Saul

I have been to the Menin Gate and sang at the service. Every now and again they have guest bands or choirs take part in the service and that is what we did. Very moving experience. Also been to the Pax (Peace) Monument at Dixmude. The hotel we stayed in was there. I tell you what also effected me more that I thought it would was the monuments to the Empire troops that died above and to the side of the Menin gate. The European troops were named the Empire ones were not, just monuments for the individual regiments.. Different times different values I suppose.

I know Finland a little, I did an Interail trip around Scandinavia in 1987 and spent some time in Helsinki. Fantastic place and people. I always swore I would go back but haven’t yet.

When we went to Tyne Cott cemetery in Belgium I didn’t understand why there were graves inscribed here lies two British soldiers or other multiples or something like here’s lies two unknown Germans. That type of thing. I felt a right tit when I asked to discover they were buried like that as it was impossible to separate the remains. That really shocked me, not something I had thought about before.

They pay you what you would have earned.

Do it if you have the chance, like extra leave and quite interesting to. I did jury service and was selected in the late 80's, would do it again in a heartbeat. Early finish and free pub lunch every day seemed like a win to me. Mind you I was pretty young. I was disappointed it only went on for a week.

Up early for an 8k walk to the Day Mark and back. Then out on the Hornet and back for the rugby at 1pm. Gonna chill out in front of the telly and maybe get a nap for work tonight.

First walk up to the Gribbin Daymark this year. Doesn’t come across on camera but it’s a proper lung buster to get up there. Some stunning skies up there. The views towards Rame Head and Plymouth.

Hondas and top boxes just meant to be

Ruined it

I hope not, but look at Finland and Sweden, they are making no bones about getting ready for possible conflict. The UK, I dunno, doubt it. Mind you we do have the football Gammons Send in the Gammons.

True but looking back at that time, compared to today, things were pretty stable globally by the 1970's. No war in Europe, China weren't in the picture and the middle east was enthral to the two superpowers. Of course we had MAD hanging over us but I would argue that the nuclear threat is greater now. Personally if a superpower nuclear conflict kicked off we would have been vaporised pretty quickly, living 26 miles from Plymouth naval dockyard.

Makes you wonder doesn’t it. I look at the Ukrainian’s because that’s exactly what they are doing now. I admire them. Would our youth do it today, I don’t know. Some would, there are some great kids out there. But also some very spoilt and entitled individuals. I think our generation would have as we were brought up on tales of WW2 and films, war toys, war comics and the like. Duty and service. I like to think I would have but that’s easy to say when there was Little jeopardy to my generation.

I think it is how their generation dealt with PTSD and the like. Just shut it away. I know my Maternal Grandfather was a damaged individual. Horrible old git if I am honest. He was in the navy, sunk twice and ended up a POW held by the Japs. I could tell you tales of what he was like and the damage he caused in my mother’s family but there is no point really. He was damaged and never really got over what happened to him. My paternal grandfather was a different kettle of fish, a lovely old chap. He served in both wars and in all 3 services. Started as a boy soldier at 16 as a kitchen porter then cook in the army during WW1 was transferred to the RFC (which became the RAF). When he was demobbed he joined the Merchant Navy between the wars then transferred to the Wavy Navy in WW2. I since found out quite a bit about both of them and what they did. Interesting to me.

Absolutely, Odie is our 5th and I can't imagine having anything but a JRT. Always something happening when you own a JRT, not always good stuff but never boring.

I have always wanted to do the Normandy Beaches and spend some time taking it in. I have been to Ypres and Passchendaele and the associated museum with one of my past choirs. Also sung at the Sundown service at the Menin Gate and at Tyne Cot Cemetery. Helluva experience something that I will never forget. Both my Grandads were in WW2 and my paternal one was also in WW1. Neither of them mentioned a word about it ever, I found out some stuff after their deaths but I bet there was plenty more to tell.

Squeaky bum time at the end. Right side won though. Dower game compared to last night. Suppose I better get out of bed now

Costa is one cool dude in his Rukka

Amen my 2 are not twins, but at 16 and 18, fuck me they make my life complex.

Bloody good game, Saints are on fire at the moment

Friday, cleaned my bike again, fitted a splash guard over the rear shock. Watched the rugby then work overnight. Saturday, sleep then hope to either walk the dog or go out on the bike, then rugby. Sunday, bike or walk or probably both, then rugby then work overnight.

Just shaken off Covid

I often wonder what goes on in my, admittedly very spoilt, Jack Russell crosses head. Everyone of his toys has a gimped right front leg, non of the others are touched but he always attacks and takes the stuffing out of the right front. The only exception is his walrus where he has gimped the right front tusk. ???

I am going up to have a poke around my shed I am sure i have some up there somewhere. I used to use it on my chinky CG125 clones exhaust.

I used to love Suzuki's GS1000/750/Katana eara, they leave me a bit cold now. I do have a soft spot for the SV/Strom 650 though.