I've found a chance to arrange a visit to my ship over summer, it'd be great to make a day of it with kitcars and the like but if the weather is unfavourable then we can resort to using tin tops.
I propose Sat 12 Jul as I don't think there's anything on that weekend, for various reasons I need to limit it to 12 people and I need to know who you are so if we've not yet met then I apologise.
I propose something like depart Bristol 9am, grab some early lunch and then visit the ship for a bit. After that a scenic drive home and back by 6pm ish.
So please let me know if you're interested, we'll sort details nearer the time!
Edit. added to calendar.
Yes please. 8)
I'm very interested please.
Yes please 8)
Yes please mate. :)
Me too with Wifey and I guess Crash Test Dummy will be up for this - will confirm as soon as possible.
Could it be thirteen as I'm already a matelot?
im off work that day, so we maybe interested! :D
OK people that would like to go. 1, Robp
2, Benchmark51
3, The gaffer
4, Moleman (+1 if there is room)
5, Iancider + 1
6, Crash test Dummy
7, Flech_306
8, Pilgrim Anna (maybe)
9, Bulldog Bri (maybe)
Anyone else up for this? not many spaces left? ;D
Obviously due to being in the navy etc I will happily drop out if an extra space is required for someone else.
Where is it docked? Plymouth bit far for us :(
I think it's parked in Portsmouth
Quote from: Pilgrim Anna on 22, May, 2014, 09:09:58 AM
Where is it docked? Plymouth bit far for us :(
Not for us Anna!! :D ;)
You up for this then John. You could meet us there? :)
Quote from: benchmark51 on 22, May, 2014, 09:23:37 AM
I think it's parked in Portsmouth
Nope, it's up a Scapa Flow. :P
Quote from: robp on 23, May, 2014, 10:20:00 AM
Quote from: benchmark51 on 22, May, 2014, 09:23:37 AM
I think it's parked in Portsmouth
Nope, it's up a Scapa Flow. :P
Hope it doesn't hang about there too long
Daring joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla in Scapa Flow on 10 February 1940 for escort duties. While escorting Convoy HN12 from Norway, she was torpedoed on 18 February in position 58°39′N 01°40′WCoordinates: 58°39′N 01°40′W by U-23, under the command of Otto Kretschmer. Daring capsized and sank very quickly after having her stern blown off, and 157 of the ship's company were lost. The five survivors were rescued by the submarine HMS Thistle, which had witnessed the attack.[
Hi guys,
Yeah sorry I wasn't very clear, she's down in Portsmouth as that's home for us.
Fletch - sure I can find room for you as well, just don't go picking holes in my knowledge!
Quote from: YellaBelly on 22, May, 2014, 10:51:25 AM
Quote from: Pilgrim Anna on 22, May, 2014, 09:09:58 AM
Where is it docked? Plymouth bit far for us :(
Not for us Anna!! :D ;)
No its perfect for you! your lucky :D
Quote from: Grin-a-lot on 23, May, 2014, 11:59:51 AM
Hi guys,
Yeah sorry I wasn't very clear, she's down in Portsmouth as that's home for us.
Fletch - sure I can find room for you as well, just don't go picking holes in my knowledge!
Hi well that's not too far. Should be fine. Think my boy Joao might enjoy it too! And Im off work that day Yay!!! Just need to confirm it with the boss LOL :D
Quote from: Grin-a-lot on 23, May, 2014, 11:59:51 AM
Hi guys,
Yeah sorry I wasn't very clear, she's down in Portsmouth as that's home for us.
Fletch - sure I can find room for you as well, just don't go picking holes in my knowledge!
I'm a WAFU so I won't be picking any holes in your knowledge about the ship mate.
WAFU ?? Ok I give up the only thing I can think off is Was A F**k Up :P :P
Only joking mate. What does it stand for? :D
Weapon and fuel users but at the end of the day it's just what they call us fleet air arm Aircraft engineers we call the general service ship guys fishheads just a couple of many nick name.
By the way the persons of the fishheads persuasion may say it means wet an f**king useless but they are just jealous. Pick your branch and take your chance is what they say.
