Early Coffee

A poor nights sleep meant I was up and out early, the coffee with friends was advanced to 10:00 and as I supply the cakes I headed down town.
Surprise, surprise, not much open before ten but I managed to find a coffee and some pastel del nata to take with.
Coffee at the point watching what must be Falmouth’s only large fishing boat bringing in its pots.
A great coffee with Richard and Jackie, Sam walked over with Paddy and joined us for the last half hour. Paddy running around under her feet cheered Jackie up.

It was as we left that I heard the news of the death of HRH The Prince Philip, I’m not sure why but it left me feeling a bit melancholy. Like a good few service personnel I’d been in his presence a few times and spoken to him once. I liked him he was one of the very few VIP Inspecting Officers that took notice of what he was inspecting. There’s nothing worse than preparing for a parade and the inspecting officer just strolling on past. ‘Phil The Greek’ as he was affectionally known by all Naval personnel, would take his time, look at you and if you weren’t up to scratch he’d tell you. He also spoke to random people going about their duties and took an interest in them.
I spoke to him whilst serving on HMS Fearless in the mid 70’s, he took a keen interest in the Fleet and its ships and we spoke for a few moments about the four stage flash evaporators, (water producing plants), and the amount of fresh water needed each day on an Assault Ship carrying an Embarked Force.
R.I.P Lord High Admiral