Sunday, 29^th JUNE 2008

Last week I started the Log with sad news on Boof's heart attack. I am happy to say that he is much better now, the medication has well and tryly taken affect and he is acting like a pup again.  Still no walks for him, so his mate Sheela (our other dog) and I bought an old pram from the tip and we push him in it on our morning walk.  He loves it, but I think the neighbours think that I am one step away from the looney bin.

This week has been all go, I am feeling much better and full of energy.  I have put in new gardens, one for vegetables (onions, Brussel sprouts, spinach, leeks and Buck Choy) and one in the terraced area around the pool for my roses.  This has been backbreaking, I am not as fit as I used to be (if ever?) and shoveling dirt into a makeshift sieve to remove the rocks has been hard work.  I have another vegetable patch to start this afternoon and then I'll start on the chook shed, fresh eggs and vegetables at twice the price of the shops.

The possums have been active this week, holding drag races on my tin roof at 0400 each day as they return home from a nights rape and pillage.  I am finally friends with the three that live with me (two in the shed - mum and baby - and one in the toilet roof) and they now accept their fruit from me on the verandah. They are not too sure about Sheela so she has to stay inside at feeding time.

One of my neighbours is a 75 year old Queensland farmer who can no longer drive so I sometimes take him to Tiaro shops, about 15 km from Bauple. On one trip the topic got around to Kevin 07 and his appointment to Prime Minister.  "Well, ya know," drawled the old farmer, "this Rudd fella is what they call a fencepost turtle." Not being familiar with the term, I asked him what a fencepost turtle was.  He replied, "when you're driving along a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's called a fencepost turtle." The old farmer saw a puzzled look on my face, so he continued to explain, "You know he didn't get up there by himself, he definitely doesn't belong up there, he doesn't know what to do while he is up there, and you just gotta wonder what kind of dill put him up there in the first place!''

I have had several members ask why they will no longer get their copy of the SAA newsletter, In Depth, by mail after the next issue.  The Treasurer, John Rana explained to me that our sponsor for many years has not been able to assist this year.  The sponsorship amount was $4400 and the total was consumed in postage and printing. With the majority of members having access to the web and having an email address it is hard to justify the expense of dispatching 500 plus copies by mail.  Without sponsorship the Executive Committee decided, for economic reasons, that only one more issue of the "In Depth" would be dispatched in hard copy. Members will be informed of the reasons in this edition.  The Committee took the view that members without a computer could utilize their local library to down load a copy. Branch Presidents were happy for their secretaries to make a copy available on request. Anyone out their want to sponsor a newsletter?

SUBMARINE ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA News

President's Notes
I have received a letter from Admiral Rowan Moffitt AO RAN advising me that the Chief of Navy has commissioned him to undertake a wide-ranging review of the sustainability of the uniformed submarine work force. He is to deliver his report at the end of October.

The Admiral would welcome input from the Association and seeks collective or individual thoughts on any issues. As the time given to prepare the Report is limited his preference is to hear from the Association through a single interlocutor, so that he can avoid allocating potentially large amounts of time to talking person to person with individual members. That said, the Admiral is quite happy to take written or e-mailed submissions from individuals and he will follow up as he feels the need. The Admiral is also happy to guarantee anonymity for those contributors who may want it.

His terms of reference are broad, similar to those for Captain Bill Dovers' review of 1994 but he have less time than he had and his concern therefore is that he need to get focused quickly on the main issues.

I have sent an email to all Branches for discussion and for them to come back to me with any ideas.  This is an opportunity to have an input into the future of the “Submarine Workforce”.  Time is obviously of the essence.

To enable a consolidated Association response to be given to the Admiral members are requested to forward comments or suggestions to me by email as soon as possible.

For those that wish to forward their suggestions directly to the Admiral there are two ways.

