Chicago Holiday

[John Aspin]

Greetings one and all,
I think I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was going to visit Chicago to meet up with an old ship mate from 50 years ago well we arrived back home Tuesday gone and just thought that I would like to mention the wonderful experience my wife & I had.
The old ship mate was a Hugo Ralli (cadet) who thanks to some help from this great web site I was able to contact him, we did a 12 month trip together & became good freinds so much so when I managed to contact him and after quite a few exchanged e-mails he invited my wife & I to go to Chicago & stay with him & his wife and I have to say that it was a most wonderful experience, not only meeting Hugo after all these years but the hospitlity they both showed us was second to none.
Hugo has gone on to become a succsessfull restaurant owner and we visted two of his seven restaurants he owns but he is still the same Hugo I knew all those years ago, he and his wife showed us a really good time visiting places that we wouldnt have had time to do if we had been on our own they are such a great couple and we will be ever grateful to them.
They live just on the shores of Lake Michigan, the great lakes I never managed to visit during my sea going days and would have loved to have done so, the nearest I got was Montreal but at least I can now say I have been to one of them, no doubt quite some of you old sea dogs have been there.
I love reading a listening to peoples experiences especially any connected with the sea so I hope I havent bored you with my little story.
However I would like to mention yet again that it is thanks to this wonderful web site that I was able have this great experience, not only have i contacted Hugo but I think it is about five other old shipmates all through this web site
That's it folks hope all is well especially healthwise.
John Aspin (R685343) Ormesby-Middlesbrough.

[Roger Dyer]

Hi John,.....It sounds as if you and your wife had a great time in Chicago. To be able to re-new an old friendship, after such a long time, must have been a wonderful experience for you. Like you, I never did get to the Great Lakes during my time at sea, which is something I've always regretted ( I managed a couple of trips over to New Brunswick on a 'paper boat', but that's another story). Your friend Hugo has certainly made a success of his life in the 'States', which, it seems, a number of 'our' shipmates have also managed to do since 'swallowing the anchor' ( wish I had some of their entrepreneurial acumen). At the present time, I too am waiting to hear from an old friend of 45 years ago, all thanks to this site and it's members. Although only a member for about six months, already I'm in regular e-mail contact with another shipmate of 50 years ago and I'm thoroughly enjoying the occasional 'chit-chat'. It must be very gratifying to Captain Brian and Vernon, to receive feedback like yours and know that all their 'good works' are not in vain or unappreciated. Anyway, John, I'm glad that you had such a great re-union with Hugo, may it be the first of many........best regards, Roger

[Doc Vernon]

Hello John
Well first of all welcome back!
So glad that you had that great oppurtunity to meet up with a good friend after all these Years,and yes it is gratifying to read of such great reunions!
Just shows that this site really does try and get old Friends together!
It must as said by Roger been a great experience for you and your good friend!
Sounds as though Hugo really has done well for himself,jolly good show!
Like quite a few here on Board seems that some of you at least did not waste al you hard earned cash haha!
Not like me just spent ,spent and more !!
Well John i am sure that from now on you and Hugo will keep in closer contact,and i am sure one day he too will visit your shores once again!
All the best and thanks for the very nice post!
Cheers!

PS Isnt that where all those lovely Big Cars are! Chicago ??

[John Aspin]

Greetings Roger & Castleman,
Many thanks for your messages regarding my fabulous holiday, yes a wonderfull experience and another place visited to add to my list.
We will of course be keeping in touch with Hugo & his lovely wife & yes we have invited them back to England to stay with us but as they have said they have so much of the USA to see yet they cant promise but they will be more than welcome after the the wonderfull hospitality they showed my wife & I.
Yes it is thanks to Brian/Vernon plus the wonderful modern day technoligy we have with the internet etc without all this we wouldnt have had this great hoiliday/experience.
With regards to Chicago being were all the big cars are well as far I know the are big cars all over the states but maybe you are thinking of Detriot were I think most of the cars in the states are produced.
Thats it for now glad my experiences were of interest to you both so in the meantime both of you take care and good health.
best wishes,
John Aspin (R685343) Ormesby-Middlesbrough.

[DeepSea]

John,

Did five trips up the Great lakes between 1981-83. Montreal, through the 1000 Islands into lake Ontario. Discharge Ports of Hamilton, up into Lake Erie. Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit. Through Lake Huron into Michigan. Discharge Milwaukee, Burns Harbour just outside Chicago. Next stop Lake Superior loading grain at Duluth & Thunder Bay. Back down to Quebec and bunkers befor heading back to the continent.

[Archie Coulter]

Hello John,
Great to hear that you met up with an old shipmate from 50 years ago and were able to visit him in the USA. I recently met up with an R/O I sailed with 30 years ago as direct result of being on this site.
I then got in touch with two other people from that company. So the NET and commuications are a wonderful thing these days. But it all goes to show how lucky all us Merch and Ex Merch chaps are
as basically its one huge club we belong too. I think its the trials and tribulations that bind us all together.
People ashore think I am making half of my tales up. I dont have to they all happened !!

I think you and I must be the only ex LOF personell on this site. Do you know of any others ?

Best regards,

Archie