The book is well and truly launched now, and selling well in Kindle form and also the printed version through Amazon. It can also be ordered through independent bookshops. Lots of Navy friends have been in touch and it brings back memories of our adventures in the exotic Far East – particularly Singapore as it…
I am so excited to let you know that the printed version of my book is almost ready! I have ordered the first print of the first edition, as CreateSpace advised me, to ensure the cover and text is what I was expecting. It should be with me on Wednesday 9th July. I know I probably…
The other day on television I saw a very interesting documentary about the first polio vaccines developed in the 1950s. This brought back vivid memories for me of when I was four years old. I had a very high fever and no-one was quite sure what was going on. It was a hot summer and…
Been a busy week with Hospital Radio Bedside as usual where I am head of on-air interviews and co-present programmes as varied as IKIDZ the children’s’ programme with Adrian Boyd and Julian Singh and then at the other extreme, the ‘Off the Wall’ late show with Andy Scott and Kev Williams. This show is as…
Hello everyone – just to let you know that some intriguing facts that have been recently brought to my notice about the MI5 and bugging incident associated with the murder of Hilda Murrell and the BELGRANO. As our family life was affected and we were unwittingly drawn into the mystery, I have updated chapters 55…
Many apologies if you had a problem with the buy button which suddenly appeared. A gremlin had escaped into the website and put a spanner in the works. We launched our anti-gremlin attack cats and they were soon able to track down the beast and chase it off! The problem is now sorted and you…
My book ‘Green Smarties’ started as a mere dream when I was first married into the Navy and living in Singapore in 1971. Life was exciting and every day became a new and different adventure. I wrote descriptive letters home to my parents and asked them to keep them for me so that on my…
I am very grateful to the following people: To all my family and friends who have encouraged me to complete this book To the Navy wives and friends who have given their permission for the use of their stories To Steven Spiller of bitTheory – internet publisher, web designer and programmer To Andrew and Donna…
After 20 years of involvement with the Navy which ended in the late 1980s, I can identify an aircraft carrier or a submarine but anything in between is a blur of grey metal with a pointy end and a blunt end. Except for RFA TIDESURGE which, without any qualifications, I was allowed to steer across…
The strident sound of an emergency siren ripped the air apart on a warm summer’s night in July 1969. Following hard behind the ambulance, my father gripped the steering wheel of the elderly car that he’d had for so long it was almost vintage. His face was ashen, his foot pressed hard down on the…