Life's Rich Pattern

Being honourable boaters, we moved from the 48 hr GOBA mooring at Reach today. Somewhat reluctantly it has to be said.

Now in Burwell. In brilliant sunshine. 3 narrowboats arranged ourselves on a mooring built for one, but no other boats in sight all day.

From the news I learn of the death of Lady Soames. The only surviving child of Winston Churchill. I can almost here a what? From whatever audience I might have. But, in past life, I was tasked  as liaison between Lady Soames and the US when the were to name one of their Arleigh Burke Class ships,  the USS WINSTON S CHURCHILL with Lady Soames as sponsor. She decided to give the ship a painting and I had to arrange for it's transport. I did by persuading a collegue from MOD, Cdr James Humpries, to carry it with him as cabin luggage on a duty trip to Washington. After persuading British Airways to allow him to do that.  I met Lady Soames twice and had countless conversations with her. This also allowed me to jump the visitor queue when the ship attended Navy Day in Portsmouth and I saw the picture in situ.

The ship is also the only ship in the US Navy to have a foreign navigator...a Lt from the RN. There is a reason for that and if you ply me with alcohol I might just tell you why!!