virtual crazy gang, part II

[170 Driver]

Originally Posted by rustytrawler

Iam going to shoot anything that gobbles

Have a heart man and let her finish before you do.

[billyboy]

Merry Christmas everyone!
Just had a message from my son saying he has pulled a Cracker. Mind you, He always was a lucky lad

[tweediekiwi]

Sorry for the gubbins on the bridle, I'll wash it off properly when I'm finished holy-stoning the deck and chipping the anchor cable. Something has shat reindeer doings all over the topside upper bit's of the GD and it's giving to port holes a shitty outlook, and there's a skid mark on the funnel (unless Nike are sponsoring our floating fun?). MC & a HNY to you all. We have thunder and frightening and monsoon type rain here. Ok, where's my chipping hammer ...

[Malcolm G]

Festive Yuletide Greetings.
A good splash of Bailey’s on your breakfast cornflakes might help things along.

[Varley]

Time of day old boy. G&T at half past breakfast, Manzanilla or Fizz predinner. Tawny through to breakfast.

Wise men would give this tub a wide berth, probably charge a lot for hiring us one at all.

Merry merry all. Busy in galley. So far only hint of C2H5OH when making brandy cream (would have had more but its the bottle that doubles as varnish remover. Label says French, tonsils suggest only as much as is the Foreign Legion). Guests at 1900 when can pop a cork or two. Toodle pip.

[Engine Serang]

Merry Christmas, if that's appropriate. Vague feeling I've lost a day or two somewhere in the run in to the big day, Memsahib strangely quiet.
After a month of the Food Channel having Jamie, Roux, Martin, the guy from Padstow, the Cowgirl from the Ranch and the hideous Nigella show us how to stuff and cook a turkey we're having a rib roast. Freedom from the tyranny of Tom Turkey.
Will talk on Annual Outputs and our Balanced Score Card closer to New Year. Have your figures for submission and wide discussion.

[Malcolm G]

My sister enjoyed Christmas Day dinner at her grandson’s place, in France with extended French family.
Turkey? Non! - Main course, Leg of wild boar shot earlier this week.

[Malcolm G]

Originally Posted by Varley

Label says French, tonsils suggest only as much as is the Foreign Legion.

I have tasted an Armagnac which felt as though it was going to melt my tonsils, best stick with Cognac.

[Varley]

I have a long and probably tedious annecdote that supports that in spades but to cut it short the 'Wine Cellar' (conveniently relocated just across the road so that they could save on delivery fuel costs) provides me with a not, by a long shot, affordable Cognac (Fontvielle until off the market and now an equally expensive ABK7 XO). When out of stock I was persuaded to try an Armagnac. WHen next there with a raw throat I consulted an older head. He advised that to get an Armagnac of equivalent quality to the Fontvielle I would have to pay double the price - so not viable even for the Christmas cake or culinary napalm.

[billyboy]

4 slices of toast served up with a generous helping of Baked Beans was my Christmas dinner. been dashing about to various parties, luncheons, family reunion and dinner invites...be happy now its all over. Roll on January 1. lets get back to normal.
Steward! splice the main brace. 3 fingers to each glass on my tab. Happy new year everyone.

[tweediekiwi]

Varley - isn't C2H5OH the stuff the compass needle floats in? Sounds too strong for human consumption. But, this from observation from a guy that could get drunk on wine gums these days as I'm on too many other things that make me too difficult to stand up proply. Hope you all had a very merry merry - now you can go and have a happy new.

[Engine Serang]

The Lewis Structure, takes me back to 1970 "A" Level Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, only for swots and boffins. But if you can drink it; lets not be judgemental.

[billyboy]

Stand by to shorten the hawser lads, we are to anchor off and await the pilot. he will board us near the top of tomorrows tide.
rig for towing on the starboard quarter of the tow.
once we beach it we can go for a decent curry somewhere nearby.

[Varley]

To be pedantic I think it is the card that floats (more buoyed perhaps) with the needle affixed and supported/centred by a pin. I have been informed in my opinion when forced to disassemble a bowl or two in the search for something to take with the quinine water (strictly medicinal, of course).

(I think also it is really either isopropyl alcohol or purified kerosene).

I fed 6 on Monday and 6 again on Christmas day. Guests arrived just at the point I intended to switch off the bird and I forgot about it. Bird very dry when it finally emerged but no complaints.

Yesterday I checked the maturation state of the Curry de Noel (has livened-up the dry bird nicely) and put several portions to freeze. All I have left is a millimetre of so of smoked salmon before I am carving skin and a mountain of cheese.

Intended to be mouse quiet on New Year's Eve but was winkled out for Indian (sandwiched between domestic pre and post prandials). Back home before 'the hour' to field the inevitable 'Happy' 'phonecalls.

And tonight. Anyone tried smoked salmon, cheese and bread sauce vindaloo?

[tweediekiwi]

Ah, BillyBoy, I'll have a nasi goreng please with the fried egg flopped on top. Sounds fine.
And, I bow to Varleys greater experience regarding cards, needles, alcohol and all points North. He's been there, I've only been told about it or read it in a book.
I think my memory is improving as I can remember 2024 like it was a few days ago.
Happy New Year Lads!!

[Varley]

Nasi Goreng with fried egg. If done as our Chinese cooks did then I would beat path to the galley door. For those that haven't had it, a mystery, (one friend also craves same from when stationed with late husband in Singapore, she would help with the beating sticks).

Last of the smoked salmon went this morning for breakfast (well, I gauged it as the last as the cats showed only moderate interest in thieving, 'obviously over the top').

[Malcolm G]

We will just have to make sure that we actually release the tow and try not to run ourselves up the beach as well.

[Engine Serang]

In this short season of goodwill ought we invite Oldgit77 back?

I think the thread needs an Aunt Sally, I'm fed picking on His Lordship and YM.

[billyboy]

Pilot has the con!
soon as he says ''let go'' we back off astern to where the pilot boat is. dump the pilot and get the heck out of here. Mumbai for a run ashore and a decent curry.
Nothing from the agent so wherever we go from there who knows.
Any suggestions welcome.

[YM-Mundrabilla]

Of course, ES.

Anyone or anything to take the pressure off.

Incidentally, Best Wishes for 2025

Have you worked out where you are or where you'd rather be yet?

It's going to be around 40° here today - that should put you off coming here.

[tweediekiwi]

The mystery of Nasi Goreng is in the Sambal Oleek. Tmac could use it to keep his bearings at operational temperature even when the engine is cold.
YM, I'm in Pahiatua, but I'd rather be in the South Island as all my great-grand kids ant two grand-kids have moved down there to Chch. Where are we and where do you want to be/.

[Engine Serang]

Have you worked out where you are or where you'd rather be yet?
No.

I'm a man of the world, in every sense of the word. Similar to Varley who is my mentor. Betimes I think I am Devilling, and my body will any

[tweediekiwi]

... and your body will any ... what?
You all sound like men worth looking up to but agree that Varley's knowledge is immense.
New Zealand summer time - 9C overnight and 15C with gale winds and rain. Global warming? Huh!
Where are we? I thought we'd towed a tug from Sth America to Blighty, but maybe I'm wrong. My wife would say I'm wrong and she knows everything ...

[billyboy]

That why its never good to argue with a wife. They remember stuff that has not happened yet and they are always right of course.

half astern both. lets get back out alongside the pilot boat lads. stop engines!...let her drift to a stop. Thank you Pilot. Bye. half ahead both... set course for Mumbai. fuel and stores waiting there for us. plus a short run ashore. if nothing from the agent we will head over to Cape town. top up tanks and decide where to go from there.

[Varley]

I'm mentor be wot?