I was so tired last night that I slept through the start of the first exercise and so stayed in bed but when they called a second one at 0130 I got up and headed for the COC (the main Office complex) and helped out there for a short time then headed back to bed and put my head down and slept until 0600.

Today has been another busy morning with things going along well but with a couple of mistakes which brought our assessment down to below standard - job done but outside the benchmark times which can mean the difference between life and death at sea.

This afternoon the ship is preparing for its 'final exam' tomorrow so people are cleaning up and making sure that things are where they meant to be and that everyone is aware of what they need to do when any particular situation arises. Like every thing else in life we (and I include myself here after just a few days on board) know what we need to do - all we have to do is do it in the right order and get it right everytime.

The Captain made a pipe this afternoon and reminded everyone that it is highly likely that we will make some mistakes tomorrow and Friday but the real test of the character of the Ship's Company is how we rebound from the mistakes and tackle the next problem.

He and the XO have also encouraged people to try and get some sleep so that we can be on our best steps tomorrow.I'm heading to bed with the hope that I'll have a really good sleep and be on my best tomorrow.

The assessment seems to be going OK although I did manage to make a couple of little mistakes - I sat down at once stage when that is not right and I broke a positive boundary but I think that they let me off the hook because I'm a 'newbe'.

The Green Team have asked me to do a memorial service tomorrow morning about 1100 to remember the wife of one of their team who died earlier this week and whose funeral will be held tomorrow. As it happens I was on HMAS Sydney in 2000 when it went to Flying Fish and Gabby Hayes was the CPO Coxswain on board for that trip and it's Gabby's wife who died.

About to head into another exercise so will close now and hopefully finish it later on.

Now after the exercise and everyone seems to have survived the day although I'm certain that there will be more work tonight that will keep us busy later in the night.

Now a 'battle' nap in the hope that I'll manage to get a good sleep.

The first one was at 2330 and that went for close to an hour then at 0430 there was another Man Overboard exercise and that went off OK.

The rest of the morning was with another couple of exercises and an action breakfast which makes me happy that the meal at midday and this evening we were able to sit down and eat our meals in peace.

Late this morning I did the service for Heather Hayes out on the flight deck after we'd finished the exercise - the whole of the Sea Training Group were there to pay their respects to a team mate and his family at this sad time for them all.

At the end of the day we were able to get a 'Standard achieved' result for most of the Assessment however the ship needs to go back to sea next week to do some further work - sadly that meant quite a few of the crew had to have their leave details changed so there were probably quite a few unhappy people tonight.

Luckily I was able to head off to the airport after the evening meal on board but I'm not sure what is going to happen before we get to Sydney tomorrow morning so will wait and see what I feel like tomorrow.

Arrived into Sydney at 6.20am after an all night flight (by adding 3 hours because of daylight saving) and I got very little sleep all night so am heading to bed shortly after a great day.

Arrived at Steve and Maree's a bit after 7.30am and had a cuppa with them before Brendan arrived downstairs after staying with them overnight.

He and I headed off to a shopping centre to get a hair grooming kit that I might be able to use to keep my hair short whilst on the ship. After being guaranteed that it was suitable for 115v I decided to check details in the car as we were heading off and found that it wasn't so rang the shop and will return it tomorrow.

Got to Woollongong and spent time with Brendan and Lisa, Grace and Benjamin (their children) and I managed to have a quick nap while Brendan was out doing a few jobs. It was good that Brendan was in Sydney last night and it was great to be able to get to the Gong as I wouldn't have had a chance to catch them before I leave.

Steve and Maree came down later as they were looking at houses as a day out and after having a cuppa together they brought me back to Sydney. When they got to the Gong they told us that Terry, Maree's step dad, had died this morning so things were a little quieter on the way home but I used the time to send some messages to the rest of my family to let them know what had happened and they were able to call or send sms messages back to Maree to offer their condolences.

When we got back to Sydney we picked up Liz at the train station as she went to play with her band at a pub somewhere in Sydney. When we arrived here Stephen, Claire's boyfriend, had called in and before they left Andrew and Emma arrived so I was able to see them which is good.

Steve headed out after we had had a quick meal together and now I'm heading off to bed.

Liz wasn't here today but all the rest of the of the family was here at Steve and Maree's so it has been really good as I have now been able to see all my family in NSW - not a chance I get too often so it has been good.

Mass at Maroubra tonight was good but now I'm heading off to another early night so that means that I'll probably have been able to catch up on most of my sleep from the past fortnight.

