Nostalgia.

[John Arton]

I met Canon Bob a few times when he visited my ship in his work as chaplain and what a truly fascinating gentleman he was with a wealth of stories and experiences. The later chaplain, whose name I forget but he drove a bright yellow Daewoo Matiz which he would pile any number of guys in to give them a lift anywhere, was also a true gentlemen. If anyone deserves a place in the Wallasay Rest home it is these gentlemen. The amount of work and friendship they gave to all Merchant Seafarers, irrespective of race or creed makes them honoury Seamen.
rgds
JA

[alf corbyn]

hi jim give my regards to john. i met him at the southampton meet

[j.sabourn]

Dungarees, Earrings and tattoos. The 3 mentioned items. Dungarees were always at one time considered working gear to people ashore, however seamen always kept a good pair, scrubbed over and over again soaked in salt water to get that faded look for going ashore. Now called jeans and everyone wears and can buy any shade. Earring worn originally by fishermen, think it was the right ear to represent something or other, nowadays worn by men in both ears, in the tongue lip eyebrow navel and other private parts no doubt. Tattoos were once worn on arms mainly by servicemen and seamen usually to commemorate a loved one, now on all parts of the body by most young people ashore designs of everything imagineable and over all body parts, even the women arms legs and on parts not usually visible, to me on a woman puts me off, unless of course she had tattooed JOHN over her navel. This is modern progress .and is considered freedom of expression. The Jeans I agree with. Cheers John Sabourn

[j.sabourn]

#8... Brian just reading through some of these posts for the first time. Ref Safety Bay I practically live there, if you know Safety Bay you know Singleton. Safety Bay starts 50 yards along the street from me. My mate had a house on the front there and talked us into moving down here 12 years ago so bought a block of land and built, his was a holiday home on the sea front which he was going to pull down and put a 2 storey on, ran short of cash so had to move elsewhere. The only seafarer I knew of from uk who lived there was one of the ex masters of that ship that had the big oil spin in Canada that caused all the no drinking carry on later, He died a couple of years ago and someone gave me the cutting out the paper about him, will have to try and find. Is a very small world to what it used to be. Ive written all this and misread your post, was thinking of Golden Bay. However Safety Bay is about 4 miles further up the coast. Cheers John Sabourn

[j.sabourn]

#8 Brian found the orbituary for the bloke from Golden Bay, must have been 2 to 3 years ago in the local weekly paper, have no date unless I ask at office. Was wrong about nationality was not from uk. Will put down what says. Orbituary Riki Tirikatene.. Riki started life on a farm in N.Z. He was educated at Christchurch and after his 3rd year of medicine at University he joined the army for overseas service. His parents were the last to know he had a zest for life with his razor sharp mind he became a master mariner . The Exon Valdez was one of the many ships he skippered. He moved to Pilot work and lastly skippered a fisheries research vessel. In between he became a superb cook and was involved with restaurants. He loved good food, good drink, good cheerful company and had a winsome smile. He took to community work in Golden Bay. He was with others heavily involved in establishing the BMX track, skate park and oval, he also served as a community board member at the Comet Bay College. For many years he used his exquisite figure to great affect as Father Xmas at the annual fair in December then on Xmas day distributing bags of lollies to the children of Golden Bay. Fittingly a service of rememberence was held in the Community Centre on 27 January. He received a traditional Maori welcome and farewell by a group of Maori singers from Singleton. He will be missed and appreciated by all who knew him. He is survived by Anne. He had no children of his own.................. Don't suppose anyone knows him do they...... Cheers john Sabourn

[Captain Kong]

Hi John
My old mate Joe Finnegan and Mary live in Waikiki Road, Safety Bay.
He was from Liverpool and he emigrated there when he retired. He was a Good Comedian and Singer as well as a Good Seaman. He entertained on Cruise ships for about four years out of Fremantle. He also appeared on several TV shows, `Last of the Summer Wine` and `BOON`
Charlie Hannah and I had sailed with Joe from 1955 onwards into the 60s.
If you want his Number I can PM it to you. I was there last year and we had a day on the beach by Rockingham.
In 2005 we all sailed back to Liverpool on the Funchal , a Portugese ship out of Fremantle, Joe was up on stage cracking jokes and singing we had a great 38 day voyage back, The ship was full of the Rockingham `Mafia` all going back to Liverpool for a holiday. He is a fun guy to be with. I should be back there around the last week in February.
Cheers
Brian.

[j.sabourn]

Brian.... I'll fire up the barbi. The wife goes to the CWA (Country Womans Association) Safety Bay. Cheers John Sabourn

[Captain Kong]

Thanks for that John
I will let you what the dates are later when I have booked my flight from Sydney.
Cheers
Brian.

[john sutton]

THIS IS GOOD AND SUMS IT UP WELL!











Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary. We know we take responsibility for all we have done and do not blame others.





HOWEVER, upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was NOT the senior citizens who took:





The melody out of music,
The pride out of appearance,
The courtesy out of driving,
The romance out of love,
The commitment out of marriage,
The responsibility out of parenthood,
The togetherness out of the family,
The learning out of education,
The service out of patriotism,
The Golden Rule from rulers,
The nativity scene out of cities,
The civility out of behavior,
The refinement out of language,
The dedication out of employment,
The prudence out of spending,
The ambition out of achievement or
God out of government and school.






And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!!









And, we do understand the meaning of patriotism, and remember those who have fought and died for our country.





Just look at the Seniors with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts as they stand at attention with their hand over their hearts!





YES, I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN! .

I'm the life of the party...... Even if it lasts until 8 p.m.

I'm very good at opening childproof caps.... With a hammer.

I'm awake many hours before my body allows me to get up.






I'm smiling all the time because I can't hear a thing you're saying.

I'm sure everything I can't find is in a safe secure place, somewhere.

I'm wrinkled, saggy, lumpy, and that's just my left leg.

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

Yes, I'm a SENIOR CITIZEN and I think I am having the time of my life!








Spread the laughter
Share the cheer
Let's be happy
While we're here.

[alf corbyn]

hi john Sabourn, her indoors has over fifty tattoos, all works of art. she is shade in the summer, warmth in the winter and moving pictures all the year round.