Here are two of the best pictures, the first shot in Alicante
harbour, the second at sea. I took several other pics.
I am pleased to
know that my old pictures have been appreciated! the first
is again in Alicante harbour, with Yarmouth berthed aside my
ship. The second shows the Yarmouth's Wasp helicopter
landing on the flight deck of my ship, during an exercise in
open sea.
Third picture is the destroyer
TCG Savastepe (D-348) former USS Meredith, DD-890, sailing
close to my ship in open sea. I remember her crew carefully
polishing the ship every day spent at harbour, so that she
seemed a real "veteran ship" coming out from a WW2 movie!
Fourth picture
is my ship (frigate Grecale F 571) berthed in Taranto
arsenal. Unfortunately I didn't shot any picture to USS
Garcia FF-1040, although I spent some interesting hours
onboard at sea, during an interesting exchange of a few crew
members - I was one, since I could speak a bit of English!
For sure, I couldn't take any photos during the transfers to
and from my ship and Garcia: the first trip was onboard of a
small seat hooked to a big rope between the ships, with the
waves excitingly close! Return trip, instead, was by
helicopter, but since the Garcia had no flight deck I had to
be retrieved using a life ring hanging from the helicopter's
winch, up to some 10 meters, until I reached the cabin.
Maybe a bit too exciting flight... my sons don't want to
believe to my adventures, now, but they were absolutely
true!
Last two are...
me: the first one proudly portrayed close to the ship's AA
missile launcher (at La Spezia Navy arsenal, in September
1985).
Last is how I
look like now, at... 50.
Best regards and
Happy New 2010!
Ivan |
