I'd got up in time to go for a row on the machine but it had been raining during the night so PT was in the breezeway and there wasn't room for me to row.

After breakfast as I headed round the ship people were chatty so that was good and I managed to get a few things done that had been needed but not had time to finish off before this.

I still need to do something about the Damage Control stuff but that will have to wait until tomorrow.

This afternoon I was tired and took quite some time to do anything but I suppose that was OK. At one stage as I was getting ready for Divine Service tomorrow morning I did some reading and fell asleep, just for a moment, so must be tired.

There was a Wardroom Mess Meeting this evening which went well but now I'm ready for bed and an early night.

Had a couple of emails that I've answered latish and will look forward to getting some replies tomorrow morning.

Headed up to the GDP for Divine Worship at 0745 and there were 10 of us for the service - followed by a cuppa and biscuits afterwards. It is good to see the people having a chance to spend time quietly chatting with the CO who was there so that's good.

Breakfast then a wander around the ship saying hello to people in their workspaces before sitting down to have a few minutes chat with some of the people I hadn't been able to catch prior to today.

Lunch and then Mass at 1300 in the sickbay was also well attended and followed by biscuits and a cuppa.

Later this afternoon I had a haircut - the shortest haircut I've ever had and it would be surprising if people at home could see me now.

The evening meal was another good meal but the portions are a bit bigger than I really need so I've asked the stewards to order smaller meals for me.

Now bed, I don't know why but I'm tired at the moment and don't seem to be feeling any better after all the sleep that I've been getting lately.

About 1000 hours I headed for the Chiefs Mess where there was a weekly regulators meeting in progress which I attended, setting the plans for the next few weeks with an idea of what needs to be done and when it can be fitted into the timetable. This will now be discussed at the weekly planning meeting which takes place on Wednesday am.

A little bit of a walk round before sitting down for lunch. It was hoped to have a Swimex this afternoon but it was postponed because the sea state was a bit rough and people would be working too hard to be able to enjoy the swim.

This afternoon I finally organised to do rounds with the Chief Tiff and learn a bit more about the DC (Damage Control) info for the Ship.

The rest of today was spent quietly with an early night on the cards although I did manage to play a round of 'uckers' this evening a managed to win it as well - a bit of a fluke but what ever.

Now bed.

Managed to get to PT this morning and did some rowing whilst the others did some step exercises, felt good although I don't think that I did as much as Sunday's effort and I'm not sure what is happening tomorrow about PT so will wait and see when daily words comes out.

Was slow getting started after breakfast as I answered a few emails and tried to organise some photos that I've taken already into a file. I also sent off some information to the Derwent Valley Gazette but have the feeling that it might have been too late for this edition as we are now 5 hours behind EDST and I suspect that the edition for tomorrow would already have been put to bed.

Had a cuppa with the cooks and then wandered up onto the decks to say hello to the watch keepers before the ship stopped for the Swimex postponed from yesterday. Quite a few people hit the water and seemed to enjoy it - we were only 5 kilometres from land so it was safe - the problem was that the land was under 5 kilometres of water.

After the midday meal we went into a DC circuit training exercise where we moved through 8 different stations to familiarise ourselves with things we need to know in an emergency. Very valuable considering I'll be doing some more of that later this evening.

Immediately after DC training there were two presentations, one on Equity and Diversity and the other a ADPA presentation reminding people of what is legal and what is illegal regarding drugs etc. in the RAN.

After the evening meal tonight I attended a Divisional Meeting for the CSO's (Combat System Operators) before heading out with one of the Chiefs on the DC Rounds I'd organised so this evening was busy.

Bed, now that I'm ready to get there, is going to be very welcome as I'm a little bit tired after 7 days at sea without a break - the rest of the ship is looking good but I'm beginning to feel my age.

After breakfast there was a lot of movement on the ship as we prepared for our arrival in Diego Garcia, the British Indian Ocean Territory, that is run by the Brits but inhabited by thousands of US personnel and Filipino workers.

