| Well, our bird is broken.... again. When we left Iceland, we headed down towards the Hebrides Islands off the western coast of Scotland (see the map page to view our route), where the fleet participated in a three day surface vessel exercise. Our ship hid in one of the lochs along the coast (Loch Ewe) while we (the Air Det) flew along the coast as her "eyes-in-the-sky". The Highlands are quite spectacular. The next day, during a maintenance inspection, Neil Hutchings spotted a bearing seal had broken loose on the tail rotor rive shaft. It can be quite a difficult task to fix that at a base with all the facilities, let alone at sea. So we waited until we arrived in Stavanger to fix it. We'll get the chance to test fly her when we leave Stavanger. | |
| Thanks to the hard work of our maintenance crew and the NDT
technicians who flew out to help us, the helicopter has been fixed, and
we're flying again. Stavanger was a lot of fun. Most of the aircrew went
for a hike into the fiords over the weekend. One of the best walks in
southern Norway was a half hour ferry ride away from the city. The hike
took us up to the top of a 2000 foot cliff (600 metres!) that dropped
vertically into the water of the Lysefjorden below. The Norwegian name for
the site is Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock. It took an hour and a half
to hike to the top. It's quite a popular spot, as many locals were picnicking
and sunbathing on the top. Sheets, myself, and some other members of the wardroom hiked to Pulpit Rock on Sunday. We went swimming in a pond about half way to the top. Lets just say Sheets "Skinny-Dipper / oh-my-God-it's-freezing" Mitchell didn't mind one bit the whistles and hoots he received from those passing by! Fortunately for us, (and all of you!) the camera was lying safely in it's case back at the ship. It's too bulky, and far too expensive to bring on a hike like that. This is our last port (excluding St. John's... we're stopping there for a day to get some fuel, and clear customs). We're all looking forward to setting foot on Canadian soil again, so we can spend the quality time we need with our loved ones. It's been a long, and tough four and a half months (but I'm sure I don't need to remind you all of that!) and we're all very happy to have it behind us. As exciting as these NATO trips can be, I'll take a weekend with my Patricia over any port visit any day. So, I'm signing off. I hope those of you who have been with me since the beginning have enjoyed the web page, I know I've had fun writing it. It's sole intent was to keep those we left at home at least a little in touch with what we've been up to, and from the comments I've received from family and friends, it sounds like it did its job. For our next NATO, I'll have to get my hands on a portable digital camera, so I can put more pictures on the site. Till next time... We'll see you all in 12 days! |
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This is definitely one of the success stories of
the trip. Bucky gave me permission to tell it, and so embellish it I will. "Oh, yea? Well, have you met my friend Bucky? [in this corner, at 5 foot six, and weighing in at 280 pounds... Bucky the Bar Slayer!!!]" Well, Big-Brute-Bucky no longer. Thanks to the Ship's Run-The-Atlantic
fitness
competition... and Suzanne Summers' revolutionary Thigh-Master-Plus...(sorry
bud, had to put it in), Bucky has moved into the realm of the middle weights... at....
drum roll please..... |
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"Quick! Hide the papers! .... ahem, hey there Barry!" |
| Operation "Paint-the-Moosebrugger" was an extreme success. Unfortunately, the Americans didn't share our sentiments. |
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Francophonus Non-Folicularus, at full maturity... or as mature as he'll get anyway |