Letters addressed 'personal' will secure confidentiality if it is asked for:

Rear Admiral R.C. Moffitt AO, RAN
Submarine Workforce Sustainability Review
Russell Offices R1-4-C002
Department of Defence
CANBERRA ACT 2600

Alternatively, e-mails (which may be seen by others) can be sent to Submarine Review

Secretary offline
I have received news that our National secretary has lost his email connection and will be offline for a few weeks, watch this space.  this means that I cannot update the New Member's section or pass on any news until further notice.

Queensland
Members are  reminded that the next meeting of SAA Qld Inc will be held at the Coorparoo RSL (Galaxy Room) at 1100 - 3rd August 2008. This Meeting will be our AGM and Secretary Rob Woolrych asks as many of you as possible to come and have your say. Also to all those of you who are non-supporters of SAA Qld Inc but whom are diligently included in our correspondence when it is sent out, are asked to come to this gathering and support us and join the Association. 

If there are any of you who have any items you want discussed at the AGM please forward to Rob. The President is interested in continuing in our quest to pull the SAA Qld Inc out of the past and project it into the 21st Century but we cannot do that without your support and input. Any valid proposal or idea you have which you may have to make our Queensland Branch or the Association a better organization we would like to hear it.

Secretary Rob Woolrych advises that the Branch meeting scheduled for 11/12th October 2008 will be held at Stanthorpe and for anyone that resides in the areas of Northern NSW this is the ideal time for you to come and join us for a little experience of Queensland “Kooth & Kulture”. The schedule below is that from FLIPPO’s Tours for the Saturday of the visit. The Committee decided that the Wine Tour will probably be sufficient for the day so we abandoned the idea of a formal dinner in the evening..

Saturday Oct 11th.  Pick-up from Motels 0930, finishes circa 1700. Cost of this tour $70 p/p with lunch at the Pub included (Self serve BBQ).

The meeting is scheduled to be held in the Stanthorpe RSL Club on the 1000 Sunday and after a quick social moment at Lunch you are then free to proceed home.  One reason for going to Stanthorpe was of course the Food & Wine but an equally important reason was to include the Northern Rivers people of NSW so all of you please come and join us and make it a fun SAA weekend.

Let Rob know if you are interested and he will get details of available Accommodation to you ASAP.

New South Wales
Ken Williams advises that the Branch AGM scheduled for 13th July 08 has been moved to 27th July 08. He hopes this does not cause to be to much of an inconvenience to the members planning to attend. He said "This should be a good meeting with feedback from SUBCON being provided by Wallaby Ware and the election of your representatives to the State Executive for the next twelve months."

Judge Judy to prostitute, 'So when did you realize you were raped?' Prostitute, wiping away her tears replied , 'When the check bounced.'

Around the Traps

Mailbag

If there is sufficient demand Terry Parsons will be taking orders for 'Crusty old submariners walk for kids T shirts'. Terry will confirm final pricing prior to placement of order. The more ordered, the cheaper they will be.  Names of those interested required as soon as possible so that an order can be placed.  Contact Terry now.

Dave Luck reports on his trip to NQ to visit his daughter. "Had a successful patrol of Northern waters.  Caught up with Shorty Needham, Danny Carroll, Kev Marengo, Garth Schmidt and Craig Cope, and we all enjoyed a QUIET drink together.

After our first rendezvous my daughter organised a return bout at her house for a BBQ, another success.  Had a great time and thanks to the North Queenslanders for their hospitality.  On the passage home I dropped in for Tot time with Fred Fisher. Another good time with the Guinness flowing from the Irish spring in Fred's backyard.  Lots of reminiscing back to RN days, and it was great to catch up."  I had a phone call from Kev Marengo which confirms that it was only a QUIET drink, they were too pissed to get loud, my how times have changed.

Congratulations to John Kidd on his promotion to PO1 Senior Electrician.  John, currently serving on HMCS Windsor writes "I was promoted to petty officer first class and now serving as the chief electrician (9 years and 4 rank changes on the Windsor now).  This is my last job on the submarine, ime to relocate.  Think the RAN could use a good technician who is a bit old? I submitted my overseas entry application RAN May 08." Always looking for good men mate , even if they are can't speak proper English. 

