt slipped off the frame. (At this point I lost my temper for the first time with our safety officer)
• The rope snapping three times. (the first time it broke I lost my temper with the safety officer for the second time as he was quite happily standing next to the rope as it was under tension)
• Wondering what the hell would happen when the belt reached 51% of the total length and what the hell was going to stop it running away in the same direction as we were pulling. Evidently not a problem as it was looped in full and did not run away at all.
• Smiling with everyone when the belt was complete at 6.30pm.
I must have sweated away 2kg’s over that afternoon, as although I was in shorts, my shirt was a heavy type and the sun beat down on me, reminding me that the last time I spent this amount of time “on the floor” was a hell of a long time ago running a paper mill while after firing 1400 people for partaking in an illegal strike. I loved it! It was an immense sense of achievement to get the job done and although I did not quite get my hand dirty, it was good to be part of it.
We celebrated with two beers (the client was once again happy there was progress), before taking the bush road drive home at night. (that was the reason why it was only two beers). It was challenging to say the least, and when I got home, the first thing I did was climb into a shower. It was wonderful!
I woke up this morning somewhat stiff. Morning at the workshop, meeting with local client over a crane installation, and once again back to site to check up on the progress. I arrived during lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon sweating in the sun getting stuff done. Once again I enjoyed it. And I learnt stuff which was what it is all about.
Back home at around 4.30 and ……… into my new house. I have officially moved and have a desk to type on and am a lot more relaxed. Tomorrow I am back to site and hopefully will take pictures of the stacker spewing ore off the end. Clients Milestone!!! So best it not be missed.
*ponder*
What else?
Dear Readers.. that’s about it! Seems like a lot of work, work, work, but to be dead honest as you may have picked up that is pretty much all we do here. It must be said though I am having fun, have had my rough days where I quite honestly wonder what the fark I am doing up here, and nights when I lie in bed and smile happily as the day was a good one. Pretty normal I guess.
The office closes next week Friday (JHB office closes on Wednesday – lucky buggers), and all our lads are really looking forward to toddling off down south. We will have two teams working over xmas and spent a fair amount of timing today making sure everything is in place. Hourly paid people want to work. That is evident as when I spoke to the guys about working over Xmas, they were really happy to oblige.
Just over a week before I too head down south, for R&R, Xmas with the family, Boxing day with mates, Durban with Nessers – wicked grin – and Robbies 21st. I have also got training on JDE which effectively extends my stay in JHB much to my happiness. Going to enjoy all of it!!!
9.30 on a Saturday night, and I need sleep.
So let me do it
Have a great one!
This week however, as I sit down and do my Monday update (on a Saturday), I have no doubt that this week was an eventful one.
My last update had me doing a marketing trip up country. Off to Obuasi on Wednesday for a 2.30 meeting, which was very interesting and dealt with some reverse engineering, which based on my last job was something I was very used to, and managed to set up our Obuasi operation for February. I have written about Obuasi before, but it is really a 100 year old mining town, with good (new) roads and the squatter camp view. Larger than Tarkwa, it could be called “quant”. As I will be spending a fair amount of time there next year, it made sense for me to make sure I paid attention on how to get where.
85km away is a City called Kumasi. You will note I said city – cause quite honestly that it what it is. The largest place I have been to since Accra, and once again a sprawling city with abject poverty interspersed by opulence that would not be out of place at Dainfern. The Unilever Guest House is a sight to behold. We checked into a hotel called “Roses” which at GHC270.000 per night (ZAR180.00, USD30.00) reminded me of the Boksburg North Hotel. The pub defiantly reminded me of the Boksburg North and they redeemed themselves by serving Captains! The room was basic, TV did not work (which was fortunate cause I missed Man United’s 3-0 hammering in Turkey) and had a shower that was quite nice. The highlight of the evening? NANDOS!!!. Zak told me there was a Nando’s in the town, and of course that was what was on the dinner menu. The problem? We did not know where Nando’s was. Zak got some directions and all things considered he listens to directions the same way I do. We did the scenic tour of Kumasi. At night!. We passed the stadium, the abattoir, the palace and every Mobil Garage in Town. Why Mobil you asked? Well the Nando’s was apparently at a Mobil garage. We even asked for directions. Which for two guys in a car is quite an achievement. We got all sorts of directions, but for some reason could not find the bloody garage. Finally, one of the locals we asked directions from decided these two brunies need a lot more help then “left at the traffic circle” and accompanied us to the required garage, where to my joy and happiness – a hot ½ chicken and chips with a coke was had. (GHC 56.000. ZAR 38.00). I was smiling.
