Drinking Culture in the RAF Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
The Akrotiri Pig
Having read a few of the foregoing inputs to this thread, the subject of the Akrotiri Block bar brings back some seriously amusing thoughts. I was posted to Akrotiri in August 1973. A Jnr Tech it was my second posting since leaving Halton. I was still single at this point and was accommodated in a four man room in the old, sub standard side of the accommodation area. Whilst the posh side had the Peninsular Club etc, we had a WRVS club (home of the weekly country club) and NAAFI bar. All good stuff, but I digress.
The room I was alloted was shared with two, like myself, hard working, learning to drink fellow airmen Gary and John, both SACs working on Bomber wing. Gary a Radio Mech, John an Airframe Mech. The fourth bed space in the room had an empty locker and bed. Stay with me, it's relevant! It's about two weeks before Christmas 1973 and Gary and John have gone out for a night in Limassol. We had been discussing a theme for a block bar, none of the other rooms in the block had plans for one, and we thought, with having the spare bed space we could do something. Saturday morning, I wake up alone. No Gary or John, an all nighter was not that unusual. And then they arrived.
Gary had a sack over his back, in it was a "spaniel" sized pig that was screaming away like a banshee. Still obviously the worse for wear from the night out they explained the plan. We were to enter the block bar competition as "The Pigs Bar", complete with authentic pig. Jackie Grunt, as we came to know him was corralled in the spare bed space using packing cases etc. a rough bar was put together and the whole block contributed to the purchase of bar stock. Jackie Grunt was fed on a daily basis from leftovers everyone scrounged from our "sub standard" mess. All was well, he even settled into a routine after a couple of days and allowed us to sleep at night. My previous experience of working on a farm ensured the room didn't get too "whiffy". Fame began when a whole VC10 crew arrived to see the pig, it seems that somehow it had got back to Brize, they duly had a crew photo at the bar, and off they went. Over the following days/nights we had Hercules and Brittania crews visiting from the UK, plus many local Squadron Crews 9, 35, 56, 70 and 84.
Christmas Eve arrived, as I remember a Monday, and judging day for the block bars. The Station Commander, Air Commodore D P Hall, was to visit as many bars as possible, and select the best. As we had finished work at our usual 1300 hours, the bar was in full swing, with Gary deciding to allow Jackie Grunt a pint of Keo (or two). With loud Beatles stuff coming from the record player, it was going a treat. Around 1900 "the Staish" arrived to check us out. It was only as he walked in that we realised two things. His wife was accompanying him and the pig had stopped oinking. In fact the pig, by now as drunk as a (Skunk)? had collapsed in the middle of the floor, lying alongside him, bollock naked and an arm around Jackie was Gary, happily out of his tree. "The Staish" and wife graciously accepted a swift half, said not a word about the pig and the airman on the floor and then made their exit, what a Lady and Gentleman. The Sgt Policeman who arrested Gary, for attempted bestiality, was not so gentlemanly and off they went to the guardroom for the formal procedure. The pig lasted until the new year, when the RAFP obviously remembered that there had been a pig involved. I believe that the Station Commander had intervened in charges, and Gary was let off with a warning. A week later he and John were given 24 hours to remove the pig from the unit. Which they did.
I'm sorry to drift from the serious topic of the drinking culture, but mention of the Akrotiri Christmas block bars brought that back to me. I don't know if anyone remembers the " Akrotiri Pig", I certainly remember it, the crews from all over who had to "see it to believe it", and did, would surely remember it. I heard at the time that it had been mentioned in both the Lyneham Globe and the Brize Gateway ? Magazines. 4 months later, I was married and left the block, with the coup, invasion and subsequent run down of what was a fabulous station I never saw either Gary or John again. But I always have a little chuckle when I see a "spaniel" sized pig.
Smudge
The room I was alloted was shared with two, like myself, hard working, learning to drink fellow airmen Gary and John, both SACs working on Bomber wing. Gary a Radio Mech, John an Airframe Mech. The fourth bed space in the room had an empty locker and bed. Stay with me, it's relevant! It's about two weeks before Christmas 1973 and Gary and John have gone out for a night in Limassol. We had been discussing a theme for a block bar, none of the other rooms in the block had plans for one, and we thought, with having the spare bed space we could do something. Saturday morning, I wake up alone. No Gary or John, an all nighter was not that unusual. And then they arrived.
