Salt in my hair and
white salt ringlets on my skin;
Summer sea swimming.
by Scooj
Tag: Sea
Medusa
Drifting in the vast
blue ocean deep, where there is
neither up nor down.
by Scooj
Peaceful
The calm sea glistens
tranquility recovered
treasure the moment.
by Scooj
331. Armada Place (5)
Well I said that Aspire had done a fish, and here it is in all its splendour. I like his work, all of it, and as a marine biologist I have to say I particularly like this one. I must confess I am not too sure what kind of fish it is, but I am not too bothered. It is a fish.
I would like to see more fish from Aspire, but perhaps not if it is at the expense of his birds which are truly spectacular – I still have a backlog of his birds to write about!
I noticed in the Upfest map that he will be at the festival this year. I will try to catch up with him if I can. Audubon in New York awaits.
Horseshoe crab
Ancient encrusted
survivor of Earthly time
washed up on the shore.
by Scooj
Mackerel feathering
The sun touched sea slaps
the boat and our lines tighten
and cut on the rise.
by Scooj
22. Booze and balls
Sunday 15 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
Another nothing day.
Tried to telephone home, got Mum and Ad, but I think I may have left them with a very depressed image of me…not entirely untrue. Couldn’t get Deb, perhaps I was dialing the wrong number. Instead I called Karen, but she was out, so I spoke with Matt – this was a much better conversation. I hope Deb isn’t too upset. I asked Karen, via Matt, to ring Deb to tell her I had tried to call.
Had lunch at the Boathouse – not bad really, and cheap.
I want to start saving some money. Emma’s really is a piss-hole, but who cares? Tomorrow I begin some work, but I don’t quite know what.
I like not having a beard.
Monday 16 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
My work begins. Spent most of the bloody day in front of a computer doing data entry.
Lunch at the Goose, bought for me by Jim.
Not a bad day – blue sky, but cold and quite windy.
I am to begin work on a strategy for the long-lining. I hope I am up to it.
I had a great evening – just me, Phil and Jim at the Goose. Not over-drinking, but having a pleasant number of beers and at last finding things to talk about.
Jim took the bull by the horns and went to visit KSJ to ask permission for passage to Montevideo…then he went and told Jacko, who I don’t think was too pleased having previously said no.
Beautiful sky at night – the stars were spectacular.
Tuesday 17 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
A day at FIPASS (the floating port facility left over from the war) – ok – beautiful day. Sky blue – no wind. Things are beginning to happen really quickly now. I am much happier than I was the other day.
Phoned Deb and got through, it was lovely to speak to her – she sounded very remote (not distance-wise, but emotionally). She is working very hard for her exams in June – I hope she does well. Her voice was tired and dopey.
Evening was a booze up in the Globe. It was very interesting all about PDA *(my employers) and Peter Derham in particular.
Wednesday 18 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
First full day at FIPASS – also a letters day, but it was puny – one TLS, that’s it! what a contrast to yesterday weather-wise. Terrible wind and rain. Unbearable.
I am back at Emma’s now and am so sad for the kids here. No love, no attention. Their mother is having a breakdown I think, she can’t cope with their crying and only compounds the problem by screaming ‘shut up!’ at them. It is no wonder that they are so friendly with the guests – they need the company. I am concerned; I don’t think that she’s violent yet, but it is just a matter of time. The war is over now – at last.
On reading this last passage again in 2016, with a family of my own, I am curious about my view of the situation at Emma’s Guest House. I know now how hard it can be bringing up children. I think I saw the world through a young man’s eyes and my values and judgments were different. I wonder what I would have thought of the situation if I were the me of now, and whether I would have tried to help.
Thursday 19 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
Out at FIPASS again for the morning. Drin and Liz also went out. The storm has died down and it is a fairly calm, but overcast day.
Looking forward to the May Ball tomorrow, but what costume shall the poor ‘boy’ wear (corruption of and reference to a Japan cover of a Velvet Underground song).