There was a British Commando Major who came on board and said that there were at least 2 USN Chaplains on the island so when we docked I got permission to leave the ship and made a phone call to the Chaplains Office and he offered to come and collect me and take me to dinner and then show me round the island. As we started talking there was something familiar about him and as we talked it worked out that he'd been to Tassie in 2003 on board the USS John C Stennis and I collected him from the ship and taken him to the Cathedral Presbytery for a Saturday lunch - meeting Chap Al Concha in the middle of the Indian Ocean was a bit spooky.

Anyway, he showed me round the island and I met the other Chaplain, Jennifer Bixby, as well as some of the Chaplaincy Staff, so I had a really good visit.

Back on the ship and we've sailed towards the rendezvous with HMAS Adelaide which will happen in about a weeks time and then it will all become that much more real.

Tonight finished with the 2nd of the Bible Studies. There were a few less tonight but immediately afterwards I saw one of the writers and she apologised for forgetting that it was on and promised to be there next week.

Bed, and boy am I tired.

This morning was spent wandering and touching base with people. One fellow whom I felt had been a bit standoffish started talking and telling me about the work that his wife is doing with disadvantaged children after his pay in the Gulf last time paid for her Uni. degree - it was really good and I felt that it was a good part of the day.

This afternoon we had another exercise which didn't seem to go that well because the XO was a little bit frazzled when I saw him close to the exercises end. I worked with the SMETS again and, after completing the initial first aid response, we did some basic first aid revisited and checked out the contents of the various medical kits around the Sick Bay so that people were familiar with their contents.

The walk I was going to do with the Chief Tiff this evening to see more of the DC equipment didn't happen so I played a game of uckers and got beaten badly, when the game was over I still had all my pieces on the board!

Now bed, boy will I enjoy the chance to get a good sleep.

After breakfast I did a bit of visiting before heading off to the Gym for a Divisional meeting with the Supply Branch. Each branch is holding Divisional Meetings before we arrive into our area of operations and explaining some of the things that need to be understood by all personnel before we get there.

After the meeting I headed off and did some more visiting before I joined people for lunch and took part in another uckers game (sitting in when one of the players went for his meal) and managed to be on the winning team.

This afternoon I put on my cap and headed for the galley and managed to help the cooks out for the evening meal and managed to get quite a sweat up, not because I was working to hard but because of the temperature. The meal got a few good reports and the PO Cook made some positive comments to the young cooks (3 of them) who did all the work this afternoon.

Just finished another uckers game (after dinner) and we won that so now I'm heading for bed.

After breakfast headed off for my morning wander before sitting down to work on the Divine Service for tomorrow. Had some trouble trying to understand the words of one of the songs that I thought we might use. Wasted a bit of time trying to listen to the words before thinking that I should send an email home to see if one of the team at home might have the words. Was a bit anxious as there is no guarantee when emails go out nor when they come back but it was good because just after the evening meal there was an email back which gave me the words so I was able to print off the leaflet for tomorrow.

The rest of the day was spent wandering round and chatting to people. I've managed to catch a few of the Tasmanians on board and have teed up to speak to them about their work and will prepare something to go to the Gazette for the weekly update of what is happening.

Played uckers and got beaten (as a team) but that's the way of the game.

Now bed and a quite read before sleep.

Time to wander then and to see people around the ship working away on a Sunday as there are no days off when at sea.

Later in the morning there was a DCX that involved just a few of the Ship's company and then it was time for lunch.

After lunch it was time for Mass and this time there were only four of us - it really did feel like being back at home.

This afternoon there was a Man overboard exercise; my role has changed from trying to be one of the first onto the forecastle to one of getting the Stokes Litter down off the Boat Deck so that the SMETS can get to their position as quickly as possible. The recovery went well and the XO seemed quite happy with the exercise.

There was another hour added to our day today as the clocks were retarded another hour - we are now 7 hours behind Tassie time and it is playing merry hell with my sleeping patterns.

