Another lockdown… another commute

[Joe 90]

Dig it out, It would make a nice toe ring Mendip!

[Mendip]

Interesting history lesson, btw what's the gold coin worth today?

A lot less since Brexit!

I seem to remember the sovereign I had was worth around $400 US around 20 years ago and I don't suppose the value has change much since then.

My problem is getting hold of my old stuff... I have a half container of crap in storage on a mate's farm in Wooroloo, up in the hills behind Perth. I never seem to get the time to go back and sort it all out, and of course that's impossible just now with Covid.

Along with all the crap, I also have a few pieces of 17th Century Chinese porcelain from another shipwreck Sverker Hallstrom salvaged, off Vung Tau in Vietnam. Another project I wasn't involved in, which he made a small fortune out of.

THE VUNG TAU SHIPWRECK (c. 1690) | Khanhhoathuynga's collection Blog - An Asian art info blog

[Joe 90]

You could be sat on a fortune there mate.
Maybe Sid can help you out with valuations.
He made me £1500 on a silver spoon a couple of years back.

[ootai]

My problem is getting hold of my old stuff... I have a half container of crap in storage on a mate's farm in Wooroloo, up in the hills behind Perth. I never seem to get the time to go back and sort it all out, and of course that's impossible just now with Covid.

You and me both want to be able to get back there, I grew up in that area and I played junior football for Wooroloo.
My brother still lives in that area probably less than 10km from Wooroloo so if ever I get back there again I could have a look for you, for a finder's fee of course.

Was your mate affected by the big bushfire they had through that area earlier this year? I believe it was more around the Gidgeganup area which is NW a little of Wooroloo.

[Shutree]

This is where the ship is being driven from.

I don't see anyone actually driving the thing.

[Headworx]

^

[Mendip]

^

^^ There was actually a person sitting in each of those chairs, I checked because I was a bit worried as well.

The Second Officer was in the driving seat and a girl who is on the muster list as a 'student' was in the passenger seat. I guess she could probably have a go since we won't be doing any parking until Istanbul.

Those seats are huge... way better than the knackered old thing I get to sit on for 12 hours a day.

And by the way, that's not a 'moan', it's just an observation.

[malmomike77]

^ The ships will drive themselves most of the time and keep a look out for other ship using CBDR, wake them up if something needs tweaking.

[Headworx]

The Second Officer was in the driving seat and a girl who is on the muster list as a 'student' was in the passenger seat. I guess she could probably have a go since we won't be doing any parking until Istanbul.

That's very sexist and quite frankly, surprising from you.

Next thing you'll be saying is if the CO and SO were both female it wouldn't be called the bridge anymore, it'd be the box office

[malmomike77]

Mendip, do you have to ask if you can "Cum on the bridge"?

[Shutree]

You could be sat on a fortune there mate.

This was 'export ware', made for the European market and often shipped as ballast. It was decorative rather than fine China. That said, it is 400 years old and is very collectible today. Hundreds or thousands of quid for pieces in good condition. Mendip's stuff has known provenance too, which can push up the value.

Probably not a fortune, just enough to cover a few passport renewal trips to Bangkok, with all the trimmings.

[Topper]

So Mendip, are you 'round Ushant yet? It was always mentioned in the Hornblower books as a significant landmark when heading to the Med.

[Edmond]

Will you get some free time in Istanbul to 'renew your passport', or will be staying on the boat while passing through?

[Mendip]

^^ Topper, have you read the Patrick O'brian series of books with Jack Aubrey... they are superb.

We rounded Ushant without incident some time ago and this morning were off Cape Finisterre and the 'Costa da Morte'. The weather is good and I'm hopeful we will avoid foundering on the rocks.



It was a beautiful sunrise looking eastwards towards Spain. The weather is becoming noticeably warmer as we head south and I'm looking forward to getting in the Med.



This guy was off our starboard side but soon left us behind.



And another container ship left us in it's wake... they don't half shift.



I've taken to spending 20 minutes on the helideck after breakfast. It's a lovely time of day with no disturbances whatsoever.

[Stumpy]

Cheers Mendy. Great pics.

Another day in the books.

We finally had sun here today. Beautiful and quite comfortable. Tomorrow looks to be full blue skies.

[Mendip]

Probably not a fortune, just enough to cover a few passport renewal trips to Bangkok, with all the trimmings.

Will you get some free time in Istanbul to 'renew your passport', or will be staying on the boat while passing through?

I do notice these constant underlying connotations but try not to respond.

I have two passports, my daughter has two passports (and her's only last for 5 years) and my wife has an Aussie passport.

These passports don't just renew themselves ya know. Each renewal takes at least two trips to Bangkok to sort out. It all mounts up.

[beerlaodrinker]

That's what I kept telling Mrs bld

[Saint Willy]

Brilliant plan Mendip, I shall start arranging some monthly passport trips also!

[hallelujah]

Brilliant plan Mendip, I shall start arranging some monthly passport trips also!

I had a mate who, on our weekends away in Amsterdam, would famously announce that he was "just nipping out for a kebab" when we were in the bar. Course you are mate.

I bet Mendy's missus barely looks up from her lakorn these days when he tells her he's "just nipping out for a passport, luv."

[Edmond]

That's what I kept telling Mrs bld

Don't forget, it's only the father/husband that has to be there in person.


#foolin.no.one

[Edmond]

Anyway, how much longer til you dock in Istanbul and you're not the hairiest person in a 1000km radius.

[hallelujah]

Anyway, how much longer til you dock in Istanbul and you're not the hairiest person in a 1000km radius.

I was in Istanbul for a night a few weekends ago, funnily enough. Unexpectedly, mind, and the film Midnight Express actually came to mind at one point.

[Saint Willy]

Mendips not all that hairy, But he is a bit. I suppose those see through velour undies he fancies make it worse!

[Stumpy]

see through velour undies

Silk wicking....silk wicking SW.

I still haven't determined what that really means. Does it mean that Mendy sweats silk or are those cheap Lazada drawers made of silk?

[Mendip]

I suppose those see through velour undies he fancies make it worse!

I'm constantly amazed at what people latch onto from this thread.

I had to look up 'velour' on the internet. I was thinking of something else altogether... maybe 'valour' I think.

Anyway, I most definitely do not wear velour undies... not even at the weekend.