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Canberra Reunion July 2008

Courtesy of Gerry Murphy

Gerry Writes:
It was while visiting seadogs-reunited.com a few weeks ago that I saw that Harbo had tracked down Richard Wood to a bar in Paphos, Cyprus. Well what a coincidence, I had just booked a weeks holiday in Paphos for myself and my wife Anne, so we thought it would be great to catch up with Richard.
 
Having booked into our hotel the day before we decided it was time to find Richard and Alexander's Pub. I asked the receptionist at our hotel if she could find out where Alexander's Pub was and after a couple of phone calls said that the local taxi firm thought they knew the place. After a 10 minute cab ride we end up at Alexandys bar! Not to be put off we got out of the cab and decided to start our search from there. Ordering a drink I asked if the barman knew Richard or where Alexander's Pub was, yes was the reply it's 100 yards up the road, but doesn't open for a couple of hours. Oh well says I, we'll stay here for a while! 
 
Anyway a couple of hours later we make our way to Richards place. We parked ourselves on 2 bar stools and proceeded to order our drinks. Anne's drink was ordered and as it turns out, one of the main brews in Cyprus is Carlsberg, so I asked for a "Charlie" for myself. Richard went to the pump and then took a double take! I haven't heard it called that for a long time was his response. After a couple of rounds of "Who do you think I am", he twigged who I was (I don't know why it took so long as I don't think I have changed a bit in 27 years since we sailed together last). Anyway with that out the way, we spent a couple of hours reminiscing about days gone by, such as spending may hours in the Bonito club, listening to the Colin Hindmarsh trio. When we finally left Richard, we arranged to have lunch later during the week, which unfortunately due to work commitments Richard was not able to attend, so Anne and I went back to Alexander's Pub to say our goodbyes.
 
It was great catching up with Richard again, he is a fine host and if any other seadogs are in Paphos I recommend that you pop in and say hello.
 
PS. You can tell that he is ex P&O as if you look in the top left hand side of the photo, there are a can of Allsopps and a Farewell Oriana tinny on the shelf!

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Seadogs Reunion 7th July 2008

Peter Chester, his lovely wife Celia Chester (nee Cowan) and Peter Pratt (Purser)

Relaxing at dinner. 

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Seadogs Reunion August 2008

Martin Reed (Ch Off Oriana and Captain Saga Rose) and Peter Chester (2nd Engineer P&O Passenger Division and Chief Engineer P&O Ferries) 

Martin Reed, Celia Cowan (now Chester, WAP Oriana), Peter Chester and Denise Donnelly (now Reed Nursing Sister Oriana).
 

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Seadogs Reunion 4th September 2008

Courtesy of Mark Sawyer

Jewkesy and the Bean in Barcelona. Jewkesy was there as Chief Engineer of the new Oriana and the Bean on a holiday cruise and both ships were in dock together.

Courtesy of Mark Sawyer

I haven't heard anything more about what else happened as Mark is still away but he will be interrogated on his return.

Dave has advised the following:

What happened re myself and Mark was that we arrived in Barcelona around 0830 hrs and docked behind the Carnival Freedom. When Mark went ashore he saw Oriana and was a little speechless. He emailed me to let me know and we managed to catch up when he returned from ashore. We had a good old chin wag on the dock side for 10 minutes before he went back onboard and they sailed about an hour before us. 

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Oriana Reunion 17th September 2008

L-R: 

Dave Coleman (aka Cornish), Peter Bennett, Marlene Harris (the self confessed Seadog Moll) and Martin Harris (aka Chopper).

Peter writes;

We met up at the Holiday Inn for a few beers and then went off to Pinocchio’s for a meal. It was a fantastic night, the thirty year gap since sailing with these guys just melted away and the “do you remember and what happened to?” Nostalgia came thick and fast, uncanny how the friendships of the past were as if the years never existed, the tales just got better with the retelling! These guys have not changed they still look the same and would be recognized anywhere (scary thought considering the wheeling that went on!) apart from the blonde look and ballast.
 

Marlene is researching the possibility of a bigger get together in Sydney in September 2009, would be terrific if we could get everyone together in the one place.

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Uganda Reunion, the Barwell Residence

This is a reunion held at Julian Barwell’s house in July 2008.

L-R:

Leigh Crumbie, John Barclay, Sue Barwell, Geoff Kimber, Michael Blaskewicz (Blaster), Alison Harris, Julian Barwell, Chris Lawton, Tim Leneghan, Kathy Leneghan, Jackie Kimber

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

The Bear's 50th Reunion 27th September 2008

Courtesy of Andrew Ball

Stu's (The Bear) 50th Birthday Party Reunion.

