The Yomp For Steve

Saturday, 18 May 2013 saw the Yomp For Steve*. A group of Steve Sharpe's friends have gotten together and for the past 2 years, they've walked from one of his favourite places at Titchfield Haven to Shore Leave Haslar, a walk of about 8 miles along the Hampshire coastline.


The assembled throng, included friends from Gosport with whom he grew up, ex field gunners, fellow Commandos, a lab tech, an RAF air traffic controller, an ex naval Medical Assistant and assorted spouses and dogs. And last but not least, his lifelong friend Brian (or Bj).

We chat, some bring their dogs, we amble, some stop for a beer, some stop for a New Forest ice cream (I recommend the rhubarb crumble and custard one) and others stop for a cuppa. We each chip in £10 and all the proceeds go to Shore Leave Haslar. This year we raised £280. They in their turn provide us with a simple but tasty barbecue, drinks and cake in the wonderful gardens they've recovered.

Last year Steve's mum and dad were there to see us off, but earlier this year Steve's mum died suddenly and his dad needed his time to grieve and to get over her death and so didn't attend.There was one person missing and I hope she can join us next year after all that she has gone through, and continues to do so.

You, too, should join us next year.

*Yomp has two meanings in the Royal Navy it can (and used to mean) to eat, but once the Royal Marines landed on the Falkland Islands in 1982, it's other meaning took precedence and entered popular culture. It means to walk across country, usually burdened with a small house, no sleep, and a pair of underpants that passeth all understanding.

People Just Want to Know

There's a great deal of fun and of satisfaction being a Submarine Guide on HMS ALLIANCE. I suspect these feelings are also felt by enthusiastic guides at either attractions and sites. Today was no exception. I took two tours through the submarine, both of which were really well received. People find the experience a real eye-opener as they (probably for the only time in their life) get to walk through a submarine and witness the conditions in which submariners used to live. They enjoy both hearing about the way submariners would live and of some of their experiences.

But it's also a pleasure for us guides because of the people we meet. As an example, today I had people who went out of their way to come and say 'thank you' after their tour. There was a American engineer working here in the UK with whom a colleague and I had a pleasant conversation that ranged from gun control to US submarine museums. Another couple were directly related to one of the casualties on HMS THETIS. Others today would have spent ages talking about aspects of submarine life revealed to them.

If you're a submariner reading this then come and become a guide at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. If your someone with a keen interest or experience in a particular field and not already involved, get involved! People just want to know.

When One Door Closes

When one door closes, the draught blows the light at the end of the tunnel out, and you have to spend time fumbling for the matches before you can start your journey again