How long have you kept a "docking" bottle ?

[alf corbyn]

hi jack. you did not say what method. by train about 5-6 hours, round the coast about 20-30. walking about a week or two, by ar about 7-8 hours. alf

[Ray McCerery]

Around three hours now KX to NCL.

[Jack Jenkins]

hiya Alf...I meant the train,a proper one with little lamps on the table.

Jack

[happy daze john in oz]

Around three hours now KX to NCL.

Kings cRoss to Newcastle in three hours???? I often did it in the 1950's and it took close to 12 then, times sure have changed.

[Michael Lawrence]

Remember paid off the Surrey in Gladstone caught train from Lime st to London, bottle empty by Crewe. Mind you there was at least five of us tippling it.

[Captain Kong]

In the 1980s The Captain, Frank, and I paid off with two litres of Gin. We were going from Euston Station, London, to Manchester. In first class, in which we always travelled in our company, we shared an entire coach with just one lady who was a well know celebrity on TV, A very attractive famous lady.
I got the bottles of gin out of the bag, I was going to get the mixers and glasses from the bar, I asked her if she would like to join us and she said "YES".
I got the glasses and enough mixers and we had a good chat and a laugh as the two litres of gin slowly evaporated. Frank the Captain got off the train at Stockport and The Lady and I saw off the last of the gin as we rolled into Manchester Piccadilly Station.
I told her as we both staggered along the platform to the ticket barrier that I was going to take her home to my place in Bolton. She was all for it. I`ve cracked it, I said to myself, she is mine for the night and as long as she wants.
As we got to the end I said, "I will go and get a taxi " and a man from the BBC pushed me to one side and said "You certainly will not" and grabbed her and dragged my beautiful Lady away from me and ran with her as she staggered, out to a big Limo, and the Chaufer drove off at speed. BUT she waved and blew me a kiss as she disapeared into the night.
I often wonder what it would have been like turning up at my home with her on my arm and the wife screaming,"Who the hell is this you are bringing home this time".
Two years later the wife did the only decent thing she ever did, she ran off with an old friend. I sure do miss him.

Frank died suddenly last December.

[happy daze john in oz]

Over time grog has most likely got many of into a spot of bother. Many years ago we decided to go to Teneriffe with Mick and his wife. The four of us flying from Luton airport. A four hour flight and we knew we would be in need of some refreshments to make the journey a bit more bearable. It was an early morning flight about 8 a.m. but the bar opened in those days at 7 so we were able to get breakfast. Mick being the resourceful type had brought along two bottles of gin for the journey.Pity he forgot eh tonic. We took of and were lucky enough to have been allocated seats at the very rear of the aircraft, only problem was the loo was a bit too close.
It was announced that coffee would be served followed by a meal, duty free and the bar being the last thing on offer. It had been the practice to do the grog early but on a number of flights this had caused problems. We realized then not only no tonic but no glasses. Not a problem said Mick diving into the loo and bringing out four rather small paper cups. Gin and water a la loo was the first round. Coffee came along and we asked if we could get some tonic,' later when the drinks come around' we were told. Gin and coffee is not too bad, not too bloody good either, but we managed to hang onto the cups. The next round was gin and gin, but by now we were really getting into the spirit of things. Food arrived and again we asked for tonic and again told when the drinks come around. The meal had orange juice with it so gin and orange went down very well. Followed by more gin and coffee. We managed to get a second coffee but by then we really did not care too much. At last the drinks trolley came around and the air hostess said, 'I believe you wanted some tonic'? Bit too late for that now, all the gin is gone! nothing for it but to buy one from the trolley.
We arrived in Teneriffe and from what I recall we floated off the plane.

[Ivan Cloherty]

Over time grog has most likely got many of into a spot of bother. Many years ago we decided to go to Teneriffe with Mick and his wife. The four of us flying from Luton again told when the drinks come around. tonic'? Bit too late for that now, all the gin is gone! nothing for it but to buy one from the trolley.
We arrived in Teneriffe and from what I recall we floated off the plane.

So now I know, always wondered who it was singing sea shanties with rugby type words in them at the back of the plane, only three of you were in tune, wonder who the odd one out was !!!!!!!!!!!!

[John Gill]

still got my docking bottle-had to open it and take the neck off to humour the rummagers from hm customs.Reckon it's still drinkable? bought it from a reliable source in Port Said , name of Ahab The Arab who assured me it was the finest Egyptian scotch whisky this side of Aden. Might save it for Hogmanay.

[Denis O'Shea]

Hi shipmates, my docking bottle was always shanghied by my old mother who considered it to belong to her.
Only drank one from euston to lime street, and had to call at the off licence for replenishments, I dont know if she cottoned on but she never said anything.
Rgds Denis Oshea