Ripping yarns, beautiful lies and a few home truths.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Empire remnants and the trumpet
Nigeria's NNS Thunder left Albany today. As the wind turned and they chugged through the gloom of a rainy Sound, I heard the strains of a brass band playing on deck.
Must have been a stirring sight, Sarah. I see they are still running on crude though - they couldn't go through the English Channel belching out smoke like that any more!
It is this gorgeous old hulk, formerly a US coast guard frigate and now employed to keep check on pirates off the African coast. They came over here to take part in a naval fleet review in Sydney. I think this is the furthest this ship has ever been in its life. So, a bit of smoke. Pfft.
I do not have a credit or debit card and deal only by cash or trade but I will find a way of buying your book, probably by finding something that somebody with a credit card wants. Having eschewed the banking system out of principle I have to accept that Amazon is no longer an option open to me.
Mr Hippo, I am myself a person who has some principled misgivings when it comes to the banking system; however, I have thus far not been principled enough to go through the inconvenience of extricating myself from it.
If I may ask, when you say "cash", you're still talking about bank-issued currency, right? I had an uncle in the north of WA who was living "gold-only" for a while. I hear you still can in some parts.
To buy bitcoins I think you need a credit or debit card.
Yes, I use cash or exchange. You can't entirely divorce yourself from the banking system. In the shop we accept debit cards which are linked to a business account.
Look Hippo, you can send me an email via my other website. You know, the 'click on a fisherman' one. Get down on one knee sir, and I will send you a copy of my book.
That would be cheating, my dear Sarah! Besides, I want more than just one. Seeing your book published and having lately followed the effort you put into it (coupled with the fact that I, along with so many other English speaking expats are desperate for something to read), I asked Marcia if she would not like to consider a shelf in the shop devoted to selling books. I can have my Filipino carpenter knock up a display shelf in no time. Due to the duties, cost of shipping etc, the average price of a paperback book here is US$100 and the choice is dire. I am sure I could do better. Perhaps I could be the first person to sell one of your books in Africa?
Sarah, I may just be over your way if "Can-Do" Campbell keeps can-doing what he's doing. I know people say crap like that all the time, but this one is actually half serious. My Dad is an ex-bikie. He still rides a bike. I sometimes ride a bike. I associate with plenty of other people who ride bikes. Some of them are, or have been in clubs. Some of them have recently been harassed by police. I do tatt-designs for these people from time to time. Presumably, under the new laws, that might possibly be enough to land a frigging gaol sentence.
Thankfully, the beak aren't standing for it at the moment. I suppose I should be more principled and just stick it out; but, well, we'll see.
Anyway, that is basically my long winded means of asking, "Room for one more"?
What I like about the ship photos is that they perpetuate the historical presence of Albany as a place of visiting for mariners. The thing about mariners on an open sea being their nomadic spirit in the face of vulnerability. These guys just happen to be Nigerian sailors on a decommissioned WW2 era British vessel. I know people who love the sea are not necessarily afraid of it. They respect its power and occasional ferocity but all things learned figure it's as good a place as any to roam. The thing about Albany, not so much now, but not so long ago anyway, is its own lonesomeness and vulnerability as a settlement and place of dwelling on the far south-west corner of the great Southland.
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Must have been a stirring sight, Sarah. I see they are still running on crude though - they couldn't go through the English Channel belching out smoke like that any more!
ReplyDeleteProbably running on illegally bunkered crude oil!
ReplyDeleteWhen they supplied the ship, I hope the local chandlers did not accept Nigerian credit cards...
It is this gorgeous old hulk, formerly a US coast guard frigate and now employed to keep check on pirates off the African coast. They came over here to take part in a naval fleet review in Sydney. I think this is the furthest this ship has ever been in its life.
ReplyDeleteSo, a bit of smoke. Pfft.
As for the local port authority, the rusting barbed wire at Hunts Canning speaks volumes.
ReplyDeleteI had nearly two years on a security vessel guarding the Shell EA Offshore Field against pirates in Nigeria-
ReplyDeletehttp://hippo-on-the-lawn.blogspot.com/2007/03/christmas-in-lagos.html
I do not have a credit or debit card and deal only by cash or trade but I will find a way of buying your book, probably by finding something that somebody with a credit card wants. Having eschewed the banking system out of principle I have to accept that Amazon is no longer an option open to me.
Mr Hippo, I am myself a person who has some principled misgivings when it comes to the banking system; however, I have thus far not been principled enough to go through the inconvenience of extricating myself from it.
DeleteIf I may ask, when you say "cash", you're still talking about bank-issued currency, right? I had an uncle in the north of WA who was living "gold-only" for a while. I hear you still can in some parts.
Have you looked at bitcoin?
To buy bitcoins I think you need a credit or debit card.
DeleteYes, I use cash or exchange. You can't entirely divorce yourself from the banking system. In the shop we accept debit cards which are linked to a business account.
Look Hippo, you can send me an email via my other website. You know, the 'click on a fisherman' one.
ReplyDeleteGet down on one knee sir, and I will send you a copy of my book.
That would be cheating, my dear Sarah! Besides, I want more than just one. Seeing your book published and having lately followed the effort you put into it (coupled with the fact that I, along with so many other English speaking expats are desperate for something to read), I asked Marcia if she would not like to consider a shelf in the shop devoted to selling books. I can have my Filipino carpenter knock up a display shelf in no time. Due to the duties, cost of shipping etc, the average price of a paperback book here is US$100 and the choice is dire. I am sure I could do better. Perhaps I could be the first person to sell one of your books in Africa?
DeleteWhat an absolutely wonderful proposition Hippo!
DeleteThanks.
Sarah, I may just be over your way if "Can-Do" Campbell keeps can-doing what he's doing. I know people say crap like that all the time, but this one is actually half serious. My Dad is an ex-bikie. He still rides a bike. I sometimes ride a bike. I associate with plenty of other people who ride bikes. Some of them are, or have been in clubs. Some of them have recently been harassed by police. I do tatt-designs for these people from time to time. Presumably, under the new laws, that might possibly be enough to land a frigging gaol sentence.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, the beak aren't standing for it at the moment. I suppose I should be more principled and just stick it out; but, well, we'll see.
Anyway, that is basically my long winded means of asking, "Room for one more"?
You are so welcome Alex
DeleteMuch obliged Sarah.
DeleteFor an idea of why things are looking hairy, check out tonight's 7:30 Report. The comparisons with old Joh, are chilling.
Oh, and stay with it for Clive Palmer's extraordinary interview. Best laugh I've had this week.
What I like about the ship photos is that they perpetuate the historical presence of Albany as a place of visiting for mariners. The thing about mariners on an open sea being their nomadic spirit in the face of vulnerability. These guys just happen to be Nigerian sailors on a decommissioned WW2 era British vessel. I know people who love the sea are not necessarily afraid of it. They respect its power and occasional ferocity but all things learned figure it's as good a place as any to roam. The thing about Albany, not so much now, but not so long ago anyway, is its own lonesomeness and vulnerability as a settlement and place of dwelling on the far south-west corner of the great Southland.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a bad thing to be a bit scared at sea. As Ms Mer said, "Anyone who tells you they've never been scared out of their wits at sea is a liar."
DeleteThe sea scares me shitless. Not a good sailor I'm afraid. All sorts of imaginations happen and make me scared. I freak myself out.
DeleteIt's the worst kind of freak out, the one you do to yourself, isn't it?
DeleteThat first photo was right out of 1940 x
ReplyDeleteYes, it was all misty rain and a 70 year old ship - and a brass band.
ReplyDelete