Pope as crew

Bless you my son.

Your thoughtfulness and consideration do you credit but there is no need for excessive formality, you may address me as you would any other infallible instrument of the Almighty. As for victualling, may I suggest over-proof rum, armagnac, the finer red wines of the Rioja region and a few low-alcohol lagers for the rest of the crew. I am greatly looking forward to my cruise on your superb 331' Benito.

Pax vobiscum.
 
Pax vobiscum my backside. This is lovely isn't it? He probably feels high and mighty now he's got the pope a screw.
A few weeks ago I was sitting in an Etap in Pulldoran (sp) at about 2.30 am when I was hailed from the other side of the cabin:
'How about it John?'
'Eh?' I said, somewhat distracted by deciding which of Avilion's expensive malts to sample next, seeing as how the skipper was asleep in the corner. 'How about what?'
'I'm taking Glenrosa over to Ireland in July. Fancy it?'
'July which year?' I asked, slightly confused by how the rum bottle had got empty.
This seemed to mystify the prospective skipper. 'July this year ye daft prat,' he said.
'Oh, er yeah, maybe,' I said semi-decisively. 'Perhaps. Er, why not. Um?'
I can't quite recall what happened next, but as soon as I got home, I booked an Easyjet flight from Dunfanaghy to the Solent. I spent many nights poring over charts of the area. Here be names to conjure with, I thought, things to tell the grandchildren; The Western Approaches, the Fastnet Rock, Dingly Dell.
Or apparently not.
I'm not a man to bear a grudge. Usually.
 
I'm sorry to hear that LJS. Obviously I didn't know that the berth had already been offered to you and I'm surprised at Jimi's cavalier attitude. You've quite taken the shine off the trip for me.
 
John, don't worry I've recruited the nutters for the windward bash there, your berth is reserved for the F4 reach back!
 
That's big of you I have to say. I understand Jimi sleeps very infrequently.
Perhaps we could share it on a hot-bunking sort of basis?
As I have paid for a long flight from Ireland I would expect a berth for the first 24 hours.
Obviously then you would need at least 12 hours.
Perhaps in the meantime we could suspend him from the spreaders as a sort of courtesy flag?
 
Long John

I'm relieved to hear that Mr MacHurley is talking about the Ireland trip. I was concerned that, disappointed as he was over his recent failure to secure a prestigious overseas job appointment, he intended to do the Round The Island Race on foot. His recent test run at Craobh only had mixed results.
 
I'm thinking of doing a Round Britain on Other People's Boats record attempt. Is there a record recognised for this event? It would surely be a lot more interesting than blasting round in a monster trimaran.

If I go to Ireland with Jimi, persuade LJS to take me to Scotland (it must be time he returned some of the Scottish cruising hospitality he's been enjoying this season) and hitch a lift with Webcraft to Shetland (surely I've said enough nice things about Vegas) I'd be half way there in only three legs.

Now, who do I know on the East Coast?
 
You could meet Das Boot at Leith or Port Edgar for his return journey to Hartlepool.

Assuming we're afloat by then (getting there), I'm thinking of possibly making a rare excursion up Gare Loch in the direction of Garelochead in early July /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Fancy?

sailogo.jpg
 
Hm well yes but they're all a bit weird on the east coast and frankly the south coast too. Actually some of them are a bit weird on the west and north coasts as well.
In fact, I'd keep all three legs to yerself, where possible
 
Hell, I'll sail with (almost) anyone - 'though I might have to make an exception in your case. This is the Garelochead in Namibia you're talking about, isn't it?
 
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