Author: ddraigmor

What can I say? Used to write copiously - won many short story competitions, had a monthly column in an international specialist hobby magazine - and then it all suddenly dried up around the time I went academic and found myself, as a mature student, at Uni! Studied in Oxford, got a job on graduation - and stayed here in a rented house despite dreams to go back to the land of my birth,Wales. fat chance of that; I don't speak the language so that's a bar! Did 20 years at sea mostly on tugs or tug related shipping, as an Able Seaman. Als was a member of my home town lifeboat crew. Medically discharged around the same time as my wife decided it would be a good idea to get a divorce, I went to college aged 37. I now work as a s[pecialist forensic social worker. Well, up until last year when they dragged me back to do generic work part time and allowed me to stay the other half in forensics - which I adore. I am probably the only anti-social worker you will ever meet! Single, I enjoy reading, watching movies, drawing and generally being a bit of an eccntric - or am I just odd? I haven't decided yet!

Of old ghosts and goodbyes

A reflection on days long gone.

I never really got used to saying goodbye when I was at sea. It’s part and parcel of the path you choose and yet was something I had to get used to. I have known men who never did get used to it and who, as a result, did some pretty silly things in the belief that it would somehow make it all OK. Me? I just thought it could never be just OK;  It was what it was. Continue reading “Of old ghosts and goodbyes”

Sea stories

I’m going to try to publish all the hack’s stories I have written on life at sea. Don’t panic, there’s not many You never know – it might encourage someone else to have a go – there has to be more ex sailors on here other than Alan and myself!

These are all true stories, by the way. In days when life was simpler, the craic better and the life itself? Oh aye….a great one. Better times than these…..

Coastal tugs are unimportant wee craft in the eyes of the pointed heads and Minor Gods who are Harbour Control. Invariably when you are on tugs and you enter a harbour, you get the worst berth the Harbour Master can find because – let’s face it – you are just a scruffy wee tug boat and in the great scheme of things, way down the list of really ‘important’ shipping.
Continue reading “Sea stories”