We know you've been there, done that at least a couple of times in the last year or two. At least we suspect the water is warm(ish) -- high and dry is our Christmas wish for you and your Admiral. :kiss::)

Varley's icon always reminds me of the following:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ligbpecSFKI

Tmac -- Would you please prepare our "shrinking mode" as I would like us to take the scenic route through the Caledonian Canal on our way to Lerwick. No doubt, the crew will be looking for the Four and Twenty Virgins as we pass by Inverness.
:supercool::supercool:

Hang on tight Billyboy. As long as the water isn't rising in your sea boots, you'll be OK. If you see John shoot past in Coral Star, then it's definitely a bad blow!

Good luck mate.

think he's hove to, weed in the filters again.
We have got off light here so far. A River not too far from here is at critical level. if that bursts we will be in big trouble like befor when the house filled with muddy water

cut outs!!. break out the grease. we are going to squeeze through the caledonian canal again. No diving for antique Whiskey this time.

I shall shift to split personality mode again - McC 1 will of of course be onboard for the canal transit and McC 2 will be at the Inverness end for Christmas with the family anyway!

Hope you see stay dry Billy!

McC

Fort William just ahead -- Tmac - please shrink us for small canal transit size. Crew can cuddle up in the PAX lounge while we transit. Inverness tomorrow a.m. (No - Tmac -- I didn't forget -- Black Bush header tank pressed up - Injun room feed cleared for maximum flow. :pint:

Inverness in the a.m. :)

Urquhart Castle on the Port Bow.....keep an eye out for Nessie lads!! dont want to run her down!

Right, I'm finally aboard!
So cocktail cabinet is fully stocked and ready for the preparation of many glasses of festive cheer.
I'll be setting up in the corner of the lounge for anyone who's developed a thirst....
Oh, and is the ship's band ready for a Carol concert? I've brought my guitar and I trust that Billyboy can dust off his drum kit. What else do we have available?

Welcome back Jeffers. well Tmac has his Lambeg, Dartskippers good on a comb and tissue....Have to check and see what other musicians we have.
Oh Steward be so kind as to get my Drum set up to the PAX lounge will you.

Might be an idea to recruit some of our Plasticos. Heard they are good at blowing things.

I can contribute on the guitar as long as everything is in the Canadian key of Eh?

I am also quite good on the spoons, washboard, tea chest bass and kazoo.

I also have a reasonably good singing voice, and was honoured to be in the cadet choir at the unveiling of the WW II Merchant Navy War Memorial on Tower Hill, London. (1955)

See: https://www.britishpathe.com/video/i...ondon+memorial

No - I don't appear in the news clip, but having the Queen pass in front of me during the inspection, I had never realised how diminutive she is.

Lerwick in 10 hours. We are booked directly into drydock so all those wishing to take their Christmas leave can make any necessary arrangements to travel as soon as we are shored up and dry. (Scheduled to leave drydock on Jan 3rd, 2018) Guided haggis hunt arranged for the afternoon for anyone interested. (Special shotguns with bent barrels to shoot around the sides of the mountains are provided by the guide company. Guests are requested to bring their own refreshment, either in hip flasks, or brown paper bags.) :jump::jump:

I tried that before Tom. Loosed off 20 shots and missed them all. They reckon i was facing and shooting the wrong way

So I get here just in time to see everybody beggar off for their jollies! Typical.
I've mixed up a batch of mulled wine, fortified with some dark rum, to give people a nice warm drink to fortify them on their travels. I think I'll just stay aboard and have a good look around.

Good to have you aboard Jeffers. It would be a good idea to sample the rum punch periodically, just to ensure that it is at the right temperature. If our new ship's orchestra is working out a repertoire for the planned concert, may I suggest we practice this one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DUEAG5eO6c

O tempora O mores!

I should think quite a lot of that is incomprehensible and possibly illegal today.

I think I could manage ""Three Blind Mice" on a kazoo, but at least I am enthusiastic. Good to have you aboard, Jeffers.

Ha that's nothing you should hear "The Fields of Athenry" played full chat on the Lambeg....

I didn't know that a Lambeg would allow you to play Hills if Athenry on it!

McC

You can mix me a Harvey wallbanger Jeffers. Been missing the cocktails. Lets practise "hair on a G string" Mate.

Oh! Yes --- definitely do-able. Sounds like the kind of group that used to congregate on a corner in Soho in the late 50's :king:

We can play that one too -- but I'm getting a bit confuzzed -- dunno weather itz ti many of Jeffers martoonies, or the trippple xpansion Cuba Libraries, but wot waZ that that Harvey was banging against the wall? Sounds rather pane phull. :D

Anyone heard from the C.E.D. yet??