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RNARS London (HMS "Belfast") Group
(Affiliated)
Easter Activity Week 2007
HMS "Belfast"
Friday, 06/042007 till Sunday, 15/04/2007
The RNARS London (HMS "Belfast") Group held their usual yearly activity on board HMS Belfast.
For this special occasion members travelled from many countries to be heard all across
the bands worldwide with the call sign GB2RN. This is the amateur station which is
situated in the bridge wireless office (BWO) on board the cruiser HMS Belfast.
EAW invitation 2007
"2007 will see the 25th Anniversary of the Falkland Islands Conflict."
To commemorate this event and to remember those who lost their lives we
shall be using the special Call sign GB2FIC (FALKLAND ISLANDS CONFLICT)
from the Bridge Wireless Office.
from 6th April 2007 until 3rd May 2007 inclusive.
This as you can see will be operational during the Easter Activity Week.
A special QSL card will be printed to confirm all contacts.
GB2FIC qsl card
Some members of the group arrived on Good Friday 06/04/07. We had a lot to talk about
since our last meeting and soon formed into little groups for some chit
chat. We also met in the Sea Cadets Wardroom for our welcoming drinks.
In the Sea Cadets Wardroom
HMS "Belfast" at Night
We would like to introduce our new publicity poster "The Belfast at
Night". If you click on the picture it will enlarge the poster and will show
off the very successful design.
Bunny Rabbit in the mess
Even in England the bunny rabbit came to visit, and as he had quite a way
to travel we were able to welcome him already on Easter Saturday.
For our Catering Manageress a delivery of flowers and a present as a thank
you for all the work and effort to make us feel welcome.
In the evening we had a little social gathering in the Sea Cadet Wardroom.
Silhouettes from London
Easter Sunday 08/04/07 presented us with beautiful weather, blue sky and clear air a
perfect day for a stroll in London to get re-acquainted.
This time we went to see the legendary Ritz Hotel, Trafalgar Square and also
a visit to the Royal Albert Hall and the Albert Memorial. In the afternoon
we had a chance to educate ourselves in detective work at the Sherlock
Holmes Museum.
Silhouettes from London
Aviation Museum of the RAF
In order to use Easter Monday 09/04/07 for a useful purpose Chuck, Roger and myself
decided to pay a visit to the Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon. It is the
only National museum dedicated wholly to aviation.
In five big hangers hundreds of flying exhibits, photos and history was
displayed. You can find further info logging on to
Aviation Museum of the RAF.
It was most impressive to see all the displays and a very well worthwhile
trip.
Tower Bridge and HMS "Belfast"
We were kept busy at our club station GB2RN as it was our activity
week. The radio shack on board is known as the BWO.
Following are some photos from the BWO and some of the operators.
BWO in action
Sea Cadets Wardroom
After stress and hard work in the BWO we went to the Sea Cadets
wardroom for a relaxing time.
Sea Cadets Wardroom
We were also honoured by a visit of some of the Sea Cadets staff in
the wardroom.
On Wednesday 11/04/07 the weather was perfect, some of us went shopping others
stayed in BWO others just took it easy.
The evening was crowned with the now traditional visit to the Tower of
London and the highlight of the evening was the Ceremony of the Keys.
This special parade has been performed without fail every night for the
last 600 years and marks the ceremonial locking up and handing over of
the keys to the resident governor of the Tower.
The Tower has many fabulous sights to offer and the Crown Jewels of the
Royal Family is just one of the many items.
London Group members visiting the Yeoman Warders’ ward room - Tower of London
Assambled London Group members in the Pub
The evening concluded with a little refreshment in the Tower Wardroom which
was strictly by invitation only.
This year the AGM was held first before the VIP arrived and the social
followed in the Officers-Mess.
Guests attending were Mick G3LIK MF334 RNARS-Chairman and many others from
Scotland, Canada, America, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and of course Germany
not to forget our veterans.
work during the AGM
The slogan after successful elections of the committee was:
ready for inspection on the quarterdeck
The VIP Captain Randy S. Durkopf USN, Naval Attaché of the American Embassy
arrived at 12.45 precisely, he proceeded to inspect the Sea Cadets guard and
then followed on with the inspection of the assembled RNARS members.
Social
Finally at 1330 all participants with a social ticket were able to
participate in a well prepared lunch and of course plenty of liquid
refreshments.
The new committee was celebrated in style. Angelika with a few helpers had
again helped to make the party a big success. Everyone had a good time.
A big thank you goes out to her.
VIPs
Friday 13/04/07 was earmarked for an excursion to all viewable sights of the country.
Chuck, Harm and myself had chosen Canterbury in the county of Kent. Our
destination was the famous cathedral which is also the seat of the archbishop.
I encountered the real English fog for the first time during the drive on the
motorway and saw for myself the fog signals flashing. We reached our
destination safely. The trip was worthwhile and left us with a lasting
impression of the county.
Canterbury
Sometimes you find that the best things are very close. Saturday 14/04/07 I walked
to London Bridge to visit the large Borough Market. It is laid out like a
big open air shopping centre and you can buy every conceivable fresh food
from all over the country. You need to go to experience it.
Borough Market at London
Our happy time with friends passed far too quickly. Sincere thanks
to our hosts who made it possible again for us all to have an unforgettable
time.
A visit to our Hosts
London and HMS "Belfast": I shall return!
Responsible: Hans-Jürgen DK9OS, MF787 RN4636 LG609
last update: 06/09/2008 © dk9os
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