I spent the weekend at RAF Honington for a competition the CCF had been selected for. It was good fun even though I spent most of Saturday with a migraine and in bed. I did manage to watch them become best dressed in the organisation and also saw their drill routine.
Belated congrats to Maidstone Grammar School CCF (RAF) Section on winning uniform inspection at National Drill Championship. You did your school proud.
One thing I shan’t miss about being at St Mawgan is the wind noise made by a gentle breeze outside the window of my room. I was messed in Shackleton block and the windows and walls are designed in such a way as to maximise the view and privacy along with the area of the room. It was quite clever. However after the first night I soon realised the error in the design.
The wind noise was terrible.
Shackleton Block – poor design
I had thought that this was just because the wind was in a particular direction but, no, it was noisy every day, even with very little wind.
Now, this is Cornwall, close to the sea and atop a hill. So it was rarely wind-less. The howling did not do much to help my tiredness and general lack of rest. It was quite annoying.
I recently returned from spending a week at RAF St Mawgan [EGHQ] in the wonderful countryside of Cornwall. We were booked onto camp with three other schools, one of which was from Northern Ireland. It was a very good week and extremely enjoyable. I do, however, think that I wasn’t quite my normal self as I was still tired from the last year. I didn’t really stop at Easter because of the Cyprus camp and so hadn’t really had any time to rest.
RAF St Mawgan – Vigila
During the week the following experiences were offered:
Waterpark (not really, a bad description really, but most pale when you’ve been to the one in Ayia Napa)
CPR training
Camp photo
Survival Equipment Section Visit
Coasteering
Command Tasks
Laser Tag and field craft lessons
25m range with the L98A2
Much cleaning of the block
Of all this the coasteering was my favourite and I shall add photos when I get hold of them. I was in the water and so didn’t have any electronic recording equipment on me. Jumping from rocks into the sea was great. Traversing the cliff face and then swimming through a water ridden cave was absolutely brilliant, the highlight of my week.
There was also an unfortunate incident where a teddy bear was kidnapped by the TLA and taken hostage. This was hilarious, but you probably had to be there.
I also met my first ever known libertarian, who was also quite religious. I suspect that most libertarians are religious because everything gets sorted out in the end. He and I had some lovely conversations and managed to stay within a framework of respect.
It’s funny how I never meet anyone with the same taste in music as I have. This camp proved interesting because someone else there had heard of the bands Front242, the Revolting Cocks and also VNV Nation and Combichrist.
The joy of meeting someone who understands Nitzer Ebb and Front 242.
Well, that was a busy week. Even the bonus of sleeping in my own bed for most of it didn’t really help!
So, back to the beginning. We traditionally have a cadet camp around this time and spend a week on an air force base doing loads of lovely stuff. The RAF couldn’t accommodate us when the school expects us to go so we organised our own things.
Our plan was to have day trips locally along with an overnight at Wittering before a day of Air Experience Flying. We looked into visiting many places and the programme was quite fluid until the last moment but we succeeded in delivering a great experience for the cadets.
Climbing Wall
Day One was spent at the Swattenden Centre near Cranbrook and we had the climbing wall, low ropes / assault course, a raft building challenge and the telegraph pole of hell. It was a hot day. In fact, everyday was hot. We were quite lucky with all the dry weather.
The second day we visited St Martin’s Plain near Folkestone. We had all day inside the DCCT building along with cadets learning how to cook ration packs. Kent Police came to visit and showed us all their armed response weapons from the BMW X5.
Middle of the week and we had numerous visits planned: a few hours at IWM Duxford, a few hours at the RAF Regiment Heritage Centre and then on to RAF Wittering to overnight there.
As we were approaching the Duxford exit of the M11 two Mustangs flew overhead in formation. They then proceeded to practice their display for the weekend airshow. It was incredibly impressive and great fun to see. If nothing else exciting happened all week this would have made the week worthwhile.
Duxford Flight Line
After a while to soak up the rays at Duxford we drove to RAF Honington to visit the RAF Regiment Heritage Centre. This was particularly interesting and there was a lot of pretty impressive kit on display. We even managed to bump into the Station Commander and SWO. They gave us permission to have a photo taken at the gate guardian, which we duly did.
