Friday 14th Feb

The day of love and it was also Musn Ross Hunt's birthday. Although this was Ross's first birthday at sea, he was well prepared with his advance party of birthday cards. We are due to go to HMS Ocean today but before we can go BdCSgt Dave Sharp treated us to his 'light' circuit, containing 180 press-ups, 90 sit-ups and many more glorious exercises.

OCEAN
The afternoon saw us embark the Ocean by boat transfer, sounds quite straightforward really doesn't it? Well that is if you count at least 5 members of the band being left to dangle on a pilot ladder (rope ladder) on the side of the ship whilst the waves dragged the LCU (RM landing craft) away from the ship.

We arrived at the ocean and were accommodated in the RN Officers' transit mess; however this is not quite as glamorous as it sounds. The one consolation being that HMS Ocean the Navy's newest troop carrier is fully equipped with an ice cream parlour selling real Cornish ice cream.

ARGUS
Today the Band offloaded to HMS Ocean for the weekend for a series of concerts to entertain the troops, leaving seven of us onboard, ably led by CSgt Dave Taylor, to attend any emergency casualty handling situation that would require our expertise.

Saturday 15th Feb

ARGUS
Today we did some training for our casualty handling role and also put together a rather sexy little sextet for Sunday's Church service in the form of five clarinets and one trumpet! Guess who had the tune! Of course in the afternoon it was back to the reality known as phys.

OCEAN
Today was to see a ship's concert in the hanger. However the majority of Royal Marines were ashore on exercise and it was decided to entertain those remaining onboard. Due to the excellent sport available on ship's TV, we would get to watch the Man Utd vs Arsenal FA Cup tie followed by the England vs France six nations game. Sandwiched between these two sporting fixtures the Big Band gave and informal concert in the hangar accompanied by a open bar (no two can rule!!).

Sunday 16th Feb

ARGUS
Well today was the first public performance for the sassy sextet, and all went remarkably well considering the unusual combination, just proving that remaining flexible does work! Today we had a marathon phys session arranged by the Drum Major and all enjoyed ourselves immensely thank you Drummy! LOTS!

OCEAN
A Lazy Sunday routine. A ship's company lie in, followed by Brunch and sun bathing on the flight deck, shame there wasn't much sun! The evening saw the band perform their 'Showcase' concert for the ship's company of Ocean, York and the crews of the embarked squadrons. Judging by the 3 encores called for, the concert was a great success with the baying crowd singing their hearts out to Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory and Sailing. It was also agreed by the band that this was one of the most unforgettable gigs they had performed and were proud to be a part of this build up to the unknown.

Monday 17th Feb

ARGUS
Today we are taking part in another exercise; the scenario was that a ship had been hit by a mine. This then resulted in a mass casualty exercise where the 'forgotten seven' made an overwhelming contribution by getting the casualties to the PCRF. The exercise went fine and our humble 'forgotten seven' men and women took it all in their stride.

OCEAN
Today was due to see us boat transfer back to the Argus, however once again this was not to be. Because of high winds, Ocean was unable to set sail and we found ourselves stranded sun bathing on the flight deck, eating ice creams waiting for a chance to return.

Tuesday 18th Feb

ARGUS
Unfortunately the Band didn't make it back onboard last night; they probably couldn't peel themselves away from Ocean. Maybe the Ocean had just broken down again! Another twenty-four hours for the invincible seven, left aboard to go about their daily business. We had quite an interesting lecture on burns, unfortunately not the poet, and then some more phys by way of a change.

OCEAN
It soon became obvious that Ocean would again not be sailing, and after rumours of hotel stays and a rush order for civilian clothes to be purchased for the band our hopes were dashed and we ended the day in a secure compound in the middle of the desert.

The complex was shared by UK, Dutch and Australian troops, with 6 ranks being accommodated in the plush Dutch accommodation and 6 in the even plusher Aussie camp (2 man air conditioned rooms). What about the remainder of the band I hear you ask? Well we have to wait a few hours to find that out. All was not lost however as there was a football pitch complete with grass. A Chiefs vs. Indians match was hastily arranged with the chiefs narrowly winning largely due to BdSgt Charles Ingram's outstanding Hat Trick. There's definitely life in the old dog yet, but don't ask him about the rugby score! At half time it was noted that the remaining accommodation was arriving on the back of a lorry. By 1800 the remaining accommodation was in place, a luxury port-a-cabin, housing 8 bunk beds, with concrete mattresses with little room to swing a bugler. By now BdSgt Taff 'seen off' Ingram (UK Site) was wondering why he was bedding down with the OR's (other ranks) when Musn Rob 'the noz' Watt was in the luxury of his Aussie cabin.

Wednesday 19th February

An early start from our desert base saw us meet the Argus in a nearby port where we were heartily greeted by Drum Major Dave Taylor, who assured us he had really missed us! Straight into rig we were back onto the lecture circuit in the PCRF. The day was not to end there. A fire in one of the engine rooms upset our general evening activities and with the ship dead in the water, the key for the band instrument store was located for all string and double reed players to collect their instruments to help keep the fire burning. The situation was expertly dealt with by the RFA and RN crew, even if the whole PCRF staff met on the Argus stair-well.

Thursday 20th Feb

Back to reality and PT with Musn Greg Norton who took the helm. This did seem to hurt a little more than usual with most of us carrying football aches and pains. BdCpl Ian Davis however was unable to take part due to a small tennis ball size bruise on his arm, he assures us there is no truth in the rumour that this was caused by Capt Nick Grace's post Chiefs / Indians match tantrum (a la Ferguson / Beckham). Musn Gareth Bott was lucky enough to receive a 16-page e-mail of pure drivel, cheers to Musn Bart Simpson (Plymouth Band).

The afternoon saw us bid farewell to Musn Steve Perry who has returned to the UK. This was followed by NBC drills, thanks go to Rob 'the Noz' Watt for spending the afternoon on his back in full NBC rig being hacked at with blunt scissors.

Friday 21st Feb

Today the ship moved into defence watches, we are working a of 6 on 6 off, 12 on 6 off, 6 on 12 off! Sounds very much like a fire strike to me!! In the afternoon the ship conducted a chemical exercise to test the citadel of the ship. The bands role is to act as chemical monitors and citadel centuries (door monitors). The rest of the day was taken with DVD watching and bluey writing.

Saturday 22nd Feb

Day 2 of defence watches, more card playing and a much-welcomed intelligence brief to keep us up to speed on the current climate regarding our situation. We rigged up the concert band in the HDU (high dependence unit) this afternoon. The boss pulled out a few favourites to get the music brain going again in the form of 'Festive Overture', 'Candide' and a special request for the VIP who didn't turn up, the Commodore 'High on a Hill'. The string quartet played for the Commodore's VIP dinner party on the other ship tonight and managed to see BdCSgt Eddie Neighbour the VBI on there.

Sunday 23rd Feb

Today started with church and a rendition of 'West Side Story' for the assembled congregation and was followed by a 'gentle' phys session on the flight deck with BdSgt Dave Sharp. All was going well until just when we usually warm down, Dave decided to introduce a stretcher carry, up and down the flight deck just to move the PT onto a new level!!

In the afternoon the band again formed up for the Commodore's Millers. We assembled once again in the HDU awaiting his arrival, on the nod from the Drum Major the VIP party entered the HDU, the band played 'High on a Hill' and once again the Commodore wasn't there, it was another party of VIP's!!

Nick Bailey