If you are so insistent that you have no need of a medical I will not argue any further. You will however have to sign a waiver that states you have refused your medical and vaccination. This waiver will be added to your HR record, which I am led to believe already has it's own filing cabinet. As for Squeek I will treat him as I do everyone else. If he continues to be polite and helpful there should be no need for your concern re my treatment of him.

As I am the only nurse on board at this time pray tell, who is Nursie?

Gentleman, those of you who have gone through the rigours of the medical will have a voucher for the bar. These can be redeemed this evening and will be a nice way to celebrate our heading towards Poland. The Stewards have set out a variety of nibbly thingies to enjoy with your drinks. If you do not have a voucher then you will not be able to enter the bar area tonight. I believe that there is only one crew member who does not have a voucher. na na na naaaar na

Can we hurry up and get this trip to Poland turned around PDQ? Poland in January isn't that appealing, no matter what the fiduciary advantages may be. I am in the chartroom looking for the charts for the Caribbean, jut in case Cap'n Tom gets another potentially lucrative communication from our agents, sending us southabout again. Just in case, can Varley please modify Iron Mike so that he takes us towards the Tropics no matter what course is keyed in to the control panel? :supercool:

we will, I believe, be in Poland just long enough to take on full bunkers and supplys berfore heading off to warmer climes. Might take on a couple of cases of 100proof polish spirit to mix with the fruit punch whilst entertaining visiting ladies and Pilots aboard.

Ooooo, The Caribbean, what a great idea Butterfly. I have heard Bermuda is very nice. Has anyone from the GD been to the Caribbean? White sands, beaches, toned bodies, oops, sorry, just day dreaming. :rolleyes: Hmmmm?

Yep. Been there, done that.

Tortola, St Croix, (Virgin Islands, unfortunate choice of name.....) Bahamas, Florida, Drake's Passage, Windward Passage, (such evocative names, ahem.....)South Florida, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach.

Excellent ice cream parlour in Dania beach.

Oops!...Speaking of Windward passage....Pharrrrrrrrrrrt!

Oh! Red - your faux pas about Bermuda being in the Caribbean reminds me of when I was there in 1960. I had been paid off from a delivery job, taking the m.v. "Bird of Paradise" from Greenoch to Port au Spain, Trinidad, and on the way, flying to Canada via Barbados, Antigua, Bermuda and New York, when stopped briefly in Bermuda, Paddy the Irish sailor, who had found a source of rum somewhere along the route wanted to purchase a postcard in the airport to send home. The lady there wanted 10 cents U.S. for this, but Paddy, thinking that indeed Bermuda was in the Caribbean tried to pay with 10 cents West Indies Confederacy currency, with which we had been partially paid off. When the lady refused that, Paddy, sensing that Bermuda was under British administration, offered 6 pence Sterling, which was also refused. Paddy indignantly muttered something incomprehensible and made off with the postcard. When the flight was called to continue, as we made our way over the tarmac towards the plane, we were surrounded by airport personnel, security, the pilot and co-pilot of the plane and the lady from the concession. There was a group of us as in addition to Paddy there were several other former crew members making the trip. On being asked who was in charge of the party, they all pointed at me and said "He is!!" (I had been 2nd. mate for the trip.)Fortunately, being a seasoned group of mariners, one of us managed to come up with an American dime, and upon Paddy swearing to not cause any further trouble, we were able to board the flight to continue to what was Idlewild Airport at the time. :D

We all like the warm, but from time to time we have to bite the bullet and engage in something lucrative to keep this entity afloat. I don't think there should be any need for any crew to feel the cold, however, as with Tmac keeping the vessel toasty warm, and having cutouts to manage all the outside activities, like mooring, etc., we can stay inside, and I'm sure there will be many Polish girls in Gdansk that will will be willing to come aboard for drinkies, and keep us even warmer.

I am equally sure that Red will be surrounded by enough of us to continue to keep the cold at bay. :supercool:

Awwwwwww and I tried my best to be friends :very_sad::very_sad:, so be it then, enjoy your sojourn in the bar, freezing cold, no light and the punkah louvres set to hurricane :chuckle:

Ahhhhhh the wonderful and beautiful Nursie, alas my dear lady she was your predecessor and nothing less than an angel of mercy. Her absence on other duties is regrettable however she is forever in the thoughts of this grizzled old injuneer :(

Well I will certainly be trying to use my voucher at the Bar for Drinks and Nibbles.

After the misunderstanding about The BIG RED Button on the bridge, I have think I have reached an understanding with our CE - it involves Bushmills and not annoying him!

