New Motto

It has been a busy few days since we sailed from Falmouth. After a couple of days of sea trials we went back into port for the weekend, Debbie came down on the Sunday with the little ones which was nice as it will be the last time I see them for a few weeks. Lunch was relaxed as it was a pub lunch in the bar so the little ones entertained themselves climbing over the chairs. In the afternoon we tried going to the cinema and were pleasantly surprised as we managed to watch the whole film without the little ones causing to much disturbance.

 

We sailed as planned and have now embarked our aircraft, as always during embarkation things get very busy and I find that I am running around with my hair on fire trying to lay down ground rules and ensure that the flight and ship integrate together smoothly. Things aren’t helped at the moment by the amount of planning I am trying to do for the coming months, so lots to do at the moment. It is good keeping busy as I have totally lost track of what day it is, which isn’t to bad but not very helpful as I write the programme. I did come across a nice quote though which I think I should turn into the Ops Officers motto for each ship I join as it does reflect most of my days as Ops:

 

‘I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.’ - E. B. White

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let Loose The Bonds Of Land.

Well having joined a broken ship suffering delay after delay we are now mended and have slipped the bonds of shore to wander out into the wide blue yonder, well a bluey grey english channel and only for a couple of nights until we go into our next port.  My feet haven’t touched the ground since joining as I try to get my head around our programme and reign in all the external factors. The blocks are slowly falling into place so that hopefully I will be able to start progressing all the other bits and pieces soon.

 

It has not all been work though as Debbie brought the little ones down at the weekend and we took them to a fun pool. Beth really took to the water espeacially when the Wave machien started and she really enjoyed going around the river run. It was so good to see her building her confidence in the water. William on the other hand screamed his head off once he was in his swimming nappy. He calmed down eventually though. It was a nice day even though parts were stressfull and it was good to see Debbie and the little ones.

 

I also had the chance to catch up with an old friend who had been in the same training unit twenty odd years ago. I really can’t believe it is now over twenty years that I came away to sea. Where has the time gone and how the world and life in general has changed in that time. I could spend hours rambling on about my thoughts of the last twenty years but I think I will save that for another Blog entry.

 

Before I came back Debbie persuaded me to bring my bike with me and I am pleased I did as I have been able to get out most days for short rides And ten miles up some very steep hills on Sunday. I hadn’t relised how pleasant it can be riding at twighlight along the coast. It is so peaceful and a great way to unwind after a stressful day at work. It does not help that my cabin is my office on here so I feel I am always working. Saying that when I have a sudden thought in the middle of the night it is nice and easy to log on to the terminal and check things. I can also write the ships programme wearing nothing but a towel, there can’t be many offices where you can do that.  

 

Well as mentioned back in port for the coming weekend and then out for five weeks of flying training, it will be dull but busy which is good as the time will go quickly and we have a short stop in the middle when Debbie will come down for a night in a hotel and I will get a lie in as I have the Saturday morning off, so something to look forward to. Well time for a shower I suppose as I have just got back from the gym and I though it better to write fully clothed and with the buzz of my bikeride down the gym still fresh rather than writing in nothing but a towel.

 

 

Back Onboard

All in all it was a good leave but alas all good things come to an end and I am back onboard with bags unpacked facing four or five month away from the family. As always the weather has been crap so I didn’t get out as much as I would have liked but I did have some wonderful picnics with the little ones down the beach and the Tarka Trail.

 

I am slowly getting settled in onboard, as always lots of reading to do to get up to speed with the programme but at  least it should be a reasonably interesting trip with a couple of foreign port visits to look forward to.  I just need to get the first two weeks out of the way as the are always the worst with the joining blues and then hopefully things will get easier.

 

I think the longer I do this job the harder it gets each time I come away but on the plus side the time does seem to go by quicker.  Emails and mobiles also soften the blow as it makes it so much easier to stay in touch as well.  At least this year I should have a proper summer leave so I am looking forward to the BBQs and picnics, hopefully having something to look forward to will make the time go quickly.