Buccaneer – RAF Honington
After time looking and playing with kit we drove to RAF Wittering and booked into our accommodation for the night. The showers here were very welcome as spending four hours driving a minibus with no air conditioning took its toll. We had a lovely evening meal in Stamford at the London Inn.
Our original plan was for a day’s worth of AEF with No.5 AEF but this failed for reasons that we don’t know. Fortunately, and with good contacts, we managed to see 5131 Sqn, the Harrier Heritage Centre and then spend a few hours with the Fire Section next to the runway.
Schmokin’
The firemen a great at showing off and also managed to effectively cool us down on this baking day.
Squirty Stuff and me
5131 had some curious stuff including this:
Bucket Of Sunshine
Finally, we reached Friday and we had sorted out some rocketry for all to enjoy. The morning was spent building the rockets and lessons on the physics and then we flew the masterpieces in the afternoon.
Launching Rockets
Overall this was a good week. Not quite as good as a proper camp, but we did well and I am pretty sure everyone had a really good time.
I spent a great ten days on the island of Cyprus over the Easter break. It was a cadet camp and there were 56 cadets and associated staff. We stayed at Troodos and ventured out from there to undertake various activities some of which are listed below.
Approaching Larnaca
Saturday
Those travelling from Heathrow met inside T5 on the Saturday morning. The group were herded together and then we passaged through check-in, security and passport control. Reasonably soon we were on the flight to Larnaca airport. After arriving in Cyprus we had food delivered to us and we boarded a coach to Troodos. There were various meetings and briefings and these completed the day.
Sunday
The morning started with breakfast, but from now we will take that as a constant, I’m not going to mention it every time. If I did you may begin to think I am obsessed with food. We had briefings about some local issues and then drove down to the coast to get lunch once there. It’s about an hour’s drive to the coast from Troodos. The roads are very nice and the towns and villages along the way are small. I had a massive hayfever attack on the way down the hill, my eyes streamed for about an hour and it was only after spending some time in an air-conditioned building did it start to clear. My head felt as though I had been crying for hours. Fortunately this was the only time it happened.
After lunch on base we went to develop the leadership and initiative skills of the cadets. We were working in an area overlooking Lemesos bay and the weather was a little blowy but still warm.
Cyprus – a view
We then went to have the official camp photograph taken and drove back up the hill. The cadets then did some contract setting exercises in the sports hall.
Gate Guardian
Monday
First thing we visited the guardroom and had a talk from the chaps there. They explained their careers and the equipment they used. After that I had to get to the transport place and sign documents allowing me to drive the vehicles. This was on the coast so we drove down with one of the main camp staff. Because we were already on the coast we had tea and collected some lovely rolls from Lady L’s tea bar.
Clay pigeon shooting was next on the agenda and we did this at the Egg Club on a slightly different bit of the coast. There was some alarm when a dog walker appeared over the top of the range and whistles were blown to stop the shooting. The man’s dog had run into the clay pigeon area and had to be retrieved before the competition could start again.
Danger Flag
After we had driven back up the hill I managed to get to the gym. It was very nice as the view from the running machine looked out over the valleys from close to the mountain top.
Tuesday
Our morning session was for swimming tests at Episkopi swimming pool. We also had a demonstration of life rafts and survival equipment from a member of staff who used to be a Survival Equipment specialist.
Swimming Pool
It’s always nice to have a cup of tea and we managed a quick one just before lunch in the tea room at Episkopi. We also looked around the Officers’ Mess and saw plenty of their memorabilia.
Waterloo Colours
During the afternoon there was a round robin of activities and I was stationed inside the DCCT building, helping out and keeping score. It was good fun.
We drove to the south peninsula and, after dinner, the cadets went to the cinema and as I had already seen Logan I offered to not be in the cinema. This was granted and a few of us went bowling not that far away. I won, which was pleasing!
Obviously after that we had to drive back up the hill.
Wednesday
We had an early breakfast and heading straight away to the coast to see the dog section. Immediately after that we saw some other areas close to the airfield near the olive harvest. A quick trip to some S-61 helicopters and it was off to watch explosive demonstrations right out on the tip of the island.
Lunch was at the beach club although the weather wasn’t great. It was windy and quite cool. I had a baguette and chocolate.