Not long afterwards I headed off to catch a bus to town and managed to do some work at the Telstra Shop - rearranged details of my monthly mobile account to allow for the time I'm away.

From there I went to the NCCA Office and said hello to people there and chatted about recent happenings and thought that I'd missed seeing Colleen Hodge, the Manager of ECP, but as I was walking off to post all the Christmas Cards I written on Sunday night I met Colleen coming back to the office so we sat and had a cuppa (her coffee and me orange juice) and we chatted which was good.

After talking for half an hour I caught a cab down to Garden Island to call into the Chaplains Office and said hello to Simon Hubbard and Alan Asplin and got some more details re what is due to happen in the next few months and also some information that will be extremely useful.

I then headed to the clothing store and collected some kit that I didn't have as well as spending some money on an extra bit of kit that looks good.

From there I headed off to get my new ID photo taken but arrived just after midday so headed up to Kings Cross for some lunch and got a few little things and posted my Christmas Cards which made me feel a little good.

After getting my ID I headed back to Coogee and packed my kit for the next few days and then got a Taxi to go virtually around the block but because of the cut off street it happened that it took almost 10 minutes to get there.

Signed in and found that I am staying in the Transit area and there will be 8 of us sleeping in the cabin so hopefully there will not be too many snorers as I need my sleep.

Been for the evening meal and a quiet ale and now I'm heading for bed.

Got to the first session of the course and found that there are over 100 people doing these few days of preparation and the timetable today has been quite hectic.

Most of the material is for in-country as everyone except myself is going to be shore based so whilst it is important information and very helpful there is still lot's that I have to find out about my role which I will only get from other Chaplains who have been deployed.

Late this afternoon I got a call from the XO, Brett Sonter, and it now looks as if I will have to go back to Perth early next week in order to get another qualification which means that I will not be available for the end of year school Mass next Tuesday so I've had to ring Sandy and put into play Plan B - and I'll need to check on that tomorrow.

It has been a very long day - we just finished the last session of the day and it is after 2100 and we started with breakfast at 0600.

Bed, with one less occupant in the room - he headed off and got accommodation in the Officers Mess - costing him extra but it seems that he is more comfortable about that so that's his choice.

Whilst we were out today I got a call from Brett, the XO, and it is now confirmed that I need to be in Perth next Tuesday so it looks like I will fly on Monday afternoon, do the work on Tuesday and possibly fly out on Tuesday night which means that I will be wrecked on Wednesday but ....

Myself, after the evening meal I had a shower and dressed in civvies and walked back here to Steve and Maree's and am going to spend a quite night at home. Hopefully I will also manage to get a good sleep but will need to be up at 0530 to shower and get back to the base in time to change and head off to breakfast.

It was another very busy day with some good presentations and some final materials that will be necessary for the deployment.

It is quite amazing how helpful people have been to me over these few days as there were some things I was totally unfamiliar with and which I would not have been able to complete without the support of others - it was a good feeling although a bit daunting as I don't like to admit that I can't do things!!!

At the end of the day I gathered all my equipment - now two bags full - and took it out to Steve's car and drove back to their house and am going to have another quiet night 'at home'. I've repacked the bags and done some washing so things are looking good.

The Qantas booking desk rang me re my flights for tomorrow and the return trip at the end of the month as well as the quick trip next week so that was good. I've also managed to check the details out on the web so now I'm happy about what is happening for the next few days.

I also managed to contact the members of the Parish Team to rearrange the Team Meeting and the PPC Meeting for next week from Wednesday to Thursday - my flight back from Perth doesn't get into Tassie until late afternoon Wednesday so I would have been cactus if I'd tried to drive to Oatlands that afternoon for the Mass and Meeting.

Now bed.

I got a call from the ship late last evening to tell me details of the flights and was able to fix all that up and explain why there was a change in time to get back to Tassie on 15th rather than evening 14th.

Washed the sheets and towels I've used this past week and everything is out on the line to dry so that is good - the only dirty clothes I have are the ones I'm wearing today.

Spent time back at HMAS Kuttabul getting some extra SRI's (Soft Rank Insignias) for my camouflage gear although I think that it will be the green and not desert gear.

Headed back to Coogee and packed my bags and then headed off to the airport and found that the plane was going to be 30 minutes late - it was Flight 1019 - and ended up being an hour late which made life interesting. Thankfully Pat Murray didn't have anything on tonight and was able to wait for me to arrive.

