Thinking

[happy daze john in oz]

Pressure on workers today ashore is tough, competition is killing it for many and the need to be ahead is so important now if you want to keep your job. But we were under pressure most of the time but we coped with it, did our job and never worried about competition. It was at times very hard work but we enjoyed it and that is half the way to being a good worker, enjoying what you do.

But there were the idiots and clowns as well. On the Pretoria there was a deck hand who we all think may have had a screw or two a bit loose. He had run two pairs of ladies knickers up the flag pole whilst in port in Durban though he never got caught for it. The homeward bound one night took a line from the rope locker, tied it to the aft rail and chucked it over the side. He was caught by the master at arms on his rounds and asked why he said he was fishing. Took three guys to haul it in, he was logged and on arrival in Southampton given the DCM. Wonder where he went from there?

[j.sabourn]

Maybe it was the VD and scar he should have been awarded John. Thinking back to the average 10,000 ton tramp there were upwards of 40 men on board at times. Today the same sized vessel would be well manned with 12. Although the average shipowner was always pleading poverty and blaming it on his overheads the likes of wages and food, even after getting rid of so many people from the only job they had ever done, he still went to the wall. Although in some cases not so much to the wall but just a change of appearance albeit the flag. For so much talk about patriotic fervour the rot always starts at the top. I watched the UK PM in Brussels last night at a supposedly meeting of the Alliance on his quest to get things changed, all he has to do is come away and keep the Free Trade if that was possible. There will now be a big splurge of the taxpayers money spent on the advantages of staying in the union. There are No advantages of staying in apart from the people who live in these countries who may be scared of coming out. I see no advantages of having a foreign power telling the people what they have to do. Reminds me of what Great Britain may have been like if had lost the war, and of Quisling in Norway who was pro German, and of Vichy France. JS

[Keith Tindell]

I think that is very clear to most people now that the dominant nation in the EU is Germany, they adopted different tactics this time, took of the jackboots, and crept in the back door. This meeting is a total sham, we will not get what was promised, it will be watered down to a point that its tasteless, although Cameron will crow victorious. You have as much chance of 28 people agreeing ANYTHING, as a pork pie in a synagogue . But the good point will be that it should reinforce the OUT vote, kt

[Dennis McGuckin]

My first taster of shore jobs did not go well--. Mind you jobs were plentiful 1964, and had a job the next day, kt

Keith, I had a similar experience on my first job ashore.Was working as a labourer at Jaguar car factory.
Foreman was an East Indian and full of airs and graces.Or so he thought.
One day he started to give me a bit of hassle.
Next thing I knew I had thumped him.So ended my five day career with Jag.
As you say Keith. Always more jobs to go too.

[happy daze john in oz]

John #22 there was a an interesting bit on the news this morning. It was from London and gave details of what Cameron has so far achieved, not a lot, and what he hopes for. One of the big points is the social security payments to non citizens. But there was also a section where a number of people, about 20, from different parts were interviewed about their feelings on the matter of in or out. Of six business men five want in saying it is good for their business. Of the others all around middle age they were split about 50/50. But of most interest the comments of a Swede who claimed UK must stay in as it is part of Europe and needs to contribute.
Well for me as an ex pat at no time did IO ever see UK as part of Europe. The UK is a sovereign body and should stay as such.

[Dennis McGuckin]

Keith, I had a similar experience on my first job ashore.Was working as a labourer at Jaguar car factory.
Foreman was an East Indian and full of airs and graces.Or so he thought.
One day he started to give me a bit of hassle.
Next thing I knew I had thumped him.So ended my five day career with Jag.
As you say Keith. Always more jobs to go too.

Just realise.My first job in Canada turned out to have much the same end result as it did my first job after leaving MN ashore in England.
Was working as a gas station attendant in Vancouver.
In those days you had to wash windshields and check oil and tires.
Didn't like the clicking of fingers/blowing of horns from the customers who wanted to be served. Had a feeling I wouldn't last.
I was also expected to clean the men's and ladies washroom.[the later I didn't mind]
Anyway. After a few days I hid the washroom keys.
Just before the week was up, and I was supposed to work Sunday. I phoned to say I quit as found a better job.
He called me a son of a bitch.
Back then and straight from England, I was not familiar with the use of that term.
With that, I jumped in my car and drove to the garage.
He was under a car on one of those dollies with wheels.
Grabbed his feet and pulled him out.
Gave him one from my dear old mother.
He screamed after me.
'You will never pump gas again in Vancouver'.
Turns out he was right.
So in retrospect I feel Innocent of those days.
It's not me, It's those first jobs that do it.
Good thing I am now out of the job market.
Strange how both of them only lasted five days.
Thought I would have mellowed by then.
Should have stayed at sea.

[j.sabourn]

Don't think we ever mellow Dennis we just get over ripe. I think what annoyed me coming ashore was the general publics lack of knowledge about the poorer elements and conditions of the world today. This was exactly the same thousands of yesterdays, those that didn't travel 2nd. class never knew about it, in our times we experienced it, and it is like the rest of the world has woken up and is aghast at what they see. To most of us it is just another day in Paradise and wonder what all the sudden fuss is about. I don't think a lot of the so called do-gooders in our society realize that they are not going to change things to their moralistic liking overnight. It will take many generations if ever for all the peoples of the world to be in accord with each other, religion being mainly the obvious one, but there are many others. My attitude is that nobody has the moral right to dictate to any other nation how they should conduct their ways of life. And only use force when threatened with the same. JS

[eric fisher]

Indeed Ivan,, So true and Dennis, on a lighter note, today with one of my Grandsons from Wainright Alberta we spent time on the balcony with whisky and cigars, +7C, sunny but with a jacket on we chatted for about an hour. He may get a job locally with the fire department. and live with me and enjoy the balcony more when the weather is milder. I write this because at 23 he and I can swop yarns and open with each other. It is similar with all of my family and friends. With the wonderful view from the 12th floor the world is about perfect. Maybe that's why I go on about my life and luck. Skype profile reads .... Health, Whisky, Cigars and G'friend... HEAVEN!
It's perhaps that's the reason, and seafaring attitudes, that I've lived so long. Go figure... I dunno. Cheers, Eric

[Red Lead Ted]

Essentials for seamen of my generation;

Hand made Hong Kong suits.

Lou, Don,t forget the Dhobi bucket, Block of Sunlight soap, And of course regulation Buttermilk for ablutions. Terry.

[Louis the fly]

Remember them all well Terry also scrubbing jeans on the bathroom deck, no washing machines then. Sitting out on deck on a warm night with our buckets dhobiing T shirts and shorts while swapping yarns and planning the next run ashore.