Palm Trees
The afternoon meant we had more chats from the EOD guys and played a bit with the robots. It rained while there, I sheltered in the bus. The harbour looked exactly as it had 29 years ago when I was last there!
Bomb Disposal Anyone?
We had a brief from the station and spent a little more time with the S-61 helicopters. I got to sit in the cockpit which is always enjoyable. Before heading to Sylvana’s for dinner and traditional Greek dancing we spent a little time in the shade of rotor blades.
The meal at Sylvana’s was great, there was way too much food. The dancing was enjoyable and watching someone move around with 12 glasses balanced on his head was a highlight. Seedy had a little initiation while here.
Thursday
High ropes tend to be dangerous when there is a chance of thunder and lightning so that was canned. So we played dodgeball instead. Good fun and all kids seem to know the ADAA rules. Because we skipped the ropes we had a little while to catch a coffee in the mall the other side of the plantation.
On our return to the coast we visited the rescue helicopters of 84 Sqn while an aircraft did some practice landings not far away from us.
Griffin
There is a small chance that I may have flown in the gate guardian for the rescue helicopter as I definitely had a flight in a Wessex when I was last in Cyprus!
Wessex
After the midday meal we visited the Met Office, ATC and the fire section. A voyager landed while we were there. It’s a lovely aircraft.
Voyager – reverse thrust
We then had another briefing about Operation Shader and then we saw a large version of Heracles, the Greek divine hero.
The runway was quite busy that evening. The cadets went bowling and we ate pizza for tea. Another drive up the hill was required before bed.
Friday
Laser tag and target shooting with paintballs was on the menu this morning.
Mountains
The views across the mountains were lovely from the Adventure Park. Lunch was a nice roll with bacon and cheese, served with chips. We had to cancel the dragon boating for safety concerns and went again to the beach club where we had a BBQ for dinner. A few of us staff played Cards Against Humanity for about twenty minutes and they were moments of sheer joy and delight at how bad-taste we could be.
My Ride
After food the cadets and some staff, me included, took part in a bush-tucker trial. I am glad it provided amusement. It wasn’t very tasty and the gherkin nearly made me throw up. I had eaten quite a large quantity of BBQ though!
The runway was again quite busy that evening. We returned up the hill.
Saturday
After a slight lay-in we sauntered to Agia Napa to spend time at the water park there. I think we had about four hours and I went on most of the slides with Vicki. It was quite a laugh and I was also pleased that I didn’t get sun burnt. I hate sun tan lotion and I hate burning. This means I spend a lot of time in the shade. I can still get burnt from the reflected sun light though! Sensitive skin, me.
Standard View
On the way along the motorway my phone logged in with a Turkish cell tower. EE text me to say “Welcome to Turkey” and then promptly charged me a fiver for using a little bit of data in those few miles. Bugger.
For dinner we went to the Lady’s Mile restaurant which required driving along a sand road. Lovely.
Lemesos
The weather was good. The food was great.
Food
The kids had a disco. I had a whiskey. Obviously I didn’t drive back up the hill that night. There was more runway traffic heading off into the night sky.
Sunday
Who can resist a day on a party boat on the Med? We took the bus down to Pafos to get on the Wave Dancer 1 boat. This took us, in just under a 2 hour rocky ride, to Lara Bay. I had a walk along the rocks with excellent company and then went swimming in the sea.
Head
Lunch was served shortly after leaving Lara Bay.
Beach Walk
The boat [or ship or whatever] headed to Coral Bay where we had an acrobatic display on the gently swaying ship. Two chaps were entertaining us while motoring with some classic rock songs. The bar was free. I drank coke and coffee.
A Wreck
Deep Blue
St George Island
Pafos Harbour
Jumping off the front ramp into the Med was great fun and I did it a few times. After returning to shore we had dinner and a disco at the Captain’s View restaurant. The food was plentiful and we had an awards ceremony congratulating the best cadets and groups etc. The disco got everyone jumping and we returned up the hill late after needing to refuel the buses.
Monday
Our final day but still plenty to do. A quick-ish drive down the hill to the Need For Speed Go Karting centre and all the cadets had plenty of laps of the track. Staff were on last and I have to say I found it exhilarating and I went fast. It was great. I lapped all but one of the other drivers on the track, some multiple times.
