Since our last Post we have recorded nothing more than
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER
locally as an addition to the Year List.
However, Sunday 3rd January 2016, which now seems a light year away, was for me the day of an unexpected treat. Bernard, my daughter Lisa and the rest of the York family are due to return to Australia mid-month (YES that's 3 years gone in a flash) with our final farewell date having been set for the 5th inst. However, enter stage left my former Lady Friend Lorraine inviting us all to lunch at her house in West Sussex last Sunday. A day of torrential rain, which wasn't going to make one iota of difference to our get together, but even then a detour via 
was thought likely to produce at least a couple of additions to the
Bird Year List.
Residents here include Mandarin Duck and Marsh Tit but neither
were stupid enough to be out in such weather!
All that could be mustered were a lone
MUSCOVY DUCK
(which wouldn't quite make the cut)
and a similarly single
NUTHATCH
(grand total for the year now stands at 48)
Lorraine and I had chance to catch up and reminisce
(some of the BEST years of my life without a doubt)
before the York's turned up mob-handed.
LISA, BERNARD (now Captain Bernard York Royal Australian Navy).
Elizabeth and Alexander.
Benjamin, Alex and
Frederick,
while
Lorraine and Lisa took to the kitchen.
(dare not put my thoughts)
DADDIES GIRL?
I certainly don't do Christmas, and don't have one clue what to buy
young children at any other time, including birthdays, but did have one
thing to give which as far as material things go is about the closest to my heart.
Of my limited number of achievements in life, becoming a
SUBMARINER
and being part of that Service for a number of years was about as
good as it got (including my Mate and Master's qualifications) so it
was decided to bestow, on each of the Grandchildren, the 'eternal gift'
and distinction of becoming
and distinction of becoming
An insignia worn with the greatest of pride
throughout the rest of my 38 year career at sea.
(note the additional becket which one day will hold a memory stick
complete with the Bagsy Memoir)
(note the additional becket which one day will hold a memory stick
complete with the Bagsy Memoir)
It will take them a while to get the knack of pinning them to their chests
but that won't concern a
Most Proud
Grandpa Bagsy
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