Got to tell you about this: Me and She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed went to see The Soldiers in concert last night:
If they are appearing anywhere near you GO AND SEE THEM I promise you that you will not be disappointed:
A fantastic show - what an act:
If one or the other don't want to go then go on your own - - HONESTLY - it's that good
3 ordinary flaming Pongos and they made that show an extraordinary smash hit
I can't praise it enough - Best show that's ever been to Basildon I know that much

# How do they serve alcoholic drinks on Italian cruise ships? - On the rocks


# What vegetables do you get with dinner on Italian cruise ships? - Leeks

# What's the fastest way to get off an Italian cruise ship? - Follow the captain

# When the captain of the ill fated Costa Concordia was asked if he knew where he was going he replied "off course."

# So the captain of the Costa Concordia will soon be in the dock. That's more than can be said for his ship.

# The captain says he is not guilty of manslaughter. He has witnesses to prove he was nowhere near the passengers who died.

# What's the difference between the Italian economy and the stricken cruise liner Costa Concordia?

Nothing - The bot's dropped out of both.
=========================================
After being married for thirty years, a wife asked her husband to
describe her.

He looked at her for a while ... Then said, "You're A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K."

She asks ... "What does that mean?"

He said, "Adorable, Beautiful, Cute, Delightful, Elegant, Foxy,
Gorgeous, Hot.

She smiled happily and said ... "Oh, that's so lovely ... What
about I, J, K?"

He said, "I'm Just Kidding!"

The swelling in his eye is going down and the doctor is fairly
optimistic about saving his testicles.
=========================================

HAPPY NEW YEAR?????????
Too right it's a bit late Kevan - We got Easter eggs on sale in the shops now (Happy Easter to you and the family by the way)
Glad to hear all is OK in your part of the world - Hope this finds you in the rudest of health
You aint missing anything from here - Same old thing - Unemployment rising - Riots - Roads over-crowded - Costs rising and wages falling
All the sort of things that keeps us Brits happy and smiling mate
Write again and I'll send you another cheery little greeting to brighten your day
You keep smiling Oppo - Everyone's OK this end - Honestly

Just touching base to say happy new year to you all ( A LITTLE LATE I KNOW) hope all you guys are in good health and keeping well. Whisky, what a great photo mate you get younger every year skin.

Regards to all
Kevan

I have sorted out all my concerns with the Grosvenor Hotel for our 5-8 Oct 2012 reunion at Torquay.

SO

Bookings now being taken,see website for details.

B.J.

HAPPY New Year shipmates. To all you young Sailors of yester year, We hope your New Year goes well,
Lots of Love Slinger & Jean.

Happy new year shipmates all the best for 2012.

Hi reunion shipmates I wish you all a very happy new year and hope to see you all again in Torquay. best wishes, the bopping Pongo

aye.
Bopper

Hi Jim - You cheeky bugger: Pity you can't see my cap and cap tally - it says HMS Undaunted on it - I'd not been long aboard admittedly but I was still there just the same - smooth smooth skin and boyish good looks (Not sure if I'd started shaving at that point in my life?
No photoshop editting going on - I really was THAT good looking
(OK - Now let's wait for the replies!!!)

....OH AND MY NOSE JUST GOT LONGER ... I JOINED THE UNWANTED IN 67...

Re ORLANDO,a USS ORLANDO,was launched in 43 she served on convoy duties to North Africa regards dixie

Hi Whiskey, that photo was obviously taken a long time before any of us knew you
Its amazing what you can do with Photoshop - to make scurzy people look skin

Jim

We weren't all born old and scurzy - - I WAS a bit of skin at one time (a long long time ago)
First time I've ever seen this photo (I was 16 when it was taken in 1966)
Sent to me by one of my ex's sister because I went to pay my respects at my ex's memorial service just before Crimbo which re-kindled a lot of memories from almost 50 years ago

Hello Rick,
as far as I am aware, the last HMS Orlando, sister ship of the old cruiser HMS Undaunted, was scrapped in 1905. There have been no further uses of HMS Orlando since that year. However, a proposed HMS Orlando in 1913 was renamed HMS Loyal before launching.

Jim

I'm looking for info/photo re: HMS Orlando, a convoy #@*%! carrier used in the North Atlantic during WWII (and also to help evacuate Norwegian armed forces escaping the Nazis).

Just came across this and thought I would share it:

The night before Christmas and the ship was out steaming,
Sailors stood watch while others were dreaming.
They lived in a Tin Can with racks tight and small,
In a 30 man mess deck cramped in, one and all.

I had come down the funnel with presents to give,
To see in this War Canoe who might perhaps live.
I looked all about, a strange sight did I see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree....

No stockings were hung, shined boots close at hand,
On the bulkhead hung pictures of a far distant land.
They had medals and badges and awards of all kind,
And a sobering thought came into my mind.

For this place was different, so dark and so dreary,
It was the house of a Sailor, once I saw clearly.
A Sailor lay sleeping, still, silent and alone,
Curled up in his rack and dreaming of home.

The face was so gentle, the mess squared away,
This was the Sailor of the past and today.
This was the Hero I used to see on TV,
Defending our country so we could be free.

I realised the families that I would visit this night,
Owed their lives to these Sailors so willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom each day of the year,
Because of the Sailors, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve at sea, far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The Sailor awakened and said in a calm voice,
"Santa, don't cry, for this life is my choice."

"Defending the seas all days of the year,
So others may live and be free with no fear."
I thought for a moment, what a difficult road,
To live a life guided by Honour and Code.

After all it's Christmas Eve and the ship's underway!
But freedom isn't free and it's sailors who pay.
The Sailor say's to our country "be free and sleep tight,
No harm will come, not on my watch, not on this night.

The Sailor rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent, so still,
As the Sailor shivered from the night's cold chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honour so willing to fight.
The Sailor then said in a voice strong and sure,
"Carry on Santa, for it's Christmas and all is Secure".

Jim

Merry Christmas ship mates,I hope you and all of your loved ones have a great 2012

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and good health in 2012

Jim
ps this view is of Ark Royal entering the River Tyne, off South Shields in 2008.

Hello Simon
The Undaunted's bell is held by a group of Sea Cadets in Jersey
They were originally known as TS Undaunted hence their association with the ship's bell
They've changed their name a few years ago and for the life of me I can't remember what is was changed to mate
(Can't be that many Sea Cadet groups on Jersey I'd have thought)
Maybe our Webmaster can come up with the information that I've forgotten
Sorry not much use

Hi,I'm interested if anyone knows what happened to the ship's bell. My wife was christened in the UNDAUNTED either late '70 or early '71. Her father is Roy Goram. She would be interested in any leads to it's location or photo's of it.

Many thanks.

Aye shipmate jim bryce
Knowing my luck whiskey would most likely want keep the blooming lot he wont share I know him too well when it comes to my belongings.
I'll keep you mind Jim might have a list for you at next years reunion.
All the best shipmate
Bopper