FRENCH TATTOO

Just had my back tattooed by a Frenchman!! No, not really. Attended the Windsor Tattoo this evening and was most impressed by the Garde Republicane. They were marvellous as was the King's Troop seen here. Was also able to see the Royal Marines Band who I look forward to seeing at our British Military Tournament on 2-4 Dec. The Windsor Tattoo was jolly good but I think we might be able to do better. A challenge for a few!!
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TOURNAMENT ON!!

Received the good news that the Secretary of State for defence has approved the re run of the British Military Tournament which will take place between 2^nd  and 4^th of December. This year we are including RAF and Royal Marines and the theme will be the “Special relationship” between the US and UK.  Planning is well on time and tickets will be on sale on 7^th June. Web site www.britishmilitarytournament.com

RECORD TIME

Meanwhile Andy was breaking his own records in Carlisle before making it across to Ireland. Here he is in Carlisle with not too big a crowd finishing his 50th  Ultra Marathon in 5 hrs 28 mins.  Over the weekend he was in Ulster and to morrow he starts his 55th marathon.  11 to go before he breaks that Guinness Record, amazing!!

ALPINE WAR

Spent the weekend in Italy on the Asiago Plateau, where the dickens is that? I can hear you breath!  Well its in the lower part of the Dolomites and this was where in 1917 a British Army of about 6 Divisions was lifted from the Western Front and sent to Italy to help them in their war against the Austrians. Asigao is about 4,000 feet up and this picture shows an Alpine scenery which looks very peaceful. In 1918 a fierce battle took place and I was ferreting around so I could conduct a battlefield tour for the Yorkshire Regiment.  Three of their antecedent Battalions took part.  It was fascinating to research what was a sideshow of the Great War.  Although the sacrifice was considerably less many died in the campaign.  

THE ELIZABETH CROSS

This is one of two  Elizabeth Crosses that were presented in Gloucester Cathedral last night by the Lord Lieutenant. They were presented to the families of an officer and a soldier who were killed in Northern Ireland by the IRA in 1972 and 1973.  They are a wonderful gesture by a grateful nation.  Both families were very moved by the ceremony and despite some second thoughts were deeply appreciative.  Its a long time ago and most of us forget the misery this campaign genereated. We do well to remember those who suffered.

TWO ANDIES

Here is a great picture of two great men who have supported the charity to the enth degree.  Andy Reid turns out for Andy McMenemy at St Helens and there we have the team that set him off at Manchester with Andy finishing , fresh as a daisy.  Finally there he is setting of on the Park Run in Manchester.  All this reminds us that great things are being done in our name whilst the longest weekend goes on with the news of Royal Wedding and Osama taking the headlines.  Andy is in good nick and to day in Preston he is on his 48th Marathon.  The weather has been good to him , not being too hot.  Now he only has teens of runs to do the end is in sight.

RICHARD HOLMES FRIEND AND BENEFACTOR DIES

My good friend Richard Holmes died in the early hours of Saturday and what a loss it is for us all.  He was a wonderful man and a great historian.  He was a valiant supporter of the charity and a few months ago I worked out on the back of a envelope that he had probably raised through his many speaking engagements for the charity about a quarter of a million pounds. He had fought Lymphoma for two years but in the end it was pneumonia with complications that got him.  I shall  miss him for his wonderful turn of phrase and his amusing quips which always brought a smile or laugh to his audience. He was probably the the finest speaker I have ever met. We  spent many a day together travelling  on  horses in various parts of the world and I never ceased to be impressed by his encyclopaedic knowledge of just about everything historical. He was to accompany us on the Reivers Ride, a fundraiser in July in the Scottish Borders.  This was to be the third of this series of rides following a formula Richard had thought of. We shall surely not be the same happy party as we were.  Good bye old friend and thank you.