Gary had a sack over his back, in it was a "spaniel" sized pig that was screaming away like a banshee. Still obviously the worse for wear from the night out they explained the plan. We were to enter the block bar competition as "The Pigs Bar", complete with authentic pig. Jackie Grunt, as we came to know him was corralled in the spare bed space using packing cases etc. a rough bar was put together and the whole block contributed to the purchase of bar stock. Jackie Grunt was fed on a daily basis from leftovers everyone scrounged from our "sub standard" mess. All was well, he even settled into a routine after a couple of days and allowed us to sleep at night. My previous experience of working on a farm ensured the room didn't get too "whiffy". Fame began when a whole VC10 crew arrived to see the pig, it seems that somehow it had got back to Brize, they duly had a crew photo at the bar, and off they went. Over the following days/nights we had Hercules and Brittania crews visiting from the UK, plus many local Squadron Crews 9, 35, 56, 70 and 84.
Christmas Eve arrived, as I remember a Monday, and judging day for the block bars. The Station Commander, Air Commodore D P Hall, was to visit as many bars as possible, and select the best. As we had finished work at our usual 1300 hours, the bar was in full swing, with Gary deciding to allow Jackie Grunt a pint of Keo (or two). With loud Beatles stuff coming from the record player, it was going a treat. Around 1900 "the Staish" arrived to check us out. It was only as he walked in that we realised two things. His wife was accompanying him and the pig had stopped oinking. In fact the pig, by now as drunk as a (Skunk)? had collapsed in the middle of the floor, lying alongside him, bollock naked and an arm around Jackie was Gary, happily out of his tree. "The Staish" and wife graciously accepted a swift half, said not a word about the pig and the airman on the floor and then made their exit, what a Lady and Gentleman. The Sgt Policeman who arrested Gary, for attempted bestiality, was not so gentlemanly and off they went to the guardroom for the formal procedure. The pig lasted until the new year, when the RAFP obviously remembered that there had been a pig involved. I believe that the Station Commander had intervened in charges, and Gary was let off with a warning. A week later he and John were given 24 hours to remove the pig from the unit. Which they did.
I'm sorry to drift from the serious topic of the drinking culture, but mention of the Akrotiri Christmas block bars brought that back to me. I don't know if anyone remembers the " Akrotiri Pig", I certainly remember it, the crews from all over who had to "see it to believe it", and did, would surely remember it. I heard at the time that it had been mentioned in both the Lyneham Globe and the Brize Gateway ? Magazines. 4 months later, I was married and left the block, with the coup, invasion and subsequent run down of what was a fabulous station I never saw either Gary or John again. But I always have a little chuckle when I see a "spaniel" sized pig.
Smudge
Last edited by smujsmith; 2nd Jul 2013 at 22:02.
You may call this a culture but in my time it was a way of life!
It was also a way of life in the civilian longhaul operation!
Things have changed and that is up to the individuals now engaged in the flying game. In my day they would have been called "whimps" if they did not join in the happy hour celebrations or the tree party!
But that's another story.
I loved the flying, the drinking and the socialising! Great times and wonderful memories!
It was also a way of life in the civilian longhaul operation!
Things have changed and that is up to the individuals now engaged in the flying game. In my day they would have been called "whimps" if they did not join in the happy hour celebrations or the tree party!
But that's another story.
I loved the flying, the drinking and the socialising! Great times and wonderful memories!
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Smudge
That has to be one of the best mess stories I have ever heard.
I have known CO's / OC's to totally ignore / step over things that are so
out of place as your Staish and his wife did but that is a good story.
That has to be one of the best mess stories I have ever heard.
I have known CO's / OC's to totally ignore / step over things that are so
out of place as your Staish and his wife did but that is a good story.
Last edited by 500N; 2nd Jul 2013 at 22:05.
Smudge, the pig may have been a relative of Waddo Raven Clubs "Pig of the week" awarded in the Sunday evening disco during the late 60s early 70s.
Bars had always been open during exercises, until, for no apparent reason, all bars were ordered to close down half way through one. Some years later, telling this tale to a colleague who started to laugh. He advised that this was attributable to his brother in law who had been stationed at Scampton at the time.