L-R:

Archie Anderson, Malcolm (MT) Turner, Andrew (Lightning) Ball, Jim (Gentleman Jim) Barlow, Dougie Beveridge, Stu (The Bear) Drew, Pinky.

Don Cole has kindly sent in a pdf file of over 40 photos from this event but as i don't have the Acrobat program I'm sure you'll all be able to view them using the free Acrobat Reader. Click on the Acrobat icon to view the file. 

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Oriana Reunion 26th October 2008

Courtesy of Celia Chester

Celia writes;

Mike Robbins was Entertainment Director on Oriana. We went to see a show on Sunday (26th Oct) featuring his daughter Kate who is quite well known over here and Mike was in the audience. I introduced myself, I used to be Senior Officers' Secretary on the homeward bound in 1976 and had spent hours in his office taking dictation and laughing my socks off at his antics. He's now 80 and am not sure he remembered me but today I sent him some old photos and some of me when I was 23 to jog his memory. He's looking good and doesn't look any older than I remember him.
 

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Oriana Crew Reunion, Southampton

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

L-R:

Andy Meek, Tony Lewis, Andy Pilcher (Pilch), Jay and ??

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

Andy Stageman

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

Andy Stageman and Dizzy Di Brabham

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

L-R:

Carol, Micky Munson, Alan Bacon

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

L-R:

Carol Perrett, Alan Perrett (Seagull), Micky Munson, Andy Stageman, Alan Bacon, Dave Traynor

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

L-R:

Carol Perrett, Andy Stageman, Micky Munson, Alan Bacon, Dave Traynor

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

Chalkie

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

Chalkie

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

Jay (BRS) flew in from Australia

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

Jay & Carol (Mrs Seagull)

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

L-R:

Max, ?? (Photog), Andy Meek

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

Micky Munson and Andy Stageman

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

Mr & Mrs Seagull

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

L-R:

??, Pilch, Jay, Tony

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

L-R:

Tony Lewis, Andy Pilcher (Pilch), Jay, Andy Meek

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

L-R:

Neil Sutherland, John Duplock (Chief Printer 1974), Diane Brabham

It was John the Printers 70th Birthday, the day of the Reunion.

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

Back at the Hotel, obviously late as the bar is CLOSED!

L-R:

Dave Traynor, Alan Bacon, Micky Munson, Andy Stageman, Diane Brabham, ?? (Photog or shops) 

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

The Group!

David Cole adds that other than people already named previously the following people attended the event but he can't be sure they're all in this photo;

Steve Mathews and Amy Faucitt, Jill Barrows and Darren Thatcher, Margaret and Michael Hill, Glenda and Terrence Mantell, Brian and Linda Richardson, Peter and Judith Eastick, Alexander Wyness and Susan Morgan, Barry, Tracy and Rebecca Brewer, Keith and Wendy Burkhill, Ashley and Lynette Herbert, Clive Foster Reed, Carl, Joanne, Albert and Caitlin Mitchell, Hywell and Sharon Griffiths, Robert Taylor, Malcolm and Karen Sheldon, Michael Rudder and Dominic Brown, John O'Beirne, Christopher Ashcroft and Stephen Palmer, Mary Lawrence and Dorothy Heath, Brian Ralfe, Cora Corley and David Cole.

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Sea Princess Reunion, Europe

Before ...

L-R:

John Taylor, Steve Hodge and Clive Glover

After ...

Steve writes;

John Taylor (Legs), Clive Glover (GG) and I got together for a bit of a jolly through Europe when Clive was visiting from NZ recently. It was our intention to do it all by train but the fire in the Channel Tunnel scuppered the first part of the plan. We did manage to train it from Paris to Venice then onto Florence. The rest of the trip (Siena and Rome) was by car. The overnight sleeper from Paris to Venice was a hoot - the compartment was so small that we had to climb into our pits in relay fashion. Have attached some snaps of the trip. 

Steve H and Mr G on the Fullers Griffin Brewery tour, Chiswick (London Pride in hand of course).
 

Brilliant stuff but what I want to know is how did you all manage to get away on a trip like that without any women in tow?

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Canberra Reunion on mv Oriana, at sea.

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

Dave writes;

I've just spent a great weekend onboard Oriana which was also the venue for this year's Canberra Reunion. About 50 ex Canberra Seadogs attended from a Bell Boy from the Maiden Voyage up to the last cruise. The above photo was taken at the Cocktail Party.
 

Courtesy of Dave Traynor

And this with my old mates as we boarded.
L-R:

Micky Munson, Dave Traynor, Alan Legg & Alan Bacon.

