A recent study found that the average Briton walks about 900 miles a
year.
Another study found that Britons drink, on average, 22 gallons of
alcohol a year.
That means that, on average, Britons get about 41 miles to the gallon!
Makes you proud to be British, doesn't it?
This was my last ship before retiring. It certainly was a memorable trip. The Video below only gives the last half of the deployment, the first half where all the real hard work was done is not shown. You will notice in the video that an Arleigh Burke destroyer crops up from time to time. This was because there was no area defence destroyer from our Navy, available at the time. So we borrowed an American one for the duration.
The Wave Ruler was one of the newest additions to the RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary), and was state of the art when it came to machinery. Even the accommodation was of a high standard, all cabins being single berth with en-suite.
Propulsion was Diesel electric with four 4.7 Mw diesel generators with an output voltage of 6.6kV driving two Motors attached to the shaft. Manoeuvrability was enhanced by bow and stern lateral thrusters all controlled by a semi dynamic positioning system. (Cool Eh).
State of the art reverse osmosis plants were fitted for the production of potable water (my babies), capable of producing nearly 200,000 litres per day.
Anyway enough of the nuts and bolts. Lets get down and personal.
My trip started with a flight to Crete to join the Ruler for the trip out to the Far east. We duly departed from there and commenced a Suez canal transit and headed into the Indian Ocean. A few days on Anti Piracy patrol was the ship’s first tasking, though nothing came of it. Next a little jaunt for the task group across the Indian ocean to rendezvous with the Indian navy and a few days of joint exercises ensued.
However we had more than the Indian Navy on our Menu. A dash round India to the other side ensued to meet up with the Bangladeshi Navy and more fun and games that navies’ love.
Where next? Ah yes Singapore.
Just a short, enjoyable stay there, to pick up Mail, stores, spares, and top up with Fuel, and then we were of to exercise once more. This time with the Malaysian Navy. More of the same. Then back to Singapore and the journey home as portrayed in the Video.
I could go on, but won’t.
My time was up when the vessel reached Gibraltar, where I had my retirement bash in the Waterfront restaurant. I then flew into retirement and haven’t looked back since.
I don’t miss my time in the RFA (43 years) although in the early years, fun and work, were on equal par with one another. However in the final years the regime of Elf and Safetee, smoking regulations, alcohol restrictions and numerous other restrictions to the affable life of the past convinced me that it was time to go. So I did.
It would appear that there is absolutely no confidence in stocks at the moment
In four days the Footsie has fallen back to Aug 2010 levels.
A quick snapshot of the Footsie100 today.
That’s three straight days in a row.
As of last trade, FTSE 100 Index (FTSE:FSI) traded at 5,460, 7.68% above its 52-week low of 5,071, set on August 25, 2010.
A Swedish man has been arrested after attempting to split atoms in his kitchen, claiming that he was only doing it as a “hobby”.
I must say that I’ve never thought of taking up a hobby like that. Mmmmm.
Handl, 31, said he had tried for months to set up a nuclear reactor at home and kept a blog about his experiments, describing how he created a small meltdown on his stove.
The best bit about the article is the comments that follow.
“If he sold his story to the tabloids, he could make a bomb.”
And
“I think my wife split some atoms in our kitchen this evening.
She called it 'dinner', but I have my doubts. If I glow later on, Let me know.”
And
“Didn't he know that the easiest way to split atoms is to put them in a box marked "Fragile" and send it through the post?”
And
“Blue Peter has much to answer for “
Finally another man who won’t be getting any how’s your father any time soon.
“Judging from my wife's attempts at cooking and the frequent 'meltdowns' which occur in our kitchen, I think she has proven beyond all doubt that 'cold fusion' DOES exist.”
Scroll through the pictures to the bottom
FOR SALE :
One Useless F****ing Cat
Here's something to think about.
I recently picked a new primary care doctor. After two visits and exhaustive lab tests, he said I was doing 'fairly well' for my age. (I am turning sixty three in nine months time.)
A little concerned about that comment, I couldn't resist asking him, 'Do you think I'll live to be 80?'
He asked, 'Do you smoke tobacco, or drink beer, wine, or spirits?
'Oh no,' I replied (Lying naturally). 'I'm not doing drugs, either!'
Then he asked, 'Do you eat steaks and other red meat?
I said, 'Not much... my former doctor said that all red meat is very unhealthy!' (Steak tonight)
'Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, boating, sailing, hiking, or bicycling?'
'No, I don't,' I said. (Two week holiday in the sun coming up).
He asked, 'Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have lots of sex?'
'No,' I said...
He looked at me and said,.. 'Then, why do you even give a shit?
Just been to pick up my Daughter and her Husband from the airport. My, how they rip you off just to park in their car parks, which you have to use. They proudly boast that it’ll only cost you a pound for the first 15 minutes. Would you pay that anywhere else? No you wouldn’t is the answer. The trouble is they have a monopoly.
Because my Daughter’s flight was delayed (Not flagged up on the website till after I was on the way to the airport), and due to the vagaries of the baggage handling personnel, it cost me a fucking fortune. One hour and ten minutes cost me £9. I think my local town centre car parks rip me off at 80p hour, but this is just usury. This works out at approx 13p/min.
Up to 15 Minutes £1.00
15 Minutes - 30 Minutes £2.80
30 Minutes - 1 Hour £5.60
1 - 2 hours £9.00
2 - 3 hours £11.50
3 - 4 hours £14.70
4 - 5 hours £18.00
5 - 6 hours £21.00
6 - 9 hours £25.00
9 - 12 hours £30.00
12 - 24 hours £32.50
Each 24 hour period thereafter £32.50
The long stay car parks are not much better, and that’s why going on holiday in a couple of weeks time it makes sense to use a taxi service.
Bastards
I feel another letter to my MP is needed. (I’m still waiting for an answer to the last one I wrote to him). He’s probably labelled me as an Anarchist. so if this blogger stops posting just google “Pentonville Inmates”. You’re sure to find me.