Dave Sutherland (ex-CPOSY 1965-1987) is seeking all members of the 10th JRTE intake (January 1965) with the view to compiling a contact list, and, attending a Meet and Greet in Sydney in August 2008. Contact Dave on email (preferred) or phone (02) 9607-3637. Please pass the word. Dave is also seeking contact details for Roger "Salty" Saltmarsh, who was one member of his intake.

Pat Heffernan, Vice President of the Victorian Branch sent some photographstaken in his lounge room. He said "We used to have one of those square old-fashioned air conditioners and we replaced it with a later model. Our problem of what to do regarding the hole in the wall was solved when Margaret, the wife of Gerry France, a former Chef in Boats, suggested that we have a window made. It was much cheaper than having a bricklayer reblock the recess, then having a plasterer plaster it from inside and me having to paint the entire lounge room over again. I came up with the idea of the twin dolphins leadlight window to be included and we had it made professionally. I'm able to use the window shelf for Boats memorabilia.  Now, any Submariners or ex-Submariners, when visiting Mavis and I, must face the window, stand to attention and salute. Skimmers, on a visit, will have to get down on their knees, genuflect and bow their heads. As they should!!!"   A great idea Pat, looks good.

Frank Powell said that he will be retiring from gainful employment at Christmas 2008 and returning to Europe, probably Portugal or Malta to live in early 2009. Sandy is currently Assistant Director - Panel Management at the Defence Business Training Centre in Canberra.

Vale - Captain R M "Max" Kohler RN
Captain R M "Max" Kohler Royal Navy died on Saturday 21 June 08, aged 73. Submarine service:1960-1975 on submarines HMS Sea Scout, HMS Auriga, HMS Otus and HMS Repulse.

A Department of Water representative stopped at a farm and talked with an old farmer. He told the farmer, 'I need to inspect your farm for your water allocation.'   The old farmer said, 'OK, but don't go in that field over there.'  The water representative said, 'Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me. See this card? The card means I am allowed to go WHEREVER I WISH on any agricultural land. No questions asked or answered. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?'

The old farmer nodded politely and went about his farm chores. Later, the old farmer heard loud screams and saw the water rep running for the fence and close behind was the farmer's huge-horned prize bull. The bull was gaining on the water rep with every step. The rep was clearly terrified, so the old farmer immediately threw down his tools, ran to the fence and shouted out.....

'Your card! Your card! Show him your card!'

Interesting Links
Sandy Freeleagus asks "Who counts the Admirals?" If you are into Brit humor, check this site out as it has to do with the Aircraft Carrier that Britain is building that will become the world's largest. There is also some other great associated clips at this site.

Watch and wonder.....................this guy is brilliant! There are several clips to watch at this link.

Jon Farrar found an interesting site where Vietnam vets can get a certificate to print out of their time in the area.  I found mine there.

Your fortnightly online copy of Navy News is now available. Items in this edition include Chief of Navy VADM Russ Shalders saying his last goodbyes.

This link is well worth spending a few minutes viewing - highly recommended! One of the world's largest collections of aerial photography is being moved from Keele to Edinburgh.

Vetaffairs is published three times a year and distributed to more than 370,000 members of the veteran community. It provides regular, up-to-date, information of interest to the veteran community, including important information about government policies, programs and initiatives.  June 2008 issue online now.

For those bargain hunters, check this cheap booze web site out! Go to the website, type in the type of stubbies/booze you’d like to drink this weekend, the area you are in, and it will give you the cheapest carton price available in your area and the surrounding suburbs. Ingenious!!!

