This can, at best, be described as an irregular blog.  My blogging is, these days predominantly adhoc and is usually filed under Mhor Skye Musings.  These musings contain images around where I live on the Sleat Peninsular and also the rest of the Isle of Skye. I still occasionally blog about some of my event photography or Landscape/Wildlife when my travels generate a suitable tale to tell and I find time to recount it.

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Underwater Photography – Reflections

Underwater photography around the Isle of Skye – Reflections. Below the Skye Line is a joint project between photographer/diver, Gill Williams, and photographer/non-diver, Geraint Ashton Jones.  We both live on Skye, both love the environment and both wanted to capture … Read More

HMS Oardacious – Lab Testing

I was recently afforded the opportunity to accompany Hugo Mitchell-Heggs and Dylan Woods to the Institute of Naval Medicine where they were to conduct sub-maximal testing under the supervision of Dr Fran Gunner. The testing was part of their pre reace preparations before they take on the Talisker Whisky Atalntic Challenge, a row across the Atlantic later in the year as part of a four man team all made up of submariners from the Royal Navy.

The Spirit of Ladysmith Lives On

When HMS Terrible and HMS Powerful landed their guns to help the besieged British Army at Ladysmith during the Boer War two modern day legacies were born. The first was Naval Field Gun which nurtured so many matelots with the … Read More

Former Player Takes Charge of Test Match

In May 2010, at the then Guinness Premiership Final, Saracens fly half Glen Jackson, bowed out of top flight rugby to become a referee.  On Saturday he takes charge of the test between England and Fiji at the same Twickenham … Read More

The Bundaberg Bottle – A Rum do for Raumakita

The Royal Navy Commonwealth Cup squad select Seti Raumakita to be awarded the Bundaberg Bottle [of rum], presented to the Royal Navy Rugby Union by Mr John Walton.

Welling Hat Trick Hits Harrington’s Hopes

RN winning CNRC match report below. Last night’s U23 match is available by clicking here. Also some interesting info from BFBS.  Includes interview with Ash before the final match and thoughts looking forward to April 2013.

80 Minutes From Glory as Centenary Closes

“The New Zealand team woke on Tuesday morning with their fate in their own hands.  Beat or draw against their historic rivals, Australia, and they would be the 2006 Commonwealth Navies Rugby Cup champions and the first team beside the … Read More

Service Rugby Returns to Sardis Road

 This season’s Combined Services Remberance Day Match will be played on Wednesday 7th November 2012  at Sardis Rd, Pontypridd against the world famous Crawshays XV

From Small Acorns Mighty Oak Trees Grow

Garrick and Boyce’s “Heart of Oak” is the official march of the Royal Navy, the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy so in the middle of the sixth Commonwealth Navies Rugby Cup the oak theme is very … Read More

Humphrey Holds Nerve to Edge Kiwis

The Royal Navy beat the Royal New Zealand Navy 21-18 in a thrilling second match of the 2012 Commonwealth Navies Rugby Cup which keeps alive their ambition of retaining their title.

A Decade of Dedication

After ten years as Navy Rugby Referees’ Secretary Tim Bailey hands over the administrative whistle to Geoff Howells.  Geoff has a very hard act to follow.  Also in this blog US Portsmouth says farewell to Terry Le Manquais and images … Read More

Shelford-Stokes Shield Retained by Royal New Zealand Navy

The first match of the 2012 Commonwealth Navies Rugby Cup was a repeat of the 2009 opening fixture with the Royal Australian Navy taking on the Royal New Zealand Navy.  At stake was not only the first points in the … Read More

Commonwealth Cup’s Rich History – Part 3

BFBS Preview of 2012 Commonwealth Navies Rugby Cup Before the Royal Navy squad set off to Australia, BFBS Sport’s reporter Julian Evans visited at their training base.  Julian Evans’s report from HMS Sultan featuring the dulcet tones of coach Mike … Read More

Navy Academy – Inter Service Champions

For information on the 2012 Commonwealth Navies Cup in Sydney click here. I have added a list of previous player of the tournaments. Royal Navy Rugby League provide perfect lead out for Union team.

Commonwealth Cup’s Rich History – Part 2

Commonwealth Cup – all the information can be found on this page – CNRC Sydney 2012 With the Commonwealth Cup starting on Wednesday and the Royal Navy team in the air as this is written the sixth CNRC will soon … Read More

If You’re Good Enough, You’re Young Enough!?