Bed and hopefully I'll sleep although, once again, I doubt it.

Slept later than I had hoped but that was because I'd woken very early and not been able to get back to sleep for some time.

Breakfast, a few emails, and then it was time for a 2 hour DC circuit program. It was an interesting 8 stations today which started for me with a DC Quiz and I don't think that I did that well in the quiz.

The other areas were how to fire main jumping; hatch entries; safety equipment; P250; door entries; portable gas detectors; and NAF-S3 & HF. All in all the 2 hours went quickly and I learnt a lot.

By then it was time for lunch followed by a wander round the ship. I managed to get round twice this afternoon but mistimed my run and found that I caught all the people in the same watch so didn't see half as many people as usual.

We (the HOD's) sat down for a later tea tonight and now I'm heading for bed whilst Ron heads off to a meeting with the Captain so it's looking good.

Anyway, the rest of the day.

My normal walk round the ship was a little later than usual because of the exam but still proving useful as I get to speak a little more to more people and not just nod or say 'g'day'.

Also had a rethink about the Tsunami Appeal when one of the young officers said that he didn't have any Australian Dollars and wouldn't have any until we get back to Australia so looked at the Appeal documents and there on the bottom was the facility to give via credit card. Now all I have to do is convince people it isn't going to a Church but rather to an aid agency.

This afternoon I spent time walking round catching up with people again so it has been good to spend time with people all over the ship.

Going to have an early night tonight as I'm tired after the early rise this morning so hopefully I'll sleep better.

Today we had the rendezvous with HMAS Adelaide and our hand-over procedures went into action. Chap Chris Aulich came across and spent time with me helping get my mind around the various responsibilities I'll have in the NAG. A lot of the things he spoke about were things he headed out and did off his own bat so I will need to find my own way around the process and set my own parameters to make it all work.

After he, and all the others had left, I had lunch and played a game of uckers and thought for a while I was going to get pants again - that means not getting an ucker onto the board - but in the end only missed by a bit but that may as well have been the whole board.

Then there was the weekly planning meeting and I managed to get bagged again for some of the things I asked for but I'll take it in my stride and keep turning up with my bat and ball.

This afternoon has been wandering and now at the end of the day I'm heading off to the Bible Study and will see how it all goes.

The day started with a RAS (Refueling at Sea) with RFA Bayleaf and that took quite a bit of the morning. It was a first on board Darwin for a number of the Ship's company but will not be the last for the deployment - in fact it will become almost a weekly event.

Then the first of my wanders - because so many people had been involved in the RAS there was quite a bit of work for people to do and so I didn't spend too much time talking as people needed to get on with their work.

As I said, watched the DVD later in the afternoon because we had another retardation of time and it is amazing how that extra hour in the day really drags the day out.

Am going to bed reasonably early in the hope that I might be able to get a good night's sleep.

Spent a good deal of the early part of the day up on the bridge as we came alongside in Bahrain. The last part of the journey into port was in company of two US RHIB's that acted as protection and as soon as a dhow or anything else moved within a certain distance of the ship they raced off to shepherd them away - bit daunting to watch but appreciated even though there didn't appear to be any sort of threat.

Helped a little in the getting the ship ready for harbour by assisting in the cleaning stations and generally ensuring that things were shipshape before heading ashore to the NAS to do a PT Test to properly be Ready for Service so the PTI and four of us headed off - the first ones officially off the Ship in Bahrain. We'd been told that it was close by but a new highway has been built since the ship's last visit and it now takes some outside the base to get to the Desert Dome and the other parts of the Base. Passed the test which made me feel good and got back on board and had something to eat.

After a late meal I changed and headed off again, this time with the XO, FLYCO and WEEO as we wandered round the NAS and finally made our way, after a few purchases, to the OASIS club where we settled in for a time before being joined by the SO & DSO.

A few quiet drinks and a meal later we headed back to the Ship were we adjourned to the Wardroom and have spent quite an interesting evening with RANLO and some of his staff and, as I said above, it is now tomorrow and I'm heading for bed.

