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The last fortnight of a deployment either flies by in a flurry of work or really drags, and it has done both for HMS ENDURANCE. Having left Ascension (and the advanced leave party) behind us it was time to knuckle down to getting everything organised so that on arrival back in the UK we can all go straight on leave. With a lot still to be organised for the refit it has been a busy time for most on board. That said we’ve taken the time to continue the Saturday afternoon interdepartmental sports and last weeks was a treasure hunt where teams of 5 had to collect 30 items from around the ship. One small snag, we all had to be attached to a piece of string as we did it! Much hilarity ensued and the event was eventually won by the engineering department (despite the preponderance of non-engineers in their team!). This week it was volleyball and as the last sports afternoon of the deployment had a good turn out. Some close matches meant it was a fight til the end with the flight not only emerging victorious in the volleyball, but also gaining the points needed to win the Inter Departmental Cup which was presented by the CO on conclusion of the afternoons sports.
Executive treasure hunt team
Logistics treasure hunt team
Volleyball
Volleyball Winners and Deployment cup 03-04 winners flight
A number of departments have taken the opportunity to enjoy sundowners whilst we are passing through the tropics, and a few balmy evenings have been spent on the bridge roof. The tropics is always the perfect place for Hands to Bathe, and a good number of the Ship’s Company took the opportunity to indulge in sea temperatures of 29 degrees celsius!
Hands to Bathe
At Ascension we embarked a dental team, Lt Cdr Everitt, and LDH McCartin. They have settled into life on board quickly and have seen everyone for check ups (there’s nowhere you can hide on board a ship!), and a good number for treatments in their fortnight on board. They’ve been busy too in whole ship activities, partaking in the treasure hunt and hands to bathe, as well as spending time around the various departments. There was also an opportunity for them to be ‘wet winched’. This involves jumping from the sea boat into the water, being ‘rescued’ by the lynx winchman AEM Langlands, and being winched up into the helicopter. This is a training serial for the flight and volunteers are often sought.
The dental team at work
All departments on board are feeling the pressure to get everything done this week. Before we arrive in Portsmouth we will be embarking some guests at Plymouth (will be transferred out by boat), and disembarking those ‘Westcountrymen’ who are not required for the entry into Portsmouth. So everything must be complete by Thursday. There is packing going on throughout the ship, and many people are planning their first few days at home. For some of us that’s simply ‘go with the flow’. For others it’s a favourite meal or restaurant, still others the opportunity to go for a run on land, but of course for most of us it’s simply catching up with loved ones. For those without children it definitely involves a lie in! Those with are somewhat resigned to being woken earlier by excited ‘daddy get up’…
Whatever
we're coming back to it’s clear we’re all looking forward to it.
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