A quiz for all Navy Rugby aficionados out there.   Who is the missing player from the following list:   Kev Bethwaite, Dave Sibson, Glenn Loughlin, Chris Alcock, Les Oman, Rich Perkins, Paul Livingstone, Bill Dunham, Cass Clay, Mike Leatherland, … Read More

Commonwealth Cup’s Rich History – Part 1

This is the first of three posts that looks back at some of the history of the Commonwealth Cup and hopefully will help Navy Rugby followers to understand that though the Royal Navy has always won the trophy, the tournaments … Read More

2012 Commonwealth Navies Rugby Club – Preview

With the Navy team leaving next week for the 2012 Commonwealth Navies Rugby Cup (CNRC) being hosted by the Royal Australian Navy in Sydney it is an ideal opportunity to look at the current form of the three competing teams.

Samurai and Billy May Prepare for Kenyan Safari

As previously posted former Navy Coach, Billy May, was selected to be part of  Samurai’s coaching team in this weekend’s Safaricom 7’s.  Samurai will be looking to go one better than last year when they lost to Samoa in the … Read More

Navy Coach Goes Big Game Hunting

Former Navy Sharks and Senior XV coach, Billy May, has been invited to be part of Samurai’s coaching team at this month’s Kenya Safari Sevens.  

Gordon Herbert Waddell – Royal Marine, Navy Rugby, Scotland and British Lions Passes Away

Earlier this month witnessed the passing of a great man of rugby Gordon Waddell who sadly died on 13 August.  During his National Service he was a Royal Marine Commando and represented Devonport Services RFC.  He won a solitary cap … Read More

Evans Exiled and Navy Rugby’s Old Warriors

Gaz Evans Exiled by Exiles Navy hooker/number eight Gaz Evans made his debut for his new club London Welsh in the 40-31 defeat away to Premiership rivals Bath.  However Director of Rugby Lyn Jones felt Gaz needed some more game … Read More

Spitfires Stutter as Army Cruise

Infinity Park, Denver, Colarado sees the International Defence Sevens with the Royal Air Force and British Army joining two Australian Army teams, the French Armed Forces, the US Coast Guard, US Marine Corps, US Air Force, US Army and US … Read More

Friday the Thirteenth Unlucky for Some?

I am not a superstitious person, so the luck / bad luck about travelling on Friday the thirteenth has never bothered me.  As I have written about in an earlier blog, last weekend I completed the RNRU 3 Peaks Challenge, … Read More

Joy and Sadness in the Rugby Family

First the joy with the news that the newly formed Afghanistan Rugby Federation celebrated its first XV-a-side competition game.  Then the sadness as in the same week I received the news that navy rugby stalwart and life member, Terry Le … Read More

Last Hurrah for Sharks at Henley

After their continued improvement at the Newquay Surf Sevens, the Navy Sharks complete their 2012 sevens campaign at the revived Henley Sevens.

On the Slopes of Blaven

Anyone who has visited the Isle of Skye or indeed viewed the island from the West Coast of Scotland will not have missed the serrated skyline of the Cuillin mountains, the most southerly of which is Blaven.  For anyone who … Read More

A Photographers Reflection on Celtman 2012 – Part 3

Part three of three reflections on the recent Celtman Extreme Scottish Marathon Part two can be viewed more easily by clicking here. Part one can be viewed more easily by clicking here. Run I spent my time, with my camera, in Coire Mhic … Read More

Surf Up and Sharks Out Hunting

The Navy Sharks produced by far their best performance of the 2012 Sevens season at the Newquay Surf Sevens .  With a squad bolstered by some of the star performers from the recent Navy Sevens the team made the main … Read More

Navy Sevens – Seahawk Complete Double

A long days drive from the Isle of Skye was rewarded by a day of very good sevens when Ivel Barbarians RFC hosted the 2012 Royal Navy Rugby Union Sevens Tournament.  HMS Seahawk beat 30 Cdo RM in a good … Read More

Speed Bonnie Boat……..

With the opening of the Skye Bridge in 1995 (Tolls abolished in 2004) most journey’s do not involve a ferry crossing.  From where we are in Sleat it is quicker to use the Mallaig Armadale ferry but after a thirteen … Read More

Basking Sharks No More

Whilst not yet in the category of Tiger Sharks or Great Whites the Navy Sharks have certainly left behind their Wild Boar Sevens lethargy and produced some much improved performances at the West Country Sevens. A full gallery of images … Read More

Once a Marine always a…………

His place in Navy Rugby history is assured.  It is unlikely that any Servicemen will ever play in more Inter Service matches in the UK.  However last week Bob Armstrong clearly felt the need to add another paragraph to his … Read More

Navy 28 Army 12 – must be a good news story

The Rugby Club Marine Nationale achieved what neither the Royal Navy or indeed the US Navy could achieve when then beat their Army opponents in the French Inter Services yesterday.  Having already beaten the Gendarmes on Monday the RCMN now … Read More

Out, Back and Home

Whilst the Isle of Skye continued to enjoy some great weather I returned South to spend a couple of weeks photographing Field Gun.  This competition remains, to me, the epitome of team sport.