Go to www.pictureaustralia.org, ype in place or .ship name. A photo archive - good stuff

HEALTH MATTERS
Why can’t I get and keep an erection?
At some stage of their lives most men have temporary difficulty getting and maintaining an erection. This is usually due to stress, alcohol, or tiredness. However, persistent, long-term problems getting and maintaining an erection hard enough to have the type of sex you and your partner want is known as erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence. It is a serious problem that can affect men of all ages, but is more common in men aged 40-70, more than half of whom have some degree of ED.

It is estimated that the majority of cases of ED have an underlying physical cause, although emotional and psychological factors may also be involved. Fewer than 20% of cases are purely psychological.

Erections occur because sexual stimulation triggers the release of chemicals that cause columns of tissue in the penis to become full (engorged) with blood. Anything that affects the mind, blood vessels or nervous system can cause ED.

It is important to dispel a few myths. ED does not occur because of:

• loss of interest in sex (libido),

• lack of strength or manhood,

• sterility, or

• reduced virility.

It is not a natural consequence of ageing and there is no muscle in the penis to tire. However, it is more common in older men, with 1 in 5 men aged 70 having persistent ED.

If you can achieve an erection by masturbating, or sometimes get an erection in the morning or during the night naturally, then ED is probably due to psychological reasons, relationship problems, or drugs, rather than any other physical causes.

The most common causes of ED are outlined below.

• Physical - approximately eight out of 10 ED cases are due to physical causes. These can include ageing combined with arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and smoking, but also diabetes, drug misuse, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, hormone deficiency, kidney failure, Peyronie's disease, as well as neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal, or back injuries, and other chronic (long-term) illnesses.

• Psychological - conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, and trauma may be contributory causes of ED.

• Relationship issues - such as performance anxiety, poor communication, sexual inexperience, reduced attraction, fear of intimacy, and infidelity, may all contribute to ED.

• Medication, alcohol, and smoking - ED can also be caused by the use of antidepressants and antihypertensives, smoking, and regular heavy alcohol consumption.

Rarely, hormonal conditions can cause ED. For example:

• abnormally low levels of the male hormone testosterone (hypogonadism), or

• producing too much of the pituitary hormone prolactin (hyperprolactinaemia).

Tests for physical causes of ED include genital examination, urine and blood tests, and a blood supply test (Alprostadil injection). In the majority of cases ED can be treated. Treatment options are listed below.

• Medication - including Sildenafil (Viagra) and Apomorphine (Uprima).

• Injections into the penis - Viridal and Caverject.

• Urethral pellets - MUSE (Medical urethral system of erection).

• Hormonal treatment - testosterone replacement therapy.

• Vacuum devices - battery operated suction pump.

• Counselling and cognitive therapy - couples or relationship therapy.

• Psychosexual therapy - using the sensate focus technique.

• Surgery - penile implant.

Most men experience ED at one time or another. To decrease your chances of it becoming a persistent problem here are some lifestyle suggestions you could adopt:

• don't smoke, drink excessively, or use illegal substances,

• exercise regularly,

• maintain a healthy diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables,

• try to keep your stress levels low - if you do experience stress or depression speak to your GP who can offer advice,

• get plenty of sleep, and

• have regular medical screenings and check-ups to make sure problems are detected early to avoid long-term complications.

Source - NRH Direct

MEDICINE-MIXING ALERT
Most people know not to mix certain medicines without consulting their doctors. Some medicines cannot be mixed with certain foods...and certainly most of us know not to mix certain medicines with alcohol...although, some people think that mixing alcohol and medicine is harmless.

As a Public Service the AMA and Health Canada have recently published a new warning being distributed via pamphlets in pharmacies across the U.S. and Canada. Tis is the cover jacket of the pamphlet

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs seeks Vets input
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, is travelling to each state seeking the views of veterans on the best way to give them a more effective voice at the highest levels of government.  Minister Griffin said meetings to be held nation-wide would discuss the structure and role of the Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Ex-Service Matters—a key election commitment. “More than 100 individuals and organisations from all around Australia responded to a discussion paper on the Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Ex-Service Matters released earlier this year,” Mr Griffin said. ”Their submissions demonstrate very strong support for the Advisory Council and its role, but have raised issues that need further discussion.

