This should be my 1,000th post

[ash]

Has my ranking changed? Am I an Admiral yet? If I am, then I must have passed the test.

I’m so naive. I had thought that I just had to post 999 times, and the next one would do the trick. The previous Admirals must have been sworn to secrecy.

I've had to set up a Skype Conference Call with Silkie and Nick, and sit a verbal exam just like the Board of Trade.

The questions were many, wide ranging and varied.

There were questions on chapters of Neil Munro’s Para Handy.

I had to talk for 15 minutes on the relative merits of a genuine Bruce, a Rayna, a Spade, and a Rocna.

There were questions on the etiquettes involved with ensigns and burgees.

Questions were asked, and scenarios posed on the IRPCS, on day shapes, on lights.

I’m sure that there were other questions, but I had to match Silkie and Nick drink for drink as we each worked our way through a bottle of Loch Dhu, so it all became a bit hazy.

They then posed this scenario

“You intend to motor from Port Askaig to Feolin at a speed of 4.5Knts through the water. The date is 21 March 2011, and the time is 0900 hrs. What heading should you take?”

I looked at my charts, looked up my almanacs, flicked through my copy of tide tables, and studied Claymore’s Definitive Guide to Tidal Gates. Whizzed my slide rule back and forth, scribbled down figures and finally, triumphantly, and confidently gave my answer.

“Is that true?” asked Silkie

“Of course” says I, “Would I tell a lie on such an important occasion as this?”

Nick muttered something. I think that he said “that’s magnificent”, or the mutter might have been “magnetic”

Ash

[Nick]

.
Congratulations Admiral Ash

Thought you were sworn to secrecy as well

[Silkie]

Welcome to flag rank Ash.

For a while there I thought Arghiro might be going to pip you at the post.

[aquaplane]

Well done Ash.

The Admirals exam sounds to be a doddle after the Lieutenants exam.

[Arghiro]

Welcome to flag rank Ash.

For a while there I thought Arghiro might be going to pip you at the post.

He'd never have stayed quiet that long . . . .

Tho' I am on a bit of a run at the mo. Boredom is a wonderful motivator.

[Telo]

Has my ranking changed? Am I an Admiral yet? If I am, then I must have passed the test.

The improvement in rank and status is enjoyable, but you might miss the sodomy and lash.

[sahona]

So, what's the actual colour going to be then? (we're all born yellow are we not?)
And, Ash didn't mention his turn inside the barrel, or was it only me that had to do that...