My Journal by Harriman Nelson- Lean on Me

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My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

69

 

I thought last night would never end. Not only had we arrived at the Royal Navy base, Chip and I had been invited to supper by the base commander as I'd expected. He made sure we were feted as much as foreign dignitaries as well as NATO allies. I’m sure just about all of the officers based there had been summoned to greet the ‘Old Bag of Wind’ as Chip informed me later he’d overheard some of the younger officers say of me.


‘Old Bag of Wind’ indeed.

 

The food wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d feared. In fact, it was superb. We had an exquisite Roast Beef & Rumbledethumps, or sautéed onion, cabbage, and potato to accompany it. I think the chief cook, who I’d insisted on congratulating personally, was a bit awed by my appreciation. I got the impression he didn’t get much thanks. A native of Inverness, naturally he spent a few lighthearted minutes discussing the Loch Ness Monster and asked if I believed in it.

“Well,” I told him, “I have no doubt that something’s down there.”

Made his day, or evening...in any case, after he returned to the kitchens, the topics of discussion between the commodore and I turned to more technical matters, such as the latest in submarine design, and if Captain Nelson-Crane would be returning to Seaview now that his sight had returned and his culinary tour was about over.

“We hope so,” Chip said.

“Nothing’s definite yet,” I added.

“He’s a remarkable man,” the Commodore said. “I’d give my eye teeth to have a submarine captain of that caliber in my arsenal...though, I’ve heard, and please don’t take this personally, Admiral, that he can be, well, a handful.”

I laughed out loud, spilling my whiskey (which was very authentic Scottish). “You don’t know the half of it,” I managed.

“To Captain Nelson-Crane,” he made a toast to which I was delighted to share.

“To Her Majesty’s Royal Navy,” I responded in like, making our hosts very happy.

 

 

Chip and I returned to Seaview, over full, and even a bit, shall I say, tipsy, if my slight hangover today means anything.

 

It’s going to be a busy day, and I’m glad Chip had released most of the crew for shore leave, not that there’s much for them to see and do in the local village.

 

I can’t help thinking about Lee and what he and Joe might be doing today. I’m almost tempted to spy on him this morning, but there’s just too much to do, and the technical team’s arriving in a few minutes.

 

Entry #70