Customs Dodges

[David Williams]

Hi Geoff.

Ive got an uncle Mike
And he rides a motor bike
He can take you round the Gower
In a quarter of an hour.

Did you ever see
Did you ever see
Did you ever see
Such a funny thing before

Ive got an Aunty Annie
And she plays a Grand Piani
And she also plays a Fiddle
Up the sides and down the middle

Did you ever................
...............................


Dave Williams(R583900)

[Eamonn McCarthy]

Hi NICE GUYS THOSE CUSTOMS I WOULD GET MY LIFEBOAT JACKET, REMOVE THE CORK FILLERS, STUFF IT WITH CIGGIES LEAVE IT INSIDE THE HOSE HOUSING, AND ON RETURNING, BINGO, REMOVE CIGS AND REFIT THE CORK. GOOD ONYA MAC

[John Wallace]

One trip on the Rangitata we were sure we had a customs (nark) so one night while playing cards up the channel we said we had hiden a lot of fags,and sure enough as soon as we docked in london,we had our cabin done over,but we could not find our little (nark).and no nothing was found.

John.

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates',The old police club Cardiff queen st long gone This was the customs H.Q. in Wales, allways open to friends,{I knew the chairman} you could buy, when they got to know you, any booze or smokes' at very little cost, Some people would sell them on to the discount shop down chip alley, easy couple of bob when i was home that took me back to years ago. Happy days

[Tony Wilding]

was on one ship that shall remain nameless, had 4 main engines, diesel electric, only ever used 3 of them, so opened up crankcase doors and stashed loot inside, they even brought dogs down the engine room , but maybe diesel smell puts them off, never found the loot ! REGARDS WATTS WATTS (tony)

[Keith at Tregenna]

THE BLUE LAMP

Queen Street, Cardiff.

Incognito Cardiff Police Club with Blue flashiing light outside, generally full of villains taking the preverbial, bit like the Cabbies Club on St. Mary's Street apart from at the Blue Lamp a pi**ed driver would see you got home.

Reminiscent of Dixon and his Dock Green or Z Cars, led to many a community laugh, even the local CID, would have apparently grown hair on head and face(SERPICO STYLE ) etc, but a perfectly irorned crease in the jeans. Undercover / Keystone Cops apparently.

Old saying was "Could not have been fitted you up better at Burtons". Those were the days: Remember the movie "TIGER BAY" They had to catch a ship leaving Barry (AND RUSHED ALONG THE SCENIC COAST ROAD - WELL IT WAS MOVIE / FILUM) will stop now, incase I get pulled in by the fuzz in Grangetown (Painfull).

[Keith at Tregenna]

I was to young to actually know for certain, always heard the tale as a kid ( MODERN: Urban Myth ) That Barry Customs had two sinks one used as norm, the other for contriband. a sterile sink was apparently to cover the legal side. It is said that the law at the time omly reccomended that customs should dispose of such liquid by tippng down said sink. Truly, apparently such goods were disposed of in such a manner, but went down a seperate sink - With retention containers at the other end of the pipe. Other goods please revert back to the Blue Lamp etc.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Cannot remember paying for Bannanas whillst Geest were import - For legal reaons- must say - Never ACTUALLY ate or had Bannanas during those times.................

[Alan Ward]

I was once there with a Catering Superintendent fro Clan Line,looking at the women clearing tables and taking in her turban,greasy apron,rollers and fag hanging out of her mouth said`Lil,Lil you was sent by the devil to drive men insane`

[Alan Ward]

Loading in Long Beach the american shippers always gave us loads of free citrus without us asking.I suppose it kept us out of the cargo as if.............