Mini Border Force?

[Leighb]

I have seen the full size Border Force vessels on the Orwell and at sea many times, but have never seen a Mini one like this. All the livery looks correct so I assume they have some ?new smaller vessels for shallower rivers. Seems like a good idea as the East Coats rivers are being increasingly used for smuggling of various sorts.

 

[LittleSister]

. . . the East Coats rivers are being increasingly used for smuggling of various sorts.

You say that confidently. Do you have insider knowledge, perhaps?

Given that it's an ancient cultural tradition, shouldn't smuggling be eligible for an Arts Council Grant, or at least government support for hard-pressed coastal communities?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

You say that confidently. Do you have insider knowledge, perhaps?

Given that it's an ancient cultural tradition, shouldn't smuggling be eligible for an Arts Council Grant, or at least government support for hard-pressed coastal communities?

But in that case, the Revenue is also a well-established tradition in such areas! Anyone else remember Russel Thorndyke and Dr Sin?

 

[Aquaboy]

I imagine Woodbridge is a hotbed of all sorts ........

 

[LittleSister]

I imagine Woodbridge is a hotbed of all sorts ........

A cold, damp bed, more like.

 

[M Hill]

Its a former Met Police Targa, by all accounts its a regular fixture at Harwich with another running from Gravesend too.

 

[Leighb]

Its a former Met Police Targa, by all accounts its a regular fixture at Harwich with another running from Gravesend too.

Thanks, I haven’t seen it before. I have fond memories of the Ian Jacob which was a regular sight patrolling the Suffolk rivers, and doing helpful things such as give a tow, with their RIB, to a weary yachtsman who was trying to row the best part of a mile against wind and tide.

 

[Marmalade]

it's berthed in Shotley...

 

[M Hill]

They came along the front at Clacton around lunchtime today, was a rather lumpy & confused sea with the wind we had and didn’t look much fun!

 

[PeterWright]

You say that confidently. Do you have insider knowledge, perhaps?

Given that it's an ancient cultural tradition, shouldn't smuggling be eligible for an Arts Council Grant, or at least government support for hard-pressed coastal communities?

I think the UK government should apply to UNESCO for smuggling up muddy creeks to be inscribed in the list of intangible World Heritage activities.

Peter..

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I think the UK government should apply to UNESCO for smuggling up muddy creeks to be inscribed in the list of intangible World Heritage activities.

Peter..

If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse's feet,
Don't go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street,
Them that ask no questions isn't told a lie.
Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!
Five and twenty ponies,
Trotting through the dark -
Brandy for the Parson,
'Baccy for the Clerk.
Laces for a lady; letters for a spy,
And watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!

Running round the woodlump if you chance to find
Little barrels, roped and tarred, all full of brandy-wine,
Don't you shout to come and look, nor use 'em for your play.
Put the brishwood back again - and they'll be gone next day!

If you see the stable-door setting open wide;
If you see a tired horse lying down inside;
If your mother mends a coat cut about and tore;
If the lining's wet and warm - don't you ask no more!

If you meet King George's men, dressed in blue and red,
You be careful what you say, and mindful what is said.
If they call you "pretty maid," and chuck you 'neath the chin,
Don't you tell where no one is, nor yet where no one's been!

Knocks and footsteps round the house - whistles after dark -
You've no call for running out till the house-dogs bark.
Trusty's here, and Pincher's here, and see how dumb they lie -
They don't fret to follow when the Gentlemen go by!

If you do as you've been told, 'likely there's a chance,
You'll be give a dainty doll, all the way from France,
With a cap of Valenciennes, and a velvet hood -
A present from the Gentlemen, along 'o being good!
Five and twenty ponies
Trotting through the dark -
Brandy for the Parson,
'Baccy for the Clerk.
Them that asks no questions isn't told a lie -
Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!


Rudyard Kipling

 

[Debennut]

She has been named "Rattlesnake"

 

[LittleSister]

She has been named "Rattlesnake"

Curious choice. Wouldn't a rattlesnake be considered an invasive species - just the thing they're trying to avoid?

 

[LittleSister]

If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse's feet,
Don't go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street,
Them that ask no questions isn't told a lie.
Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!
Five and twenty ponies,
Trotting through the dark -
Brandy for the Parson,
'Baccy for the Clerk.
Laces for a lady; letters for a spy,
And watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!

Running round the woodlump if you chance to find
Little barrels, roped and tarred, all full of brandy-wine,
Don't you shout to come and look, nor use 'em for your play.
Put the brishwood back again - and they'll be gone next day!

If you see the stable-door setting open wide;
If you see a tired horse lying down inside;
If your mother mends a coat cut about and tore;
If the lining's wet and warm - don't you ask no more!

If you meet King George's men, dressed in blue and red,
You be careful what you say, and mindful what is said.
If they call you "pretty maid," and chuck you 'neath the chin,
Don't you tell where no one is, nor yet where no one's been!

Knocks and footsteps round the house - whistles after dark -
You've no call for running out till the house-dogs bark.
Trusty's here, and Pincher's here, and see how dumb they lie -
They don't fret to follow when the Gentlemen go by!

If you do as you've been told, 'likely there's a chance,
You'll be give a dainty doll, all the way from France,
With a cap of Valenciennes, and a velvet hood -
A present from the Gentlemen, along 'o being good!
Five and twenty ponies
Trotting through the dark -
Brandy for the Parson,
'Baccy for the Clerk.
Them that asks no questions isn't told a lie -
Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!


Rudyard Kipling

For some mysterious reason YouTube served me up recently with a video of a USA traffic stop vehicle inspection that ended with them finding a couple of million dollars' worth of cocaine aboard. For even more mysterious reasons I watched it.

Underneath were several comments from people saying that in certain areas of e.g. Florida the locals know to keep clear of, and immediately forget seeing, certain types and times of vehicle/plane/boat and people movements etc, and that to do otherwise is highly dangerous. Plus ça change!

 

[AntarcticPilot]

For some mysterious reason YouTube served me up recently with a video of a USA traffic stop vehicle inspection that ended with them finding a couple of million dollars' worth of cocaine aboard. For even more mysterious reasons I watched it.

Underneath were several comments from people saying that in certain areas of e.g. Florida the locals know to keep clear of, and immediately forget seeing, certain types and times of vehicle/plane/boat and people movements etc, and that to do otherwise is highly dangerous. Plus ça change!

My first wife came from Dulwich, but had family connections in Brixton and thereabouts. I have no concerns about walking there, but know that at times, "Watch the wall my darling" is good advice!

 

[PetiteFleur]

The mini border force vessel was on the River Deben yesterday 18th July.