Apparently the night shift had sought refuge in the Rugby Club during their supper break. Returning to work, the BiL decided to "borrow" a flying jacket from one of the aircrew. Unbeknown to him, the jacket contained a very very important document. The ensuing hue and cry resulted in closure of all bars on all V stations from that point onwards during exercises.
However, one particular Taceval, cannot recall which part, but it was the one the station were given notice of, someone decided it would be a good idea to bring everyone in on the Sunday lunchtime in readiness for the hooter. Damn fine idea totally overlooking the fact that as no exercise had been called the pigs bar was open as usual. The only difference being they were stood four deep at the bar all the way through to 2pm closing, singlies, scaleys, all filling their boots. Even after that, sufficient supplies had been purchased to ensure a jolly afternoon was had by all. I cannot remember what time the hooter went, but I do remember lots of people being herded into crewrooms to sleep off their enjoyment. Funny old thing, they never brought us in early again.
Bars had always been open during exercises, until, for no apparent reason, all bars were ordered to close down half way through one. Some years later, telling this tale to a colleague who started to laugh. He advised that this was attributable to his brother in law who had been stationed at Scampton at the time.
Apparently the night shift had sought refuge in the Rugby Club during their supper break. Returning to work, the BiL decided to "borrow" a flying jacket from one of the aircrew. Unbeknown to him, the jacket contained a very very important document. The ensuing hue and cry resulted in closure of all bars on all V stations from that point onwards during exercises.
However, one particular Taceval, cannot recall which part, but it was the one the station were given notice of, someone decided it would be a good idea to bring everyone in on the Sunday lunchtime in readiness for the hooter. Damn fine idea totally overlooking the fact that as no exercise had been called the pigs bar was open as usual. The only difference being they were stood four deep at the bar all the way through to 2pm closing, singlies, scaleys, all filling their boots. Even after that, sufficient supplies had been purchased to ensure a jolly afternoon was had by all. I cannot remember what time the hooter went, but I do remember lots of people being herded into crewrooms to sleep off their enjoyment. Funny old thing, they never brought us in early again.
Last edited by dkh51250; 2nd Jul 2013 at 23:16.
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Boozing?
There has been a sea change in the boozing culture : When I arrived in the mob we were all wee baby boys determined to succeed, so heads in books. Can't do that with a hangover. Holidays were for chasing snatch and getting drunk.
By the time you'd been through the system and actually been posted off to an operational station the booze just flowed and flowed. It was silly really and I'm no prude. The longest serving officers were the worst offenders.
Into civvie aviation and a company with some senior pilots who were ex FAA - I'd say they all had a serious drink problem in today's terms. Sundays, if not on standby, all would meet up at a designated home / apartment at lunchtime. those guys would have started on the gin before the morning coffee and it showed by 1500.......Their wives, alas were in the habit of trying to keep up to the extent when hubby / bidie in' was on a night stop would do a bottle a night.
I personally knew two guys who arrived home to find their wives dead.
(It's the bleeding out from the stomach / throat due to continual alcohol abuse).
Another guy I knew, lost his medical due to alcohol problems, was being taken care of by his wife who was a pilot also - she drank and drank. Top lady and an excellent pilot. She ended up banged up for 3 years after killing a pedestrian whilst driving home from the pub..........they let her out after a year and she promptly got her job back. Didn't drink again, ever. Hubby had died when she was in pokey.
The problem with grog is that it so insidious in catching folks - I've been there after my divorce and getting it down to sensible levels is no easy task.
(Even as I speak Mrs TT2 is scoffing a bottle of Leo and me a Chang, but we are out for scoff in a few minutes and there won't be any more beer tonight. )
Coming from a trawling city, which became the Scottish Oil Klondike, the sheer havoc caused by folks hitting the beach and proceeding to get utterly smashed became a nuisance - whether fishers or offshore workers.
These days - if I decide to fly, then it is a full 24 hours alcohol free.
Mind you, if I'm down the back and not driving then keep the bacardis coming. One gets bored.........
By the time you'd been through the system and actually been posted off to an operational station the booze just flowed and flowed. It was silly really and I'm no prude. The longest serving officers were the worst offenders.
