My last Boat

[holly17]

Thought I would have a think back to older times this was my last submarine before I retired from the Royal Navy in 1981 it was a different life.

[Suz01]

Hi Fred.

Now that is impressive. I can't imagine being in one (submarine) What is it like?

Suz xx

[holly17 in reply to Suz01]

Hi Suz this boat is or was one of the large nuke missile type so lots of room unlike the diesel ones where room was tight. Life on board was routine work, eat , sleep etc. W would stay submerged for approx 2 months at a time. But a life I would not change. xx Fred

[Jolyn]

That's a smashing pic Fred and you have such lovely memories. Thank you for sharing them with us. Now you're going to have to tell us some stories about that wonderful life in the Navy. xxx

[holly17 in reply to Jolyn]

Lyn your far to young for those stories lol xxx

[Jolyn in reply to holly17]

Lol....if I'm not old enough now Fred, I never will be ... lol xxx

[holly17 in reply to Jolyn]

I was being kind Lyn as you are younger than me, and I could say I am not allowed to tell of my time in the service as I signed the official secrets act, but that only included my job not what went on ashore, but then if I told you about that I would then have to kill you so slow you would giggle yourself silly.Maybe I will write a book and sent you a copy. What should I call it, any suggestions. lol xxx

[Jolyn in reply to holly17]

Running off screaming with my arms in the air...lol xxx

[holly17 in reply to Jolyn]

You are funny Lyn, can you run slower as I get out of breath, I have a new tickling stick. lol night sleep tight. xxx Fred

[Jolyn in reply to holly17]

Lol...lol...night Fred, hope you get a good nights sleep tonight. xxx

[helingmic in reply to holly17]

Suggestion: "all men on board, counting me"!

[butter-fly]

I really admire you being able to go underwater in a sub. It must have been very disciplined to avoid everyone going going stir crazy.

Wouldn't be able to go down even for five minutes. I am claustrophobic and the very thought makes me feel panic.

Hats off to you Fred. How about a pic of you in uniform? Love to see that! xx

[holly17 in reply to butter-fly]

Once you have dived you tend to forget you are under water, and claustrophobia doe's cut in, as you are busy and there are other thereabout you, the only thing is that you tend to notice all the little annoying things that others do. I don't believe I have any of me in uniform to hand, but will have a hunt around. xxx

[Jolyn in reply to butter-fly]

Me too sara...the very thought of it makes me panic...I couldn't do it.

[naresh62]

Much respect to you Fred,also to the heroes who serve in our Forces.Wow what a different life you had God bless naresh62

[holly17 in reply to naresh62]

Hi naresh62 just a job like every one else pal, hope your well

[sassy59]

What a great time you must have had Fred but I would not like to be on a submarine. Good memories though. xxxx

[holly17 in reply to sassy59]

Yes I have some really good memories and also traveled all around the Far East which was one of the area's I all ways wanted to visit and the bonus was Japan, plus there were many other places, as well as hiding under water for months lol xxx

[cofdrop-UK]

Respect Fred Being claustrophobic I can't think of anything worse. cx

[holly17 in reply to cofdrop-UK]

You would have been alright one of us would have held your hand, but then we would have had to smuggle you onboard before we sailed as no ladies allowed in my time. xx

[Sokrackers]

Hi Fred Nice to have a pm post from you. Did I tell you about the time I was confined to cabin for 30 days. It was worth it!

Just done steamed cod fillet with greens. Peas n sweetcorn! My daughter smothered it in ketchup but grandad was quiet so I guess it was okay.

What's on the menu at chez Fred?

[holly17 in reply to Sokrackers]

Hi there love, oh you must tell the the story of what went on in the cabin for 30 days or was it a tropical decease , the mind boggles :). The meal sounded really nice till your daughter added the ketchup. I did meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce with pasta and garlic bread slices followed by strawberries and ice cream, a real naval healthy meal lol. I am off for a scan in the morning so will depend on how the time goes as to whether or not I get on here at all. Stay safe speak later xxx Fred

[Sokrackers in reply to holly17]

Hi sweetheart

Yes little monster wanted meatballs so maybe I should have given in. I'm defrosting last year's apples for crumble n custard. Tidied the decks away so looking ship shape.

