I say, Davies...what IS Raven Mixture?

Greenheart

Greenheart

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Oh dear...I'm watching The Riddle of the Sands for about the 19th time, on Film4...really not the best adaptation that could have been made - some awful scripting, but I love the sailing scenes and the period & locations. And Jenny Agutter. And Michael York is good...

...but it never occurred to me before, to wonder what it is, Davies requests Carruthers to bring out to the Frisian Islands...

...Raven Mixture? Is it for his moustache, or an early form of 'Dip-it, Whip-it'?
 
stevebrassett said:
Isn't it a pipe tobacco?
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Aha! That sounds likely, except that in the film adaptation, Davies just responded ungraciously to Clara's gift (of a pipe), with the words "But I don't smoke!"

I was hoping it might be some antiquated tar-textured timber-treatment, or a laughably foul Edwardian cure for something.

Good grief! I think I just saw a 1970s supertanker, faint on the horizon behind the Dulcibella. :rolleyes:
 
dancrane said:
Aha! That sounds likely, except that in the film adaptation, Davies just responded ungraciously to Clara's gift (of a pipe), with the words "But I don't smoke!"
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I've just finished the book (on a kindle), and both Davies and Carruthers smoke like chimneys. I'm pretty sure Davies has a pipe as well.
 
parsifal said:
http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend_detail.cfm?ALPHA=O&TID=842
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Thank you, gentlemen, I reckon you're right. Perhaps Davies only wanted the tobacco, after receiving the gift. Though why a non-smoker would be so picky about brand, is mysterious. Perhaps he doesn't trust the German/Dutch varieties.

Ah, I can't wait till I have a fusty little cabin to smoke in. SWMBO won't let me, in the flat. Although, like Carruthers, I'd rather have a decent Cuban cigar, and the best place to enjoy it is outdoors on a calm sunny morning...:)
 
Good to see that the Book is still popular - at least amongst forumites! My boat is called Dulcibella II (but not named by me) and I am amazed at how few people I come into contact with, from HM Coastguard to your average yachtie, who have never heard of the name, let alone the history of the author, Erskin Childers.
 
Flossdog said:
Good to see that the Book is still popular - at least amongst forumites! My boat is called Dulcibella II (but not named by me) and I am amazed at how few people I come into contact with, from HM Coastguard to your average yachtie, who have never heard of the name, let alone the history of the author, Erskin Childers.
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That's Erskine, with an 'e' on the end. Riddle of the Sands is my favourite book ever. Childers was a brilliant literary talent - a tragic loss, that his heavyweight political involvement as an Irish Nationalist, and the paranoia/acrimony of the time, led to his being executed.

Seems to me the novel ought to be on any kids' standard reading-list - it's exciting and educative without being dull - lots of history and geography, and Childers' subtle humour shown throughout, through Carruthers' sufferings onboard. I first read it aged fourteen.
 
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dancrane said:
That's Erskine, with an 'e' on the end. Riddle of the Sands is my favourite book ever. Childers was a brilliant literary talent - a tragic loss, that his heavyweight political involvement as an Irish Nationalist, and the paranoia/acrimony of the time, led to his being executed.

Seems to me the novel ought to be on any kids' standard reading-list - it's exciting and educative without being dull - lots of history and geography, and Childers' subtle humour shown throughout, through Carruthers' sufferings onboard. I first read it aged fourteen.
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+1

Reading it recently made we want to go and explore the region (except the all the kedging off would finish my back forever).
 
prv said:
I like the sailing, but the "spy" plot never really grabbed me.

Pete
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Hello Pete, this is an interesting coincidence (or maybe not)...

...coming back from Cowes on the Red Funnel yesterday, I saw a veritable Dulcibella-lookalike, off Fawley refinery...

...lovely little yawl (or possibly a ketch? Not too clear at this distance). Wouldn't be yours, by any chance?

View attachment 20335

Click the thumbnail pic for a better look. It may be too small for a decent image, here - very pretty, full-screen, though.

P.S. she was a long way from the ferry...I used the camera on my phone, plus a little 3" monocular, held up against the lens. Hence the piratical 'telescopic' curve around the unnaturally dark pic. :rolleyes:
 
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It's hard to believe, but the chandlers I use don't stock Rippingille stove no 3 wicks any more.
What is the world coming to?:)
 
dancrane said:
Hello Pete, this is an interesting coincidence (or maybe not)...

...coming back from Cowes on the Red Funnel yesterday, I saw a veritable Dulcibella-lookalike, off Fawley refinery...

...lovely little yawl (or possibly a ketch? Not too clear at this distance). Wouldn't be yours, by any chance?

View attachment 20335

Click the thumbnail pic for a better look. It may be too small for a decent image, here - very pretty, full-screen, though.

P.S. she was a long way from the ferry...I used the camera on my phone, plus a little 3" monocular, held up against the lens. Hence the piratical 'telescopic' curve around the unnaturally dark pic. :rolleyes:
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Just about a ketch I think.

10/10 for the monocular in front of phone trick !

The circular cut-off effect as I suspect you are aware is known as lens vignetting, rather adds to the effect here.
 
dancrane said:
...lovely little yawl (or possibly a ketch? Not too clear at this distance). Wouldn't be yours, by any chance?
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Nope, although I often am to be found in that area. Kindred Spirit has tanned sails, and a cutter fore-triangle.

(And to avoid the same confusion that arose with another forumite earlier this year, tanned sails are not the same colour as a tan sofa :) )

Pete
 
aslabend said:
+1

Reading it recently made we want to go and explore the region (except the all the kedging off would finish my back forever).
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it inspired a pal & I to do just that in 1998- do you know, the descriptions of their travels behind the islands helped with the pilotage of our boat, being still relevant:)
In fact, we got out and walked it over one watershed, hanging onto the shrouds jic.
I'm longing to go back, now we won't have to live under a boat tent- SWMBO sensibly didn't join us 'til we reached Scmeeda in the canals, and drove up to Svendborg in the Danmark for the Wayfarer International Rally-98 was another bl@@dy awful summer:(
 
I reckon when I get 'a round tuit' inside, and take to hanging things like aneroid barometers on the walls, I'll have a pipe-rack with a couple of fat Meerschaums.

No, I never have, but it would probably keep the place clear of mosquitos - and family-girlies. :cool:
 
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