I joined Diana off Okinawa in Japan in 1968. I landed on HMS Hermes in the tail seat of the Gannet COD, was flown over by a Wessex Helecopter and winched down near the rear gun turret. The deck had just been painted and I remember a PO seaman shoulding, "Get those dirty shoes off my deck.", or something like, that with a few extra unmetionable word included.

Best time was ringing in the New Year (1969) while alongside in Hong Kong. Then running back to the China Fleet Club for more free drinks. And of course the weeks leave in Hong Kong while Diana went to sea to flee a Typhoon warning.