Spent a bit of time waiting for leave to be piped again and then headed off back to the NAS with a couple of the guys and did some shopping and made a couple of phone calls. I'd seen the Chaplains Office yesterday but they are closed until Sunday so didn't try again today.

Had a bite to eat and then another wander and came back to the Ship and watched a couple of movies this afternoon and evening - a very peaceful day and now I'm heading off to bed and another early night.

We were alongside Mina Sulman, Bahrain so there were no Church services on board but the option for people to attend either of the two services at the NSA.

For me it was a slow morning because I didn't have too much to do before Leave was piped about 1030 and then I didn't hurry because the bus didn't leave for the NSA until after 1100.

Today the NSA was shut because it is Martin Luther King Jnr's Birthday Public Holiday in the USA so very little was open and it was impossible to buy anything on the base.

Went to Mass at 1200 and met the Chaplain who is posting out shortly for a Marine Base in the US and managed to get some hosts from him which should help us get by in the immediate future. There is still no sign of the order that was placed back in Perth before we finished the MRE on 3rd December.

It was then back to the Ship and a quiet afternoon for a read and now an early night after a game of uckers which didn't go that badly but we still lost.

Eventually we managed to get away without too much problem and we've spent the day transiting to the NAG (North Arabian Gulf) - the area where we will be on station for the 5 months of our deployment.

Not too much else has happened although we have three USN Officers on board who will be with us until tomorrow when we meet up with the USS Harpers Ferry. Chatted with them a couple of time during the day and one of them joined in a game of uckers tonight and seemed to enjoy winning.

Have some information about possible activities once we arrive on station but will need to coordinate with OPSO to ensure that I get fitted into the program but more about that tomorrow when I manage to find out a bit more about what is happening.

Now bed and hopefully a good sleep.

Together with the Oil Platforms our basic operations will include doing boardings and security checks on ships transiting the area from the KAA (Khawr Abd Allah) waterway. So far we have found that the weather is rough for the Gulf and the sea state is 3 which means that life will be uncomfortable for the crew of the RHIB's and the boarding parties as they ehad out to do security checks on the ships transiting the area.

On board it has been a quiet day. There were 3 USN officers who joined us for an overnight had met with various people to update intelligence and logistic information. By the end of the day they were definitely part of the Wardroom so they seem to have enjoyed their time on board Darwin.

The rest of the day was the beginning of what will be a slow patrol as we traverse our sector of the patrol area - basically doing big donuts around the platform but with the awareness that our efforts are essential to the long-term well-being of the country.

A chance of an early night so will make the most of it.

Heading off to the platform we had some difficulty working out where the meals and mail were to be delivered and when we came alongside it became even more obvious that this was not going to be easy. After several attempts to deliver mail on the northern side of the platform we moved to the southern side and whilst it was a little easier it was not simple and there were some very hairy moments.

The transfer of the meals was also an interesting activity and resulted in at least one USN sailor getting hit on the head, thankfully only lightly, with the pulley as they tried to control the meal bag being swung inboard.

Whilst all this was going on I decided that my going onboard the platform today was not on so I returned to the ship and got a little bit of a bagging for being a 'fair weather' sailor - had to take it so I'll live with it.

Weekly planning meeting this afternoon and a few other things before tea and then the Bible Study in the sickbay. There were only four of us tonight - all officers - which was interesting but now I'm heading for my rack and another early night.

I went to the morning brief and then saw a few people around the traps and managed to get a few good visits with people in.

After lunch I did some visiting as well as sent off some material to be used in Reaching Out, the Ecumenical Newsletter which is distributed in the Parish. I also sent off an email to work its way through the news channels to get back to the Gazette for publication next week. Also on the agenda was some preparation for the weekend services but have yet to choose a hymn which I will try and do that tomorrow.

This evening I chatted with one of the sailors in the ME department and talked about what life at sea has meant for him so that was good.

Now bed and an early night.

