Reminisce

[Neil Morton]

Dennis all though we have never met , indeed on two occasions we nearly made it, I also have these reveries, especially on days like today, when the early spring sunshine beckons me into the garden. Praise be my sons and grandsons have chosen wisely with regard to their future and I am sure will always be in work.
Whatever threats endanger their way of life will have to be dealt with by them , as indeed we did in our time . And what a time it has been :
I saw the multi engined Brabazon with propellers spinning into the dying days of air travel before the advent of jet aircraft . I remember Geraldo, Semprini, Montivani and Victor Sylvester, Billy Cotton and Ted Heath before rock and roll hit us like an atom bomb. We all recall when dungarees gave way to blue jeans. No doubt most recall the days when our folks could finally afford a radio gram, a telephone, and yes a tiny 12 inch black and white tele. The Moon and now Mars , mobile phones, computers, electric motor cars, ( my step father drove a steam driven lorry).
In 1953 I purchased my first bike, I was 14 and had never had one before. That glorious Dayton racing bike with half chromed front forks and painted in a cheerful sunshine yellow was my pride and joy; I think fondly of it still. It carried me from Mitcham to Box Hill, Hampton Court, Farnham, Windsor, which sustained me until I could finally really travel on those magnificent merchant ships. Bikes are coming back in Melbourne, cycle paths everywhere, much to the chagrin of motorists.
So my friend although Cam may go on vacation to the budget resorts of Moon Valley or Mars Beach make sure he remembers your Golden Years, for they are to be treasured.
Best regards to you mate and our fellow dreamers, Neil "Mort" Morton.

[happy daze john in oz]

I sowed my wild oats while at sea, so settled down [almost] after marriage.
Not sure what would have happened if Ann Margaret walked up my drive and offered herself though!!
Was it Nelson who said.
'We lucky few, we band of brothers'
Den.[/QUOTE]

Sowed wild oats and no doubt like most of us then prayed for a crop failure.

[Dennis McGuckin]

Thanks Neil, Nicley put.
As far as Cam, or other family members remembering my 'golden years'
The odd time I mention those days they show no interest.
Consequently I don't bring it up anymore.
Maybe that's why I enjoy this site so much. One is free to 'remerniss' without fear of been looked upon as a boring old guy [at least I hope so]
Its quite common on the site to find family researching dads MN days, after he has passed away.
Interesting ain't it!
Den.

[Les Woodard]

Den I do not think it is disinterrest in your stories that is the problem mate it could be that they are still trying to digest your tab nabs. Maybe if you relented and started to put real rum in them instead of the essence like your ship mates had to put up with LOL.

[Tony Morcom]

I don't know about you guys, but when I got married the 2nd time every time a movie or program came on about another country she always asked "have you been there?" Frequently the answer was of course yes. Funnily enough after a few months the questions faded away. Now however its started all over again with my daughter. Every time she sees a ship on T.V. its "have you been on that one Daddy?" I just wish I could find a movie or clip on line that actually shows one of my ships sailing so that I could say yes to her ~ just once

[Lou Barron]

Yes being a exMN is something i am very proud of life at sea was totally diferrent than working ashore but having this great site helps to keep those memorys alive

[Rodney Mills]

John,

It's by William Shakespear...Henry V Act. 4. 3. The most stirring speach to warriors ever written:

...That he that have no stomach to this fight, Let him depart, his passportshall be made....This day is called the feast of Chrispian: He that out lives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named, and rouse him at the name of Chrispian.He that shall see this day, and live old age , Will yearly on the virgil feast his neighbors, And say, "Tomorrow is the feast of Chrispian. Then will he strip his sleave and show his scars and say these wounds I had on Chrispians day. Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, But ours will be remembered with advantages, what feats we did this day. Then shall our names, Familiar in his mouth as household words, Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester, Be in their flowing cups remembered. This story shall the good man teach his son: And Chrispin Chrispian Shall ne'er go by, from this day forward to the ending of the world, But we in it be remembered; WE FEW, WE HAPPY FEW, WE BAND OF BROTHERS; For he to-day who sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother: be he ne're so vile. This day shall gentle his condition. AND GENTLEMEN IN ENGLAND NOW A-BED, SHALL THINK THEMSELVES ACCURSED THEY WERE NOT HERE; AND HOLD THEIR MANHOOD CHEAP, WHILES ANY SPEAKS THAT FOUGHT WITH US UPON SAINT CHRISPIN'S DAY.

The ENGLISH and WELSH archers are out-numbered 14 to one, it's pissing down with rain and their backs are to a river...cornered, after fighting a rear guard retreat....Five minuets left on the clock, the french attack, The flower of French nobles astride their chargers... English and Welsh archers have a secret weapon...The Long Bow....Final score...3500 French dead, vs. 3 English gentlemen and a mixed bag of 12 yeomen.

Now in any language or history that's one hell of an ass-kicking.

Cheers, Rodney

P.S. Excuse typos it's late here.

[Dennis McGuckin]

I stand corrected.
Close though eh!!
Den.

[Dennis McGuckin]

Den I do not think it is disinterrest in your stories that is the problem mate it could be that they are still trying to digest your tab nabs. Maybe if you relented and started to put real rum in them instead of the essence like your ship mates had to put up with LOL.

Les. Thats above and beyond mate.
Den.

[Dennis McGuckin]

Just discovered that my daughter has invited all on my mailing list to our anniversary open house.1300-1600 August 27 [anniversary is really the 25th but granddaughter is getting married that day].
Let me make this clear.
Would love to see you all, but I am NOT paying for your trip to Vancouver Island .
Call me a cheap b***er but that's the way it is.
However. If you would like to pay your own way for three hours with me [well worth it] go for it.
Den.