Monday was my first day at work and it was hectic! The woman I have been in contact with from Aquatera is off sick and will be until February (I hope it isn't too serious!), so although they were aware of my arrival, the little details such as where I was to sit and what computer I would use was still a bit up in the air. Anyway when that got sorted they set up with a company email and user name leaving me feeling very official! Before I get any further I should mention that they seated me next to Olly, the surfing guy who I met on Sunday. He was very apologetic about Sundays events and turns out we we both driving up and down the west coast looking for each other most of the day! I didn't think Orkney was big enough to loose someone but I guess I've proved my self wrong.
I was then introduced to most of the members of staff in a team meeting, and later set to some work with satellite images. I managed to finish that and then started to do some work with Olly but before I got really stuck into it, it was time to go home. I should also mention that everyone I have met within the company is really nice, and I get on really well with my fellow aquatera surfer Olly.
Throughout the day Olly and I were looking at the surf forecast for Tuesday (today) and decided that it would be a good idea to go out in the morning before work! So I started the day at 0720 in the dark trying to see if there was a wave breaking. A stupid question really because there is always a wave breaking up here! From what we could see it looked, and sounded, great. So we jumped in when it was just light enough to see each other, roughly 0745. We paddled out and surfed for about 40 minutes with my vision still in black and white mode. Colour was just visible when we got out and the sun rose shortly after we arrived at work.
I had a few problems with my computer this morning but they soon got ironed out and I started getting stuck into some work. I was researching the technology that is being used in renewable energy projects around Orkney and Scotland. These are required documents for a database designed for the public to view once finished and published. This was really interesting work and I learnt a lot about the different types of marine renewable technologies in development around the UK. I hope, and I'm sure I will, get a chance to be more involved in this type of work as its the sort of work you can feel good about being part of knowing its a stride toward clean, sensible energy production. I'm also getting involved in some work involving swell forecasting, with the objective of being able to predict lulls in the weather.
So to summarise, work is great and i'm looking forward to getting involved in more projects. The people are really nice and I have made a good friend in Olly, who I think is glad to have someone else to surf with.
I hope all you guys are well! The nights are quite for me so give me a ring if the fancy takes you. X
I was then introduced to most of the members of staff in a team meeting, and later set to some work with satellite images. I managed to finish that and then started to do some work with Olly but before I got really stuck into it, it was time to go home. I should also mention that everyone I have met within the company is really nice, and I get on really well with my fellow aquatera surfer Olly.
Throughout the day Olly and I were looking at the surf forecast for Tuesday (today) and decided that it would be a good idea to go out in the morning before work! So I started the day at 0720 in the dark trying to see if there was a wave breaking. A stupid question really because there is always a wave breaking up here! From what we could see it looked, and sounded, great. So we jumped in when it was just light enough to see each other, roughly 0745. We paddled out and surfed for about 40 minutes with my vision still in black and white mode. Colour was just visible when we got out and the sun rose shortly after we arrived at work.
I had a few problems with my computer this morning but they soon got ironed out and I started getting stuck into some work. I was researching the technology that is being used in renewable energy projects around Orkney and Scotland. These are required documents for a database designed for the public to view once finished and published. This was really interesting work and I learnt a lot about the different types of marine renewable technologies in development around the UK. I hope, and I'm sure I will, get a chance to be more involved in this type of work as its the sort of work you can feel good about being part of knowing its a stride toward clean, sensible energy production. I'm also getting involved in some work involving swell forecasting, with the objective of being able to predict lulls in the weather.
So to summarise, work is great and i'm looking forward to getting involved in more projects. The people are really nice and I have made a good friend in Olly, who I think is glad to have someone else to surf with.
I hope all you guys are well! The nights are quite for me so give me a ring if the fancy takes you. X