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31st March 2015, 01:36 PM
#31
Re: Channel night
Hi Terry,
I know what you mean about sticking out ashore at home, I paid off in a fancy green short sleeved shirt and cream trousers
when the weather in Tilbury was tearing down rain, but as you know we stuck out anyway with our "bronzie" tans,
I always felt like Jack the Lad when I got back and having a few bob in the back pocket didn't hurt either eh?.
a bit dodgy in the pub though.
cheers Terry, John
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31st March 2015, 03:35 PM
#32
Re: Channel night
Was often told when I was home on leave.
I stuck out like a karzi in the desert with my bronzy.
Guess we wouldn't these days!!
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31st March 2015, 09:30 PM
#33
Re: Channel night
Got malaria in PNG in 1948 and the medication then was quinine and atabrine. Atabrine had a sort of jaundice effect on your skin and went well combined with a sun tan.
Richard
Our Ship was our Home
Our Shipmates our Family
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1st April 2015, 05:57 AM
#34
Re: Channel night
David Dane ex UCL emigrated to Oz in late 60's. Left UK in mid winter wearing a fur coat, said he felt a right plonker walking down the gangway in Pert with the temp in mid 30's.I
Happy daze John in Oz.
Life is too short to blend in.
John Strange R737787
World Traveller
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1st April 2015, 08:17 AM
#35
Re: Channel night
Yes John, there was many an ex ucl crew member who felt '' a right plonker'' and reflects why your tailor asks which side feels comfortable, and the sight of someone descending the gangway in WA dripping in mink doesn't bear thinking about. Gilly.
R635733
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2nd April 2015, 05:37 AM
#36
Re: Channel night
When you think about it UCL has a lot to answer for, they have given the 'gay' brigade a really hard time and some times a bad name.
Happy daze John in Oz.
Life is too short to blend in.
John Strange R737787
World Traveller
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3rd April 2015, 09:56 PM
#37
Re: Channel night
talking about fancy gear, I gave my girlfriend one of those cheap kimono sets from Japan, I asked her after we were
married where it was, she said she gave it away, but those "beatle" watches we picked up in Aden were popular, they
looked good and worked for a while, my old man always asked me to bring back a couple, he flogged them to his
cronies in the pub.
John B.
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5th December 2018, 09:08 AM
#38
Re: Channel night
The Channels
Remember it very well! I was a Winger in the 80's onboard a couple of the P&O Liners/Cruise Ships.
It was important to me for one thing, Dropsies! (Tips) At last I could at last pay my bills.
I suppose it was important for my Cabin steward, The Egg and Bacon Banjo Man down in the Galley, Importantly the Bar Manager, Laundry, (Dobie) etc
The only thing it was sad for, was the last night spent with some great passengers I used to look after. I always remember the stories the 2nd WW Ex RAF Guys used to tell after a few Drinks, which I found fascinating.
Happy Days. I didn't appreciate it at the time.
In Port Southampton was spent loading lots of 10p's into BT Payphones ringing family and friends back home.
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5th December 2018, 11:00 AM
#39
Re: Channel night
In mid 70s I had three weeks in drydock in Singapore. I bought a very nice tailor made light weight safari suit in cool blue with short sleeves.
When I got home it was an unusually hot summer. Went down the pub one day and was subjected to some loud whispering from a guy about fiftyish and his mother, he dressed in heavy tweed jacket and twill pants she was wearing mall fur thing round her shoulders, he was sweating cobs and I felt very comfortable. Eventually, after putting up with the sniggering and sarcy comments, I asked why he was sweating so much, was it because of the heat or the possibility because he was worried I might just stick one on him. They left without finishing their drinks so never got an answer.
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5th December 2018, 11:17 AM
#40
Re: Channel night
Remember those suits Tony. Had a friend out here from the UK a couple of years ago, he was a ships engineer. He too broke out his safari suit for coming to what he thought would be appropriate for the area. He got no snarky comments as in Oz as long as the appropriate parts are covered no one could care less. Took me sometime before I got adjusted to seeing housewives in their dressing gowns shopping in the early morning. However the safari suits always reminded me of the Jungle Jim era of Hollywood the follow up to Tarzan. My friends suit was also pale blue, never heard anyone call him bluey. Cheers JS
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