The ride to Nando’s – 65 minutes. The drive back to the hotel – 10 minutes. One had to chuckle. Two captains after dinner at the hotel and sleep. Breakfast was early, and early to us seemed to be before the kitchen opened. Bacon and Eggs and off we toddled to Ahafo where Newmont are setting up a new mine. 20 minute meeting introducing ourselves (oh yes – after a 2 hour trip), we reversed course to Bibiani (subject of many a blog), New mine at Chirano (10 minutes) and the Bauxite Mine. (30 minutes – Zak has old friends there and they needed to catch up). 4 hours back home and we arrived back, knackered, at 7pm.
I continue to be amazed at the following:
• The amount of really old (and unroadworthy) trucks on the road and the consequent amount of trucks broken down on the side of the road.
• The fact that certain roads are fantastic, but the majority of the roads border on impassable.
• The time taken to visit people here. We traveled 600km’s over the two days for a total of 11 hours traveling time, for a total of 4 hours spent meeting people.
• The fact that everyone still drives in the middle of the road.
• That there is very little cell coverage
• That new mines do not have electrical connections and they are required to build their own electrical supply lines.
• Railways is effectively bankrupt
• There are loads of Aussies here
• And loads of yanks
• And loads of South Africans.
• Not too many poms *g*
I slept well on Thursday night!
Friday saw all our remaining expats depart on a chartered flight to Accra (courtesy of the Client who was really happy that they got the mill up and running in 7 days instead of the 14 days that was mooted at the start), and a not so nice email from my other site, with a very frustrated client. Wishing everyone good fortune and relishing their happy smiles as they looked forward to home time and Xmas with the family.
Off to the 90 minute drive site (which I now have down to 60 mins), and sympathized with the clients frustration. I was part of a team that installed a new belt on the Conveyor (and I am getting better walking to the top – handrails do help). Installing the belt took two hours, having battled through the following:
• Spindle that was too thick to fit in the unwind hole of the belt
• Use of a spindle that was too weak and bent as soon as load was applied.
• Having to supply the client a new light pole as we bent one of their light poles *sigh*
• Almost beheading one of the workers as yet another pole bent and the belt slipped off the frame. (At this point I lost my temper for the first time with our safety officer)
• The rope snapping three times. (the first time it broke I lost my temper with the safety officer for the second time as he was quite happily standing next to the rope as it was under tension)
• Wondering what the hell would happen when the belt reached 51% of the total length and what the hell was going to stop it running away in the same direction as we were pulling. Evidently not a problem as it was looped in full and did not run away at all.
• Smiling with everyone when the belt was complete at 6.30pm.
I must have sweated away 2kg’s over that afternoon, as although I was in shorts, my shirt was a heavy type and the sun beat down on me, reminding me that the last time I spent this amount of time “on the floor” was a hell of a long time ago running a paper mill while after firing 1400 people for partaking in an illegal strike. I loved it! It was an immense sense of achievement to get the job done and although I did not quite get my hand dirty, it was good to be part of it.
We celebrated with two beers (the client was once again happy there was progress), before taking the bush road drive home at night. (that was the reason why it was only two beers). It was challenging to say the least, and when I got home, the first thing I did was climb into a shower. It was wonderful!
I woke up this morning somewhat stiff. Morning at the workshop, meeting with local client over a crane installation, and once again back to site to check up on the progress. I arrived during lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon sweating in the sun getting stuff done. Once again I enjoyed it. And I learnt stuff which was what it is all about.
Back home at around 4.30 and ……… into my new house. I have officially moved and have a desk to type on and am a lot more relaxed. Tomorrow I am back to site and hopefully will take pictures of the stacker spewing ore off the end. Clients Milestone!!! So best it not be missed.
*ponder*
What else?
Dear Readers.. that’s about it! Seems like a lot of work, work, work, but to be dead honest as you may have picked up that is pretty much all we do here. It must be said though I am having fun, have had my rough days where I quite honestly wonder what the fark I am doing up here, and nights when I lie in bed and smile happily as the day was a good one. Pretty normal I guess.
The office closes next week Friday (JHB office closes on Wednesday – lucky buggers), and all our lads are really looking forward to toddling off down south. We will have two teams working over xmas and spent a fair amount of timing today making sure everything is in place. Hourly paid people want to work. That is evident as when I spoke to the guys about working over Xmas, they were really happy to oblige.
Just over a week before I too head down south, for R&R, Xmas with the family, Boxing day with mates, Durban with Nessers – wicked grin – and Robbies 21st. I have also got training on JDE which effectively extends my stay in JHB much to my happiness. Going to enjoy all of it!!!
9.30 on a Saturday night, and I need sleep.
So let me do it
Have a great one!
1 Comments:
the lengths a man will go through for a piece of chicken *chuckle*
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