we will be in dry dock for the Christmas break as usual. Not sure which one yet, waiting for Tom to decide.
Air fares home for those that wish to be at home/ I will as usual be staying aboard keeping an eye on the workmen.
Dock timing is being worked out by Tom as we speak.

I LOVE the smell of HFO in the morning :thumb::jester:

But then he likes a whiff of the Super Trident hopper tank too. You don't cover up the exhaust punkah when you are about the morning ablutionary movement as well do you? Knew a second in Fyffes who did.

Nothing could be finer than the smell of her...
Ulster Fry, in the Mor-or-or-ning.

Nothing could be sweeter than the taste of her...…
Punjana tea, in the Mor-or-or-ning.

I knew a third who's hobby was sniffing ladies bicycle saddles...:confused:

He wasn't smelling them, he was polishing them for inspection by the scout master.

Even those boys don't peddle ladies' velocipedes.

Gentlemen:: I think I did suggest awhile ago that we dry dock in Lerwick, for old times sake.

I am sorry that I am announcing my retirement as Commodore -- The last week of my Chemo/radiation therapy, and the ensuing week and a half really set me back and I am only just starting to feel a little better. I have another CT scan on Nov 21, followed by an operation on Dec 5th with a 2 week hospitalisation. More follow up treatments aft that. I don't think i'll be in any kind of shape to fulfil my duties.

May I suggest Farmer John as the new Commodore -- he has the seniority ( and an in on supplies of potent potables) plus he has the bridge experience. Dartskipper would remain as Captain?

It has been a pleasure serving you all these past few years, and I will probably drop in from time to time. I will endeavour to keep you posted on my condition.

With all sincerity,

Tom.

Tom, I'm behind you. And I've no doubt you'll be back to keep us in line (Lead us astray) in the near future.
Lang may yer lum reek.

Tom, your wish is our command. Farmer John you are now commodore. Dartskipper you continue as Captain.
Cutouts! I want number one passenger cabin refurbished as a VIP cabin so Tom can occupy it on his convalescence trips. Spare no expense on the decor I want it fit for a king.

Tom,
We might be an 'unconventional' bunch ('crew' even !) but I have no doubt that you can be assured of all of our best wishes.
You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Please come aboard at any time you feel able.
Geoff (YM) :wave:

The Commodore is hauling down his broad pennant? He has obviously made the admirals' list and has a flag instead. He can discharge the duty of commander in chief perfectly adequately ashore. True the expedition should have a commodore but not like those substantive ones now, just in loco Praefectus classis. As C-in-C has assigned the position to Farmer John, that is who it should be.

Let us make the point that the C-in-C has made admiral meritoriously and not as one famous admiral put it as a method of removing from the fleet those captains totally unsuited to command a King's ship. Like superintendents in a later era, I hazard.

Let us hope he will soon be fit enough to return to his flag ship. We will watch for his signals.

Best of luck shipmate, there is always a nice cup of steaming hot char for you in the injun room, Squeek might even throw in a tab nab or three. :eat_arrow:

Tom, keep on, we think of you a lot. I confirm I will take over as Commodore, always with the GD in my best sights.

I am much better on the bridge after your advice to write "P" and "S" on the back of my hands, get it right most of the time now.

I will always have a mug of something warm and intoxicating on standby on the bridge of a watch. Take what you want from this pleasant silliness and dob in any remark you wish to.

We will be slow steaming to Lerwick, arriving on the same day as the Election, end of works scheduled for 05.01.2020, sailing for the next job in consultation with Sir William after consulting with our agent.

I raise a toast to you future health and fortitude, Tom. I am sure everyone will join me.

This slow steaming is not good for water-skiing, anyone up for a game of Pooh-sticks? E-S can play the part of Eeyore, he is the most mournful.

Slow steaming ????? feck sake I was told we were finished with injuns days ago and have been adrift waiting for orders. :paper:

Typical nobody tells the bloody injuneers anything but when they want something done or fixed it's " coee Mr Injuneer do you know there is a leak in my cabin? "

Never mind son, you hum it and I'll sing it, in Welsh as well bach. :applause: That's how talented your injuneers is on this boat. :curtain_call:

Temptation, temptation, don't push me. Good breeding only goes so far.

Tmac, we drift in such an ordered and disciplined way I felt sure you were working away at things.

FJ the word you're looking for is Sang Froid. Tmac has buckets of it, a mighty man and a direct descendent of Finn McCool.

Engine room
 

Sen the new sign on the Engine room door!!

Tmac, have you a spare bucket of Sang Froid, E-S says you have buckets of it and your fishy extremities are well chilled.

He also said you can't fight and you're at least partly responsible for some destructive behaviour.

FJ I'll SELL you a bucket of that sanger fur stuff, injuneers are NOT noted for their generosity :bad_mad:

Can't fight is it, I fear young man that ES is luring you into a false sense of security. Have you ever known a native of Belfast who couldn't fight? God sake man this is Norn Iron, we fight each other just for the fun of it ;)

ES is just sore because I bate 'im with my cap :jester:

My dearly loved Belfast Granny wasn't given to fisticuffs with the neighbours, but she could give you a good scare if you got across her.

We all know you Injuneers are not given to open-handedness, but a fair price for a bucket of Sang Froid would be the filling of the Black Bush tank and a generous libation down the voice pipe. I intend to make black pudding with it, should be good.

E-S definitely said you wouldn't step to the line for a punch-up.

E-S said no such thing. Holy Mackrel I'm in enough trouble with T without you adding your tuppenceworth. Believe me Tmac is a street brawler and well able to slug it out with thugs, vagabonds and the feared riveting gangs in the yard.

Although suave, debonair and a fine man for the ladies T is not to be trifled with and you have signed my death warrant, Cheers FJ.
Back into the bilges for old E-S, with the pointy end of T's podging spanner up his jacksey. Cheers again.

I have lost the thread. Are you claiming E-S as your long lost Belfast Granny or that they merely met in the steamie for light fisty-cuffs whilst at laundry? I must say that losing a Great Aunt is no great negligence but losing a Granny is an offence at the top end of the scale.