It was much easier to get onto ABOT today and I managed to have a good look round the platform and enjoyed a chat to most of the USN personnel and have organised to head back there at some stage to chat with them and celebrate Mass and Divine Service for them in the near future.

Later in the day the Doctor came over to ABOT as well as another of the comms sailors before we were all joined by the doctor from HMS Marlborough. Whilst everyone wandered round having a tour of the platform I sat with the guys in the radar shack and watched what was going on.

The trip back to Darwin was via Marlborough's RHIB and our Captain, who had been to Marlborough, was on board for the journey back. It was even calmer this afternoon than it had been this morning so it was a very quiet day.

I'm glad I'm posted to HMAS Darwin and not one of the oil platforms because life for those guys is quite primitive and it would be good if we could do something more to help make their home a little more comfortable.

A quite meal with the HOD's and now time for bed and, hopefully, a good sleep.

Last night after I'd gone to bed a message had come through to say that a program had been suggested for tomorrow that was going to keep me very busy so I had to do some extra work to prepare various liturgies for the ships and platforms that I'm set to visit. The timing is going to be tight if it goes as planned: this is what it looks like - 0900 to USS Chinook; 1000 to USCGC Monomoy, 1100 to ABOT, 1200 to KAAOT, 1300 to USCGC Typhoon, 1400 to Resolution, a Singaporean Ship, 1500 to USS Harpers Ferry and then back to HMAS Darwin to fall into bed with exhaustion!!!

The list didn't include Mass on the Ship nor the Divine Service here tomorrow at 0745 so I celebrated Mass tonight, sadly the pipe wasn't heard, or not remembered, by the Ships Company and only one guy came.

The rest of today has been another wandering round day and spending time with people in various parts of the ship but now I'm going to make the most of a chance for an early night and pray that the weather improves for tomorrow - the forecast isn't good so will wait and see what happens in the morning.

By midday it was obvious I could head out to various places so at 1300 I took off for KAAOT and visited the platform. There was some uncertainty about what I wanted to do there so I spent time talking to the detachment based there and had a tour of the platform - very difficult conditions that they live in and they reminded me of what the early missionaries might have lived through in an alien land.

I was transferred by the Darwin RHIB to USS Harpers Ferry as my second stop and was presented with a Jacobs Ladder that looked like it was one hundred metres high - I started up the ladder and thought I would never reach the top so will definitely need to start doing those pushups I've been thinking about doing in order to build some upper body strength.

Celebrated Mass in the classroom that doubles as a Chapel and there were 12 there so that was good. Had a good chat with a couple of people before and afterwards so that was good.

The Harpers Ferry RHIB was going to deliver us back to Darwin so waited for them to launch at 1700 so sat in their Wardroom and read the paper whilst waiting.

The trip back was via ABOT as they dropped off a sailor to load a program on their computer and then we got back here to the ship. The RHIB continued onto KAAOT to do the same job there but I headed for the Wardroom and sat down for a few minutes before joining an uckers game and then dinner.

Now bed as I'm bushed even though the work was much less than had been planned so I will need to make suggestions about what might happen next weekend.

The most important thing I wanted to finish was the service for Australia Day but as I'm still waiting on some more information that will not get done until tomorrow.

Wandered round the ship a few times and chatted with people - there is a real expectation re the arrival of Desert Duck, the mail delivery helicopter tomorrow for the first mail drop since leaving Bahrain and, hopefully, the first of many for the deployment.

The rest of the day has been quiet with very little that needs to be said about it being no different from many other days of this patrol.

The first part of the day went OK because people were in good spirits with the prospect of mail - when I chatted to them they all seemed good, although there are some people who are having a bit of a struggle. My wanderings were a bit shortened because, like many others, I went up onto 02 deck to see the arrival of the Desert Duck and thought about reading the material I was going to get!!!!

This afternoon I worked on the leaflet for tomorrow's Australia Day Service and finished it. I then took it to the Captain so that he would know what had been included so that he could complete his address without fear of repeating something that had already been said.

