Iain's Homecoming ,after seven month deployment

Remember in my last entry I told you, we had been to Portsmouth (Pompey)to see Iain's ship come home ...well here I am ,with the pictures of that memorable day .Sorry it has taken so long ,but the thoughts of adding the pictures as we do from the last one first was a bit daunting ,time wise ,as it is it took most of the morning yesterday ,

We left home on the Wednesday evening ,at around seven o clock Colin had been to work ,and Sharon had to wait until her bar staff came on for the evening .Well of we went Sharon (my daughter and Iain's Mum) Kate my other daughter ,Colin Sharons fiancee and me,we had a good journey down stopping on the way for a meal ,We arrived at the Travel Lodge at about ten forty five ,Kate and I shared a room ,and Sharon and Colin were in a room just opposite us .We woke early next morning to drizzle ,but it didnt dampen our spirits we were going to see our boy today after a 'Peace keeping deployment in the middle East ,'and he'd been away seven months ,Iain is in charge of the ships canteen and shop ,like a NAAFI ,he does however take part in many of the ships activities ,such as crossing the equator ,and is in as much danger as all aboard .Part of their mission was to take out and capture some of the pirate ships ,we saw that on the news !!!

Whilst in Dubai Iain bought me this crystal copy of The Burj khalifa, Needless to say I was delighted I had seen a programe on TV about it ,the tallest building in the world .He gave Maurice ,who was sadly working and couldn't get the time off ,a zippo with the ships crest .

Getting ready to go ,down to the harbour ,Iain had rung his Mum yesterday as we were driving to say he could see the white cliffs of Dover ,and then last night to say they were anchored out in the Solent,and could see the lights on the Sinnaker Tower ...so near and yet so far ,but very exciting for us all .

We set of in the car to park up ,and join one of the coachs that were waiting to take us down to the harbour ,and on the way saw many famous ships .

Once down by the harbour we took our place amongst other excited frinds and familys of our dear returning boys ,we stood in the rain as the band played ,lots of sea shanties Hearts of Oak amongst them ,OHhhh !

OH LOOK ,The Harbour masters boat ....

Then the tug ....theN HMS LANCASTER

W ITH ALL HANDS ON DECK

Home at last ,some of the sailors first off ship ....

My Boy ,Sharon all tearful and joyful ......

Hello Colin ,good to see you mate ,


My Auntie Kate ..... see how wet we were !

Hallo Granny .


Then Iain took us on board ship ...

This is a picture of the Spinnaker

Well folks I have finally manged to make this entry ,I hope you enjoy it as much as we did ,

As ever love from Jan xx