Chaps,

JRT,

You say that's a claim for moi? When somebody drifted across my line of sight I was so annoyed I gave him a quick squirt and he immediately belched coolant vapour. Could have been a Spit or a 109. Glad it wasn't you old boy.

Having returned from the fair isle of Anglesey I was surprised to find that Flight Sergeant Edward Adams, MC & Bar, DSC and a Croix de Guerre with more bronze palms than he knows what to do with, has now racked up 15 victories and a further three since I started typing.

In RoF, as far as Eddy's experience is concerned, he seems to have received his awards in advance. His first three prestigious gallantry awards (which are inappropriate anyway) were dangling from his narrow chest after only five or six claims and no further recognition except promotion to FS for the last twelve. JRT, why are you gazing out of the mess window with a detached expression? Furthermore, the C de G has certainly some value, but as far as I'm concerned they can stick it where the monkey sticks it's nuts. Give me a solid silver DSO/MC/MM/DCM/DFC/DFM/DSC/DSM/CGM every time. And don't forget to throw in the odd VC.

In reality, a double MC and the naval DSC would be more likely worn by an airman with something around thirty victories. Just something that needs attention while we are cramming our hangars with an ever growing arsenal of different aircraft types.

Folks,

Dux:

Welcome home. It has been rather quiet around here with just MG and myself to keep Leroy and the beermaid out of mischief. Perusing all online newspapers posted from Anglesey I noticed no unusual activity in the posted court dockets for that area. Were you taken ill? Perhaps the good Lady "J" discovered the previously hidden secret to keeping you upon the 'straight and narrow'?

Even Olga has behaved with quiet if not with dignity during the past week. Mostly she just sat in the corner table pining away for your return and drinking large glasses of imported un-pasteurized, non- homogenized, non-vitamin D fortified Siberian yak milk. The milk was imported...not the yaks.

Give me a shiny DSO with a bar or maybe two. I have always wanted a bar of my own. Two would be extra nice. That would make things so convenient when my friends and I are thirsty. Of course it might not be especially profitable considering the great thirst we work up on a daily basis.

The great Stanford Tuck deserved and was awarded bags of gongs by HM the King. That time he was bounced by 3 109s alone above the Channel and shot down by the single survivor it was good fortune that he was not wearing all his medals when he hit the water. Otherwise the considerable weight might have taken him straight to the bottom where he would have had to walk out.

JRT,

The daily weather forecasts last week were generally off the mark. In fact, the worse they became, the more our regional weather improved. What little rain we had was not sufficient to prevent us from getting about with beach visits every day. Heavy seas pounded the rugged western coastline with spectacular waves breaking with the same intensity for about four days. Not bad for October though. Now we are back, it's persistant rain all day...

So, that will be it until April I should think.

Folks,

I'm guessing the water was still warm during your holiday. It is a pity that the gales of winter may keep your travel plans at a minimum for five or six long months. May I bring to your attention the fact that snorkeling will continue to be enjoyable right through the winter months in the blue waters off the state of Hawaii. You will remember that our friendly acquaintance Stickman lives on the big island. I'm sure that if you manage to get there he could help you find the water.

Check out the links I posted during your absence. They are not the usual BoB documentaries. Speaking of BoB, I have just completed a Historic mission. Before that I flew a BoB-like mission in IL2-46. Perhaps I am prejudiced however I must say that I enjoyed the WoV version far more. Frankly the appeal for me has boiled down to the variety of theaters and planes available in IL2 and the Pacific theater especially.

The historic mission I flew was 'August 18' which was the last time the JU 87s appeared over England; much to the satisfaction of the surviving crews. Our Spitfires from Ford saw them five miles away and intercepted the 87s before their escort could come down. They had dropped their bombs and were flying straight and level like so many ducks. I attacked one from behind and below and moved easily to another. In the end I got 2 flaming and left one smoking before their unspeakably unsociable yellow nosed friends got my undivided attention.

