So what do you want to discuss?

misterbee · So what do you want to discuss?

At Mikes sugestion I have opened a new topic. I fancy a cruise this year but have never done one (at least not as a paying passenger). Has anyone been on one? Any recomendations? Any horror stories? Look forward to the responses. Dave B

Ernie Callaghan

Hi misterbee, Since early retirement in 1991 my wife and I have been on half a dozen or so cruises starting at the top with two Carribean jaunts with Princess Cruises, a Baltic cruise with P&O, two Greek Island cruises with Costa cruises, a Nile cruise and three Rhine/ Moselle river cruises. Obviously we have enjoyed all of them for different reasons. The less formal cruises we found more to our liking but all holidays are very subjective so I would not presume to reccomend any particular cruise.
One has to be very diciplined with the food intake as you can eat yourself to death with 24/7 eating opportunities. I think that like growing a beard for men one has to try every thing at least once in your lifetime.

ken vipond

Dear misterbee,what a short memory you have,what about our cruise on the Havel in the R.A.F.launch,best regards from Ken. Wink

paul croxson

Cruises are not for me. There is no escape apart from nicking a lifeboat so that's it.
Mike Stubbings and his Wife love them.
When extolling their virtues all I hear is how good is the food and how one can eat 24 hours a day. Two things when you are as fat as me you do not want to hear.
I've looked at the itineraries trying to raise some enthusiasm and I see "excursion day 3" and so on and my heart sinks at the prospect of yet another ruin viewed with 2,563 other tourists.
Me? I'll stick to an occasional visit to my beach hut, fortunately, I don't seem to need or want holidays.
Now! Where did I leave my bucket and spade?

kerby

Hi Misterbee, I am afraid I cannot offer any advice on this subject. I have never been on a cruise because I am one of those people who like to 'do their own thing'. That is going out and exploring. I am a stubborn old 'bugger' who cannot stand being told what to do. I must do my own tihng. Now how about this Mike, this is not just about Langeleben. However, the one common denominator we have is Langeleben. Good luck to all, Keith
PS As a result of pressure from Ernie, I have booked Loughborough

marleneandgypo

Last 'cruise' I went on was the one that took forever that lead me to you.

I remember it as if it were yesterday. I had my yellow fever jab and was booked to go on the Harwich Hook of Holland route still not knowing where my posting was. I had been on a NAAFI course on how to make a decent cuppa in Esher Surrey just before. Anyway, after ringing my dad we set sail on the high seas. I had a fantastic cabin with room service and me and some other NAAFI personnel I knew from boot camp met up in the bar and we compared war wounds (the jabs) . We had a few bevvies and retired for the night. I absolutely loved the adventure.

The next day we arrived and went to Rheindalen for our posting and mine was Langeleben, but it was a cruise above all cruises and the basic outcome of it all is young Gypo gawd bless 'im. and I.

Mike Hudson · So what do you want to discuss?

Misterbee, forgive me if I come back to you in a mo as I am disturbed by a comment from Kerby. To the best of my knowledge I have never tried to promote only Langeleben, I have promoted, for want of a better word, Scharfoldendorf, Langeleben and Birgelin. Equally I have never treated this as purely a Royal Signals Site, see my recent post regarding something Paul said.
Forgive me Father I am now about to sin. My life, apart from Basic Training at Vimy Lines 11 Sigs and Trade Training at Garats Hay, was 225 Sigs and 13th Signals and although Langeleben played a special part in my life, Scharfoldendorf will always be my first love, as it is for many who served there. If Langeleben was the Ritz, which in many ways it was, Scharf was the Travel Lodge but who cared!!
Dave, I have had one cruise in my life and that was 18 months ago when my Senior Management (wife) forced me to go on a cruise with the now demised Travelscope. We left Liverpool Docks, what a 5h1t H0LE, aboard the MV Athena. We left in rain, ran into gales, then into a Mistral wind, which honestly you could not stand up in without support.
You will expect by now that I am going to say what a crap holiday it was. Nay Lad, I can say with hand on heart that it was one of, if not the best holiday I have had. The Athena, the food, the staff, the accomodation, in fact everything was superb. The only negative I can give is that the cruise had to end.
We were never bored, never wished we were elsewhere, loved everything about it. I don't know who the Athena cruises with now but know if you go onto a search engine and put in the name it will tell you.
Fantastic 20/10, can I come with you ?
Old Phart Grey & Grumpy

