Staying in Messes
Thread Starter
Staying in Messes
It always used to be the case, in the good old days, that as a serving officer, you could book into a local mess - subject to availability - for recreational use. Is this still the case?
I ask as we're heading up to Lossiemouth over Christmas for a week and rather than stay with the aged grandparent, who insists on forcefeeding the children chocolate cocopops and chocolate spreaded butteries, we wondered if the new officers' mess with its detached rooms etc was suitable to take a family of 4.
Any advice greatly received.
M
I ask as we're heading up to Lossiemouth over Christmas for a week and rather than stay with the aged grandparent, who insists on forcefeeding the children chocolate cocopops and chocolate spreaded butteries, we wondered if the new officers' mess with its detached rooms etc was suitable to take a family of 4.
Any advice greatly received.
M
You can but unless the regs have changed recently (been Mess-less in London!) as you are not on duty you will pay "full whack" i.e. the non-entitled rate.
May be cheaper and more pleasant to find a local B&B / hotel.
And of course over Christmas you can bet they will have centralised messing / no bar / no papers etc.
May be cheaper and more pleasant to find a local B&B / hotel.
And of course over Christmas you can bet they will have centralised messing / no bar / no papers etc.
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Between the woods and the water
Age: 24
Posts: 6,487
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
we're heading up to Lossiemouth over Christmas for a week
Thread Starter
AA. The delights of having a neurotic, forward planning wife means my next 3 years of leave etc are all full covered. My sincere apologies for depressing you
![Bad teeth](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/badteeth.gif)
Red On, Green On
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Between the woods and the water
Age: 24
Posts: 6,487
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
having a neurotic, forward planning wife means my next 3 years of leave etc
![Evil](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/evil.gif)
Thread Starter
Quote:
having a neurotic, forward planning wife means my next 3 years of leave etc
Still, look on the bright side - she's not planning on divorcing you any time soon![](http://static.pprune.org/images/smilies/evil.gif)
Hmmm bright side - interesting choice of words
having a neurotic, forward planning wife means my next 3 years of leave etc
Still, look on the bright side - she's not planning on divorcing you any time soon
![](http://static.pprune.org/images/smilies/evil.gif)
Hmmm bright side - interesting choice of words
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Cardiff ex GLA
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It always used to be the case, in the good old days, that as a serving officer, you could book into a local mess - subject to availability - for recreational use. Is this still the case?
I ask as we're heading up to Lossiemouth over Christmas for a week and rather than stay with the aged grandparent, who insists on forcefeeding the children chocolate cocopops and chocolate spreaded butteries, we wondered if the new officers' mess with its detached rooms etc was suitable to take a family of 4.
Any advice greatly received.
M
I ask as we're heading up to Lossiemouth over Christmas for a week and rather than stay with the aged grandparent, who insists on forcefeeding the children chocolate cocopops and chocolate spreaded butteries, we wondered if the new officers' mess with its detached rooms etc was suitable to take a family of 4.
Any advice greatly received.
M
![Thumb](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/thumbs.gif)
What sort of a food fanatical lentilista could begrudge his kids some free choccy at C-word time from the ageing grandparent?
Just don't allow the kids near any DFMBs!
If you don't want to stay in an hotel or B&B, you could always take a tent....
Just don't allow the kids near any DFMBs!
If you don't want to stay in an hotel or B&B, you could always take a tent....
![Hmmm](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/yeees.gif)
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Out there somewhere
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Slight thread drift but this reminds me of an acquaintance who got married and then attended the Summer Ball to avoid paying for a Reception!
Sadly the marrage did not last all that long![Ugh](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies2/eusa_wall.gif)
Sadly the marrage did not last all that long
![Ugh](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies2/eusa_wall.gif)
![Boo Hoo](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/boohoo.gif)
Thread Starter
It's not me who grudges he chocolate etc, Mrs Maxibon is the one who has issues with the ageing relative. Apparently, no one ever gave birth or raised children before my wife did.......
![Ouch](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/shiner.gif)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: firmly on dry land
Age: 81
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Had to stay in a Pongo mess about 5 years ago, never again.
It had the same carpets I got rid of at Wittering 30+ years ago. Same curtains, same bedspread/bath towel.
A wash basin/u****l that was wholly insanitary as it was cracked, and a 'new' desk circa late 60s with the top neatly sliced from map cutting.
It had the same carpets I got rid of at Wittering 30+ years ago. Same curtains, same bedspread/bath towel.
A wash basin/u****l that was wholly insanitary as it was cracked, and a 'new' desk circa late 60s with the top neatly sliced from map cutting.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: firmly on dry land
Age: 81
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Back to the original question. We were booked into Lossie in February but in 'transit' rather than the Officers' Mess as the Mess was full. Realistically there is no way that Lossie would accept a mess booking this far ahead; the best you could hope for is a provisional booking in transit.
Best options are:
1. Do a quarter swap with someone.
2. No chocolate as already mentioned.
3. Learn to accept hyperchocactivity.
4. Book a B&B.
Best options are:
1. Do a quarter swap with someone.
2. No chocolate as already mentioned.
3. Learn to accept hyperchocactivity.
4. Book a B&B.
Thread Starter
You will no doubt be pleased to hear that we've booked a cottage nearby, thereby satisfying all parties, except the children's sugar hunger. Mrs Maxibon will have a more relaxed Christmas but I'll still be faced with the horrendous drive. Thanks to all who responded. Summer ball as a wedding party eh?! Hindsight is 20/20.
![Smilie](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: north of barlu
Posts: 6,208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maxibon
If you dont want to drive you could join the Benson flying club and rent an aircraft for xmas.
It will have you "oop norff" in no time (well about 2.5 hours) and no traffic jams! & the kids can plug the iPod into the intercom for IFE wile you are left to yourself & ATC.
It will have you "oop norff" in no time (well about 2.5 hours) and no traffic jams! & the kids can plug the iPod into the intercom for IFE wile you are left to yourself & ATC.