Mother Nature – By Land, Sea and Air

The fledglings mentioned in the last blog have flown and the whole Sleat Peninsular is alive with bird song and the vibrancy of new life.  Bluebells cover vast swathes of the Sleat hillsides and in the Sound I have enjoyed … Read More

Scouting for Locations

Have spent a couple of days getting to grips with my new location and seeking out suitable photographic locations. So far I am only exploring sites on the Sleat Pennisular and already I feel a little like Charlie on his … Read More

Mariners Endure Cruel Defeat

With two games being played simultaneously it was hard to follow both and though I spent most of my time watching the RN(W) side it was clear that the mariners fixture was a thrilling affair with a twist worthy of … Read More

you’ll be a Man, my Son

There is one time and place at Twickenham when no captain wishes to be first – up the steps at the end of the match to receive sympathy and medals from the RFU President.  After again producing an eighty minute … Read More

Don’t Forget the Referees

The Navy had a fourth team competing as part of Army Navy day.  Before the Army Navy match and also during the half time interval the RFU were showcasing a National Girls event which had partly been organised by Navy … Read More

Ten Years, Ten Titles, ‘Ten’ Targetted

The Women’s Inter Service Rugby Championship celebrated the culmination of its tenth year on 28th April and the Army should be congratulated on the continuation of their unbroken run. However the matches over the last few years have been far … Read More

Greg Goes

Former  Navy Rugby vice captain Greg Barden has announced his immediate retirement from rugby having stood down from captaining England Sevens.  Greg was a key member of the Navy’s winning Inter Service team of 2010 and has also been responsible … Read More

BFBS Preview, Navy Team and Proud Heritage Answer

Jon Knighton has done an excellent preview of the Army Navy match focusing on it being the final game for two great service players Mark Lee and Josh Drauniniu.  It is on BFBS tonight (Thursday 18:30 Sky Channel 231) or … Read More

It’s as Easy as One, Two, Twenty!?

When on the 18th April the three Navy teams made it a clean sweep for the first time against the Royal Air Force they set up the most enticing prospect of the First, The Second and the Twentieth. Royal Navy … Read More

Fourth Invitational XV

As the count down to the Army Navy day at Twickenham begins I have published Greg Barden’s Invitational XV.  Having only retired himself from XV-a-side rugby last season it naturally contains many players who will be on show on Saturday, … Read More

Exiles Stars Reward Sultan’s Ambition

In February HMS Sultan were announced as one of the 12 Premiership Rugby Pro Winners. The announcement particularly mentioned the efforts of the team: “Winners of this year’s QBE Rugby Pro include the first XV at HMS Sultan and Upton-upon-Severn … Read More

Bands, Caps and Prizes

For nine players Wednesday 11 April 2012 was a very special days has they won their first cap for representing the Royal Navy Rugby Union.  Six new caps were awarded at kick off and three more as replacements.  Further information … Read More

Entente Cordial Retained by RCMN(F)

 Formalities were Observed As ever the Marine Nationale staged an excellent occassion. Amiral OLiver Lajous and Royal Navy Rugby Union President Admiral Sir Trevor Soar were presented to the teams and after the Quenn and the Marseillaise we were ready. … Read More

Halton Hatrick for Army

First many thanks to my guest correspondent,Tim Bailey, for the following: RAF Back Home The RAF returned to its roots for the first time since 1924; it was the first time since that date that they had played their Inter … Read More

Backrow Breakdown Battle

When ‘Freddie’ Fredrickson leads her team on to the pitch today she should be firmly aware that the game is likely to be won and lost in her own domain – the back row.  Alongside the Combined Service capped captain of … Read More

New Caps and Record Breakers

The Royal Navy team selected to play the Marine Nationale at RC Toulon’s Stade Mayol  has been announced and can be found here.  The team is an exciting blend of experience, youth and those new to the famous Navy Blue … Read More

Diamond Jim and Cowboy Bid Adieu to Navy Rugby

This week two  great stalwarts of Navy Rugby had their leaving runs as they left the Naval Service and embarked on adventures new. ‘Diamond’ Jim Hunter Jim Hunter is the current holder of Navy Rugby’s Soapy Watson Memorial Trophy and … Read More