paul croxson

Mike.
I am more than a bit worried. All of the Mistrals that I have encountered have blown down the Rhone Valley. Were you cruising there?
I had a builder (i might have told thisa story before) who, he told us, took a cruise across the Specific* to Spain. So rough was it that he spent the entire trip in the swimming pool hoping that it would prevent sea sickness. Sadly for the other occupants it did not!¬
* eventually we discovered he was referring to the Bay of Biscay

robbie mccallum · cruise

HI MISTER BEE,WE HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM THE CARRIBEAN,IT WAS GREAT.WE WENT WITH PRINCESS CRUISE,S,AND FLEW FROM GLASGOW,TO JAMICA,BORDED THE SHIP FOR 14 DAYS,AND JUST CANT FAULT ANYTHING,WE ALSO DID THE MED.LAST YEAR WITH THOMPSONS CRUISES,TO THE ROMANS,3 STOPS IN ROME ONE IN FRANCE ONE IN SPAIN,AND THAT TO WAS GREAT,COULDENT FAULT THAT ONE EITHER,IT WAS A BIT MORE HECTIC THAN THE CARRIBEAN,BUT STILL GREAT.SO NOTHING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE TWO.WE GOT A BALCONY CABIN WHICH WAS GREAT WATCHING BIRTHING AT EVERY PORT.BUT AS THEY SAY ITS ONLY FOR SLEEPING IN.BUT YOU WILL REALY ENJOY IT,IN FACT YOU WONT WANT ANOTHER TYPE OF HOLIDAY,ALL THE BEST

marleneandgypo

Unlike my friend McCallum I haven't been on any cruises but while at Langeleben I remember well a trip to Denmark in a camper van with Ron Mason, Paddy (now living in New Zealand and a member) and John Stanley who was in 'for life.' We had a great time and all these years later I still think back on it.

robbie mccallum · sea sick

gypo,i remember you being sea sick on the rowing boats in konigslutter,never mind cruises//////sea faring legs you said//////you had.well clive you never had it so good,marlene looking after you hand and foot,did you get those plimsoles exchanged before leaving Langeleben???all the very best to you both

kerby

Dear Mr Old, Fat, Grey and Grumpy, (it sounds just like me), I am sorry if I caused offence to honourable Sir, I think you mis-understood me. What I was trying to say was that Misterbees request was of a general nature and I tried to answer it in an similar vain. Therefore I was suggesting that the topic was of a general nature, which is what you suggested the site should see more of. My comment that the common denominator was Langeleben is surely true as we are ( or nearly all) ex Langeleben. Hope this explains what I was trying to say. Keith ex55

kerby

Hi Mike, Are you going to Loughborough this year? If so, I will buy you a pint. Don't let on or everyone else will want one. Keithex55

ken vipond

Hi Keith,don,t think we have ever met,so how do we recognise you when you are at bar in Loughborogh buying the beer,can you wear a tutu or something to be identified,looking forward to meeting up and best regards from Ken. Rolling Eyes

paul croxson

That's a daft idea Ken. If keith turns up wearing a tutu how on earth will you pick him out from the rest of us? There are several photos of him on the website circa 1955 and if he is anything like me he won't have changed in the slightest.

misterbee

Ken. Don't you realise there are no pockets in a tutu, so you wont get a drink out of anyone wearing one of those. Anyway I will be at Loughborough and will certainly be buying you a pint or three especially if you remind me of the RAF launch. Must have been pretty plastered as I can remember absolutely nothing about it! Dave B

kerby

Hi Ken, Now you have gone and let on to everyone, I will have to nip down the road and get a loan from the Northern Rock. Fortunately, I have a few contacts there so should be OK and therefore will be able to buy you that pint. Look forward to it. Keith

marleneandgypo · Re: sea sick

What is it with the plimsolls McCallum? They were yours and I tried to borrow them one time and couldn't prize them off your feet. Probably best that way, wouldn't want yours on my lovely feet.

sick? me? I think Marlene will attest to my strong stomach and prowess on our honeymoon voyage via the Hook of Holland.

Now planes are another matter...

Mike Hudson · So what do you want to discuss?

