Time Flies

I Can't believe how time flies, a week ago I was sat in JFK after what had seemed a long a stressful trip. The first couple of months had not been too bad as we had a nice long OFT followed by Medical Endeavour, all straight forward stuff. However as deployment preps continued it all got a bit depressing as daily I was getting swamped by emails from the US and yet nothing seemed to be moving forward. It is so frustrating working with the yanks as they seem to ask the same question over and over again and yet no matter how often it is answered it then gets asked again. 

Sunset off the South Coast Before Deploying

This proved even more frustrating when discussing all the Official functions during Fleet Week New York. The yanks sent a long list of functions, the embassy then advised which ones should be attended. After then confirming multiple times with the yanks which ones we would attend we still had to wait confirmation of which ones we could attend until the night before arrival. Saying that everything seemed to fall into place even if we did get a US Admiral and Captain turn up at one of our functions unannounced.

Anyway enough moaning as once we got April out of the way things started getting better, our workup was a bit of a washout as many serials were cancelled for one reason or another. In fact we spent half of it on the buoy but at least our deployment wasn't delayed and more importantly we got into Falmouth as planned for 36 hours before deployment. Well allegedly 36 hours as a few are a bit blurry after a decent pub crawl around Falmouth and a wobbly head the next morning.

The Atlantic crossing was wonderful, we were blessed with good weather for the majority of the 10 day crossing although during the last couple of days we were fogbound.  It really is good doing a proper straight passage, the ship always seems to settle down and it is nice knowing that you are going somewhere. Well after 10 days  we joined the flotilla and took part in a parade of sail into New York with 8 Tall Ships and 14 Warships. 

Passing Under the first bridge on the Hudson

Statue Of Liberty

 Fly Past By the Blue Arrows

The entry was quite manic with very little co-ordination from the Yanks. It was impressive though sailing up the Hudson all half a mile apart. Bit hectic at times as column was somewhat stop and start and at one point we ran out of starting air for the engines.

Manhattan 

I must say that the Americans really looked after us once we arrived, all were encouraged to go ashore in uniform which is frowned on in the UK. It is quite strange walking into a bar and being applauded when you are in uniform and the number of people that come up to shake your hand in the street all of whom say 'thank you for your service'.  It really is a shame we don't treat our military in the same way.

Fleet Week was a huge event with lots happening, we were fortunate with our berth in Brooklyn as well, as on our first night in there was a concert put on for all the ship's on our Jetty headlined by Katy Perry. Free beer, free pizza and live music, what a great evening. Just ashame I got there a little late so missed out on the free skateboards, probably only broken something if I had got one.

Katy Perry Concert

Gracie Mansion

As always there were a lot of receptions during our period in port, first morning a group from the ship went for breakfast at Gracie Mansion, it was most enjoyable and a good escape from the ship. The Mayor gave a little speech and then we all headed back and arrived back just in time for our function onboard where we were hosting the British Consul General and ACNS.  .

View From My Cabin - Manhattan at Night

The highlight of the time in New York though was the opportunity to meet an old School Friend from Wycliffe. It just shows one of the benefits of Facebook as it is years since I last saw Matt but it was good to catch up. I showed off the ship and then Matt showed me New York and we finished off with a really enjoyable meal with his wife and friends at the Soho House Club.

After what was a difficult trip New York really was a good way to end it and now I am back home on leave. I really hope that the time does not go by to quickly as I have so much to do and I want to make the most of being home with Debbie and the little ones during the summer months.

The Little ones dragging Daddy down the Pub