“During the parliamentary recess I will be travelling to meet veterans in every state and territory to discuss these issues in person. “There are a number of options on the table, including membership, appointment of the chair, how matters are referred to the Council, how it should operate and how it relates to my Department. "The Government is also reviewing all consultation mechanisms between the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the broader defence and ex-service communities. This will also be discussed at the meetings.

“I encourage all veterans and members of the veteran community interested in the Prime Ministerial Advisory Council to attend the meetings and contribute to the discussion. “Following this round of consultation I intend to appoint the Advisory Council by the end of August.” Meetings will be held in each capital city during July and early August. Further details of meetings and copies of submissions, are available at the DVA website.

DEFENCE NEWS UPDATES

BAE Systems Australia’s buys Tenix Defence
The Minister for Defence, The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today welcomed the news that BAE Systems Australia’s acquisition of Tenix Defence is now complete.  This acquisition follows the recent decision by the Foreign Investment Review Board allowing the sale, and makes BAE Systems Australia the largest defence company in Australia.  The acquisition provides BAE Systems Australia with a broad range of defence capability areas including naval shipbuilding, armoured vehicles, aircraft support, systems integration and electronic warfare.

To protect Defence interests, BAE have provided specific assurances through a Deed with Defence relating to the amphibious ships contract, agreed between the Commonwealth and Tenix in October 2007.  The Deed also prevents BAE Systems from buying ASC Pty Ltd (formerly the Australian Submarine Corporation) if it is sold by the Australian Government.

The U.S. Navy's newest attack submarine christened
The U.S. Navy's newest attack submarine, the New Hampshire, was christened Saturday, delivered eight months ahead of schedule. The New Hampshire will begin sea trials this summer and be delivered to the Navy in October.

The New Hampshire was christened by the widow of a pilot killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks. "I believe I'm looking at heroes," said Cheryl McGuinness of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, looking at the ship's crew. "You all are my heroes."  Thomas McGuinness was co-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, which was flown into the World Trade Center's north tower.

The submarine, built by General Dynamic's Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, is the third Navy vessel to carry the name of the Granite State.  "Now it's time for this New Hampshire to continue the seafaring legacy of the ships before," said Adm. Kirkland Donald, director of naval reactors. "We'll soon depend on this crew to take this submarine into harm's way."

The submarine is scheduled to begin sea trials this summer and is expected to be delivered to the Navy in October, in a ceremony at the Naval shipyard in Kittery, Maine.

Damaged Royal Navy sub returns home
A Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine that hit a rock last month in the Red Sea, damaging its sonar equipment, has returned to Britain, the Ministry of Defence said on Saturday. After hitting a submerged pinnacle after passing through the Suez Canal, HMS Superb underwent repairs at the NATO facility in Souda Bay, Crete, before returning to Devonport naval base in Plymouth under its own power.

An assessment will now be made before a decision is made on the future of the 272ft long Swiftsure-class attack submarine that was about 80 miles south of Suez when it struck the rock.

No other vessel was involved and an investigation is now being carried out into the incident by the Royal Navy.

It is not the first time a Royal Navy vessel has run aground. A recent report described how the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Trafalgar struck the bottom of the sea at more than 14 knots off the Isle of Skye in 2002 after basic navigational errors during a training exercise.

Italian submariner takes over as NATO's top military officer
An Italian admiral took over Friday as NATO's top military officer. Giampaolo Di Paola replaced Canadian Gen. Ray Henault as head of NATO's Military Committee. Henault retired after serving his three-year term.

NATO's strategic commanders report to the head of the Military Committee, which serves as a link between the military and the alliance's political leadership.

