The blog author.

A few years ago.

I’m the one in dark blue. We had just been awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Peace.

In 1995 RFA Sir Galahad shared the award of the Wilkinson Sword of Peace after providing assistance to the UK elements of the UN Stabilisation Force at Lobito, Angola, following years of civil war.  The ship was deployed on Operation Chantress as this deployment became known from the 6 April to the 21 August 1995.

It was a very interesting deployment. I was the liaison between the ship and the Royal Engineer detachment. I believe I’m the only engineer in my outfit to have carried out a controlled explosion of a land mine. (under supervision of course).

I found this pic by pure chance on the internet. Strange.

Wild animal

The Greeks have spoken.

With nearly two-thirds of the vote counted, Greeks look to have given the 'Big No' with a 60pc majority against Europe's bail-out conditions

Interesting times ahead. Is this the start of the end of the EU?

Panic! It’s summer. We’re all doomed I say.

Since I got back from Greece all I see in the media is how we are going to fry this year. Pensioners are ordered to stay in doors (Are we allowed to call them pensioners these days?).

Dr Angie Bone, Head of Extreme Events at PHE, said:

In this continued warm weather, it’s important to remember that high temperatures can be dangerous, especially for people who may be vulnerable such as older people, young children and those with serious illnesses.

They honestly presume that the general public are stupid and can’t work this out for themselves. Whilst in Greece we endured at least half the time with temperatures in the late twenties and early thirties. We didn’t need Public Health Greece to tell us how to look after ourselves. We just took sensible precautions such as if you feel dehydrated, drink more beer.

Apart from yesterday where it edged into the low thirties where I live, the temperatures daily have just stayed in the low twenties with rain today. Not exactly tropical weather.

 

I'm back.

And I'm exhausted.

Arrived back from our family holiday on the island of Crete late sunday afternoon. since then it has been all go. Incidentally the islanders take the whole monetary crisis in their stride. No stampede for the cash machines at all. Then again, where we stay, all the transactions are carried out on a cash basis as a matter of course.

Yesterday was grand child sitting duties. Up at 0600 and back home at 1930. Bloody hard work looking after a three year old and a one year old.

Today was the same except longer as SE trains don't seem to work in hot weather and the daughter was late back.

I've also only got half a roof as I called in roofers to fix the main roof before Mrs FE's kitchen extension was built.

It will be interesting tomorrow when the chimney sweep does his business whilst the roofers are on the job.

All in all it is very busy at the FE mansion.

I think I need a holiday.

Time out.

I'm off on holiday tomorrow. Blogging will be sporadic to non existent for two weeks.

It'll be hell.

Sweet

Oh hell

The view from my front door this evening.

Never, ever let your other half talk you into building a larger kitchen. This morning I was woken at O crack sparrow fart by the doorbell. "Please sir could you sign for the delivery of one digger and a dumper truck". A sleepy "OK" was the reply.

Since then I've seen my patio and underpinning clay soil, steadily moved from the back of my house to the front. That pile is not even half that has to be moved.

I've also had to try and sort out what dates a roofer will be able to come in and do essential maintenance on the back of the main roof which involves scaffolding to be erected.

There was also the resiting of the satellite dish.

What does Mrs FE do? Shopping.

Still not to worry, we're off to the sunny island of Crete this weekend. For two whole weeks.

Mind you the building inspector is due in on Tuesday to discuss the footings required with the builder.

I think I might just turn my Mobile off.

PS. My stats tell me I've just passed 1,000,000 page views for this blog.

Hahahahahaha

Typical greens. They can't get anything right.

Hildenborough residents are celebrating speed sign success after 85 years of campaigning.Villagers say they have wanted to get the speed limit reduced since 1930 and now Kent County Council has put up new 30mph signs in the area.The new speed markers, which were put up last week, show a reduction from 40mph and have been placed at the beginning of the village by Foxbush Road.Eva Charrington, of Mill Lane and part of the Hildenborough Green Party, said: "We have just seen the two 30mph signs by the Hildenborough sign. This is brilliant.

 And further on:

Cllr Dagger added: "I am extremely pleased they have a reduction in speed limit right through the village.
"They have been trying for years and hadn't had much luck.
"I had a grant I could use for highways purposes so could do it for them – it was a serendipitous moment.
"It had been difficult in the past to get a 30mph limit as police didn't have the resources to enforce the limit but I've used my members' highways fund.

Or not. An E-mail sent to me from my mole on the council.

From: xxxxxx xxxxxxxx@kent.gov.uk [mailto:xxxxxx xxxxxx@kent.gov.uk]
Sent: 08 June 2015 15:46To: Valerie.Dagger@Kent.gov.ukCc: mark.simmons@kent.gov.uk; Rhodes Mark RSubject: New 30 mph speed limit - B245 Hildenborough Dear Valerie, I do not know if you are aware but the B245 Hildenborough from the Hilden Manor to just past Foxbush is now signed as a 30 mph speed limit.  Unfortunately this is an error and the signs have been installed too soon.  In order to revoke the Traffic Regulation Order for the 40 mph speed limit, a legal process must be followed and this is still ongoing.  ; I am advised that consultation is expected to commence within the next two-weeks.  I am aware several enquiries have been received by KCC and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.  At the moment the 30 mph is illegal and unenforceable, and as such is going to be removed as a matter of urgency.  The 40 mph signs will be put back out on site.  As soon as the 40 mph speed limit has been revoked, the 30 mph speed limit signs will be reinstalled. Please be assured that I am doing everything I can to rectify this situation and am working with the contractor to get the speed limit put back to 40 mph.  The cost to put back the 40 mph will not be met by KCC, likewise the cost to reinstall the 30 mph speed limit following completion of the TRO process. (My embolding)
 I would offer you my sincere apologies for the distress and inconvenience caused by this error. Kind regards,

I should hope that councillor Dagger and those that  are instrumental in this fiasco are made to pay the costs involved.

I'd like to know who these people who have been pushing for it are, as this is the first I've heard of it. And I've lived in the village for 40 years. They must be feeling pretty stupid after reading this article.

WTF?

The outfit I worked for in cartoon form.

I sailed on both of those ships.