Bloody Determined
The thrill of speed is something I have missed since I gave up motorcycling.
I didn’t have long to gloat because we needed to get back up the mountain to join the coach that would take us to Larnaca airport. A four hour flight later and collection of my car and I get into bed about 0100 Tuesday morning. Obviously I was bright and refreshed for teaching on Tuesday.
Plants of Cyprus
Upon my return my camp duck has been placed on a shelf in the office at work that is endearingly called “The Shelf Of Shit”. Every item on there has been lovingly collected. You can see my duck, it is placed next to my F5 model.
Spot My Duck
This communication does not and cannot give you a full appreciation of just how much hard work this trip was and all the things we did. Consider this a highlight reel. It was also a brilliantly funny, if not belly-achingly funny, time and I made great friends. I do hope to go next year.
Along the course of this camp I licked three planes. Apparently that is a thing people do, but I am going to try and not lick any more.
I earnt [?] the nickname Gollum.
I didn’t get burnt and I didn’t put on any weight.
I wore my hat a lot. I love my hat. I’m worried what I’ll do when it dies.
I saw things I can’t mention in this forum. But I can mention I can’t mention them.
I woke up every day to this view from my veranda, snow, sun and coffee [in my hand]:
I recently had a day trip with the cadets to RAF Brize Norton. We visited three main areas of the base:
TMW – Tactical Med Wing
GEW – General Engineering Wing
47 Sqn
Allison AE 2100D3 and composite blades
I learnt a lot and saw two types of aircraft I hadn’t seen before. The weather was quite grey and so the photos are a bit of a washout, I don’t do Photoshop. The low cloud base did mean that the aircraft would take off and about fifteen seconds later they would climb through the cloud.
While taking a jog from SMP near junction 12 of the M20 here in Kent I noticed the gorgeous curves of a water tower. I like this design because it clearly is a DESIGN and not a “let’s build it as strong as possible” clump of bricks. Most water towers are inelegant, this one is gorgeous.
Curves
I have a suspicion that these curves are catenaries, Gaudí uses them a lot in his cathedral.
Along with the lovely curves of that delicious monster the sun was rising over the sea. Here’s a view.
I’m quite proud of that last picture. I do think I’d be quite happy living is this home:
Just had quite a jam-packed weekend. Spent a little time at three establishments while the cadet team succeeded in their competition. Here are a few photos of the sights.
SMP
This place was built for the First World War transition of troops across the channel. Don’t be impressed by the aluminium cladding, just inside are wooden framed original buildings that smell and creak with history.
Literal Brick Shit House
The above is an unheated literal brick out-house that has three urinals and three proper toilets. There are a few toilets in heated buildings but too many people for them!
Guardian
I love a nice Gate Guardian. This one is very pretty. It guards the helicopters at this base.
Elegance
This room is part of the SNCO Annex. It’s about 10ft by 8ft with a small en-suite. Can’t grumble, it was dry and warm. The wi-fi helped make it more like home.
Mostly Bijou
That door is an illusion, it’s a thin door to make the rest of the room look bigger!
Toy
I would to have a go in this and drive it around. It would be great fun!
Next time I’m out and about I’ll take some more photos. Sometimes I can give information about it all and sometimes I can’t, it’s just not sensible to do that.
Recently had a good weekend at SMP near Folkestone. It was a training weekend giving skills to the CCF so they are ready to get on and enjoy some of the activities we do. On the first full day the weather was pretty poor and although warm [ish] it was overcast and drizzly. The second day was much better with brilliant sunshine and a glorious sun rise. There now follows a gallery of some of the best shots I took.
Time For Tea
Twisted Fire Starter
Parade Square
Not Concealed
Training Area Valley
Sports Field
Training
Drone Training
Catching The Light
Ready
Look At The Blue
One night at SMP I had to accompany someone to hospital. Arriving at 23:00 we finally left the minor injuries section at 03:15. Given that reveille was at 06:00 this was harsh, got into bed at 03:45. The following day was quite hard although I did manage a kip in the drone training room.
I was meant to be visiting EGXT today but it was called off so I detoured to EGSU. If you want more details of EGSU then you can, of course, JFGI, I have a map here.
I don’t have a great deal to say about the day, I will just leave you with a gallery of “different” photos rather than the usual full on full frontal.
