Routines

[John Arton]

Whatever you did at sea, you followed a routine. Once the heavy workload of hatch cleaning and preparation for the next cargo to be loaded was completed or tank cleaning and ballast changed for clean ballast, then the vessel settled into the routine of watch keeping or day workings etc, meals were at set times, brekky 0730 to 0830, lunch 1200 to 1230 and dinner 1800. Smokos were 20 minutes at 10:00 and 15:00. So now most of us are retired now, do you still follow a similar routine? I know I do, only very rarely ( usually after a night on the ale), am I not up and having my first coffee and toast by 08:30, then a light lunch at midday and dinner at 18:00, with coffee and bickky at 10:00 and 15:00 and after having night orders by SHMBO, it's off to boo-boos by midnight.
So how many others still follow the ingrained routines that you had at sea?
Rgds
J.A.

[Keith Tindell]

I have said before John, when we were in port for sometimes 10-14 days, the ship was in crap order, dunnage, bags of rubbish everywhere, dust and dirt etc, i think most of used to love to clear port, wash the ship down, secure for sea, and back in to watches, almost breathe a sigh of relieve. I am still to this day a stickler for time, i loath being late for anything, i can recall after a 2 hr trick on the wheel, and your relief arrived 5 minutes late, was almost number 5 hatch when he came off duty. The routine at sea was always enjoyable, kt

[Dennis McGuckin]

Hi John, To a degree I do. First thing I make up my bunk. Breakfast at seven bells.
Lunch dead on at noon. After lunch at sea,depending on weather, I would either bronzy or have a nap. Same here.
No more smokeo's.
Of course I was in the galley, so a bit different to other departments.

[Red Lead Ted]

I have said before John, when we were in port for sometimes 10-14 days, the ship was in crap order, dunnage, bags of rubbish everywhere, dust and dirt etc, i think most of used to love to clear port, wash the ship down, secure for sea, and back in to watches, almost breathe a sigh of relieve. I am still to this day a stickler for time, i loath being late for anything, i can recall after a 2 hr trick on the wheel, and your relief arrived 5 minutes late, was almost number 5 hatch when he came off duty. The routine at sea was always enjoyable, kt

That just about
that sums up my feelings Keith, Remember as you say when you where alongside for 2 weeks sometimes more and your sub had long gone not wanting or being able to draw more subs we would lower a cluster light over the side right down to the water level and cast a fishing hook and line over the side i remember hauling catfish by the dozen and throwing them back, On one occasion my hands where nearly pulled over the side, Managed to toy with this thing on the hook only to find it was an eel, Must have been about 5 foot long, Looking over the side at it no one was brave enough to grab the thing the cook come out onto the after end looked over the side and said leave it hanging when its lifeless get it to me i will cook him up for you, I must say the steaks he filleted and prepared where a very nice change the next day on the menu. Happy days K.T. Terry.

[vic mcclymont]

Routines, Clan Line, E.R checks 07:00-08:00.
Breakfast 08:00 - 09:00.
Smoko. 10:30 -11:00.
Lunch. 12:00 - 14:00
Smoko 15:30 - 16:00
Finish 17:00.
Dinner - 18:00

Can still waken up without an alarm clock, wife wonders how I do it.
Vic

[Doc Vernon]

Funny with all my Service in MN - RAF - FFL I too know had a good routinembut with changes in Services it left me with not mush of a regular one!
These days I have my own with life changes etc.

Up at 4.30am To take Wife to the Train Station
Get back and have my Coffee and Rusk
On this Box most days after that to sort things out

At 6.30am Have my Brekkie
Then go for a Walk most days
Then

8am Shower etc

Then do a few House chores ,out in the Garden a wee bit this keeps me bust till about 10 am

Do various things after that like watch a good Movie,or some good Sport this takes me through to Lunch at 1pm when I have a very light snack

Some days at about 2pm have a little Siesta for an Hour

Back on Puter for a spell after the Kip/ till about 3.30pm

Then its Cooking time and prepare for Dinner for when the Wife comes home.

Pick her up at 6.30pm each day from the Station

Get Home and have Dinner
Her Indoors then takes her Bath etc and gets all her things ready for the next days work.
We sit and watch a little TV our regular being East Enders (we love it) then ite Night Night and lights out!
Look forward to the Weekends when we can have a lie in.
Cheers
Not much is it! LOL

[Keith Tindell]

That afternoon crash (siesta) is probably the norm for most of us, i can cat nap for about 10 minutes and wake up refreshed, amazes a lot of shoresiders , they always say they feel lousy. its a very useful habit, especially on long flights, kt

[vic mcclymont]

Doc, you spoiled it, EastEnders, biggest load of dirge on TV.
Vic

[Doc Vernon]

Well sorry Vic LOL
But that is our favourite!
You know the old saying!
One mans Meat is anothers Poison
Cheers

[Doc Vernon]

I am now going off for quite a few Hours so be good! LOL

Sunday here now so its time for my Sunday Drive! Now that the Routine I like ! LOL
Cheers