(http://s30.postimg.org/56atwjgtp/36_2_33.gif) (http://postimage.org/)
Love a good Nickname, some are very ingenious to how their derived, few from our work
Spud - Because his surname is Spaulding, where lots of potatoes are grown
Sub - He only surfaces at breaktime
KT19-21 - Someone who's been in the sun to much, KT19-21 is the postcode for Leatherhead ;D
8)
I've been working with a guy that I call Dipper. It's been his nickname for about 25 years & I've been calling him that for the most part of that. The problem is that I can't even remember why he is called that now. ::) :D
Hi guys,
HMS Daring visit
I still have this in my calendar but the thread seems to have ended. Is this still going ahead?
Regards
Ian
We are waiting for a up date from Grin-a-lot Ian. He can't always reply too quickly due to his job.
I just assumed date suggested in his opening post was good?
Quote from: Grin-a-lot on 19, May, 2014, 01:22:16 PM
I propose Sat 12 Jul as I don't think there's anything on that weekend, for various reasons I need to limit it to 12 people and I need to know who you are so if we've not yet met then I apologise.
I propose something like depart Bristol 9am, grab some early lunch and then visit the ship for a bit. After that a scenic drive home and back by 6pm ish.
Yeah we're all set, I'll get the thread going again tomorrow and some proper plans in place.
Just back from the Festival of Speed and ready for bed - incredible day but shattered now!
I probably should have said but the ship is in Portsmouth so with stops we're looking at about a 3 hours drive down.
We're currently dry docked so should be able to get down the dock bottom as well - we'll see nearer the time but either way we're good to go with the visit.
So the people coming are below, please can you let me know your full and real names so that I can get you through security. On the day I recommend no skirts (mainly aimed at ladies but you never know) and comfortable shoes with small/no heels - we'll be up and down vertical and inclined ladders and if we do the dock bottom then there's a whole bunch of steps to navigate. Cameras are welcome but photos are best kept for personal use rather than shared across the internet. I will provide paper overalls (optional) and hardhats (mandatory)
As far as a plan goes I reckon:
Depart Bristol 0830, arrive at a pub near Portsmouth for lunch 1130, depart pub 1215, arrive ship 1245, wander around for a bit, depart 3pm (ish), homeward bound. Its a bit of a long day but there's quite a lot to see!
1, Robp
2, Benchmark51
3, The gaffer
4, Moleman (+1 if there is room)
5, Iancider + 1
6, Crash test Dummy
7, Flech_306
8, Pilgrim Anna (maybe)
9, Bulldog Bri (maybe)
So I reckon that just about covers it, can I ask someone to arrange a convoy (if that's what people want to do). I'd definitely recommend heading down across Salisbury Plain if people are bringing kit cars. I thought it'd be nice to make it a kitcar event but if the weather's rubbish then we can chop to tin tops anyway.
I'll be mostly "off the grid" for the remainder of the week but i'll be back on here next weekend. Let me know if you've got any questions!
Quote from: Grin-a-lot on 30, June, 2014, 05:02:00 PM
I'll be mostly "off the grid" for the remainder of the week but i'll be back on here next weekend. Let me know if you've got any questions!
Can we shoot the big guns?
I'm still up for it mate. How soon do you need the Names as my +1 is not sure she can go so the name could change. :)
I've confirmed, details sent-off
Ian
There's a good route down from Shepton Mallet via Warminster Salisbury then north of Southamption to Portmouth - the only motorway os the M27. Circa 2h10m from Shepton.
My memory of Portsmouth pubs is that there are very hard to park in or near. Hopefull Grin knows some with parking.
Have a great time people. You can all be Puddle Pirates for the day. I think Skimmers is a more polite name than Fish Heads but Stokers Rule OK. :P :P
Would love to go but can't make the date, but I have spent several days on both The Mighty "O" (Ocean) and Bulwark and I know you will all find it fascinating, if you can understand the "Jackspeak"
Ask Grin what I'm referring too . He will tell all.
Quoteif you can understand the "Jackspeak"
Well he might,
I'm sure he has staggered the Burma Road in the rough and made a Shore run in Civvies only to suffer Barrell Rash and perhaps after serving a few Sticky Greens to Schnurglie Gronkits. Or perhaps regretted that with a sore head going back to Pompey to visit the Scab Head before a quick jaunt up the gang-plank bereft of Klebbies. ;D
You obviously savvy Ian, but I meant the rest of the party going on the trip ;D ;D
Sprint i think you will find that WAFU's rule we are the best and brightest in the Royal Navy!! Fleet Air Arm will always save the day the Lynx helicopter is the most versatile unit the ship could possibly have! however I may be a tiny bit of a lot bias.