This evening we had the weekly Bible Study session (8 of us) a day early so that we could celebrate Australia Day tomorrow and not be concerned about the time or any other Activity clashing with the Study.

Now bed and, hopefully, a good sleep.

The morning was quiet so I just did my thing and made it happen. I managed to send off a number of emails to people wishing them a Happy Australia Day using some of the images that came via the first email I opened this morning so that was all good.

This afternoon I made sure that everything was ready for the Australia Day service and since that went off OK, albeit with only a few people there, I felt good. It was really great to be out on the flight deck and to look for'ard and see the Australian Flag and the White Ensign flying together from the Mast.

Tonight's BBQ was cooked indoors and served on the line so people got their meal and then wandered back to their own messes to eat which was a bit sad because that meant that there was no cross decking and little interaction between the ships company. Later in the proceedings the Commodore in Charge of the NAG arrived with the Captain to join us for the meal and he then made a presento to the wardroom in commemoration of the visit.

Later we watched the first edition of the Darwin News on video which was good with the best part being the BUZZ's collected round the ship and the ability of some of the people to tell their buzz really adding to the event.

Now it is time for bed and a good sleep with the hope that tomorrow there might be mail!!!!

Anyway, the rest of the day started a bit flat because people were going about there business - some a little bit down but those who have been here before a little bit more optimistic about things. The stories about how long it took mail to get here on previous trips to the Gulf or elsewhere for that matter made them less anxious - but it is difficult for many of the Ships Company to appreciate as there has been expectation for most of the two weeks of the patrol that mail would come almost every second day and today was day 11 and our first delivery.

On the other side of life, Chap Russ Graef, a USN Chaplain came for a visit today to talk about how we can provide chaplaincy to the various assets. He is only here for 10 days so it will be a bit of quick trip round for him but it looks as if we will be doing the run together on Sunday to make life easier for the various ships and platforms.

The rest of the day has been spent walking the Ship and visiting the various spaces and chatting to people.

Now bed - by the way the mail I got today were three stoles I need for Liturgical Celebrations - no note just the stoles!

Did a quick round this morning chatting to people about their mail and trying to encourage people who were still waiting.

Sad visitor this morning who came to talk - just got news that his wife had lost the child she was carrying, her second miscarriage. During the day he got the chance to ring her and felt a little better at the end of that.

Then later on news came through that there might be a delivery of mail tomorrow so people are a little chirpier.

The rest of today has been round the ship visiting people and meeting up with a couple of other concerns held by people - there are no answers to most of the issues, just a chance to listen to what they are saying.

I've spent some time this afternoon and evening trying to set a schedule for visiting the various ships. I've suggested that I visit USS Harpers Ferry on Sunday afternoons; the US Patrol Boats and Coast Guard Cutters on Mondays & Tuesdays; Wednesday & Thursdays as free days in case of bad weather; the two oil platforms - KAAOT & ABOT on Fridays leaving Saturday for any of the other large ships in the NAG.

Now bed with the hope that the plan might be accepted by Command.

There have been parts of the day which have been better though because there was news that mail has come to USS Harpers Ferry and will be delivered tomorrow so we know it is there and it is coming - we won't be waiting for the Desert Duck which was to come today and didn't make it, again.

Wandered back and forwards to the OP's Room to see if anything was happening about tomorrow and in between time I got ready for Mass tonight. I don't handle wandering and waiting for things to happen so I'm tired now from basically doing very little. Late in the afternoon I decided that I was going to do my thing tomorrow so I've organised that I'll go to USS Thach tomorrow morning and USS Harpers Ferry tomorrow afternoon.

Mass tonight was a little better attended than last week although I don't think that the time is good for people so will try and see what I can do about that although I doubt that there is little than can happen to change it.

Now bed, with hopefully a better tomorrow.

When I checked the OP's Room to see what was happening about the plan for today I got a new list of places I was supposed to go.