On the way home Pat asked if I would like to join them (himself and Mary) for a BBQ tea which I did and that was great. Sandy and Rachel joined us and things went really well although I'm tired now and ready for bed.

Plenty of work to do this morning catching up on the news etc. about the place as well as trying to see mum and then get to lunch at the Cathedral with the clergy. It was very busy because there were a few extra things scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday that I needed to change as I'll be in Perth again.

Lunch was good although there were a few people missing it was good to catch up with people once again.

Called to see Mum and then I headed home to New Norfolk to do the wedding rehearsal for the Ackerly-Crowley wedding tomorrow. That went well, they are two really nice kids from good families so that is great.

From there I headed off to Kempton for the evening Mass - my first Saturday evening Mass there in over two years so that was good. Sadly it will also be the last time I am there until I get home in early July.

Home and now I'm heading for bed as I'm tired after the past few days.

Good crowd at Mass this morning and it was good to spend some quality time with parishioners at the end of Mass. It was even better because, for some reason, the Mass at Hamilton had been listed as a Liturgy of the Word - a left over from last month when I had the HMAS Sydney service so it meant that I was free rather than racing off for the Mass and then dashing back for the wedding.

Got everything ready and it all felt and went well. The service was good and the participation of the congregation was good too.

Didn't have much time to sit round afterwards as I needed to head off to Campbell Town for the evening Mass and arrived in time to do some work for Marjorie who had had a few problems recently with her computer.

Headed back to New Norfolk as there are a few things I need to do in the morning before heading off for another trip to Perth for the HUET Training.

Out for my walk and felt good when I got back - the problem I've been having with my back now seems to be all right so that is good.

Headed for town with a truck load of puddings to deliver as well as calling into the Defence Medical Centre to get my medical documents to take back to the Ship.

Eventually headed to the airport having done all the things I needed to do and found that Flight 1019 was late and there would be a delay of an hour which meant that I wasn't able to catch the early flight to Perth and I was on the 'midnight' horror - again.

Things got worse because that flight was also delayed because of major storms that had hit Sydney during the day (also the reason for 1019 being late into Hobart).

By the time I got to Perth it was very late - 11.30pm their time (2.30am EST) - so now I'm on board the Ship and I've unpacked all my gear and it is almost 1.30am (4.30amEST) and I'm due up at 0630 so I'm heading for my bunk and, hopefully, a good sleep.

The training went well, there were 8 Navy personnel from the Ship doing the training so that was good. I mucked up the last little bit of the escape from the helicopter in the dark but otherwise there were no problems and I'm certain I won't make the same mistake again.

Traveled back to the ship with a young sailor who went back on duty this afternoon and I've had a quiet time aboard the ship stowing the extra clothes and things I'd brought with me and making sure everything was in it's place.

After watching some TV I'm now heading for bed because I have a 0430 departure from the ship tomorrow to head back for Hobart.

This morning I woke at 0400 and was at the gangway by 0430 and had to wait a few minutes for the duty driver to appear. On the way to the airport my mobile went off and I got the news that Fr Bill Egan had died of a heart attack last evening between Fingal and St Mary's - he would have had to have been one of the fittest men I've ever known so his death was more than a shock.

Eventually we got to the airport in good time for the 6.05am flight to Sydney and found that the flight was delayed an hour. Eventually we headed off and arrived into Sydney later than the departure time for the Hobart flight - you guessed it - 1019 - and the plane left almost an hour late because we had to wait for two elderly ladies who were on the Perth Flight but who weren't able to move quickly to the departure lounge so we waited - nobody's fault really except perhaps someone needed better planning to make things happen more quickly.

Arrived back into Hobart and Mary Murray was waiting so we got into the car and headed straight for New Norfolk to go to the Grade 6 Leavers Dinner - I'd missed the Family Mass last night because of being in Perth so being at the Dinner tonight was important.

The night was really successful - thankfully ended by 8.30pm - so now I'm home and definitely ready for an early night.

Had a few minutes to try to get some things done before I headed off with Lorraine to Oatlands for the Team Meeting - my last for a good time. It was a good meeting and some good planning took place before we broke for a quick meal before Mass at 6.45pm which was followed by the whole of Parish Council Meeting. That also was a good meeting but I was glad when it was over and Lorraine kept me awake on the way back here to New Norfolk.

Home and heading for bed.

My walk each morning is now becoming an important part of my daily routine - I hope that I can find some activity on the ship which will keep me involved and interested because now that I've started it would be sad to stop.