Dear God, is this Wembley, no it's Thursday, so am I, let's have a drink. This is the problem I face when you can only log in every now and again. I findmyself answering posts I cannot remember posting.
Mr McAllum Sir, I did not know you were a Gynicol, Gynacolog, Gynaecolig, I did not know you delved into areas of the Female anatomy that I have not seen for years. A ships Gynaecologist, left hand down a bit Mr Phillips, now straight ahead, or did you mean Berthing? On the other hand you might have been Marlene's Midhusband, I can't call you a Midwife can I?
Kerby, much as I would love to I shall not be at Barrow, despite only living about an hour away. As a self employed 25/8 Light Haulier, I cannot afford the time off. That and plus the fact that Shorep will be there and the two of us together is more than a sane man can take. Can I therfore ask that if you were going to buy me a pint, buy one for Tom Neal with your and mine compliments.
All the best to everyone, Old Phart Grey and Grumpy

Tom Neal

Cheers Mike,
I am looking forward to that pint.

Tom

kerby

Hi Anyone Who is out there. I am sitting here, with a glass in my hand, having just watched 'Match of the Day' and seen Newcastle get thumped 5-1, wondering what can I do now. Incidentally, my son of 23 years, who still lives with us, sometimes, although a Geordie (he was born in Newcastle of a Coventry Kid and Cumbrian Lass) supports Manchester and he managed to get tickets so is still out celebrating. So here I am trying to find someone to chat to but I suppose you are all sensible and have gone to bed, except Marlene who appears to stay up rather late as the times on her chat lines seem to indicate. With me taking so long to type this piece, I suppose it will be Sunday by the time it is transmitted. Please excuse me while I go and fill my glass. Good luck to all. I must say I am looking forward to Loughborough as it will be the first re-union that I have attended and am therefore looking forward to meeting some mates from 53 years ago. Good night, sorry morning, Keith

paul croxson

Good morning Keith
I watched the rugby and enjoyed the win but regret the change in the way the game is now played. I remember when scrum halves were midgets and anyone over 6' 0" was a giant. Now they breed human tanks and import them from the back streets of Polynesia.
Then it was match of the day and although Pompey won I couldn't face watching Arsenal play first. So .... it was off to the Land of Nod for me and anyway I need every second of beauty sleep that I can get nowadays.

Funny, the older I get the more boring I am I but nothing in comparison with the other blighters I meet up with. Is it just me? I went for a blood test the other day and they were holding trials for the 'Bore of the Year', swapping symptoms like 'tomorrow we may die'. I slunk out having achieved a PSA of less than 0.1. See! I'm getting the hang of this boring lark. Or is it a natural talent that I have always had?

marleneandgypo

kerby

Ladies first, Good Morning Marlene, Nice to meet you. Keith
Hi Paul, I am a rugby man having been brought up to support a Coventry team, who were the best in England, from the age of 5 as we lived only a few minutes walk from their ground. They seem to have lost their way these days. However, like you, I do not care for the modern game. Why have a scrum when you never get a strike against the head, line outs usually go with the throw in. Players now hug and kiss like the footballers.
In the old days a person who scored was allowed to walk back on his own so that the crowd could show their appreciation by applauding him. Still I suppose that's what comes of paying them. Whilst at Munster, I played scrum half to John Brown, who went on to play for the British Lions, on a couple occassions. I was a tall scrum half at 5'7" Have a good day, Keith

paul croxson

I had forgotten you were that small Keith. I suppose though that, being perfectly proportioned it didn't really matter. At 6' 1" and thin as a rake I must nhave towered over you

misterbee

On a new 'what do you want to discuss' topic, what about this DNA database. I am undecided. I have never commited an offence worthy of punishment (apart from the minor indescretion at Birgelen which resulted in my punishment posting to Langeleben in 61) so I have nothing to hide or be afraid of. When fingerprints were all the rage we were told that no two people could have the same prints. How wrong they were. Can we be sure that DNA is infalible? Help me make up my mind please. Dave B

marleneandgypo

Well I don't know about fingerprints and DNA but I am still registered with the Police station as being willing to be in a line up if any robbers need identifying. In 20 years I have never been called up so I guess there aren't many midget size Dawn French look-a-like robbers about. I'll have to earn my tenner some other way then.

By the way my granny's maiden name was Bee, you aren't my uncle are you?

Marlene

So what do you want to discuss?

So what do you want to discuss?

cruise

sea sick

Re: sea sick

So what do you want to discuss?