The story about brass monkeys is a canard, imagine something so ticklish that cold weather had your ammunition rolling round the place.

So, a ticklish canard (or French Duck). I'd go for that. Tmac, are you familiar with Rabelais's discussion as to the best thing to wipe one's ars3 on (given that the answer is a goose's neck you could probably line up more than one person... Oh, you Injuneers will have done that).
I fear that I am rambling...

No problem with Tmacs Nuts getting loose...by the time he has finished tightening with the big flogging spanner thry are quite secure. and this from a man who has been in climes so cold he was peeing ice cubes...and that was behind the bike sheds at H&W.

Are we there yet Tom?...LOL

Just round the next corner, Sir William. How about a game of "Eye Spie"?

I spy with my little eye something beginning with "W".

Wanker????

I was thinking 'wave' or 'water' but I suppose there is less of either about.

Wubber wings?

Whiskies!!!

Walrus, Whelk, Whale?

wundertaker....

Gentlemen I must again request your indulgence and take a leave of absence to deal with some matters ashore... I am at this moment officially an orphan as my Father has just passed away.

Squeek and Eric will not be going ashore and have been instructed to report to ES until I return.

Death smiles at us all and all a man can do is smile back.

Sincere Condolences Tom. Take as much shore leave as you need Chief. ES can call on me to help out below if required.
Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.

From one Tom to another, my condolences too. The last little while has not been too kind on you, but we are all with you in spirit. Our turn will come, if it hasn't already. We can but grin and bear it.

Tmac1720.
Sorry to hear your sad news.
You have had a sad six weeks or so but I am sure that the thoughts and good wishes of the crew of the GD will be of comfort to you and your family.

Gabo Island abeam to starboard -- just heading down into the Bass Strait. Melbourne tomorrow evening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwfKoaZRbnM :)

Testing times Tom. Sincere condolences.

A good age and, to coin a phrase, innings too I trust. Condolences of course.

I have to say that I am expecting a funeral breakfast in a day or so after a lunching friend died on Sunday. It is now almost a tradition that on the coldest days we meet at the crematorium in the absolute certainty that that whoever we are there to see off will soon have company. A sort of chain-grate reaction.

The grim reaper has been a tad too busy lately, a friend passed on last week, funeral tomorrow.

Condolences to you Tom, and your family. You have our thoughts with you.

Tmac, we will be thinking of you.

Right Lads, lets keep this Good Lady ticking over 'till the Chief returns. I'll take the 4 to 8, Eric the 8 to 12, Squeek the 12 to4 and Mr V will do meal reliefs and St By's. I've never met a Lecky who couldn't stand a Watch.
Ulster Fry's all round.

Standbys, of course but meal reliefs? I did do 'day onboard' once when all bar the Chief buggered off ashore in Annapolis. Not sure the Chief had a very restful day, however.

Traditional station for Leckie on standbys is behind the switchboard so the others can only imagine wildly what mischief he plans for an embarrassing blackout. Calmez vous mes enfants, calmez vous. He also serves who only brews the tea.

I can always help out below ES. Just shout if you need a hand with any maintainance tasks mate.

Pilot aboard -- standing into Melbourne Harbour. Docking at the Cruise Ship Terminal. Numerous bars within crawling distance? :)

Many thanks for the offer Billy and we will keep it in mind. At the moment you can best give us a bit of a lift by cleaning out the pipes in the draught Hull Brewery Bitter tap. Any crud in the pipe causes a certain looseness in Eric and Squeek and increased maintenance on the STP. As it is, it is operating at its limit, this crew drinks far too much Bitter; indeed Sir Joseph Bazalgette would have trouble dealing with it.

Yep, leave it to me ES. I will scour them out mate.