Into civvie aviation and a company with some senior pilots who were ex FAA - I'd say they all had a serious drink problem in today's terms. Sundays, if not on standby, all would meet up at a designated home / apartment at lunchtime. those guys would have started on the gin before the morning coffee and it showed by 1500.......Their wives, alas were in the habit of trying to keep up to the extent when hubby / bidie in' was on a night stop would do a bottle a night.
I personally knew two guys who arrived home to find their wives dead.
(It's the bleeding out from the stomach / throat due to continual alcohol abuse).
Another guy I knew, lost his medical due to alcohol problems, was being taken care of by his wife who was a pilot also - she drank and drank. Top lady and an excellent pilot. She ended up banged up for 3 years after killing a pedestrian whilst driving home from the pub..........they let her out after a year and she promptly got her job back. Didn't drink again, ever. Hubby had died when she was in pokey.
The problem with grog is that it so insidious in catching folks - I've been there after my divorce and getting it down to sensible levels is no easy task.
(Even as I speak Mrs TT2 is scoffing a bottle of Leo and me a Chang, but we are out for scoff in a few minutes and there won't be any more beer tonight. )
Coming from a trawling city, which became the Scottish Oil Klondike, the sheer havoc caused by folks hitting the beach and proceeding to get utterly smashed became a nuisance - whether fishers or offshore workers.
These days - if I decide to fly, then it is a full 24 hours alcohol free.
Mind you, if I'm down the back and not driving then keep the bacardis coming. One gets bored.........
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The drinking culture has definitely evolved the the right direction as in it is far less prevalent now than it was 20 years ago. It is, however one of the ways we bond. Friendships are formed, trust is gained and good times are had, usually by all. There's no reason at all for it not to continue in it's current moderated form and for the most part people are sensible enough these days to have booked a day after a planned sesh.
"Alcohol. ..the cause of and the answer to, all of life's little problems! " - Homer Simpson
"Alcohol. ..the cause of and the answer to, all of life's little problems! " - Homer Simpson
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I spent some years being trained to out drink the Crabs.At Greenham one year it was decided to send out a Recce for a Red Sparrow Hunt.The Crimson Crabs were no longer in the same Hotac as the rest of us,after trying to win a Cocktail Competition previously.The Recce party duly returned having found same with their Red MGBGTs(Courtesy of BMC)parked in formation on the pan outside their lodgings.Armed with masking tape,mackerels and herrings,potatoes,the Boss led us to spike them!The deed was done and the results were expected at Briefing the following AM.Absolutely nothing was mentioned,except a challenge in the OC later after the Display,together with a few of the Yanks who were up for it.Happy days,and the mention of the Port in the North,brought further memories of later Airline flying when forced to go to the "Runway" for steak and chips ,and heavies, to find an entire Bar full of Chopper Pukes partying the night away.I thought I had left that behind in the ACN Crew Room flying for "Big Oggas",a few years before.I think we all worked hard,and so played hard.
Memories are also aroused of the Late John Blake,who was an excellent raconteur and drinker.At one Farnborough,at the Queens Hotel,we had drunk all the Beer,when John appeared with a gigantic Silver Salvour,into which he poured Champers and Guiness,with which the night passed into obscurity.I could not stand Black Velvet after that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Only other memory was the Philosan Four won the Formation Aerobatic Trophy,or was that at Greenham!!!!!!!?
Memories are also aroused of the Late John Blake,who was an excellent raconteur and drinker.At one Farnborough,at the Queens Hotel,we had drunk all the Beer,when John appeared with a gigantic Silver Salvour,into which he poured Champers and Guiness,with which the night passed into obscurity.I could not stand Black Velvet after that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Only other memory was the Philosan Four won the Formation Aerobatic Trophy,or was that at Greenham!!!!!!!?
Last edited by FAStoat; 3rd Jul 2013 at 11:20.
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14 Sqn had "The Naked Ninja"
During a detachment to Gibraltar a couple of the guys were invited on to a RN Frigate where drinking ensued, one of the guys returned with an Anti Flash Mask.
