Well we have now arrived back in port after a week at sea and it is not long until I change ships again.
Debbie and the little one are coming down for the weekend whilst we do the handover which will be nice as it is a few weeks since I have seen them. I really hope that the little one sleeps through the night though as I have had a lot of long days this week and I need a bit of sleep.
I am just hoping she recognises me as I took the plunge and shaved my beard off. Well I thought it would please Debbie as I know she doesn’t like the beard.
I am just hoping that my handover goes OK, I always worry about handovers as I hate to leave things in the air. I am sure Dale will be fine though as the programme is not that demanding.
Friday, 31 July 2009
Sunday, 26 July 2009
Another Sunday onboard, but not many more until I escape. I did manage to avoid the usual Sunday afternoon of too many pints ending in a wasted afternoon. I finally did something that I have been promising to do for a long time; I walked up to Portland Castle and had a look around. 
Whenever I go to these places I always find it amazing how, people all those years ago, achieved so much and how the buildings have lasted. I can think of very few buildings that are built today lasting 500 years. Admittedly it was a very different era but at least we have the opportunity of looking through the window of a past era. 
After walking around the castle I had a wonder around the gardens, they were small but there was a very peaceful area under a small clump of trees. It was wonderful hearing the wind rustling through the trees once again. I don’t know why but I really miss the sounds of the trees when I am onboard. Hopefully one day I will manage to save enough money to buy a small wood.
It is strange how sounds can be relaxing, I am not sure what I find more relaxing, the sound of the trees or the sound of waves crashing on the beach. Although I see the majesty of the sea every day I am at sea, I very rarely here the music of the sea, except when I am home walking down the beach at Westward Ho!
Whenever I go to these places I always find it amazing how, people all those years ago, achieved so much and how the buildings have lasted. I can think of very few buildings that are built today lasting 500 years. Admittedly it was a very different era but at least we have the opportunity of looking through the window of a past era. 
After walking around the castle I had a wonder around the gardens, they were small but there was a very peaceful area under a small clump of trees. It was wonderful hearing the wind rustling through the trees once again. I don’t know why but I really miss the sounds of the trees when I am onboard. Hopefully one day I will manage to save enough money to buy a small wood.It is strange how sounds can be relaxing, I am not sure what I find more relaxing, the sound of the trees or the sound of waves crashing on the beach. Although I see the majesty of the sea every day I am at sea, I very rarely here the music of the sea, except when I am home walking down the beach at Westward Ho!
Friday, 24 July 2009
Another Week Alongside
It has been another tedious week. Although we spent two days doing index berthing at the beginning of the week we have been strapped alongside for the rest of the time. It has been very hard to motivate oneself, especially as I only have a week left before I transfer back to Rosie. Once there I will have less than a month left until I pay off and start my leave.
Hopefully I will manage to get things achieved this leave, not only house work and DIY but also a few things that I want to do. I really want to have a couple of nights out on the moors before the weather turns and I would like to get the canoe out for a paddle. This is not going to be easy as I will have Debbie and the little one to look after and then in November number two arrives. It is going to be nice to get to spend some time with Debbie and the little one. Hopefully we will find the money to have a little break in September as Debbie really needs a break. I know she finds it hard being at home by herself and looking after the little one, hopefully when number two arrives things will get easier.
I have applied for a shore posting, if I get it it will be good as I will have a bit of stability for a couple of years. However I think I will miss the long leaves if I do get the posting.
Well another quite weekend to get through and then a horrible week next week with lots of night flying. Roll on the end of August.
Hopefully I will manage to get things achieved this leave, not only house work and DIY but also a few things that I want to do. I really want to have a couple of nights out on the moors before the weather turns and I would like to get the canoe out for a paddle. This is not going to be easy as I will have Debbie and the little one to look after and then in November number two arrives. It is going to be nice to get to spend some time with Debbie and the little one. Hopefully we will find the money to have a little break in September as Debbie really needs a break. I know she finds it hard being at home by herself and looking after the little one, hopefully when number two arrives things will get easier.
I have applied for a shore posting, if I get it it will be good as I will have a bit of stability for a couple of years. However I think I will miss the long leaves if I do get the posting.
Well another quite weekend to get through and then a horrible week next week with lots of night flying. Roll on the end of August.
Saturday, 18 July 2009
FOUR MONTHS IN
It has now been over a month since I have last written on my blog, yes I have been very slack, but whilst stuck alongside inspiration has been sadly lacking. I have now passed the four-month mark and usually I would be heading home on leave. However with sprog two due to arrive in November I have had to ask for an extension to my appointment so I am here until the end of August.
Since I last wrote there has been a little change of scenery as I was transferred from my previous ship onto one of the Bay boats as they were short of a Nav/Ops. All my gear is still back there but hopefully I should return in about a fortnight after having done 6 weeks on here.
We have been tied up alongside for most of the period, which has been dull however on the plus side I had a trip across to Holland so I did escape UK waters very briefly. The other plus was that as we were alongside Debbie and Elizabeth came down to stay onboard for the week. It was really good to see them both and to see how much Beth has changed. She can now sit up by herself which can be a little freaky at silly O’clock in the morning when you get up and there she is in her travel cot sitting bolt up right like a scene from the exorcist. She is certainly getting more mobile so I don’t think it will be long before she starts walking. Then all we need to do is dissuade here from going out the dog door.
I also managed to get home for a 72, the first one I have taken for years. It was good to get home but far to short. There are so many jobs and things that I want to do, I just don’t know where I will find the time. I did have another look out the back and I have now decided where I will build the wall between the garage and the house, delineating the parking area from the garden. Once this is done I will be able to focus on getting the back kiddie proof before next summer hopefully.
Well I must make more of an effort to update this blog regularly as it is a good way to put my thoughts down and is, in some ways, a form of creative output. Even if it is just a load of ramblings.
Since I last wrote there has been a little change of scenery as I was transferred from my previous ship onto one of the Bay boats as they were short of a Nav/Ops. All my gear is still back there but hopefully I should return in about a fortnight after having done 6 weeks on here.
We have been tied up alongside for most of the period, which has been dull however on the plus side I had a trip across to Holland so I did escape UK waters very briefly. The other plus was that as we were alongside Debbie and Elizabeth came down to stay onboard for the week. It was really good to see them both and to see how much Beth has changed. She can now sit up by herself which can be a little freaky at silly O’clock in the morning when you get up and there she is in her travel cot sitting bolt up right like a scene from the exorcist. She is certainly getting more mobile so I don’t think it will be long before she starts walking. Then all we need to do is dissuade here from going out the dog door.
I also managed to get home for a 72, the first one I have taken for years. It was good to get home but far to short. There are so many jobs and things that I want to do, I just don’t know where I will find the time. I did have another look out the back and I have now decided where I will build the wall between the garage and the house, delineating the parking area from the garden. Once this is done I will be able to focus on getting the back kiddie proof before next summer hopefully.
Well I must make more of an effort to update this blog regularly as it is a good way to put my thoughts down and is, in some ways, a form of creative output. Even if it is just a load of ramblings.
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