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Oriana Reunion, Sydney

Courtesy of Greg Sinclair

Greg writes;

Helen and I had a great day showing Dave & Vicki around our area. We had very nice lunch at Jonah’s at Palm Beach then onto the Royal Motor Yacht Club on Pittwater. Next day, 24 April, I went into the city and met up with Dave again. We had a lunch at Phillips Foote at the Rocks, then on to the Mercantile for a few cool drinks.

Courtesy of Greg Sinclair

We had a nice time reliving old memories. It was great seeing him again after almost 38 Years. He is still the same guy with the same sense of humour and ways.

Courtesy of Dave Betts

Dave and Greg

Courtesy of Dave Betts

Dave writes;

After much delay over the last 2 years I finally managed to get down to Sydney and meet up with my old drinking partner Greg Sinclair - after 38 years! It was also wonderful to meet his lovely wife Helen. I have been in Singapore for the last 2 months, working on the Shipyard Overhaul of my present ship - the Orion Voyager. My wife Vicki and I took the opportunity to get down to Oz and meet with Greg before driving up the North Coast to Brisbane. I was suitably envious of Greg and Helen's home location on the Northern Shores - an area I had not been to before. We had a couple of great days reliving our time together on the original Oriana in 1970. Even if the spectacles' lens were a little rose coloured at times, nothing can degrade the really good times we had together back then. Greg is still the same great guy and we all had a great lunch at Jonah's (lucky to get a seat!) an afternoon of great beer and company at the Yacht Club and the following day lunch at Phillip's Foote in Sydney - great steak and more good beer at the Mercantile. I guess you can see from the attached photos that we have put on a bit, but I think we are in quite good shape really! I will not lose touch with Greg again now and will certainly be down to see him again. 

Courtesy of Greg Sinclair

This is taken at Jonah’s, with Dave and Vicki on the window side and my gorgeous wife Helen opposite me.

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Iberia Reunion, Benfleet

Courtesy of John Duplock

L-R:

Colin Thickbroom, John Duplock, Michael Cavanagh and Peter Thickbroom.

Inky writes;

Four ex crew members, all of whom were on Iberia's final voyage in 1972, met for a highly successful mini reunion in Benfleet on 19th July, 2009. Those present were Colin Thickbroom (Butcher) and his wife Nina - Peter Thickbroom (Cabin Steward) - Michael Cavanagh (Bellboy) and his wife Marilyn - John Duplock (Printer). The gathering was held at the home of Colin Thickbroom, where his wife Nina provided a superb roast beef lunch, and Michael Cavanagh, now a Baker, created a melt-in-the-mouth fresh fruit sponge, all of which was greatly appreciated. The day was spent reminiscing with the aid of videos and photos, plus liquid refreshments. It was unanimously agreed that it would be great to attempt a reunion on a larger scale at a later date, with as many ex Iberians present as possible, plus any other ship's crew members wishing to attend. Anybody who would like to support such an event are invited to contact John the Printer - deejon10@hotmail.co.uk - with suggestions, such as date, venue (Southampton?) etc. (There are several hotels situated in the same area adjacent to coach and rail stations in Southampton). A person willing to do the actual organising would be particularly welcome. 

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

P&O Reunion, Pulborough

Courtesy of Tony Simpson

On the far left is Dave Jewkes (C/E/O) and on the far right Tony Simpson (ex R/O), back row from left to right is Alison Harris (ex WAP), Tracey Coombes (Zak's wife), Jayne Simpson (ex WAP), Helen (Dave's partner). Front row left to right are Zak Coombes (Purser), Vivian Walters (Ian's wife), and Ian Walters (Captain).
 

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

P&O Reunion, Rossett, Clwyd 

Courtesy of Celia Chester

Celia writes;

I have attached some photos of us with Dave Whitehand and his wife, taken on Monday 24 August at the Golden Lion Pub, Rossett, Clwyd (our old local). We all met up (also Dave's sister and her husband that I used to know when we lived up there) and we had a very merry time the six of us.

Courtesy of Celia Chester

An Oriana reunion.

Please tell me you dye that great Mo Dave, mine's a white as Santa's.

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Oronsay Reunion Fraser Valley B.C. 2009

Courtesy of Don Askew

Here's the picture of the '60's Oronsay crowd now in their 60's. Our annual reunion BBQ at Ian Cooke's farm in the Fraser Valley. 

L-R: 

Ian Cooke, Alan Dalkin, George Clish, Keith Hunt, Don Askew & Peggy Askew.

What happened to 2008? 

Keep it up lads!