Fish heads would love to be as amazing as us etc.... :D
Quote from: 'The Gaffer' on 30, June, 2014, 06:31:47 PM
Can we shoot the big guns?
Err, no. Obviously i'd normally say yes but given its a Saturday we wouldn't want to upset the locals...
Quote from: Sprint 7 on 30, June, 2014, 10:32:32 PM
...Stokers Rule OK. :P :P
...and don't you forget it!
As for Fletch and his WAFU love-in; i'll be sure to set the record straight at the weekend, I agree that the Lynx is versatile though, great for collecting mail, milk, stores, papers... :P
Quote from: Iancider on 30, June, 2014, 09:36:31 PM
My memory of Portsmouth pubs is that there are very hard to park in or near. Hopefull Grin knows some with parking.
Your memory serves you well - I don't recommend a trip into Portsmouth in a kitcar. There's 2 places that are worth investigating for food, the Golden Lion or Red Lion at Southwick Park or the King's Head at Wickham. Both locations are (sort of) en-route and parking will be easier.
Don't forget, please PM me your real names - if your name's not down then you're not coming in (not my rules sadly).
Any more names for me? Just to encourage you some more, here's what £1 billion looks like...
(http://www.marsecreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/HMS-Daring-Arrives-Home-1024x682.jpg)
I will txt you my details mate.
Has everyone given Grin-a-lot their details now? :)
As I will going in the tin-top, I wil now have a couple of spare seats if anybody want a ride and reliable transport.
Ian
Quote from: Moleman on 07, July, 2014, 08:02:38 PM
Has everyone given Grin-a-lot their details now? :)
No I haven't, but I'm having to back out of this one as Ratbag is not at all well. Played up on the last outing and that was just 12 miles return. Already have a lot on so may not even look at it till the weekend. :(
Dave, I can offer you a (tin-top) ride if you want to go.
Ian
Quote from: Iancider on 08, July, 2014, 12:18:33 AM
Dave, I can offer you a (tin-top) ride if you want to go.
Ian
Thanks for the very kind offer Ian but my original plan was to go down with the rest of you and return early.
Reason being having a dog and not leaving him too long. Also I have the Ratbag hotel to finish before the end of the month as well as the contents of the garage to clear. Could have done without Ratbags tantrums right now so need to crack on. Retirement is such a relaxing time isn't it. :-X
Good luck with it all Dave - I think that coins a name for it
Project Ratmotel
Hi Grinalot,
Only a couple of days to go - could you confirm the final arrangements please - meeeting point and time for instance and do we need to bring ID with us?
Ian
Grin sorry mate not going to make it unfortunately. Duty weekenders for me which as we know totally sucks but oh well.
air day at Yeovilton on the 26th guys if you want to see what I play with!
As for getting the mail, milk etc.... Try to go through a deployment without those things!!
I heard from a source of mine at work that Darings engines have a habit of overheating but of course a department such as yours would never let that happen. :D
This could go on a while us matelots are a stubborn lot.
How about we meet at the McDonald's Longwell Green carpark (just before the cinema) at 0830? There are a bunch of good cross country routes down to Portsmouth so i'll try and figure that out Friday ready for Saturday.
I'm planning on driving the Westfield down as the ever-reliable weatherman is saying it'll be nice...
I'm waiting on the weather but will be driving the westy if it is nice. I would recommend we meet on the next roundabout at Keynsham on the little bus lane at Durley hill. We have met there many times & it is a good spot to meet mate. :)
Durley Hill is good with me, see you there!
Here's the route that I suggest we take:
http://connect.garmin.com/course/7217770# (http://connect.garmin.com/course/7217770#)
I'm more than happy to go with any better ideas but I've done most of this before, its a bit more scenic and keeps us off the motorway. I'll need to stop for fuel at least once, Frome and/or Andover are probably contenders.
Just to keep things different i'll probably come home this way:
http://connect.garmin.com/course/7218033# (http://connect.garmin.com/course/7218033#)
See you tomorrow morning!