Lying in bed after a heavy session the door burst open and in storms "The Naked Ninja" totally bollock naked bar the white anti flash hood, screams AwwwwHHHHHH "The Naked Ninja" strikes, adopts a kung fu'ie type pose, then is gone leaving us all bemused.
Roll on a few days and the police bar is booked for the leaving party, the police bar was one of those buildings that had wooden bars across the ceiling running down it's length and the ceiling painted black to give the illusion of a lower more cosy room height... anyway the party was in full swing when in storms "The Naked Ninja" followed by his Banshee scream, up he hops on the bar waving his parts at everyone and then starts to swing from beam to beam as he sets off down the room, several beams in a loud crack is heard ( and seen ) "The Naked Ninja" complete with artifical ceiling comes crashing down.... The police investigation begins into who is "The Naked Ninja" who wrecked their bar...... I do not believe he was found, the Aircrew when departing found all of their bicycle saddles missing, so set off across the runway home sadleless where they are stopped by the said police who try to arrest them, I believe the boss was waiting in the Staishes outer office before he got in to explain the nights entertainment before he heard it from his staff..
During a detachment to Gibraltar a couple of the guys were invited on to a RN Frigate where drinking ensued, one of the guys returned with an Anti Flash Mask.
Lying in bed after a heavy session the door burst open and in storms "The Naked Ninja" totally bollock naked bar the white anti flash hood, screams AwwwwHHHHHH "The Naked Ninja" strikes, adopts a kung fu'ie type pose, then is gone leaving us all bemused.
Roll on a few days and the police bar is booked for the leaving party, the police bar was one of those buildings that had wooden bars across the ceiling running down it's length and the ceiling painted black to give the illusion of a lower more cosy room height... anyway the party was in full swing when in storms "The Naked Ninja" followed by his Banshee scream, up he hops on the bar waving his parts at everyone and then starts to swing from beam to beam as he sets off down the room, several beams in a loud crack is heard ( and seen ) "The Naked Ninja" complete with artifical ceiling comes crashing down.... The police investigation begins into who is "The Naked Ninja" who wrecked their bar...... I do not believe he was found, the Aircrew when departing found all of their bicycle saddles missing, so set off across the runway home sadleless where they are stopped by the said police who try to arrest them, I believe the boss was waiting in the Staishes outer office before he got in to explain the nights entertainment before he heard it from his staff..
Last edited by NutLoose; 3rd Jul 2013 at 11:50.
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Tankertrashnav and PN
I remember the incident well. I was holding at Bawtry as OC Accts prior to the Big Delta OCU at Finningley. On the Mon morning after said DiN, SASO appeared in my office with a clearance chit !in person!
The details are largely correct, although I believe the DiN was at waddo.
The details are largely correct, although I believe the DiN was at waddo.
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Pete,
I agree - I have a two or three beers now and I'm mellow enough.. thats good enough for me. In the 80s and 90s especially, we used to do things that were good (at the time), but now, looking back.. they were just plain wrong and an abrogation of personal and professional responsibility. I remember the good times that revolved around booze, but if things had gone wrong, it'd be a different story.
I still like hanging one on, but only on the exception and not the rule - and if it has been a long week, I enjoy unwinding with a couple of decent beers, a nice bottle of Reisling, Southern Comfort, Llagavulin or G&T but my brain has finally caught up with my body. I'll enjoy a few this weekend watching the final Test and the Singles finals but booze (now) supports a good day and isn't the precursor of one.
We would sometimes be pulled in long before first light, de-bomb, clean weapons, hand in, and be half cut on cocktail brandy before nosebag. The next day, we'd be out again for 7-14 days.. it was what we did. Good times with some great people. I remember once, being told to get into the driver's compartment in a Scorpian in flip flops and Ron Hills in order to respond to an Arab ground attack, with 'x' pints of local finest inside me.
I don't mean to sound sanctimonious; I wish I could go back to some of those piss ups! But I'm pleased I can't - I'm just glad I can look back on them a) at all, and b) with fondness.
I agree - I have a two or three beers now and I'm mellow enough.. thats good enough for me. In the 80s and 90s especially, we used to do things that were good (at the time), but now, looking back.. they were just plain wrong and an abrogation of personal and professional responsibility. I remember the good times that revolved around booze, but if things had gone wrong, it'd be a different story.
