Rereading that last post reminded me of all the seamen in my
family including fishermen and a ships cook and also cousin It,
a pilot in one of Ireland's minor Ports.Both in and out of his
presence he is never referred to as anything else because none
of us know what to make of him.In living memory he is the only
member of the Barney clan to have never touched a drink or
cigarette,we don't know where he came from,hes the original
white sheep of the family.
It's father was the Port Pilot and It was a crewmember on the
Pilot's Launch which was used to tender the Pilot to and from
the ships and so was well qualified for the post on the death of
his father.
Came the day a British Cargo approached the harbour and on
boarding,cousin It was met by the captain,who,much to the
amusement of his crew,boomed condesendingly,
"Well Paddy,I hope you know where all the rocks are."
"Begod Captain,I don't."
"What !" spluttered the captain.
"But I know where theres none."
Unemployed,semi-retired or mid-life crisis/crossroads?
About Me
- the anti-barney
- Contrary in morning, Sullen in afternoon, Impossible in evening
5 comments:
MY brother was stopped driving down from Dublin on that section of road after the Kilpedder. In other words he was hooring along. The Guard who pulled him over said
'Are ya lost son?'
'Er..' my brother helpfully said. 'No.'
'Oh,' says he, 'I though you might be looking for the runway. Any faster and you were going to take off.'
FMC - First rule of being a cop, a military officer, or indeed a teacher... if you're going to be a bastard, fine - but be a bastard with a sense of humour!
Karilyn,thanks for popping in,I don't think it would happen nowadays as their reputation is shot to shit.
Was he on his way to Annacurra Fmc.?
Binty,nice to see you again,are you still ailing or was that an A.F. thing that went a gee-hair too far?
I wondered at that too.
Takes it too far, bluff called, strange spots turn out to be big sister's nail varnish but by then he can't hand back the grapes and chocolates and postal orders from aunts and uncles who think he's dying.
I don't believe he was Barney, no.
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