Thinking

[Louis the fly]

Thinking of the past as there is far more past than future
Thinking of friends, happy, smiling, forever young in our mind
Thinking of those forgotten, resting in Valhalla, their story lost to the world
Thinking of ships, the seas, sights, sounds, smells. Of runs ashore, carefree, there is no tomorrow
Thinking of great wealth, of extreme poverty, babies born in gutters destined to remain there
Thinking of simple pleasures, bright red skies, sun rise, beautiful sunsets
Thinking only of good times, the bad times instantly dismissed
Thinking of endless games of crib, mountains of books, sitting on deck with a can of beer
Thinking of how lucky we were.

[Red Lead Ted]

Very true , Lou, We tend to only remember the good times, They say as you get older you loose it....................We lost it in our youth at sea we are beginning to remember again while all around us are going through there blue period, This forum helps us relive our youth and never forget the only way is up mate, I think of the ships i was in and the good times, I was paid to cruise the Caribbean ocean, Mexican Gulf, Eastern Sea board of the USA, For years, I might have had to work 11 hours a day, But even the work was pleasurable as you say a few beers on hatch 5 watching the sun go down at sea, No greater experience in the world in the middle of the ocean, Rate of knots meant nothing when we where young and free busy thinking of the next port o call, And hopefully meeting old friends you never new who you would meet back in the day we were men of the world who stood tall and proud we where Merchant Seaman, Whatever got threw our way we dealt with it together for better or worse. We were all in the same boat. Happy Days Terry.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Terry.
I pull out the Photo album every now and then and slip back into the past, don't know if its to feel young again or to try and get back there, not that I haven't a great life with my wife and kids. Nostalgia I suppose, I always go back to my first ship and one particular picture of a bloke from Birmingham who we called Brumy, Indian ocean calm seas and sunshine wonderful, me sitting on the bits. 1949 Trevose
Cheers Des


Brummy.JPG

[Red Lead Ted]

Being a taff, Des why does it not surprise me your first ship was a treboat, Mine was the Trevaylor, A few years later than you m8, A right mixture of crew scousers/geordies/taffs/paddys/jocks/ A happy lot we where to. Happy days Des Regards Terry.

[happy daze john in oz]

We lived a life that no one will ever be able to do again. In that regard we are unique there are none others such as us. We saw thing and did things that many would turn their nose up at. But we had something the shore people never had, we had companionship of real importance, not the kind they have in pubs ashore. Out in the middle of the ocean where you had to rely on your mate to do the right thing just as he relied on you. It was team work of a very special nature, long days up to 14 hours but we enjoyed the challenge and the good times to come at the end of the voyage or the next port of call.
We can look back with pride on the times we had at sea no matter if it were for long or short. No man can take from us the memories, or the mamories, for that matter. Given half a chance we would be at it again.

[Dennis McGuckin]

Not many sleeps go by that I am not off on a ship to wherever.
Guess the urge never really leaves us.
Dream on!

[cappy]

Not many sleeps go by that I am not off on a ship to wherever.
Guess the urge never really leaves us.
Dream on!

####yes den always something new ...some good some not so good.....but never the dull life of the shore wallah......regards cappy

[happy daze john in oz]

####yes den always something new ...some good some not so good.....but never the dull life of the shore wallah......regards cappy

You are so right Cappy, it mattered not which department you were in, Deck, Catering, Engine or Gay life was anything but dull for any of us and it is only when you come ashore you begin to understand just how good it was.

[Louis the fly]

Essentials for seamen of my generation;
Fruit of the Loom boxer shorts and T shirts
Lee, Levi or Wrangler jeans
Seiko watch
Zippo lighter
Low slung knife and spike
Thick soled flip flops
Hand made Hong Kong suits.

[Doc Vernon]

And now I am thinking !
Why did all have to end!

What a wonderful life we had,no matter at Sea or not ,things to remember that keep us young at Heart anyway!

Lot more than could be said for majority of people then and now!
Cheers