After Mass I headed out on the Communion Round and caught up with most people. I remembered when I got to one couple that I was supposed to have called to see them yesterday because they were leaving for the mainland today but, luckily, they were home when I arrived this morning.

This afternoon I had an eye appointment with the local optometrist to get some new glasses for reading and which I should be able to use when I have to wear anti-flash gear on board.

That appointment was followed by a meeting with Pat and Beryl to look at the recording of the finances and that went well, hopefully it will go well for the next 6 months or longer (says he hopefully).

From there I headed off to Ellendale to add the extra RAM that the other machines have had for some time now and to do some extra work on Lauren's computer to try and solve some problems but I haven't managed to do that yet.

Then it was off to a friends place for a meal and a relaxing night - no pressure and I was glad of the break.

Home now and heading for bed.

There were only a few for the Prayer Breakfast but all those who came hopped in and helped clean up afterwards as well as helped pod the peas for lunch - a great effort that saved a lot of time.

Got everything ready and had 17 guys for lunch and it was good to share some stories of Bill Egan. It was the first time I'd had a chance to talk to many guys after hearing of his death so it was good to laugh about his foibles and to recall some of the things he'd done at Bellerive when we worked together there.

By the time everything was cleaned up after lunch (aided by the girls who'd come back to help) I headed off to Oatlands for the evening Mass which had a good crowd and a good celebration.

Now bed.

After my walk and prayer time I got a few things ready for the next day or so because Bill Egan's funeral is tomorrow in Launceston and we have a consultors meeting before hand so that will mean a busy day tomorrow.

The 9 am Mass was reasonably well attended and then I headed off to Bothwell - it has been some time since I was last there and I needed to check some things about 16th January when we have suggested that we might have the Whole of Parish Mass there (postponed from 28th November). It met with support although I think that people might consider that it is all too much - hopefully they will give it a go.

From there I needed to go back to New Norfolk for 2 Baptisms. Both were well attended and were good celebrations - hopefully the families will help the children continue in their faith journey with good and positive support.

Then it was off to Campbell Town for the evening Mass and a celebration afterwards - both went well and nearly everyone at Mass was at the party - a true sign of a healthy community.

Now bed as tomorrow is also going to be a long day.

Headed off at 8.15am to go to the Church of Apostles and managed to get a new stylus at Officeworks for my PDA - well it works even if it isn't the right kind.

It was a difficult consultors meeting because we were dealing a whole lot of imponderables and there is serious doubt whether we will be able to find a solution in the immediate future.

The Funeral Mass at Invermay was really uplifting. The Church was packed and it was rather moving to be asked to carry the coffin being one of the younger priests. We carried it four times; out of the Church at Invermay. Into and out of the Church at Fingal and then from the hearse to the grave side - would not want to do it for a living.

It was good to catch up with lots of people at the gathering after both of the services especially this close to Christmas but it was hard with people commenting on me going to the Gulf and what all that might mean when we were there to remember a great priest.

Mark Freeman traveled with me to Fingal so that was good - it is always good to be able to talk with someone after a meeting when there are only four other people whom you can speak to.

After spending a short time with the people at the Fingal Hall following the internment I headed back to New Norfolk to get the presents I needed to take with me to the Gang gathering at Aileen's at Bellerive. Even though I was tired and almost all of us had been at the funeral we have had a good night and I'm really blessed to be able to call these people my friends.

Now home and ready for bed.

I managed to get a few things as Christmas presented before meeting with Rod Moore, Chair of the Diocesan Finance Committee. A good meeting but I'm not sure what can be done to make too much of a difference.

From there I headed up to the TCC Office for a meeting with the Christian World Service Commission which went well but remind me that going away for 6 months will leave a large gap in the process of getting the CWS profile in the State raised.

After the meeting and visiting John Wall who was in the Gibson ward at South Hobart - I thought he looked 'OK' even though he is really ill. We talked about how we/I had missed him last Saturday at the Clergy Christmas lunch - especially his wonderful brandy butter. After spending a short time with him I headed off to the airport and managed to run into a heap of people whom I hadn't seen for quite some time as I waited to collect Fr Greg McGregor who is going to work in the Parish for the next 6 months.

We headed back here to New Norfolk and then had a bite to eat at one of the hotels before heading down to school where the parish were having a 'farewell' party for me and a welcome for Greg. There was a good gathering and some great fun before we headed back here to the house and now to bed.

Mass at 9am and then a few little things to do. I checked the office before Greg and I headed off to Colebrook so that he would know the way then when he first heads out that way and sadly learnt that John Wall had died at 7.30am this morning - I thanked God that I'd seen him yesterday and that he'd been well enough to talk to me.

