We arrived at Portsmouth with our usual aplomb on a Trathens Star Rider coach, good start! Then found our respective messes onboard HMS INVINCIBLE with the aid of the resident VBI, BdCSgt Adge Cutler.

Lamentation! Seventeen men in a very small room all trying to do the same thing. Panic ensued as beds and lockers were 'bagsied'. Cpl Colin Hudson had cunningly already made out stickers to claim his territory, needless to say we made the most of our last night in Portsmouth with the usual haunts being visited and old 'chums' looked up.

We set sail on Thursday 6th May with Procedure Alpha being our first duty and it was just the tonic to blow away the cobwebs. The BBC filmed us as we paraded on the flight deck with the usual array of sterling marches. The remainder of the day was spent getting acquainted with the ship and its layout; actually it took a bit longer than that. Heads were banged, shoulders scraped and hot coffee spilt ('Put that lid on') and we learnt through pain.

Musn Rob Sarahs wasted no time in unleashing the 'Ska Band' onto WO & CPO's Mess. Drum Major Stuart Mason 'offered' his services in a Ska rendition of the Andy Williams classic 'Can't take my eyes off you'. His velvet crooning stirred the Chiefs into participation in an anthem like chorus. Rob then invited the only two females who were visiting the mess to join him for a boogie. Drummy was up again, no mace required, well at least not for him anyway! He even threw in a couple of minstrel turns, show off!

An improvised Field Gun Competition was run on the Saturday afternoon, this involved pulling a five ton flight deck tractor, connecting and charging hoses, hitting a target with the jet of water, casualty handling, even more pulling, sawing 4x4 timbers and the final leg-shattering pull for the line. The Band entered two teams, the A Team won, much to the consternation of our blue-suited friends. This even before CSgt Dave Sharp's Phys sessions had begun. The reward for winning is a formal dinner for the team with the Captain!

The rest of Saturday was spent rehearsing the music for the Sunday's Gala concert in the hangar. This concert was put on for the ship's company so that they could see what we get up to and the combinations we are able to provide. We played a fanfare, a March sequence and a Post Horn duet performed by two on loan Musicians, Mark Upton from CTC Band and Richie Burton from RMSM. The crowd really warmed to and when the buglers swaggered into the fray with an electrifying rendition of 'Noises On', they went bonkers! We then split into smaller groups laying on a three-course buffet of Dixie Land Trad Jazz Band, Ska Band and Dance Band, with CSgt Les Sheppard featuring on trombone for the first and last time in 20 years, delicious!

After hearing LCpl Gary Turner verbally extract the Commander from his comfy chair and ordering him to dance, anything seemed possible. The Commander was then set upon by a younger female officer in a daring salsa dance. Gary, not content with that, also berated the 'Skipper' until he too was dancing with the lively lassie! Wonderful scenes, nice one Gazza.

Then onto our very own Jane Fonda, CSgt Dave Sharp to perform his now famous northern ditty dressed as an old miner and managing to insult the highest ranking officer in the room. At one point we feared for Dave as the Captain, who looked quite animated after his dance wielded the pickaxe Dave had carelessly left beside him. Luckily Dave escaped with a pat from the pick on the posterior and wended his cheeky way back through the crowd. After the finale, the cracking audience shouted for more, but that is what we left them wanting.

With an important gig done and dusted our attention turned to exercise with CSgt Dave 'Fonda' Sharp leading us in daily circuits. He disappointed us all by not wearing his crop top and sweatbands but he'll soon have this band fully trimmed in Bristol Fashion in no time!

A varied programme continues with more reports to follow.