Nice service of remembrance Tom.

Time for a tot now.

Joining everyone for a "tot", (or more). Nice frie-up Sir William -- glad you had the foresight to brush most of the coal dust off the shovel before hand. Faial in the morning. Oh! Yes! Got to wash the breakfast down. :pint:

Tot's
 

Had a rummage in my store cupboard. came up with a case of this. Cheers all!!

No worries Varley. I found a couple of bottles of vintage port for you. Amazing just what i have hidden away in there......Hic!!

As those with good memories will recall, in my role as Chief Steward I have supplies of most beverages that can be named, and access to many others if demanded. Any requests to enliven the upcoming festivities will be gratefully received and cheerfully met.

Personally, I am investigating some of the Belgian Beers, so it will be as well to write down anything I can.

O could manage a couple of Orangeboom or Stella Artoise.

I've had at least one Belgian beer in the past, and from the taste actually made some of my own ----- but the best comparison by far, in my limiuted experience is to be found here on Vancouver Island.

https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/vancou...ice-bock/6195/

Fair puts hair on your chest, and lead in your pencil!!! Tastes good too. :king:

[QUOTE=billyboy;10139]O could manage a couple of Orangeboom./QUOTE]

From my experience with that stuff in Rotterdam I vaguely remember thinking it was made from onions. Had way too many of them, so probably didn't quite appreciate the finer points. :supercool:

Mr. McCluggie --- glad to see you took the initiative to lay us alongside when we arrived in Horta on the island of Faial. Nice peaceful little spot with several bars close to the barbour. I think we should organise a shore party to investigate the level of entertainment provided by each establishment in turn. (One step up from a bar crawl?) :):)

I thought Horta was near St Kilda and reckoned it was a bit busy! Anyway the alongside berth seemed free and we did not want to go outboard of anything.

Right. Ganwway cutouts mustered.

Who else is up for a run ashore?

McC

The entertainment bars sound good. Must nip and get a pocketfull of Hershey bars to take ashore with me. Oh and some Sunlight soap as well.

Amazing how quiet it is when everybody has gone ashore with McC. Must be one heck of a party.....

this ship is as busy as Aberdeen on a flag day..... Bulkhead Phone: Oi, Scabby knuckles, get yer butt up here to the PAX lounge. we have the bar to ourself Mate. Have a few drinks before they all get back. You can tell me all about that time in Belfast....err no I cant write that on here......LOL

Your wish is my command sire and anyhoo Squeek could do with the practice for his chiefs ticket. Pint of Black Bush you say.... don't mind if I do. :chuckle:

Did you see that oul fella with yon sleigh gubbins ?... Cheeky bugger, I told him I didn't care who's father he was and to get those feckin' Reindeer off the bridge roof. :(

Just got back onboard after a blaze round the bars. Listen, you can still hear the wailing and crying "Come Back, Come Back" they cry, "Come Back and pay".

I thought he was a bit cheeky, and overly concerned about the local weather. I'm sure he said "Mind the rain, dear."
Saucy beggar!

My first time ashore in Horta so a very pleasant tour round the local bars and an invigorating sprint - well a fast stumble anyway - back to the ship shaking off the persuing locals.

Anyone been on the upper deck lately? There are loads of what appear to be Chrismas presents lying around - looks as if somebody has been throwing them off the bridge roof. Anyway, I have detailed the cutouts to collect them all up.

Reckon I will have a nightcap or two in the lounge before I turn in.

McC

Listen to those Kids, "Santas coming, Santas coming"...always thought there was something odd about that bloke!!

Heading out tomorrow - Will be asking (very nicely, grovelling, almost) Tmac if we can proceed under the Orange button. We can make it for a one day stop-over in Douglas on the Isle of Man so we can "beard" Varley in his own den. (Wonder what he'll look like without all the whiskers??)

Trivia of the day is that there used to be a country hotel up in the Yukon that was run by a Manxman and his wife -- they called the place Ben My Chree. :kiss:

Douglas eh. Not been there yet. look forward to a nice dockside bar. Have to get Varley to radio ahead and set something up for us..

Douglas I have been to before.

I got arrested there once - but that is another storey!!!!!

McC

Noy Birched I hope!

No. My freedom from the cells was bought for two bottles of duty free whisky and we sailed as soon as we could!

McC

I can't help but feel sorry for the lad, he only comes once a year :chuckle:

He does it in many different houses and countries, and leaves something spilling out of many stockings, once a year is enough, I should think. If I came down a chimney and filled a pair of stockings, I'd be at the doctors next day.

Douglas, here we come! speed!