After Colebrook we headed for Oatlands and joined Helen for lunch before driving to Sandy Bay so that +Adrian would have a chance to meet Greg before the time got too advanced.

On the way home we called to do a few jobs and got home about 5pm just as a couple whose wedding will be celebrated in February arrived for an appointment.

On the fax machine was a message from the Cathedral to say that there would be a wake for John Wall tonight so after spending time with the couple I headed off to the Cathedral while Greg decided to have an early night. There were 15 of us gathered and we shared some great memories and some laughter, not only for John but for Bill Egan as well.

Now home and heading for bed as I'm tired and need some sleep before things really start to get hectic.

Mass was at Corumbene and we stopped and spent some time with a few of the people there before heading off to do a tour of the Derwent Valley and lower Central Highlands. We started at Maydena and I went a little past the entrance to the South West to show Greg the entrance to the Styx Valley where all the big trees live.

From there we headed off to Ellendale and had lunch with Lorraine before continuing onto Ouse and Hamilton and then over the Hill to Bothwell and finally Kempton before heading back to New Norfolk.

I went back to Corumbene to see one of the ladies who had deteriorated during the day before we headed back to Town to catch up with Tom Young at Computers+More for a QLD for Christmas (QLD - Quiet Little Drink). After having a red wine or two we headed back to New Norfolk to have something to eat but we ended up getting Chinese Take away so, in a sense, we sat down for a meal together to finish the day.

I've just done some work on the newsletter as well as the BEACON but now I'm ready for bed.

I headed back to New Town to collect so things for the Team as Christmas Presents and then did the last of my shopping and wrapping of presents before having a bite to eat for lunch and then it was time to think about heading to Campbell Town for the Vigil Mass of Christmas.

There was a good gathering there for the 6pm Mass and, like always, the people were wonderful but it was also sad as I know that I won't see them again for over six months and that was a little sad.

Before and after Mass I installed a CD-RW/DVD combo unit into Marjorie's computer and tried them out to make sure they worked. We had something to eat with her before heading off to Oatlands where I installed a similar machine into Helen's computer - unfortunately I didn't have a DVD to test her machine out so will need to get Greg to do that when he returns. The crowd there was good as well; it was especially pleasing to see people from Bothwell and Kempton as well as people from Colebrook and Tunnack - all the areas where we won't be able to provide a Mass tomorrow.

After a cuppa it was back into the car and we headed for New Norfolk and the Midnight Mass. The crowd wasn't as large there as normal but I was told that there had been a really good crowd at the 6.30pm Mass celebrated by the Archbishop so that made up for it.

A small gathering happened after Mass and I've managed to stay awake for much longer than I thought I would and now I'm going to bed and there won't be a walk tomorrow.

Mass at 9am was at Hamilton and there was a really good crowd there with some visitors from New Zealand to boost the numbers. It was a special celebration for Jonathon Duidnam who celebrated his First Eucharist today and I'm sure they enjoyed the rest of the day - unfortunately Greg and I had to head back to New Norfolk as my family came to lunch there today and we still had a few things to do before they arrived.

There were 15 of us for lunch with Michele and John and Sam and Callum joining us for the opening of the presents before heading off to the Radcliffe's for their Christmas celebrations with John's family.

The meal went well and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves but I was wrecked when they all left. Spent a bit of time cleaning up, especially throwing things out of the freezer which had been there for some time as well as getting rid of the large ice blocks which had formed on the side of the freezer. There is still more I will need to do tomorrow but I'm going to have an early night and see if I can catch up on some of the sleep I've been missing lately.

Back home I finished the washing up after last night's tidying up as well as putting all the things away from yesterday which were still hanging round either the kitchen or lounge room.

Celebrated the 9am Mass with a small crowd - I think that most of them had been recovering from the previous few days - Greg had a sleep in and I think he needed it.

Then it was off to Ellendale for the 11.30 am Mass and we followed that with lunch with Lorraine - I spent time installing her CD-RW/DVD combo but her speakers weren't working so will need to do something about that.

Back home for a few minutes to collect some papers before heading off to see Matt and Fran at Swanwick to sign off some of the paperwork for their wedding in February. Sadly, Fran wasn't there but Matt signed his paperwork so I will send them off to the celebrant tomorrow and he can catch up with the details later on.