If there are problems with having a party in the bar though, candles and DC lights make for an intimate atmosphere and loo paper stuffed up the punkah louvres should mitigate any hurricane force winds.

Heating? I think with some local Polish "friends" we can generate enough heat ourselves!

McC

Remember Polish spirit :kiss: not polish spirit.
Let there be no confusion.

Brasso is not good for the eyesight.

So, ummm? It isn't in the Caribbean? Just shows that you really can learn something new everyday. Question. Where did they move it to? :chuckle:

Isn't Bermuda considered to be a member of the Caribbean Community ? I am more than a little confused this morning, maybe it was the second Cointreau last night that is to blame.

2nd?....You had 4 while I was watching you. Another 2 and you would have been dancing naked on the lounge table. you were quite jolly in fact. Happy hangover Red

What, exactly, do you mean by 'jolly' billyboy? I have danced on tables before but never naked. Ah! Those were the days, even Tmac would have been impressed. :bounce:

you seemed to be so happy and care free RED17. most enjoyable to witness. Naturally beiing gentlemen and you a fine lady we would have discouraged from the naked gyrations. However you mumbled something about being tired and you retired for the remainder of the evening.
Glad you enjoyed your evening though.

I must have missed that one as well!!

McC

I certainly did, I wuz down the pit and anyhoo I don't think Red 17 likes me :(

I had to assist my daughter with her visits to marshland to collect samples for her degree studies. Reason? Damage to knee after dancing on (and briefly off) a table.

I am sure she was sober at the time...

My brother still has knee problems after hurdling a traffic barrier whilst under the control of Joshua Tetley (Onetime local brewer).

They both really enjoyed themselves, and still do so.

Dance on, prance on, Red17. We'll catch you.

That simply isn't true Tmac. You may recall that on several occasions I invited you to have a drink with me and on each occasion you refused. I admire your enthusiasm for all things mechanical and your tenacity for keeping the GD in perfect running order. I feel sure you are quite a nice person under that grouchy and grubby exterior. You have to come up for air sometime Tmac. :wink:

I do recall one festive season being encoureged by a friend to drink Davenports Top brew delux (barley wine.) I have no recollection of the later part of the evening at all. However the next day, feeling rather sour. I called at that establishment and was shown an old victorian table that I apparently broke while dancing on it. Being a good citizen I took to my workplace nearby and Brazed its leg back on. (cast Iron). Photographic evidence was produced a few days later.....I was shocked!! never drank that stuff again!!

Tmac sure has a lot on his plate at the moment. Ireally feel for him. I have volunteered to take the 12 till 4 watches to give him a break down there,
'

Oh dear! I do hope that he is OK. If he ever just want's to talk to someone I am the soul of discretion.

It is considered as part of the Caribbean Community, but by whom is not completely clear. It is a British Overseas Territory to this day. For the complete hisotry go to:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bermuda

Perhaps you can see from this Google Earth grab that Bermuda is actually way out in the North Atlantic -- quite a way North of the Caribbean. :)

Gdansk tomorrow -- arrival time posted in a secret envelope in the PAX lounge bar. To enter the draw, leave $1 with Farmer John, and write your estimate on the entry slip and put it in the box provided. The closest one to the actual time of arrival will win the jackpot. :supercool:

10:45 standby to enter port is my guess. any takers?

Are we guessing in Northern Hemisphere time or Southern? :chuckle: Either way I will guess 11:00. In for a penny, in for a pound.

Oh dear, I really do need to go back to my geography books.

Is this ZULU time, local time or what us old blokes would call GMT.
I hope that it is a brown paper envelope and not the white one that I saw Red holding up to the light.

Oh, how fortunate, I have won! See, it says so on this piece of self destructing paper. I love being in positions of trust, it is my honest face and my speedy running shoes.

The money is paid behind the bar for our Gdansk docking party.

Gdansk, Gdansk, wherever you may be, I am the Lord of Gdansk said he.

May I ask what it is you are taking Farmer John and is it legal?

I'll lay odds he got it out of a bottle RED17 heh heh heh

All times quoted, (other than by us personally when we are away, on leave, etc.) are GDT. (Golden Dreamer time.) We arranged that some time ago due to our varying geographical domeciles.

Glad to hear that Farmer John won and is using his winnings to sponsor our arriving party. :D:D

When does the party start?

McC

Party starts when the driver puts the brakes on I guess.

John Cooper-Clarke:
"We all start when the drum machine starts".

I want some of what Farmer John is on - preferably a couple of pints!

If my medical allows it!

McC

Just had a rummage through my personal bottle store and came across a couple of cases of this. Should help liven the party up a bit heh heh heh