Posts

Can a haggis become your pet?

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 This time an animal welfare post! As you may not know I am a huge lover of all animals and i`m big into conversation. So I was much concerned to learn that our beloved haggis is now on the WWF endangered species list.  You wonder why that bothers me? So let me tell you a story. Many years ago in the mid 80`s, I was a member of the grey funnel line serving Her Majesty and based in Rosyth, Scotland for 3 years. One of our many duties was to chase off french and Spanish fishing trawlers for the local fishing grounds. As per usual any trouble that comes along, the French and Spanish do their usual runaway. This also meant we would spend a lot of time alongside in Scottish fishing villages. We were looked after very well by the locals who were grateful to us for chasing off the French and Spanish. On one of these occasions, a trip was organised for us to visit a whisky distillery. Now this distillery was on an island in the middle of a Scottish Loch. As it happens this Island was ...

A Day In The Life...

 Sunday October 13th, a reasonably good start last week, a lot of people are not aware if you`re blind, there are a lot of selfish people around who don`t know or don`t understand or even don`t care sometimes. A few weeks ago somebody left out a shopping trolley in the comunal area, I did`nt see it and ended up tripping over it, the handle caught in my transplanted kidney, not sure if i`ve mentiond it but I have recentley had a kidney transplant, it was very painfull and resulted in my going in and out of hospital for a month having tests because the kidney stopped working properly. The good news now is that it`s slowly getting back to how it should be. So I am now back to once a month hospital visits which is good news. I now have to be extra aware because of what happend, it could have been a lot worse but thankfully it wasn`t. I know if i`m going to have a good day when I can wake up in the morning and make myself a cup of tea or coffee without scoulding myself, if I can do that...

My Story

 Good morning everybody. Welcome to my blog The Blind Sailior. I am blind and an ex sailor, I served in the Royal Navy. I have decided to chronicle my life since becoming blind and take you through my life as it is with the helpfulness and unhelpfulness of the general public and the professionals in the hope that my experiences may help others. I shall review places I visit and tell you what it`s like for blind people. I currently live in a communal block of flats in the south of England, one of forty flats run by a local housing association it`s quite comfortable but for a blind person it`s not safe. I`ve had one bad fall resulting in my recent transplanted kidney to not work properly, the fall was due to a trolley being left in the corridor which I then tripped over, this is down to peoples lack of awareness. If you are blind or partially sighted you are probably having the same experiences as I am having and there`s nothing you can do about it. My life as a blind person is a cha...

HMS Vernon: Legacy and Transformation in Modern Naval Training.

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 HMS Vernon was a notable naval establishment of the Royal Navy, located in Portsmouth, England. Established in 1876, it served primarily as a training centre for naval officers and ratings, particularly in the fields of gunnery and torpedo warfare. The site was named after Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon, a prominent figure in the Royal Navy during the 18th century, known for his role in the War of Jenkins' Ear and for advocating the dilution of rum with water for sailors, a practice that led to the term “grog.” The primary purpose of HMS Vernon was to enhance the Royal Navy's combat readiness through rigorous training in the use of artillery and emerging naval technologies. As the 19th century progressed, advances in naval warfare required continuous adaptation and improvement of skills among personnel. This training became increasingly important, especially as the Royal Navy transitioned from sail to steam-powered ships, and from muzzle-loading cannons to more sophisticated breec...

The link between high blood pressure and blindness.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can have serious consequences for eye health and vision if left untreated. The link between hypertension and potential vision loss or blindness is a critical health concern that underscores the importance of blood pressure management. Hypertensive Retinopathy The primary way high blood pressure affects vision is through a condition called hypertensive retinopathy[1]. This occurs when elevated blood pressure damages the delicate blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. As hypertension persists, these vessels may thicken, narrow, or leak, leading to various vision problems[1][4]. Stages and Symptoms Hypertensive retinopathy is typically graded on a scale of 1 to 4, with higher grades indicating more severe damage[3][4]. In the early stages, there may be no noticeable symptoms. However, as the condition progresses, individuals might experience: - Reduced or blurred vision - Double vision - Headaches - ...
 Ahoy Shipmate.  Testing. Testing. Testing. 

Minesweepers

 Royal Navy minesweepers are specialized vessels designed to detect, neutralize, and clear naval mines, which pose significant threats to maritime operations and safety. Their role is crucial in ensuring the safe passage of ships and safeguarding strategic maritime routes. The importance of these vessels has been underscored throughout naval history, particularly during conflicts where mines have been used to disrupt enemy naval and commercial activities. Historically, the Royal Navy's involvement with minesweepers dates back to the early 20th century. During World War I and World War II, minesweeping was a critical task, as sea mines were extensively used to blockade ports and harass naval forces. The minesweepers of these eras were equipped with a range of devices, including mechanical sweep gear and explosive charges, to detect and destroy mines. They were vital in maintaining open sea lanes and ensuring the safe passage of Allied shipping. In modern times, Royal Navy minesweepe...