My computer system is old as everyone knows by now but the only thing I notice in the game play is that the 110s often have snow white wings and I am unable to fly two quick missions in a row without shutting the game down. Outside actual play the only other thing that reminds me the game shouldn't run at all is that it takes about 3 full minutes to load from mission setup through 2 splash screens and into 3D.

Gents,

JRT,

While we continue to wage war in the air, I thought y'all might like an update on the career of Edward 'Steady Eddy' Adams. MC&Bar, DSC, CdeG.

He has now amassed a total of 24 victories and 18 balloons, been promoted to 2nd Leiutenant and traded in his four bronze palms for a single silver one. The bridge between officers and other ranks requires that he attend the OTC to familiarize himself with the many social graces which may not be readily appreciated by the unwashed masses.

Just a few points for attention are;

How to eat with one's mouth closed.

What toilet paper is used for.

The hygienic advantages of wearing underpants.

Waiting until a lady is out of earshot before commenting on her various attributes. Such observations as; 'Look at the rudder on that', 'I bet you wouldn't get many of those to the pound' and 'I reckon she could suck a golf ball through a fifty foot hosepipe', are quite unacceptable.

When dining, remember to only relieve flatulence and other pent-up gasses later on in the garden while enjoying a good cigar.

He has all this and much more to absorb prior to a final interview with Lt. Colonel Belchford Wynde-Braker DSO, MC.

Folks,

LOL! The social edicts of the Victorian age continue to repress us! I see that my unabridged, much dog-eared copy of Emile Post includes those prohibitions plus a few others.


One should refrain from spitting on the floor during any formal dinner. If you simply must spit then slowly bring your hand, palm toward you, in front of your mouth and, pretending to clear your throat, spit straight down your cuff (Caution!Only if you are also wearing a coat). Then wipe the evidence of tobacco juice from your lips by patting them dry with your neighbor's napkin, thus keeping your napkin pristine.

Such exclamations of praise, no matter how deeply felt, such as "Cor this here nosh ain't half bad yer Grace." should be kept to a minimum.

Not since Roman times has a loud belch after every course been considered a compliment to the lady of the house.

When offered an after dinner drink by your host graciously accept a single glass. It is generally considered to be poor taste to take the whole bottle.

Never, never, never under any conceivable circumstance must you publicly comment, even in a favorable manner, on any part of your hostess's anatomy especially her bosoms or her derrière.

Although it may seriously limit your ability to verbally communicate; social decorum strictly prohibits the English gentleman's use of the word "bloody" when ladies are present.

Probably the best description of one person's version of social etiquette was spoken by a character played by the actor Richard Boone in a western movie. He stated that he always removed his cigar in the presence of a lady....anything else he might be privileged to remove was, from that point, left entirely up to the lady.

Folks,

MG:

I updated to the latest Flash and Shockwave players. That popup persists on the main page but no longer here. All ads are loading here. I believe the problem with the warning popup appearing on the main page is a "Double Click sponsored" ad that has failed to run because I have the 'Double Click' domain specifically blocked. I have noticed the same pop up message on a few other websites as well. Double Click is everywhere.

Here are a few more links to BoB oriented videos that I enjoyed viewing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfhAMwgJTc4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv8rFPLN_Fg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBCnsjuCExk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9YVei2Yb_k

Folks,

Oooops! I typed too soon. As soon as I submitted my last post the popup popped up and another Double Click ad had failed to load because of my security settings. So be it.

Thanks for the vids Rog, will check them out.

Speaking of Double, no, not double shots or Jack Daniels, but double clicks, I wonder if this same thingy is what causes me to have to click twice or sometimes thrice on the browsers back button, before actually letting me go back a step.

Folks,

MG:

Could be. Or maybe your cursor is bent....

As you know, Double Click is a profitable part of Google that spreads ads across the Internet just as Johnny Appleseed once sewed apple seeds across America. At one point I was concerned about their privacy policy. If accepting Double Click ads keeps this site open and free I certainly have no objection to them and I can certainly live with the pop ups as well.