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Oriana Reunion Woolston

Courtesy of Glyn Dodson

Glyn and Bob meet up fairly regularly these days but this is the first time they were joined by Jim who's another one of those amazing people who've stayed the distance at sea achieving all.

Glyn writes;

It was lovely to see Jim and whilst like the rest of us (except Bob) he's changed and matured once we got talking it was the JJ of old that came through. He's had such a varied career at sea sailing on a number of ships, not all P&O flagged. 

Brilliant stuff, it's a times like this that I really regret not living in the UK but that moment of madness soon passes :)

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Canberra (accidental) Reunion

Courtesy of Mark Barnett

L-R:

Bert McAughtrie, Debbie Buxton (now McAughtrie) and Mark Barnett.

Mark explains;

I just got back from a holiday in South Africa and whilst at a game reserve found I was on the same truck and staying at the same hotel as Bert and Debbie McAughtrie, it's a very small world isn't it! I briefly worked with Bert on Canberra's Falklands refit though we were working on different things. He was J2 at the time. It was my first appointment as a Junior Engineer and if I recall correctly I was a gopher for the Superintendent Engineer who was ensuring as many jobs as possible were approved for payment by the MoD rather than P&O due to squaddy wear and tear and a lot of valve packing! I do recall an act of bravery by DH Smith Commodore CEO at the time when the boilers were flashed and the main stops were passing, the turbine started to turn under pressure but the turning gear was still in, somehow he got it out while several of us wibbled and hid behind the starboard alternator.

Courtesy of Mark Barnett

Barney continues;

Here's a picture of Bert with his swimming goggles on, it rained a lot on their first day but it was a little kinder for us. We had a laugh a minute but the jokes are dreadful! It just goes to show the camaraderie that exists in our fraternity of P&O seafarers. We had many old mates in common and we will be sure to hook up again.

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Oriana Reunion

Courtesy of Dave Jewkes

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Oriana and Uganda Reunion

Courtesy of Graham Bond

Graham writes;

Mark Steele paid a surprise visit to my home in Cyprus in October. He was in Agia Napa with his wife for week clubbing it with all the 20 year olds and decided to pop across to Limassol for a rest.

Courtesy of Graham Bond

Mark and I sailed together on the Oriana and Uganda and have remained great friends ever since.

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Canberra Reunion

Courtesy of Malcolm Turner

Malcolm writes;

Back in August I was in the USA on business and managed to fit in a reunion with John "JESS" Muir & his family in Connecticut during the weekend before. It was 21 years since we last had a beer together on the Canberra. It was the local Lobsterfest where Jess was playing in the local band (bass & not keyboards from where he got his nickname!!) and a great time was had by all especially as it was my birthday too. As you can see from the photo even the car hire company gave me a present with the Mustang (unfortunately not the V8 model though!!). He really hasn't changed a bit apart from having lost a bit of his Scottish accent - a bit spooky when I first saw him as it really didn't seem like 21 years. He has a great family & they provided a memorable birthday weekend - TVM!!

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Oriana Reunion

Courtesy of Bill Wilson

Bill writes;

I went back on another cruise on Arcadia at the end of November and Martyn was the Chief Engineer. It was over 34 years since we last met and we had a great time.

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

Oriana Reunion, Gosport

Courtesy of Roy Arnold

Bob writes;

Last night I was out having beers with Roy Arnold and Jungle Jim, and what a night we had. It went on into the wee small hours (3am) and we still hadn't exhausted our seemingly endless supply of jokes and stories - all based on actual events and with real people during our time on the big "O" and other ships. I do see Jungle Jim quite regular as he only lives 10 miles from me near Southampton, but last night was the first time that I had seen 'Arnie' in 34 years, and right from the very moment of meeting Roy in the car park we hugged and talked like the 34 years had done nothing at all to dampen or cool our friendship that was fostered aboard the beloved "Oriana"...... What is it about ships that makes men, and women, behave this way!!! It was a 'loaded question' Steve as obviously, both you and I know the answer to that one!!

Courtesy of Roy Arnold 

Arnie writes;

Attached are a couple of pictures of a reunion with Bob Chambers, Jungle Jim and me. Sorry about the quality, I only had my mobile phone with me. We met in Gosport near Portsmouth and had a great laugh reminiscing about the past, it's been about 32 years since I last saw Bob. He has now got his own Oriana moored in Gosport Marina, a 'kin great motor cruiser. I spent a lavish night aboard her after sinking too many beers. I will definitely be keeping in touch with Bob as we are still on the same 'wavelength' after all this time, he's still a cracking lad and a nice bloke.

Courtesy of Charles Oxley

Just a reminder of the two of them in the 70's. 

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design