Away games cancelled

Expected back 1530

BFBS

Good to see my old employer, BFBS radio, on the RN CCF web page

Old friends are now living in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan

MCM Sea Day

S Lt Foakes, with three cadets, will be flying up to Scotland for a day about a mine counter-measures vessel, and a visit to the submarine base at Faslane, on the last weekend of term. We llok forward to a report on what whould be fascinating trip.

We will remember them

All three sections took part in a short parade and wreath laying ceremony at the Shiplake War Memorial, as we do every year. This year had one of the best trunouts, in terms of numbers and general smartness. Joining us on parade was former CCF member and now S Lt RNR, Tim Lowndes.

Great Field Day

Highlights of the RN Section Field Day included the multi-million pound warship bridge simulator, used for training all levels of RN officers up to those in command. The flexibility of the system allows the bridge, with its wrap-round view of a virtual seascape, to become the cockpit of a Harrier being launched from the deck of carrier - and then flying upside down over Plymouth Sound.

We also played on the “three million pound X box” tactical trainer, which allows simulated warfare between surface vessels, aircraft and submarines. With all their missiles, guns and torpedoes. Oh, and mines. And sandbanks to run aground on. Unfortunately we sank all our own ships and crashed the system. Twice.

We were also given a tour of a real warship, the type 42 destroyer HMS Nottingham. From the forecastle, we could see HMS Bristol, where we’d stayed overnight.

Minesweeper on the Clyde

There is a possibility we may be able to take a party of cadets to sea for an enhanced mine counter measure day on the Clyde in December, and at the same time pay a visit to the Trident submarine base at Faslane. (Thanks to Greenpeace for the photo. We wouldn't get that close.)

More details will appear here in early November.

From Mr to S Lt

Mr Foakes is now Sub Lieutenant Foakes RNR CCF. Congratulations !

Gold Expedition presentations

Josh Crawford, with Charlie, Fergus and Brough, explained the aims and experiences of our first ever DofE Gold expedition under sail (see the blog for July) when the successful Year 13 adventurers presented their accounts to year 12. One group for next year are planning a canoe expedition in the sailors' wake (sorry).

Field Day

Mon 19th and Tuesday 20th October is our Field Day.

We leave at 1815 on Monday, for a night aboard HMS Bristol, and visits the next day to HMS Collingwood and the Type 42 Destroyer HMS Nottingham.

Orders will be repeated here shortly.

Day four for four walkers

One half of the expedition across Exmoor made good time when I met them 5 km from the end of their last day's route. The other group should be nearing Dunster after crossing the moor in thick mist this morning, which has now lifted.

All passed

The DofE groups are now refuelling at Burger King, Sedgemoor, after completing their 90 km walk.

Day four

Monday.One half of the expedition across Exmoor made good time when I met them 5 km from the end of their last day's route. The other group should be nearing Dunster after crossing the moor in thick mist this morning, which has now lifted.

From a tent

So most Burr residents should be back home this evening,but D of E walkers are in their tents after a mainly dry day. Miss Stanley and I saw everyone arrive safely before we did our bit to support the local hospitality sector. I'm blogging from my tent, by the light of a 12LED lantern which hooks neatly into a loop at the top of the flysheet. We expect to be back late tomorrow, Monday.

New season - sunshine

We start the term with better numbers than for many years, with 35 yooung men and women in the RN Section. Charlie Boutwood is acting Cox'n, supported by POs Rob Skinner and Josh Crawford. Our new Area Instructor, CPOPT Mark Smith awarded badges to these three senior NCOs at the parade today, which was followed by kayak training for the new year 10 recruits while Chief met year 11 cadets planning Personal Leadership Tasks for a future session.

Promotions

I'm delighted to record that cadet leading seamen Charlie Boutwood and Josh Crawford were promoted to cadet Petty Officer in the light of their achievements this week.

DofE Gold Award ventures in open sea are very rare - and we are trying to find out how many have in fact been completed in the half century of the Award. It's certainly a first for Shiplake.

Success

All now ashore, and passed this aspect of the Gold award.