FIPASS is like a moon base, quite claustrophobic and synthetic – the strip lights etc.
We moved more of the office over and now the computers are at FIPASS. I will work from there from now.
Went to the Desire for a booze up down at FIPASS – it was a resounding success. I was plastered and puked at Emma’s (in the sink). Whart a great evening – an excess of McEwans. Jim and John and Phil and Steve and Peter and Alistair were there.
Friday 20 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
Ball night. Sean found an egret and brought it into the new office.
Mega piss up at the ball. Dear oh dear.
Globe – Goose – Ball.
Whiskey coat! ‘just going for a coat’.
May Queen – Melanie came third. I was forced into a dance with Miranda.
Very very pissed.
Post – letters from Charlie and Beth – I was very chuffed to hear from them. Also from Granny who seems to be a little better, from Karen too.
Jim fell over!
Saturday 21 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
Deb has sent me a fun pack. There was a packet of cartridges, some newspapers, a Private Eye and some crisps – also a rose – one which I gave her. Here are some petals
Deb sent this before, but I’ve only just gotten round to sticking it in. I miss her terribly. I want to be at home. (This musician, Martin Stephenson, was to play a significant part in my adventure at a later point)
The day was beautiful and sunny. Tonight is the second ball preceded by the KSJ dinner.
21. Land at last
The Falkland journal continues…
Wednesday 11 May 1988, Koei Maru 30/Falkland Desire
Well I’m angry and upset. I still haven’t been picked up. I bet I end up staying at least another week. I think I’ll go bananas soon. I am getting pissed off. If I come back with the Koei Maru 30 on the 25th, I’ll have spent 6 weeks on this bathtub. What a nightmare. I want to go back to Port Stanley and I don’t want any fuss. Balls.
And as the philosophy goes – everything always works out in the end (unless you die, and if you die it doesn’t matter anyway).
I was woken by the Sencho (Captain in Japanese) at about 3pm…”Fishery Patrol”. This was good news. the Desire (a patrol ship called the Falkland Desire) had come to collect me. I spoke with them and packed quickly. In the process I forgot my chocolate cake, my casettes, my loligo and my films. What a bloody pain in the arse, but small prices to pay for freedom.
What really pisses me off though is that had I not called KSJ (the Japanese fishing company) to query my pick up date and time, I would never have been rescued. Some bloody organisation this is.
Anyway, I am on the Desire and had a wonderful mixed grill and trifle for supper, followed by a Bond movie.
I am happy.
Thursday 12 May 1988, Falkland Desire
Having slept pretty well from 8pm to 1.30am, I am now wide awake, and there is no chance of me going back to sleep, so it is letters and diary time.
The crew (apart from one or two exceptions) are almost entirely fat. Too many fried meals and not enough exercise.
Picked up Elizabeth. (Another scientist on a different vessel)
Got well tanked up in the evening. Home tomorrow.
Friday 13 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
Friday 13th – what a day to come to port! We came into Port William by 9.30am and went to Port Stanley. Jim is resigning! This is terrible news. He’ll be going at the end of this month. My only ally in this adversity. I will feel very alone once he has gone.
A plethora of letters. It’s nice – it makes all my letter writing worth it. I actually feel a bit of a plonker because I get so much more mail than anyone else. Sorry to find out that granny is so unwell – if I were a believer I would pray for her – I know that she is safe in her own faith though. It is grandpa I also worry about.
Met Phil at last and am sharing a room in ‘Emma’s’ with him – we all got well pissed in The Globe and in John’s house. The Suntory whiskey was worth opening.
I got home and read the remainder of my letters. I cried unashamedly at granny’s letter – I don’t think she’ll last much longer.
It is nice to be clean shaven after so long with my beard.
Saturday 14 May 1988, Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
A day of indecision, I wandered around Stanley and found Jim at Fishops (Fisheries Operations). Went to the Upland Goose for lunch with Jim, Anna and Sean.