Rec Faithful Should Approve of Ben Clarke (MkII)

They have seen a lot of Ben Clarke at the Recreation Ground, Bath. The former British Lion and 40 cap England International had two stints playing for the club during which time he was also Captain.  However at well over … Read More

Sultan Win Portsmouth Area Cup

HMS Sultan squeezed past HMS Heron 14 – 13 in an enthralling cup final at Burnaby Rd.  Their two early tries to take a 14 – 3 lead were enough as they defended with great commitment and always looked to … Read More

Proud Heritage Quiz

Before I ask the next question in the quiz the eagled eyed amongst you will note that Bob Armstrong’s Select XV has now been posted and can be viewed by clicking here.  For those of you who know Bob you … Read More

Run Silent Run Deep – Answer

The capped Navy player who was also a full England International with the Chariots claim to fame is Captain Geoffrey Sladen DSO DSC Royal Navy.  He has been added to the Navy Great Players page and all his details can … Read More

Preparations Nearly Over

With less than a month before the Senior XV and the RN(W) play their French counter parts in Toulon and Navy Rugby hosting round two of the Inter Services at Burnaby Rd on Wednesday 18th April time for preparations is … Read More

Mirror Mirror – The Gauntlet Accepted

  Remember the Cambridge Game?  See Varsity Double for an image sequence of Navy winger Andy Vance being caught from behind.  Well the sign of a great sportsman is to rise to the challenge and last night he opened the scoring … Read More

First ‘Dream’ Team Selected

Mike Connolly’s Navy Rugby Select XV The first of the invitational dream teams has been selected and can be found on its own page @ ‘Royal Navy Invitational Select XV’.  The first side has been chosen by current Navy Mariners Head … Read More

First Defeat but Plenty to Build On

It was long night for the Navy team as once again this fixture provided the crowd with end to end excitement.  Both teams selected mix and match sides and neither team could break down each other’s defence for the most … Read More

Proud Heritage Answers

First of all great to see that the Mariners doubled up the Senior sides win on Wednesday night. You will see that the match report mentions the ‘dream coaching team’ of Mike Connolly, Dave Sibson and Doc Cox.  Some experience … Read More

Varsity Double

For only the second time in my Naval career (26 years since you ask) the Navy senior side competed the double over the Varsity Blues. If the home win over Oxford (10-0) @ Burnaby Rd was a stop start scratchy … Read More

Navy Rugby’s Link with CURFC

I have just added three more players to the Navy Rugby Great Players page.  They include Dan Parkes, third most capped player of all time, Spencer Brown who some corresponders believe is part of the answer I set below and … Read More

Round Two – Cambridge University

This week sees both the Senior XV and the Mariners continue their preparations for the 2012 Inter Services, their matches against the Royal Air Force and of course the culmination of the season, the Army v Navy match at Twickenham. … Read More

QBE Announce Winners of Pro Rugby Competition

More Success for HMS Sultan They say all good things come in threes. Earlier this season HMS Sultan reached the final of the Navy Rugby’s knockout cup, yesterday they won their regional head of Navy Rugby’s annual 10s competition and … Read More

Navy Rugby 10s – Portsmouth Regional Heats

Navy Rugby’s 2012 competition started yesterday with three regional heats held in Plymouth, Portsmouth and Scotland. At US Portsmouth five teams took part from HMNB Portsmouth HMS Collingwood, HMS Heron, HMS Sultan and the lone ship representative HMS York. A … Read More

The Greatest Try, Courtesy of the Royal Marines

As promised the answer to last week’s question about great tackles is Lt Haydn Mainwaring RM.  I have added Haydn Mainwaring to the Great Navy Players page with a full description of his tackle on Avril Malan in 1961.  I … Read More

Dave Pascoe’s Covering Tackle

Yesterday in the summary of the match I posted one photograph of the covering tackle. Today I have posted the photograph again in the context of the shots I took just before. The try saving tackle set me thinking.  Now … Read More

Royal Navy 10 Oxford University 0

  For the full official match report please click here. First outing for the RN and a satisfying one, home win, preventing the opposition from scoring, senior players performing well and youngsters looking to take their chances.  Only downside was the injuries … Read More

Navy Rugby 2012 – Intro

Navy Cup – check Inter Command – check U23 Inter Services – check And so another season and another Inter Service campaign starts with the Navy Senior XV taking on Oxford University at the famous Burnaby Road home of US Portsmouth … Read More