Opportunity Knocks

Every now and then an opportunity comes along which is to good to pass up. Last week exactly that happened when one crewmember from our station was offered the chance to spend some time on HMS Ark Royal while she is on passage from Newcastle to Portsmouth. As far as I understand it this is purely a jolly and designed to strengthen the (already very strong) link between the armed forces and the Institution. As is traditional in these situations, names were drawn from a hat and the 'wonderful - and not even slightly interested in girls' Matt Steeden won! Amazingly, and incredibly generously, he then decided that he would give his place on the ship to Skid as it is his 60th birthday this year. What a fine fellow.

Well done Matt, a very generous and selfless act. Skid, we are all looking forward to seeing your photos and reading a few blog posts about your trip. Perhaps you'll consider keeping a diary which we could post here?