Di Paola, 63, was chosen by NATO defense chiefs in November ahead of rivals from Spain and Poland. A former submarine, frigate and aircraft carrier commander, he has been Italy's chief of defense staff since 2004. "I am strongly committed to continuing the process of shaping NATO military structures and policies," Di Paola said. "Building on the relationships we have with new partners and new members-to-be will also be a top priority of mine."

Di Paola is the second Italian to hold the post since it was made a full time, elected position in 1963. European officers traditionally hold the top job while both NATO's strategic commanders are Americans.

Groton 'submarine capital' title challenged by base in Washington
The outgoing commanding officer of Naval Base Kitsap wants the “Submarine Capital of the World” sign removed from Interstate 95 and instead placed at the entrance to his base in the state of Washington.  ”The new submarine capital is Kitsap,” Capt. Reid Tanaka said in a speech given earlier this month as he relinquished command of the base.

But Capt. Mark S. Ginda says the sign, and the title, will stay in Groton. ”Even if he agrees to pay for shipping, it's not going anywhere,” said Ginda, commanding officer of the Naval Submarine Base.

Sixteen fast-attack submarines and the Naval Research Vessel (NR-1) are in Groton, compared to 14 submarines at Kitsap. But Tanaka argues that Kitsap is home to all three classes of submarines - ballistic-missile, guided-missile and fast-attack. Two of their submarines, USS Connecticut and USS Seawolf, were homeported in Groton until recently.  ”The shift of Navy assets to the Pacific Fleet makes Kitsap all the more important,” Tanaka said, according to the transcript of his speech.

After the staff in Groton heard about Tanaka's remarks, Ginda said “there were no emergency meetings to figure out how we were going to counter this blasphemy, if you will” because Tanaka has a “tough road ahead of him” if he wants to continue to call Kitsap the new capital. ”We have the natural synergy of the base and Electric Boat, right down the river, where the latest class of subs are built,” Ginda said. “We have sub school, where officers and enlisted cut their teeth on a submarine profession that started here, as the first submarine base, and continues on as the submarine capital of the world.”

Russian sub salvage operation
Members of a joint Army-Navy salvage crew watched as the Juliett 484, a Soviet-era missile submarine, emerged from the bottom of Providence harbor. At top, the sub’s conning tower shows its Soviet red star. The sunken Russian missile submarine that had been resting on its side on the bottom of Providence harbor, poked above the water for the first time in more than a year.

The conning tower of the Cold War-era missile sub came out of the water gradually, rising over the course of an hour until the red star, symbol of the Soviet navy, was fully visible. After a year underwater, the hull was rusted slightly, and flecked with green and gray from the marine life that has grown on it.  Most of the submarine remains underwater, but it is now sitting mostly upright, and on track to be brought fully to the surface around July 15.

The submarine, a museum ship in Providence since 2002, had been on its side in the 35-foot-deep water off Collier Point Park since it sank in a storm in April 2007. The sub lay at a 48-degree angle, with the tower facing East Providence.

The military salvage team, which is refloating the submarine as a training exercise, needed to pull the submarine upright and stabilize it before they could try to bring it fully to the surface. It still rests on the bottom of the harbor, but now it tilts at roughly a 7- to 10-degree angle.

As the top of the submarine broke the surface yesterday evening, a team of Navy and Army divers and salvage experts breathed a sigh of relief. This was the most important — and dangerous — moment in the year-long process of raising the sunken submarine, and it went off without a problem. If they had miscalculated even slightly, the submarine could break the suction holding it to the harbor floor, and leap out of the water toward the pier, causing a catastrophe on the water’s edge.

The teams spent much of the day yesterday pulling on the submarine using wires attached to six giant hydraulic motors. They would tug at the sub, check the resistance, then pump water out of the submarine to lighten it. This process went on all day, until at 5:30 p.m., the submarine began to turn slightly.

