Hello, I've been here before but it's a while since I checked in. I hope you are all in good health.

[Shaun Paul Linton]

Hello, I've been here before but it's a while since I posted. I hope you are all in good health and full of vitality. I hope I can post more in the time ahead. Good luck to you all. Shaun

[Doc Vernon]

Good to see you back Shaun
Hope too that you will get to post some good and interesting things, and no matter if it is not all about the Merchant Navy only, as we cater for many Subjects as you may well know !
Cheers

[Shaun Paul Linton]

Hello Doc. Thanks for replying to my post. I will try to make my posts, at least, if nothing else, constructive. Allow me please to make an assumption, where you a cook in the MN?. I ask because I too was for a number of years a cook myself. And was was called 'doc' When I queried this, it was explained to me that in the days when ships were made of wood and men etc etc , the cook was expected to act as the medic in cases of emergency. Hence the nick name, 'Doc'? I think I grew so used to 'doc' I forgot sometimes that I had another name. I've been called other names as well of course but much too profane to repeat in the gentle pages of this forum.
The one dominant thing I read in this forum is, how much former seamen miss the life they had on ships. I'm no different to them all. I too, miss the old days. The freedom to walk along KGV and sign on a ship simply because it's itinerary would take you some where you'd never been before. How could you not miss that. Enough reminiscing, good night to you all. Take care of yourselves and say a prayer for all of us. Shaun

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Shaun
Thanks for asking, but NO the name sort of stuck with me quite a few Years back from a Member who once posted a reply to a Question, which implicated some sort of illness. To which i replied and since then he tagged me as the Doc LOL
So since that day known as Doc Vernon on here ! LOL

I was however in the Catering side, but not as a cook, only a bleedin Tourist Galloper, as we were called, but did have some time in First Class as well.

Yes as you and many many others here Shaun we all i guess miss the days of freedom and happiness, even though we did have some hard times, and a lot of hard graft!
That all fell aside when one got leave , or was at Sea just able to spend some time relaxing on Board in that lovely Sun on deck!
Other places too like the good old Pig and Whistle.
Oh yes joyous days we had a plenty and as another thread thats going says would you do it again if you had the chance
For me! You bet your bottom dollar mate! Sure as hell would !!
The Sea gets in ones Blood and thats it!
Cheers