AL GOES HOME

Time to head back to Bournemouth for a weekend

of my Mother's 80th birthday 

and to watch the mighty AFC Bournemouth

attempt to make the premiership for the first time.

Came over on condor ferries which was great as 

far as the St Malo - Guernsey leg went, then after

a good lunch at Le Nautique in St Peter Port,

it all went downhill.

The connecting ferry was 2 1/2 hours late. Then the

journey from hell continued by being sat next to

Mr seasick for 3 hours all the way home.

The ship suffered water shortages, power failures, and all sorts.

Saturday I went to the footie and Bournemouth

drew with Sheffield Wednesday 2-2.

Sunday was both Mum and Bob's birthday, so we went up with their friends to The Cumberland overlooking the beach 

for a fine lunch and celebration.

Then back home for some champagne and cake.

AROUND THE VILLAGE ON A SUNDAY

Took a few pictures around the village whilst

out to get the bread last week,

We are having a really good spell

of weather right now.

Long may it continue.

54 AND STILL CHILDISH

Twas my 54th on Sunday, so a select

few came up to the village bar for a drink or ten.

The mobile pizza wagon pulls up outside the bar

on Sunday's so we all had pizzas as well.

along with a cake that Marie made,

depicting me celebrating another

Bournemouth win.

ECLIPSE

Was really looking forward to the eclipse, but it was just a stinking day, with heavy cloud.

Took these pictures 10 minutes apart on top of the roof of the Celtic, but you can see nothing.

It went a bit darker, and colder, and that was it.

SOUTH ATLANTIC MEDAL

Today was the France Nord Royal Navy 

Association AGM at the 13 Assiettes, Pontaubault.

A great day for me as I was presented with my 

South Atlantic medal by Ray Yeowell,

a survivor of "The Yangtzee Incident"

on

HMS Amethyst in 1949.

I was on HMS Southampton during the Falklands Campaign,

and we arrived shortly after the ceasefire, or should I

say, Victory over the Argentinians.

The qualification period for the medal was extended

to 21st October 1982, hence my award.

I was down south for 5 months in defence watches

on the Southampton. 8 hours on, 8 hours off.

Although we never saw action, we were involved in much clearing up, and the securing of the exclusion zone.

With a few scares of air attack in between.

I share the honour of this medal with my fellow

shipmates.

But most of all with my best run ashore oppo, Brian "Jock" Malcolm who died on HMS Glamorgan,

and remains on patrol.

ST PATRICK's DINNER

We went to St Patrick's bar in Dinan to attend

a St Patrick's dinner on Saturday night.

Potato and leek soup.

Steak and ale pie.

Bailey's cheesecake.

A bit overpriced at 25 euros, but a decent enough 

night with good blues night with Rob and the band.

JOYS OF SPRING

Great that the hunt season has finished.

Always having to keep a sharp eye

on the dogs for half cut Frenchmen

with shot guns.

Now the countryside is our own again for

good long walks