Again it was a tight schedule - I'll record it here so you know what was planned and then I'll tell you what happened - 1015 - USGCG Wrangell; 1130 - USS Chinook; 1245 - USS Firebolt; 1400 - USS Thach & 1515 - USS Harpers Ferry.

Now what happened: Orchid 1, the RHIB from RSN Resolution arrived alongside at 1000 with mail that had been delivered by the Desert Duck to USS Harpers Ferry yesterday. Then I boarded and joined a heap of others who were being ferried to various places. We headed off to ABOT first of all then down to KAOOT with their lunches and collecting a few people on the way then we headed for USCGC Wrangell which I joined and, as they were on their way to a RAS (Refueling at Sea) there was no chance for Mass so I joined them and saw how a small ship RAS takes place.

Some time later they took me down to USS Firebolt but along the way they organised for their RHIB to go ahead of us so that they could be filmed racing past them at speed - I didn't see the end result but it would have looked good. The RHIB caught up and after we'd arrived near Firebolt I go onto the RHIB and traveled with them across to join Firebolt for the rest of the afternoon.

After celebrating Mass on the Forecastle (thankfully there was very little breeze) I joined the captain and several of the Ships Company in their Mess area and had a cuppa with them. I forgot to mention that when I arrived on board Chap Graef had also just arrived so the two of us were together - he celebrated his service on the quarterdeck so Church was going at both ends at once.

Eventually we headed off back to our ships when the evening meals on keels came past - he went back to Harpers Ferry and I got back to Darwin firmly convinced that attempting to get to any more than two assets a day is a waste of time.

Lovely meal of roast pork for dinner and dessert as it is my once a week event and now bed because I've organised to go to USS Thach tomorrow am and USS Harpers Ferry tomorrow afternoon.

Did a quick round of the ship to see how people were getting on before coming back to the cabin to make sure things were ready for the day and no sooner had I arrived than there was a pipe to say that Orchid 1 had arrived.

I grabbed my gear and headed out to the Port Waist and joined a great crowd of Singaporean sailors who had recently arrived on station and who were visiting the various assets - at least from the safety of their RHIB.

We headed off to KAOOT and dropped off their lunch collecting two people who were also on the move.

Next we headed back to Harpers Ferry and this time collected Chap Graef who, when he came onboard told me that he had been crash posted to another ship - the USS Bonhomme-Richard - to take the place of their Chaplain who had died of a heart attack the day before.

After leaving there we headed off to ABOT to drop off their lunch and then back to Darwin to drop off Chap Graef so that he could get a copter ride to Kuwait to catch his flight to wherever he needed to be next.

Then it was down to USS Thach and finally, 75 minutes after I boarded the RHIB I had arrived at my first port of call. I met the XO on the waist and then met the Captain and chatted with him for a short time before heading down with the RP (the sailor who looks after the Religious part of the Ship) - he is also the Eucharistic Minister on board so it took just a short time to get everything set up for Mass.

It told me there might be about 10 people there but we got 16 so it was a good congregation. After Mass I had a bite to eat in the wardroom - a very different format to Darwin's although there were elements because the two ships were consecutive hulls from the same shipyard in the US.

From there I was taken by the Thach RHIB to Harpers Ferry and because it was a pleasant day and because the landing platform was down on Harpers Ferry we came up to her stern - unfortunately the coxswain forgot to slow down and we rammed the ramp and there was a real jolt - shook my knees a bit so I was glad to disembark and walk away.

Again there was a good crowd for Mass but it was 'sad' to hear that they will be leaving before next weekend (although I doubt whether the crew would say the same thing). I managed to meet their Captain which was good so I did something of the right thing by them.

Back to Darwin via Orchid 1 which was an easier ride than the RHIB and arrived in time for the evening meal - which I sat down and enjoyed and now I'm heading for bed as tomorrow I'm heading out (at least that's the plan) on the breakfast RHIB run and it is supposed to be Peabody 1 - the Harpers Ferry RHIB which is nowhere as good as Orchid 1.