Many thanks to Bob Rhodes for pictures at sea - and biggest thanks of all to Nigel Boutwood for letting his clean, tidy boat be taken over by the expedition and preliminary training. Nigel repaired most of the damage as we went along ...

Photography at sea

The aim of the expedition includes exploring the history of the Solent area. Brough focusses the long lens on Osborne House.

Working the chart

Navigation at sea is one of the demanding tasks for the team. The Solent has many shallows and other hazards, as well as a busy shipping lane.Fergus is working out the next course, while Josh is at the stove.

Luxury cuisine

One advantage of sailing over walking is that you can take a cooker and plenty of food. Josh has emerged as the best chef of the team, producing superb breakfasts while under sail.

Under assessment

Hampshire DofE manager Bob Rhodes has been monitoring progress from a RIB, and at times from on board. He is the official assessor who will decide if the venture meets the requirements of the Gold Award.

So far Charlie's helming has impressed him.

Newtown Bay

The planned dinghy landings proved to be too risky in many places, but the expedition managed to pick up a mooring in Newtown Bay, and row ashore to a convenient jetty.

Last day

The final leg of the expedition takes Cadenza back to Itchenor on the morning tide. With luck all should be complete by the afternoon.

Two good days

Strong winds and brisk tides gave fast passages - when the team used the two together. Tuesday afternoon saw Cadenza working the strong southerly against the ebb through the Needles channel, successfully picking up a mooring off Yarmouth.

Wednesday brought gusts to F7, and some fun trying to moor off Calshot. Here the boathook decided to go swimming. Then we crossed to Osborne bay to anchor and enjoy the view.
We ended the day in Cowes, showering,replacing the boathook and admiring a gathering of classic boats.
Pictures will appear when comms permit.

Off to Hurst

Breakfast: bacon sandwiches and hot chocolate. Today 's mission is to visit Burst Castle by dinghy, then anchor off Yarmouth for the night.

Off Beaulieu

After a brisk sail into southwest force 4 winds, Cadenza is now approaching the Beaulieu river. The plan is to anchor overnight. The menu: sausage and mash with chicken stock gravy.

Strong winds

The strong winds continue today (Sun) so we decided against making for Bembridge on the IoW. We now plan to start the venture from Itchenor on Monday morning, making for Beaulieu.

Brough at the helm

Off watch

Setting off

Today the team completed their training phase, and met their assessor for the first time. Next meeting will be at sea off Cowes on Monday.

Fuelling

At Chichester marina

Under way

After solving a mechanical problem, the expedition practice phase is now under way. Weather is not great, with strong winds forecast, but easing tomorrow.

Lying at Chichester

The crew are now planning the next three days.

provisoning

Chichester

Seagull sounds - crew due soon.

RN Section go gold

Charlie Boutwood and Josh Crawford, along with Fergus Roberston-McIsaac (Army) and Brough Downey (RAF) are starting final training for their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award by mounting a sailing expedition in the Solent area. We hope to monitor their progress for the RN Section blog.

Camps and courses

Congratulations to Rob Skinner, first cadet in 2009m to apply for a course.


Cadet 10598895 Cdt. SKINNER, Robert has had their applicaton registered on Course - CCF RN Military Training MT 1(2533) starting 29-Mar-2009 Ref: C213755

Bids for Easter courses close this week, but there are many wonderful opportunties this summer. Go here for the full list.

The New RN Jetty

Thanks to funding from HQ CCF RN, a new jetty is being built to provide an accessible mooring for the section's Cheverton Champ launch, and also a place to train crews in the art of coming alongside without breaking things.

The jetty has been designed and is being built by Richard Evans, Senior Groundsman, and Austen Dorey, Boatman, and their colleagues, using fine hardwood.

2009

we ended 2008 very busily, moving all our kit out of the old shed into two new ISO shipping containers (to be named Fearless and Intrepid).

This term sees the start of serious navigation training, workup for the Bienniel Inspection on 17th March, and planning for waterborne training once the weather warms up.

Meanwhile we wish CPO Gary Aldridge plenty of snow for the RN Ski Championships.