The best of the maritime tales...

[Vega]

Originally Posted by Ari

Alfonso de Albuquerque flag ship ' Fla de la Mar' or other ship that got sunk in the Straits of Melaka somewhere in 1513 or 1515 ...

That was in his time the world's biggest and most powerful warship (man of war). The curious thing is the name: "Flor de la Mar" that means ''Sea Flower". The second biggest was called "Cyrne", the old world for ''Swan''. Quite lyrical names for warships .

I guess that they also considered them beautiful ships and that would count more for them than its destructive power, otherwise they would call it “Spitfire” or something like that.

[safewalrus]

Whats in a name, witness some of the British Daring class - Dainty, Delight or the flower class corvette of the second world war - there was dozens of them all called after flowers! And most did well as warships despite the un warlike names! Warships don't need all sorts of warlike names

A lot of nations are the same

[Vega]

Originally Posted by safewalrus

And Vega mate much as I like you, prepare to be disssssapointed in the ball kicking activity soon!..

Originally Posted by safewalrus

Portugese have always had the balls (it's just that at times the English are better at kicking them!)

Witness the "oldest alliance" US pirates have done well - both together and seperately ...

I have to give you that. Englishmen are better at kicking balls.... but next time don’t forget to do it far away from the referee.....

You know about the world oldest alliance? Almost 700 years old! There are few countries that old....but after all England and Portugal have always been two Islands. England surrounded by water, Portugal surrounded by water and Spain, so an alliance was to be expected

[safewalrus]

Vega

Mate I'll give you that one, that was a disgraceful display by that idiot of ours! Close match tho' And the best of luck to Portugal to the end - you deserve it!

Incidentally not everybody over here believes the rubbish put out by the media that somehow it was your captains fault that the 'idiot' got sent off! Can't figure that one myself - so he is the idiots team mate normally but AT THIS MATCH they were on opposite sides, it was his duty as your captain to confound the 'enemy' which he did admirably to my mind (but best not return to Manchester just yet eh!)

But remember the 'old alliance' rises above a mere game of football!!

Mike

[Vega]

Originally Posted by safewalrus

(but best not return to Manchester just yet eh!)

He is not that stupid He is going to be transferred to the Real Madrid, or at least is what he wants and what RM wants.

I guess that has to do with a romance. He is having an affair with an older women, one of the most beautiful...nah, the most beautiful and sexy of the Portuguese Television stars....and Madrid is a lot closer than Manchester, so I guess, it is quite comprehensible...at least I understand him very well

take a look at the girl:

[Ari]

Very wise selection..then he is not an idiot after all..!

[Wellydeckhand]

Must be more juicy when younger........ but I like it ripe and pickable No complaint

[safewalrus]

Never said he was an idiot (he's proved it!) It's our numpty I was talking about, silly petulant little boy who believes all the stuff the media give out! There again it's up to the coach to stamp on it (the coach was to busy counting the money he conned out of the English Football Association by pretending to know anything about football - there again he deserves it if he can get away with and boy did he!

more than enough to buy a decent boat - I'm jealous

[bhabanism]

Jataka tales

[Bergalia]

Back to books... Can I suggest 'The Custom of the Sea' by Neil Hanson (available in Corgi Books); and 'The Bone Collectors', by Brian Callison, published by Collins. Though my editions are pretty elderly and you may need to haunt your local library for copies. But both 'ripping yarns'.
As a brief aside may I explain my absence for the past six months. Another building project. My wife infected by a sudden burst of gardening enthusiasm demanded (a) that I build a green house (done); (b) prepare a suitable plot for veggies (half-acre done); My eldest girl (17) has enrolled as a TAFE student - and requires a chauffer (moi) and the youngest (15) has decided to become a popgroup drummer and requires 'studio' space (ie - the far end of my building shed (done); finally I've been badgered by my agent to complete the great and definitive Australian Novel (it's only been in progress for the past 15 years...give a bloke a chance....for Christ's sake....)
But I'm back (in parts)

Which reminds me of a 'maritime tale' overheard in a Sydney seafood spot:
"Waiter - I'd like a lobster's tail..."
"Well sir, there was once this lobster...."

[safewalrus]

Hey Bergalia glad to see you back amongst the liv...er.... the insane! The asylum has quite without ye mon

Long may yer lang reek or something (who the hell wants a smelly chimbly anyway?)

[boltonprofiles]

Nice you are back Bergalia, hey Walrus didn't know he was so much under the thumb......................

[Bergalia]

Originally Posted by boltonprofiles

Nice you are back Bergalia, hey Walrus didn't know he was so much under the thumb......................

Maybe so, Bolton old chum...but how else would man get the wrinkles out of his kilt....

[boltonprofiles]

True...............true.....................

[hansp77]

Originally Posted by Bergalia

Hey, Hansp77 -
Essential reading: 'Sailing alone around the world'- Joshua Slocum; and 'Incredible voyage'- Tristram Jones. No blue water would-be should be without a copy in his/her locker.
And hi all the old faces - just passing through.

It may have taken me a little while,
but I have just got the first off the recomendations.

Joshua Slocum, Sailing Alone Around the World.
Found in a second hand book shop for $5 (I can't afford new books- thats what the boat is for )

Anyway, Bergalia, and all the rest who contributed,
thanks,
I've got a few more books to go yet.