The salvage team will now allow the submarine to settle for several days, and ensure that the water still inside does not shift around and cause the submarine to move again. They will then put large pontoons on either side of the boat to stabilize it. Once it is locked in place, divers will burrow under the submarine and place inflatable equipment called “belly bands” underneath the sub. When the remaining water is pumped out, and the belly bands are inflated, it should give the submarine the buoyancy it needs to rise to the surface.

Juliett 484 was commissioned by the Soviet Union in 1965 and served in the Soviet Baltic and Northern fleets until its decommissioning in 1994. It was then sold and moved to Helsinki, Finland, to become a restaurant.  When that venture failed, it was sold to a group in St. Petersburg, Fla., where it became a museum. In 2001, the submarine was used in the filming of the Cold War thriller K-19: The Widowmaker, starring Harrison Ford.

A retired submarine Coxswain appeared before St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. Have you ever done anything of particular merit? St Peter asked. Well I can think of one thing, the Coxswain offered. "Once on a trip to the Brisbane, I came upon a gang of bikers who were threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn't listen. So, I approached the largest and most heavily tattooed biker, smacked him in the face, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring, and threw it onto the ground. I yelled; "Now back off...or I'll kick the shit out of you.

St. Peter was very impressed, "When did this Happen.

"Just a couple of minutes ago...

The Hunt For HMAS Sydney DVD - Discounted Pre release in Stock at Slops Van Now

AFTER 66 YEARS, AUSTRALIA'S GREATEST MARITIME MYSTERY IS FINALLY SOLVED. IN MEMORY OF THE 645 CREW WHO LOST THEIR LIVES.

The wreckage of HMAS Sydney, sunk off the West Australian coast in 1941, has at last been found. The Sydney's entire crew of 645 went down with the ship in the Indian Ocean and its location has been a mystery for 66 years. The Hunt for HMAS Sydney tells the incredible story of a ship lost in the middle of nowhere and that of the dedicated search team who always had a strong belief they would find it. This special DVD release will include the history of the Sydney and German raider Kormoran, along with interviews with bereaved family members, naval personnel, historians, and those who have made the search happen with their determination to bring closure.

The following DVDs are still available from the Slops Van

• Ultimate Battles: Waterloo

• THE KURSK - A Submarine in Troubled Waters

• SUBMARINERS - THE DVD

• The Voyage of the Nautilus (Hubert Wilkins)

ARE YOU FINANCIAL - 2008 SAA SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW OVERDUE - LIST AT BOTTOM OF THIS WEEK'S ENTRY - INFORM OTHERS THAT YOU KNOW!!!

Come on Boof, work to be done ............

Sunday, 22^nd JUNE 2008

Many thanks to all those that contacted me this week, I am happy to say that things are getting back on track and I am starting to get on with things, full steam ahead.  I promise to get my finger out and start on the web update as soon as possible, especially the entries for Buddies in Boats.

However, I start this week's Log with sad news, Boof had another heart attack on Tuesday and I thought that he had started his final walk.  I had three sleepless nights giving him medication and trips to the toilet (he still has his pride and dignity) and I am happy to say that he is much better now and is sticking to me like shit to a blanket.  I am realistic enough to know that at 16 he is nearing the end, but not until he tells me.

If you were at SUBCON and managed to take some photos I would appreciate copies to create a photo album for the site.  I managed to take a couple on the Friday night and have received a couple which I will put up today I hope.

Winter has set in and the log fire is getting a workout, the sun goes down and the temperature plummets.  Lucky that I live on the edge of a pine forest, no problems getting firewood.  I thought that snakes went away in winter?  A load of crap, my neighbours reported a snake was heading for my roof via the power lines until a pack (flock?) of birds attacked it and it fell (jumped?) off.  It landed in the mulch under the mango tree and disappeared quickly.  The said that they thought it was a python about two metres long.  'Think' is not good enough, that garden can turn to weeds for all I care!

While discussing the snake situation with my neighbour I noticed a big red mark on his forehead.  I asked how he got it and he replied "It was caused by Menopause Jewelery."&n