I've dug out the old nautical tassels (navy and white with "pips" in the appropriate places) and also the rubber dinghy in case of accidents - Julie is sure to fall off the funnel thingy, so we'll need to rescue her. I've pm'd the Commodore, and he has invited me to do an "oar" dance (not poles on board ship, you understand). He has asked that Kathleen keep the snake under close control, or she will be thrown into the brig.

Hmmmm....the thought of those Swarthy pirates!

One would hope so Eleanor.

and Orlando, of course!!!!!!!!!

I am having a special life jacket designed where you can keep a whole bottle of wine AND a box of chocs dry and easy to reach...does anybody else want me to order them one? And if so, what colours?

Blue and white with a yellow lion for me please. Will it hold a pernod bottle - one and a half litre size?

Eleanor x

Shocking pink, blood red and luminous orange for me please, Amanda and a pocket big enough to hold a barrel of beer, a cafetiere, a 2lb bag of sugar and a pint of milk - thanks - oh, and a kettle, 10 wine goblets and a few pint pots - oh and some spoons and straws

Apologies ladies for my absence, I've been very busy organising our cruise trip, and got carried away dare I say with testing out the lads who'd applied for the frisking job; turns out 24 applied so I was kept very.... busy, and I'm now worn out. Gosh, it took me a longtime to narrow it down to just one! Well, I hope you will be pleased with my choice.

Sorry Kathleen I am not perfect, I have placed a special request for Whisky and asked that you be put 3rd inline in the frisking queue. LOL Lizzie you will just have to make do with what's on offer.

By-the-by, there will be NO special exemptions to allow anyone from our party to board early, even if they have offered to entertain.

Amanda, please could you order me a gold lurex life jacket with red sequins?, I think I'm a size 0 I'll be sharing Jean's stash!

It'll take all of 30 seconds to practise your old routine! And 30 seconds more before they sack you! Unless of course you can smuggle a pole on board because at least that is entertaining! (he, he, he.) Remember when Mary got stuck on the chandelier while up the pole in the Hilton (or was it Travel lodge?). Then when you borrowed Jean's spotty knickers, when you lost your own SOMEWHERE NAMELESS, and they caught on the door frame leaving you swinging around upside down for a good 5 minutes before you were hooked down?

Let them go first Barbara! It'll be worth it just to see them dance/perform! You never know what treat could be in store!

Eleanor x

Well we could always barbecue the chicken if we get stranded on a desert island!

Eleanor.....it was the Travel Lodge.

You won`t forget to make sure they are waterproof, Amanda, will you?? I hate soggy chocolate.