Things that could only happen in Poole, another chapter…

Starting with this - https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/25443448.poole-harbour-exclusion-zone-royal-marines-parachute/

“Boaters are urged to steer clear of two designated areas due to military parachute training.

The Poole Harbour Commissioners have issued a notice on behalf of the Royal Marines, warning of training exercises taking place between 10am and 11.59pm on specific dates in September and October.

The training is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, Wednesday, October 1, Thursday, October 2, Tuesday, October 7, Wednesday, October 8 and Thursday, October 9.

Depending on the weather conditions, the landing site will be chosen on the day from two options, located east of the Swash Channel, outside the Poole Harbour limits.

Training dates span late September and early October, weather dependent operations (Image: Supplied) Each site—Point A at 50°39.742’N 001°52.624’W and Point B at 50°40.500’N 001°54.410’W—has a voluntary exclusion zone of 1,000 yards (0.5NM) radius.

Mariners are advised to keep clear of these areas during the training periods.

For the safety of mariners and parachutists, safety boats will be operating within the exclusion zone to provide advice and information.

For more information, mariners can contact Poole VTS on VHF Ch14 or listen to UK Coastguard’s broadcasts on VHF Ch62 and Ch63.

The harbour master, Harry Gregory, has reminded owners and operators of vessels to make their staff aware of this notice.”

If you want to see the image, just click on the link, but what makes it so wonderfully ‘Poole-ish is that they’re dropping parachutists, and it’s a voluntary exclusion notice for boats! It strikes me that that’s literally a case of ‘on your own head be it.’ Add to this the wonderfully named ‘impact points’ to describe the landing sites. That’s not very encouraging for mere mortals like us, is it? Especially if there's any chance that we could be underneath them if they get blown off course.

But then again, they are the Royal Marines, so they’ll be flown around in great big planes for hours to see if they get airsick and then dropped in the sea to make their own way back to shore. They more than deserve their creed, and this comes from their website https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/royal-marines

“Determination

The first to understand, the first to adapt and respond, the first to overcome – this is the mindset of a Royal Marines Commando. To keep going in the face of adversity, until the job is done. We’ll help you realise the warrior within yourself and achieve things you never thought capable.

Compassion

Royal Marines Commandos are not unflinching machines. You’ll understand that there is a human element in everything we do. From providing aid and reassurance to civilians in terrifying situations, to boosting the morale of our own when hope is fading, we provide the stability and assurance to help others thrive.

Within you is the best you. Let’s find it together.”

I love that last part. Actually, I love all of it and I think they make great role models; as long as they promise not to drop me out of a plane and into the harbour! So, something like everything that Luke and Tony and Laurie and Colonel Dan do in my books has actually happened, apart, sadly, from a Regency festival at one of my favourite imaginary places. If you haven’t read ‘Duel with Death’ yet then I hope you like it. Actually, I hope you like it if you have read it, because I had so much fun writing it. I’m having a lot of fun writing next summer’s Amy now too. Luke and Stacy are getting married. What could go wrong? You’ll have to wait till this time next year to find out, but you know me well enough to know there’ll be a happy ending, don’t you?

Till then, here's the harbour where we may well be lucky enough to see the exercise because it's always impressive. We'll definitely hear the planes because they come over our house and it adds to my feeling that we, and a whole lot of people are safer because the heroes who don't want to be sung about are around.