Mass at Swansea was better than usual but no where as good as it had been last Easter - there was a good gathering and a good celebration. After Mass we wandered back up to the local Primary School and enjoyed a BBQ meal that they are offering each night during the peak holiday time. It was a long drive home and I'm glad Greg was there because I was really wrecked.

When we got home I had a new lease of life and I've just finished writing up the Baptismal Register and done a few other jobs and even though it is close to midnight I'm feeling good about all that I've managed to get done today - it means that life will be a little easier tomorrow.

Anyway it is more than time for bed and that's where I'm heading.

Have managed to clean up my bedroom and made room for Greg to be able to use the room for himself whilst he is in the parish - life will be a little easier for him in that room as everything is at hand.

We headed for the airport to drop him off to go back to Sydney to spend time with his family before he's back for the duration.

I headed back to New Norfolk then got right back into the paperwork that needed to get done before I left this afternoon. It took some time but it all came together and even though I'm certain there will be things that I've not managed to get done at least I've done most of them.

Mary and Sandy arrived at 2.30 p.m. to take me to the airport via New Town where I said good-bye to my mum - she is probably going to find it hardest while I'm away so I've added some CD's so that I can record a message letter rather than trying to write to her too often.

There was a delay when we'd got to the airport (an hour) and yes it was 1019 that was late again and my flight to Perth had been transferred to the next flight out of Melbourne leaving about 9pm instead of 6.35 p.m.

In the end things worked out and I managed to get to the Ship before midnight so that was good. I've ironed my uniform for tomorrow and I'm heading for bed as we leave tomorrow at 11 am and there will be heaps happening in the morning.

Then it was into the wardroom for breakfast and have managed to catch up with all the officers in the crew, or at least most of them, and we are ready for action. There are a couple of new people so will get to know them over the next few weeks which will be good.

There was a great crowd who gathered to say farewell to the ship and I felt sad myself even though there was no one there to wave me off - it is hard to watch others being sad and not feel something.

And so starts our participation in Operation Catalyst. We are the fifth Ship to be part of Op Catalyst - the previous ships being the frigates Newcastle, Melbourne, Stuart and Adelaide.

Otherwise the ship is back into normal running mode with some exercises this afternoon and planning sessions being held tonight with more scheduled for tomorrow.

The day is almost over and I'm looking forward to getting to bed and having a sleep even though it is going to be a very early night. The wake for John Wall will probably be over by now - his funeral will be tomorrow so that will be another sad day for the Diocese as we farewell the third priest in 6 weeks.

There was a meeting early this morning which I went to and that was followed by another meeting at 10 am that involved planning for the next few weeks. When that meeting the XO asked the HOD's (Heads of Department) to stay behind to talk about a few other issues that the Captain wanted some feedback on.

By then it was time for a quick trip round the ship to say hello to the various departments although there are some places I can't get into because of I don't have a high enough security clearance. This was followed by lunch and then this afternoon I've spent most of the time working in the Galley and then on the line dishing out the evening meal.

Also, this evening was the first of the Bible Study's that will be run during the deployment. There were 5 of us there from very different traditions so there was some good discussion so I'm looking forward to our weekly gatherings.

Now bed.

This morning I spent much of the time working on materials that I brought with me to assist me in my pastoral care of the people on board.

After lunch I attended a Divisional Meeting of the WEE Department - Weapons Electrical Engineering Dept. - the division that my cabin mate commands on board the Ship. This was followed by a training session for the SMETS - Ships Medical Emergency Team - that I also attended so I have been busy today.

Will try and get to bed early tonight so that should be OK as there is nothing on the cards for tonight that I have to worry about.

Started the day with a trip to the flight deck at 0600 to do some PT, some time on the rowing machine and managed to row for just under 4000 metres in the half an hour, not brilliant but OK for a first effort.

Then back for breakfast and a few minutes break before I headed off to join with a few others to do a muster of the Wardroom, Chiefs and PO's Mess as well as the Ships store of alcohol and soft drinks. That took several hours and by the time I finished it was almost time for lunch.

Then I did my first walk round of the day and met up with a few people before heading down to the WO/Chiefs Mess for afternoon. It was a pleasant time with some chatting but I still have a few nuts to crack there so will try and find out whether it is personal or professional before I make any comments about it.

A little bit of free time this afternoon before I joined the rest of the crew for a steel deck BBQ - a meal cooked and eaten on the flight deck and I took a few photos of that and will add them to my story later on.

Now bed and, hopefully, a better nights sleep than last night when the people in the comms centre immediately above my head seemed to be working late moving things round and dropping things with incredible frequency.