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Staying in Messes

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Old 29th Apr 2009, 13:36
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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
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Old 29th Apr 2009, 13:59
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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.
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Old 29th Apr 2009, 14:12
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we're heading up to Lossiemouth over Christmas for a week
Thought it was April still, or have I overslept and it's October? Please don't start on Christmas when we haven't yet had the disappointment that is an English summer.
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Old 29th Apr 2009, 14:42
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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
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Old 29th Apr 2009, 14:54
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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
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Old 29th Apr 2009, 15:02
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AA

Where is the brightside ?
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Old 29th Apr 2009, 15:06
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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

Hmmm bright side - interesting choice of words
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Old 29th Apr 2009, 19:55
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Unless Mrs Maxibon has a hoover capable of picking up WiFi PPRuNe she'll be none the wiser.
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Old 29th Apr 2009, 21:05
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The hoover was her Christmas present and she thinks WiFi is the soldiers equivalent of an online encyclopaedia
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Old 29th Apr 2009, 21:42
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Famous last words, usually followed by "Where do I send the monthly cheque too?"
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Old 30th Apr 2009, 07:43
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Originally Posted by Maxibon
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
Had you thought of asking the aged grandparent not to feed them chocolate ? It may be a cheaper alternative than the mess/ B&B
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Old 30th Apr 2009, 08:51
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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....
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Old 30th Apr 2009, 09:22
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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
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Old 30th Apr 2009, 12:27
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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.......
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Old 30th Apr 2009, 12:49
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I remember living in the Mess; we used to love the pads moving in with their sproggs
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Old 30th Apr 2009, 15:01
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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.
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Old 30th Apr 2009, 15:04
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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.
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Old 30th Apr 2009, 16:52
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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.
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Old 30th Apr 2009, 17:16
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No just a tight Git
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Old 30th Apr 2009, 17:26
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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.
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