Twas the Captain that confined me and half the crew to quarters. I seemed to forgotten the time one shore leave!!!

God bless

[holly17 in reply to Sokrackers]

Spooky seeing I did meatballs, pleased you have every thing ship shape and Bristol fashion. Oh dear over ran time on the run ashore, nothing to do with the local brew was it. Byeeeeeeeeee for now xxx

[Sokrackers in reply to holly17]

No Fred my problem with the local brew was in Gibraltar. 10 months on board after a transatlantic docked in Gibraltar CIDER! I was dancing the light fan dango! Hic hic

[helingmic in reply to holly17]

Good luck with your scan. Hope you get good results. Mic

[holly17]

Kracker I did the same dance in Gib many times when we were showing the flag around the Med xx

[Towse1950]

Yes we all have time to reflect on our different lives. I worked abroad in Libya...it was lovely in the 80's....Oman, Egypt.....etc......I was an Overseas Financial Advisor to the Expats. Lived the job the pressure went with the territory. Love my more peaceful slower pace....goes with the territory! I wake up and make each day to be the very best....hope you all do too. Audrey Jersey.

[holly17 in reply to Towse1950]

Well said Audrey every day is a bonus

[Towse1950 in reply to holly17]

We must keep breathing and enjoy.......Audrey x

Have a lovely week-end!

[holly17 in reply to Towse1950]

Agree Audrey that's one thing we must all keep doing no matter how hard, stay safe and warm have a lovely weekend xx Fred

[bikergrove]

Can't imagine what being under water like that would be like, not for me i am afraid of large expanses of water x

[bulpit]

That's really something Fred, You must be a very proud man,lovely to relive memories of previous times,all those far off places you visited,as you say a different life. Regards Bulpit

[Lyd12]

Hi Fred

I was wondering if being an ex submariner had any health issues. And I googled health of ex submariners. It seems you are a pretty healthy bunch with no excess of cancer. wondered if you had followed up any of the sites.

[holly17 in reply to Lyd12]

I seem to be the exception to the rule as I have cancer in both lungs but this never happened till 25 yrs after I left subs and I put it down to smoking or something else as I gave up many years ago.

[Hidden]

Wow what a great picture thanks for sharing.

[katieoxo60]

That's a grand picture Holly17, my father was in the navy, not on subs but a chief stoker down in the bowels of the ship, but he was discharged after the war on medical grounds. presuming the navy or sea has been your whole life trade. Have a good day hope you are comfortable ,no pain and here's a few smiles for you x

[holly17 in reply to katieoxo60]

Good to hear your father was also in the navy as a chief, yes I joined at 15 and servred till I was 40. Hope you are pain free. xxx

[helingmic]

holly17 What a fine ship she is. You must be proud of having been part of its team. Well done! Mic

[holly17 in reply to helingmic]

Thank you Mic I served on all four of the Polaris Missile submarines as a missile launcher Chief.

[helingmic in reply to holly17]

Wow! I was in Birkenhead in teh 70s. I heard a lot about Polaris then. This was the state of the art of our fleet then. And you were behind all the nuclear stuff. Thank you for defending our country.

[holly17 in reply to helingmic]

I was also at Birkenhead for the build as 2 were built there and the other two at Barrow in Furness then out to the States for the first practice firing . Yes I was involved with the launching side really interesting. Cheers Mic

[hufferpuffer]

How fabulous Fred! i've never met a submarine farer before! my pardner is a merchant seaman, he's been at sea since the age of 18 and he's 52 this year, at the moment on the Holyhead to Dublin crossings. I love the photo! Hugs huff xxx

[holly17]

Hi there huff a submariner is the same as any other seafarer only better lol. As your other half well knows being at sea is like a drug as long as you have respect for it. xxx Fred