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@WarDiaryF82 @warsmatter Today, around 120(?) of us were flown by SeaKing from HERMES onto Ascension Island forming the advanced leave party, then by VC10 CrabAir to Brize Norton, instructed to rejoin H at anchor in Pompey on the 21st...
Our small groups first task was to find a bar on this Red Planet before our connecting flight. And to be served by a woman in this bar was a most pleasing sight 
. It was our first experience of 'normal', something I'll never forget...
. It was our first experience of 'normal', something I'll never forget...
Landing in BN and unbeknown to us, the arrivals building was flooded with families and the scene was chaotic. Trying to find any loved one was difficult, the RAF having given up with crowd control.
My newfound oppo from the bar in AI soon disappeared with his family...
My newfound oppo from the bar in AI soon disappeared with his family...
I meanwhile watched the crowd slowly thinout and board busses.
Realising no one had come to meet me, I simply found the blue RN liveried bus bound for Pompey and climbed aboard, having been undecided which direction to go, nth to family in Yorks or sth to new wife in Pompey...
Realising no one had come to meet me, I simply found the blue RN liveried bus bound for Pompey and climbed aboard, having been undecided which direction to go, nth to family in Yorks or sth to new wife in Pompey...
The weather was quite warm that day. We however could only wear what we had on, that last day ashore back on April 5th. In my case a woolly jumper and donkey jacket.
Arriving in Pompey, my next task was to find the new MQ my wife had taken in my absence.
Rowner!..
Arriving in Pompey, my next task was to find the new MQ my wife had taken in my absence.
Rowner!..
For those that know Pompey, Rowner is/was one of the larger MQ estates with a poor reputation.
And after having a pint at the Cocked Hat nearby, I duly located my new address and knocked on the door of my new home.
Mrs D answers, opens the door with the words,
'Im pregnant!'...
And after having a pint at the Cocked Hat nearby, I duly located my new address and knocked on the door of my new home.
Mrs D answers, opens the door with the words,
'Im pregnant!'...
'When you due?' asks me
'February' she says.
.
.
.
.
Now, a rocket scientist I'm not.
I'd come through all those experiences unscathed, to be faced with this new & hidden Exocet.
Needless to say my life just went downhill for the next few years, until I left the mob in 85...
'February' she says.
.
.
.
.
Now, a rocket scientist I'm not.
I'd come through all those experiences unscathed, to be faced with this new & hidden Exocet.
Needless to say my life just went downhill for the next few years, until I left the mob in 85...
But it was what it was.
Looking back I wouldn't have missed it (the SA) for the world and would jump at it again.
I have written a book, not for publishing, but for myself and family. Simply to refer to and jog the memories I still have...
Looking back I wouldn't have missed it (the SA) for the world and would jump at it again.
I have written a book, not for publishing, but for myself and family. Simply to refer to and jog the memories I still have...
But to finish this thread on a high, what we see in 10 days time when we rejoin H at anchor will stay with me forever. I'm sure @warsmatter has plenty of images later 
