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6th January 2025, 05:29 AM
#1
Those we meet
So here am I back in the land of the living and skint brigade.
Christmas came and Christmas went, my credit card got very bent.
But time was good and met some interesting people.
First night at dinner, on the table next to us Kevin originally from Leicester, spent six weeks at the "Vindi" in 1961. First guy I met from there in ages.
Two years inn merch then went into Royal Navy.
An officer on board, bit limp wristed but lovely with it, from Cape Town.
He gave me some news, much of which corrected info from other sources and not correct.
Del Monico, Gone
Tike Hoc bar Gone, apartment block there now.
OK bazars still there, not gone as I had been told.
Grand, De Waal and Manchester, now renamed for third time, still there.
Ranch House restaurant Seapoint , did have a fire but saved, still going strong after 75 years.
Navigators Den did burn down, But was rebuilt and the surrounding area developed.
He told me on docking day that the "Winchester" hotel had burned to the ground on new years day.
We sailed from Sydney, not a good spot to leave from, P&O cruises no longer operate in Oz so we had over 1600 first timers most likely ex P&O all bloody Bogans.
Enough Indians to fill the Punjab but who carers, the food was good the grog better and we had a great time.
No go into Wellington, sea too rough pilots boats not allowed out.
Big swells up to 8 and 9 meters with some 4 to 5 meter waves hitting the hull.
A number of passengers did not take that too well, saw one lady with a sick bag looking very bad, told here the best way to get over sea sickness is to sit under a tree for 30 minutes.
There were two bloody big Christmas trees on board


Happy daze John in Oz.
Life is too short to blend in.
John Strange R737787
World Traveller

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6th January 2025, 08:43 AM
#2
Re: Those we meet
As long as you both Enjoyed the trip, thats the main thing , and i am sure you did.
Yes lots of changes in Cape Town even me when i was there in April, got a shock to see it all, but a lot for the better, mind you miss the old places that have gone!
Oh well thats progress for you!
Good to see you back though John, and now its time for a New Brand Year! !! LOL
All the very best.
Cheers
I had my Daughter surprise me for Xmas (The one from Birmingham) as we had a big gathering at our House for a change . So who rocks up with my Daughter Cheryl (The one here) Yes the one and only Half Sister! What a shock and Surprise! Nearly had a Heart attack!!
Xmas Setup here at home 20241212_150903.jpg
Now gone and back in Birmingham, and Bitter cold weather there!
Miss her already , and of course my Son In Law!
Oh well, at least we all got together! It was a Ball!!!
The Family here at Xmas Messenger_creation_3B2209D0-2BDF-49DE-ACCD-4DC57166DB8C.jpg
Cheers
I went to the Airport on Saturday to see them off, so just spent a few days in the Big Smoke! LOL
NOW BACK HOME TOO, TIME TO RELAX AND CHILL OUT NOW!
Me at Circular Quay the QE was in Port!
20250105_081938.jpg
Last edited by Doc Vernon; 10th January 2025 at 10:05 PM.
Senior Site Moderator-Member and Friend of this Website
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7th January 2025, 01:09 AM
#3
Re: Those we meet
Hi Vernon.
That's a great shot of Circular Quay, made me feel homesick, I spent so many years going there.
Des
R510868
Lest We Forget
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7th January 2025, 01:30 AM
#4
Re: Those we meet
Think that part of the quay where the liner is lying Des, was using that in 1999 when doing a bottom survey Bondi Beach to Auckland NZ. Only when vacant though ! Ship was the Mermaid Raider. Believe it or not the quay fees were only $80 a day with free facilities of help yourself to water. God knows how much the liners pay for the privilige JS
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7th January 2025, 05:42 AM
#5
Re: Those we meet
Vernon ,you look as if you had a great time over Christmas, good on ya mate.
Booking fees for cruise ships are an addition to the fare, they appear as a line item.
Did not dock in Wellington so we all got the princely sum each of $42.15
When you consider we were originally booked for 5 ports with a total cost of some $700 each!!!!!!
Where the bloody hell did the rest Go?????????


Happy daze John in Oz.
Life is too short to blend in.
John Strange R737787
World Traveller

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7th January 2025, 05:53 AM
#6
Re: Those we meet
#5 $42 is an insult John . Consider pilotage fees , docking fees, harbour dues , light dues, and uncle Tom Cobberlys and all.. If you were expecting and paid for 5 ports , then you should have been returned 20% of the voyage fee. Don’t even mention the amount of fuel saved . Bon voyage JS.
PS maybe should have read the small print on the tickets, about acts of God, and the owners of the line as well of course. JS…..
Last edited by j.sabourn; 7th January 2025 at 06:07 AM.
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8th January 2025, 11:47 PM
#7
Re: Those we meet
John.
The owners wrote the book, "A Thousand ways to be diddled".
Des
R510868
Lest We Forget
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9th January 2025, 05:26 AM
#8
Re: Those we meet
#7 When seamen were being made redundant in the eighties from the pool and getting miserly payouts, I and many others were advised by various unions to at least apply for the dole. The government in its ill advised on how to go about it , made the stipulation that anyone receiving more than 12 weeks payment in lieu of notice dole money would be refused . However this left a hole in their argument, seamen are paid by calendar month and not 4 weeks as in their month and odd days outside of the month were paid one thirtieth of a months wages , so this law was out of step with their thinking . I applied for it at my local dole office and received 4 days dole before finding my own employment. On coming back into British shipping I was asked to repay this 4 days dole, this was 12 months later. I went to see the dole manager and his words to me were it is not up to them to accuse you of anything , that he was responsible for payouts of dole money and not a bunch of shylocks.
Some dole offices paid out and others did not ,it was the luck of the draw. I was threatened they would take it off my pension when I retired, maybe they did maybe they didn’t , it is such a miserable amount so maybe they need it more than I do. The Australian way of payment is on a fortnightly cycle much more honest and above board. Cheers JS
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9th January 2025, 05:31 AM
#9
Re: Those we meet
Most of the passengers I spoke with were surprised they would gat any money back for not docking in Wellington.
Think the majority of port fees are taken up by port of embarkation and disembarkation.
For the first time we went to the Bay of Islands off the north coast of the top island of New Zealand.
We visited the spot where the Treaty of Wangai was signed back in the 1800's, and Des I had a dozen Green Lipped Muscles for my lunch.


Happy daze John in Oz.
Life is too short to blend in.
John Strange R737787
World Traveller

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9th January 2025, 06:50 AM
#10
Re: Those we meet
Was that mussels or muscles John. Think I was up there a few years ago when did a conducted tour of N and S island . JS
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