Will we be parking on the Navy grounds mate or outside. Just trying to deside if I'm going to take my roof & doors. :)
My passenger can't make it now if anyone would like to tag along? depending if Grin can get you in of course. :)
Yeah we'll park in the dockyard so cars will be as safe as houses. There's no undercover protection though so but it's looking dry so i'll probably keep my fingers crossed regarding covers!
I'll meet you all at Durley Hill 08:30
Ian
Sorry not to make this one, but I know Ratbag isn't right. Strangely the parts turned up today and at a push could have fixed it in time. Tempting fate, so will take my time instead. Still, you lot, have a good time and beware of the press gang! oo arrr! :-*
Darren,
Thanks for a great day out - a lifetime experience - we enjoyed it immensely. Hope you didn't get too wet on the way back!
Ian and wifey
Colin,
Wasn't that a big coincidence that you should meet up with us on the return journey when we went totally different ways! Then we pulled off at the services cos we saw all of that rain coming in. And did it rain ??? :o :o :o. In the 15 minutes that it took us (under shelter) we thought of you getting a drencher and then this motorcyclist pulled alongside us and said:
"I've never seen one of these before and now I've seen two in the last ten minutes and both yellow but the one going the other way was getting a complete drenching!"
Hope you dry out soon!
Glad you both enjoyed it!
Believe it or not I stayed totally dry! I came down the A303 but went north on the A338/A346 to the M4 and attempted to drive round the outside edge of the cloud (and got away with it)!
I had a fun day too, despite the ignition barrel falling through the dash and a couple of gauges going mad!
Well, what can I say, what a fantastic day!! Personally the best event so far with the club. Thanks Darren for organising it and being a great host 8)
It was a big privilege having a good detailed look over HMS Daring, from the deck to the depths of the ship and into the massive engine rooms.
The ship is having a massive re-fit at the moment but even so there is a lot of classified equipment which obviously we could not photograph but heres a few pics to whet the appetite..
A few of us having a drink in the officers bar.
(http://s4.postimg.org/ovfvsqbtl/Daring_bar.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ovfvsqbtl/)
Not everyday you get to sit in the captains chair of a warship worth billions of pounds
(http://s4.postimg.org/6h5coqzix/Me_captains_seat.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6h5coqzix/)
Huge rear deck, 2 helicopters can be stored behind these giant doors
(http://s4.postimg.org/4msi70cih/Daring_deck.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4msi70cih/)
This gun is insane, apparently packs a real punch and is controlled by someone in one of many control rooms below deck
(http://s4.postimg.org/8f7f902mx/Daring_gun.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/8f7f902mx/)
Such a little steering wheel to steer such a big ship
(http://s4.postimg.org/9605es509/Daring_steering_wheel.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/9605es509/)
HMS Daring in dry dock
(http://s2.postimg.org/ef0fdepqt/Daring_dock.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ef0fdepqt/)
I believe this is one of Darings sister ships just to give perspective.
(http://s4.postimg.org/fkz6bgbq1/Daring_sister_ship.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/fkz6bgbq1/)
8)
What a fantastic day. Thank you very much Darren for organising everything and being a great host. I felt very privileged to be able to look around a modern warship and to get an insight into life aboard a Royal Navy destroyer.
It must be difficult to get around if you were 6'6" or more with all the pipes and beams. Also, I'd love to know what is it like to get home after a long voyage; I'd be lifting my feet everytime I walked through a doorway! :D
I was surprised how many Wrens there were onboard. Most the crew I saw yesterday were WRN! 8)
Here are some interesting looking Gingerbread men (and women!) in the galley. If you look closely, I think one is an hermaphrodite!
(http://s1.postimg.org/etxoa29az/2014_07_12_15_57_09.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/etxoa29az/)
It was a good day Thanks Darren.
I'm not sure why we had to wear hard hats Rob as I never banged my head once, those doorways did have high steps to walk through. 8)
I was tempted to eat one of those ginger bread men. ;)
That was strange to see you Ian. Darren & I took a scenic route until we stopped off for fuel near the A303 then I shot off down the A303. It did start to rain & I pulled in when it came down hard & put the roof on so I didn't get wet appart from a few spots while putting on the roof. After 15 mins just after I passed Stonehenge I ended up taking it off again for the rest of the drive home. 8)
Well its good to hear you had your roof - I hadn't noticed that. You should have seen the motorcyclist - his face looked like it got a good lashing. And we have to hope Darren found shelter I don't think he has a roof.