Unwanted Xmas gifts.

[j.sabourn]

Once again as every year it seems after the large mostly unnecessary outlay of money we come once again to the unwanted Xmas gifts. My crib and it is a big crib, is every year I tell family do not buy me clothes , and if you do have no other choice and they are made in China or any similar country take absolutely no notice of the sizes they are sold under, China may be a big seller of motor cars and other attractive items, but it’s rag trade for the western markets is in most cases appalling. Shirts for example a size 44 is reckoned to be extra large, you have to be a midget to get into one of the cheaper brands, the lack of material must be where they make their large profits. It is true you only get what you are willing to pay for , as regards material clothing items I personally wouldn’t touch Chinese made shirts with a barge pole unless I had a wasting disease and was of skeleton proportions. I see no reason for buying the goods of ones own country anyway, at least they fit properly. JS

[Lewis McColl]

For the past few years we get a basket from my sons in laws. It contains Foie Gras, Pate and two bottles of wine. It is nice of them , but I have a problem with it. From a moral stand point, force feeding a goose is not my idea of how to produce food, also I don't like it.
I have mentioned it to my son to tactfully mention to my daughter in law in the hope that the message would get through. So yesterday the presents were being handed out, result a bottle of Glenmorangie , so next year how do I drop the hint, I prefer Irish Whiskey

[j.sabourn]

Got a bottle of Jameson’s here Lewis pop round New Year’s Eve and we’ll kill the bottle. Cheers JS

[John Pruden]

still got my 50 year old whisky here and now tea total for 25??? jp

[j.sabourn]

Not a true abstainer then John. ? If had of been would have given to a deserving case like me. Have a good new year. JS

[John Pruden]

john I often wonder did I do the right thing packing booze and fags in years ago my health took a nose dive my many appointments to clinics that's the first thing they ask do you smoke/drink when I got pi..ed and had a ciggy hanging out of my gob I felt top of the world there has been lots of time I could crack the top and start again? jp

[j.sabourn]

Know the feeling. Was well into my fourties when I stopped . The reason was couldn’t afford shore prices. Took me 3 or 4 goes. Unknown to wife though have had the odd cigar over the years , was led astray by a bloke who was on the opposite swing to me, an ex Norwegian ships carpenter, jumped ship in Darwin over 20years before I arrived on these sunny shores. One of the many perks out here was if you travelled for more than 6 hours to join a ship then you had to have a night in an hotel before joining. Fremantle to Port Lincoln was considered hotel worthy , so he always used to arrive a bit bleary eyed. Always came on board with a bottle and a box of cigars and insisted I sit and hand over the reins of power in an orderly manner. His intentions were well known to me, he didn’t want to shift the ship in his state of health and we came to an agreement I would get the next flight back to Perth after shifting the ship for him . He wasn’t a very fit man as I well knew as had the big C. When he finally went ashore I used to get in touch every time I was home. One time I missed a turn and on getting in touch the next time, his wife answered and said he had passed away in his car in the garage , the time when I would normally have phoned previous. I always felt bad about that, but he never gave up living his life the way he wanted.. when I did smoke 80 a day was the norm. Cheers JS.

[Lewis McColl]

Know the feeling. Was well into my fourties when I stopped . The reason was couldn’t afford shore prices. Took me 3 or 4 goes. Unknown to wife though have had the odd cigar over the years , was led astray by a bloke who was on the opposite swing to me, an ex Norwegian ships carpenter, jumped ship in Darwin over 20years before I arrived on these sunny shores. One of the many perks out here was if you travelled for more than 6 hours to join a ship then you had to have a night in an hotel before joining. Fremantle to Port Lincoln was considered hotel worthy , so he always used to arrive a bit bleary eyed. Always came on board with a bottle and a box of cigars and insisted I sit and hand over the reins of power in an orderly manner. His intentions were well known to me, he didn’t want to shift the ship in his state of health and we came to an agreement I would get the next flight back to Perth after shifting the ship for him . He wasn’t a very fit man as I well knew as had the big C. When he finally went ashore I used to get in touch every time I was home. One time I missed a turn and on getting in touch the next time, his wife answered and said he had passed away in his car in the garage , the time when I would normally have phoned previous. I always felt bad about that, but he never gave up living his life the way he wanted.. when I did smoke 80 a day was the norm. Cheers JS.

The two Johns ,best decision you ever made in life was to pack in the ciggies.

[cappy]

john I often wonder did I do the right thing packing booze and fags in years ago my health took a nose dive my many appointments to clinics that's the first thing they ask do you smoke/drink when I got pi..ed and had a ciggy hanging out of my gob I felt top of the world there has been lots of time I could crack the top and start again? jp

##john there is no doubt stopping was the best thing you could have done for the long term ...but even short term smokers can damage there health .....again like others i was a very heavy smoker .....coughing in the morning till seeing stars .....i would go on my loading bay to try and keep fit but was gasping when others were battling on ....when my ist grandson was born .....i was up celebrating ...and was coughing more than usual with ciggy after ciggy .....i new if i didnt stop i wouldnt see him grow .....i wanted to see him live a goood life .....so stopped ...60 to 80 a day.....my body shook and sweated ....couldnt sleep .....but it was the best thing i ever did ....slowly it went ...the boy now a young man is 21......and my best mate ....i know for sure i would not be here if i had kept on .....as for drinking ....very little now ... a few light beers ...or a nice cognac now and then ....or a vodka .....never had a heavy session for a long time ..cant do it anyway now ....just moderation .....any way all the best to all aboard .....last years disagreements forgotten .........looking forward to a good new year cappy

[j.sabourn]

Wat ya mean last year’s disagreements , spose that means no Rusty Rita, and no delivery of that whiskey you said had sent. That cognac sounds ok. Bet it’s cheap Cape Brandy. Bet your still drinking the bottles you took home off the ore carriers. You did know I suppose that Cape Brandy only had a life span of 6 years before it reached its use by date, I hope. Cheers bottoms up. JS