CENOTAPH

Sunday 10th November, I did my first

ever Cenotaph parade in London.

I was part of the HMS Ark Royal Association

platoon of 27.

Met some old faces.

Must admit there was a lot of standing around

in the cold.

0930 at Horse Guards, we didn't march till

gone 1130.

I made it on the I Player.

That's me bottom left.

ARTHUR UNWELL

Poor old Arth has been very poorly.

Spent 4 nights in the vets after his back

legs kept giving way.

Obviously age, at 13 1/2 is a factor, but

he had anaemia as well.

The vets did plenty of tests including

for a tick based disease called Leptosorosis.

Really thought his time was up.

But slowly after being allowed home, and on a course

of anti inflamatories, he is back to 90% of

his old self.

JOCK WEEKEND

First weekend in September. A full house.

Mac, Kenny 1, Kenny 2, Netty,

Caroline, & Jaqi arrived, for what 

was a booze fuelled weekend party.

The first four named were Navy chefs, 

whose paths I have crossed over the years.

Day out in St Cast, also a Sunday lunch in the

village. A really cracking weekend.

MOULES FRITTES

First Saturday in August, always the biggest

village party around.

Moules frites is our favourite night.

When we first came here 11 years ago,

around 200 would turn up.

Now it is closer to 550.

The day before, I heard old Ark Royal

shipmate Richard Knight and his family

were staying in St Malo.

Great to meet up after 30 years.

They joined the party and stayed the night.

BUSY MONTH

August is always a busy month for visitors.

Marie's sister, Liz, daughter Aileen, husband Dean,

a young Poppy came for a week after a short

ferry delay because of the weather.

A few nice trips out.

Dinan market is always popular on a Thursday.

We also had a few meals out, and of course

a visit to the bar.

Royal Marine dean is training Poppy to carry

his kit around.

1st TIMERS

Had a visit for a couple of days from Paul and Deanie.

I served with Paul on HMS Southampton, taking

it from build, right the way through to going

down the Falklands in 1982.

A couple of meals out, beer and wine.

What was not to like.?

WARMEST EVER DAY IN FRANCE

, 42.7

11 years and 3 months in France, and this

is the hottest ever day.

34C in the shade, and 42.7C

in the direct sun.

That's 108F in old money.

The dogs are taking ice with

their drinks.