Nothing to do, but it is quite nice.
Ended up watching Mona Lisa at Goodwyn’s and supping Tim’s Whiskey. Then went on to The Globe for a few minutes before trundling off to the Town Hall to see the C.S.E show (Combined Services Entertainment – The islanders benefitted from the shows that came to entertain the troops at Mount Pleasant air base).
It was terrible – naf, but in a corny way, quite fun.
- a compere who kept saying “no”, like they do when they tell jokes and laughing through his teeth ‘sheee’
- a dancing troop called Sassie? terrible dancers
- a corny magician, old tricks
- a dreadful female singer
- a band
They tried hard and I appreciated their effort and anyway, it was something to do.
Met a Korean man called JK. Great bloke and long-line skipper for twenty years.
Got pissed in The Rose and back at Tim’s. Watched a video.
Liverpool lost the FA Cup final to Wimbledon. Yahoo.
old news…AFC lost to Luton 3-2. I am desperate.
20. Frustration
To those reading this category (Falkland Journal, 1988) for the first time, I urge you to read my first ever post – ‘An Ill Wind‘ to provide context for this post, which is the 20th extract from my 1988 journal.
Saturday 7 May 1988, Koei Maru 30
I am guilty of neglect. I seem to either write letters or my diary, one usually at the expense of the other. It is late Saturday now, I have just had my breakfast. I keep having bonkers dreams, I am plagued with them.
I wrote to the Myers and to Deb and Alex.
I hope so much that Arsenal won last night, yesterday, today I mean. I must be one of their remotest supporters, I may try to join the fan club.
When I think of the only club in London, I think of Gavin and Sean and how lucky they are that they will see the Littlewoods Cup final! Sean will actually be there, lucky pig.
Time goes by. Soon it will be Sunday and soon I will get picked up by the patrol ship. Yahoo!
I took a whole bunch of really boring sunrise shots and tried to photograph a number of birds. It will be a very dull film I think.
Sunday 8 May 1988, Koei Maru 30
I am on to my next 10 Japanese letters! recap on: a i u e o
The next bunch are Sa, Shi, Su, Se, So; Za, Ji, Zu, Ze, Zo
Why is it so bloody difficult?
Wrote a long letter to Mum and Ad, I sent another £15 for developing films.
Monday 9 May 1988, Koei Maru 30
At last I wrote to Clive, but it is very late of me to reply.
I am very bored. Tonight we’ve caught nothing, I have been unable to work. It is pitiful.I am being paid to fritter my time away. Possibly the worst aspect is that during these bad catches I smoke maybe two cigarettes. I must stop before it becomes a habit.
I am sitting listening to my African tape. I must go to Africa – I hear it calling. I am desperate to go there. I want to work in Africa.
Revision:
How could I have dared neglect to put in the article about Uderzo? What a terrible blunder.
Jim was on the radio this time, it was good to talk to him. He enjoys a good chat as opposed to a quick talk! It is good.
It looks like I may be marooned for a few more days! The patrol ship had to arrest a Korean ship and returned to Port Stanley without little old me. It is possible she’ll steam out over the next couple of days to collect me – who knows? Slightly depressing.
It seems as though Jim wants to come to Montevideo – I hope it can be arranged, it would be good to have some company.
Tuesday 10 May 1988, Koei Maru 30
Another five katakana I think.
What a terrible day – nothing, absolutely nothing to do. I think I’ll cry if I don’t get picked up soon. Only my South American music is keeping me sane at the moment, or is it the fact that I’m listening to it at all an indication of my insanity? Some would think so.
Wrote a letter to R&C, a bit short and feeble, but I’m running out of things to tell people.
My room stinks! I think it is because I spend so much time in it. It is stale and nasty, but what can I do?
Well, I’m angry and upset, but that is tomorrow.
Nature boy
Exploring Cornish
rock pools all Summer break; those
were such carefree days.
by Scooj
Natural adventures 