Day 27 When I was 18.....

moved out of my dad's house 2 days after the last day of high school. Moved to Ventura, to my bro's house up on Poli St. Didn't have a clue what I was doing...Went to Ventura College....played drums...hung out with girls....really didn't do much of anything productive. I spent alot of time walking on this beach, contemplating my future.... This is now right outside my brother's place....looking towards surfer's point.
Had some crazy times there.
Was in the line up once with my buds Skip and Andy...enjoying the crisp ocean air..waiting for our next ride...When a sealion swam between us. We were used to seeing them all the time. Usually fairly playful....getting into mischief....bumping us from our boards. Barking at us....
Well this one morning... the little guy...swam past us like lightning. Didn't stop to say "hi"...we were fairly puzzled. Well this a point, in hindsight we should have maybe paddled in. We didn't...
Within 30 seconds we were aware of another ominous presence in the water. This dark shape circled. My heart felt like it was going to leap out of my chest. SKIPPY being the anti-hero he is...not understanding there is safety in numbers....paddled his happy ass into shore. I was frantically looking around for our new "friend." Andy was more quiet than usual. Not the most helpful thing....We couldn't see the bottom..the water was quiet murky. In California the water is clear as day during most of the year. So we were having some great luck huh? Good day to play the lottery....I should have looked up to sky...would have seen snow too.
So there I am....about 150 ft from shore, bobbing in the water like a flipperless seal...an h'oreuve to anything swimming. Well, Andy and I decided to make out way back to shore. Trying to do so without making too much of a splash is difficult. Anyways....we turn around...not the smartest of moves..turning your back on a threat..but considering again what it could be...I didn't think it matter much. That and another set was rolling in...and we thought..we would just ride back in.
Well that was the plan..... and it worked for Andy. Yup...I missed the ride...bad timing. Well I was still freaked out...I put my head on my board.....I knew whatever it was...was just curious. If it was actually here for a meal...one of us would have been breakfast already. I continued paddling in. I just stared at the beach. Imagined how good the dry sand was going to feel between my toes. Looking to my right....there was nothing. Looking to my left, I saw a couple dorsal fins in the waves....and then suddenly gray head emerged right in front of me. My heart skipped a beat...and I started to laugh.... DOLPHINS! We freaked out over a couple of dolphins.

Day 26 Pete Cuzzo's Magical Mystery Tour

Ok...the Tiger II..this thing was a beast. I was completely amazed at how incredibly huge it is. About 30% bigger than the American Patton Tank or 50% bigger than the Sherman. What a site this must have been to see rumbling at your position in WW2. I would have probably crapped my pants.
The museum was absoluetly the best Tank museum I have ever been to. I have been to a few. The one at Ft Knox doesn't have the variety. The one in Baumholder, Germany had decent variety, but took really shitty care of the vehicle exhibits. Plus this museum has a great replica trech exhibit depicting what life was like for the Doughboys in WW1. Britain obviously takes great pride in their military and preserving it's history.
My wife at the little seaside town of Swanage. It was a fairly wet day. Not too much color. I think people here for the most part hate the rain. I love it myself. In fact I love bad weather....Bad being up for the normal interpretation. bad weather makes great photos....
The day was really cool. I didn't expect the museum..we originally intended to go to Longleet Wild Safari Park. I would have loved that too. Lucy wanted to go to a "Living Rainforest" that is nearby. next time....or maybe this weekend. She loves animals...and plants...so..it would only be fair.
I had a great time on Saturday with her folks and her. I was in dire need of a short trip.

Day 25

No I am not cynotic.....just dead bored and blue.


As a side note.... I took a few moments to reflect on this day in history.
Most people have no idea what I would be talking about...
This day produced many heros, but there are two from TF Ranger that stand out
MSG G. Gordon and SFC R. Shugart. Check the Medal of Honor website http://www.cmohs.org/recipients.htm
if you want to know who they are and what they did.
God bless them, the men next to them and their families.

Day 24

Winchester......just taking a stroll.

Day 23 trip to The Royal Maritime Club in Portsmouth

Just a few pics from out trip today. had to go see a doctor for PTSD today. Usually I don't talk too much about the service anymore. Most people just don't understand what vets do. But this DOC inderstands. He had me talking and thinking about stuff...from 95 to the present. It was a good trip...

Plus I got to spend part of the afternoon with Lucy in Portsmouth....

However we did spend 7 quid on some really SHIT fudge....
dammit.

Day 22 Mint sauce

Taken at the Danebury ring...on a day Lucy and I attempted to fly a kite....Thing is...we forgot to add WIND!

Day 21

This rasta man serenaded Lucy and I in Bath, England....with a rendition of Sting's Message in a Bottle.