I still like hanging one on, but only on the exception and not the rule - and if it has been a long week, I enjoy unwinding with a couple of decent beers, a nice bottle of Reisling, Southern Comfort, Llagavulin or G&T but my brain has finally caught up with my body. I'll enjoy a few this weekend watching the final Test and the Singles finals but booze (now) supports a good day and isn't the precursor of one.
We would sometimes be pulled in long before first light, de-bomb, clean weapons, hand in, and be half cut on cocktail brandy before nosebag. The next day, we'd be out again for 7-14 days.. it was what we did. Good times with some great people. I remember once, being told to get into the driver's compartment in a Scorpian in flip flops and Ron Hills in order to respond to an Arab ground attack, with 'x' pints of local finest inside me.
I don't mean to sound sanctimonious; I wish I could go back to some of those piss ups! But I'm pleased I can't - I'm just glad I can look back on them a) at all, and b) with fondness.
The drinking culture has definitely evolved the the right direction as in it is far less prevalent now than it was 20 years ago. It is, however one of the ways we bond. Friendships are formed, trust is gained and good times are had, usually by all. There's no reason at all for it not to continue in it's current moderated form and for the most part people are sensible enough these days to have booked a day after a planned sesh.
"Alcohol. ..the cause of and the answer to, all of life's little problems! " - Homer Simpson
"Alcohol. ..the cause of and the answer to, all of life's little problems! " - Homer Simpson
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Drunk and naked
The Naked Ninja is similar to our own Phantomstreaker, a mystical creature who would appear at random formal functions from behind a curtain or side door. He would run stark naked balls and all through the said function wearing only a Zorro typeface mask.
The alleged guilty suspect would of course at the next function be in full conversation with the WO and SENGO who would scream blue murder that they thought you were the guilty airman.
Final appearances could be seen at RAF Cosford in the Cpls Club leaning naked against the bar with a pint.
Rumours have it he still comes out of retirement at Bruntingthorpe from time to time.......
The alleged guilty suspect would of course at the next function be in full conversation with the WO and SENGO who would scream blue murder that they thought you were the guilty airman.
Final appearances could be seen at RAF Cosford in the Cpls Club leaning naked against the bar with a pint.
Rumours have it he still comes out of retirement at Bruntingthorpe from time to time.......
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Many pitfalls mentioned here when under the influence. This one I sorely remember.
Tumbling out of a bar in the Bukit Timah road in the early hrs. Hail some beaten up Merc taxi and in we get, with me in the front asking. ''How much to Tengah?'' ''$20 John'', came the reply. '' 'We're not paying that much, right chaps all out'' I cry.
Out I leap from the taxi only to see it speed off with my three mates! The road now looks deserted so I start walking, eventually a taxi stops ''you want taxi John?''. In I get, rather thankfully, I'm on duty in three hours time. Arrive at Tengah. ''How much?'' ''$30 please.'' I quietly pay up!
At work when the chaps ask how I got back I mumble something about cadging a lift
Forking out $30 instead of 5...hurt!
Tumbling out of a bar in the Bukit Timah road in the early hrs. Hail some beaten up Merc taxi and in we get, with me in the front asking. ''How much to Tengah?'' ''$20 John'', came the reply. '' 'We're not paying that much, right chaps all out'' I cry.
Out I leap from the taxi only to see it speed off with my three mates! The road now looks deserted so I start walking, eventually a taxi stops ''you want taxi John?''. In I get, rather thankfully, I'm on duty in three hours time. Arrive at Tengah. ''How much?'' ''$30 please.'' I quietly pay up!
At work when the chaps ask how I got back I mumble something about cadging a lift Forking out $30 instead of 5...hurt!
I was 16 1/2 when I joined (and looked it) but was immersed straight into the drinking culture and by the time I was 18, was well able to keep up with the pros. I remember being woken up at the crack of dawn by the sound of the birds chirping as they fought for the bits after being sick out of the barrack block window (because it was nearer than the toilets). There was several of us that were all under age on the squadron and we were all exactly the same. Living in, you spent the evenings in the pub or the NAAFI. The only time you didn't drink was on nights and you couldn't make supper. We looked after each other though and everybody got home to bed at the end of the night and we made sure we were all up for work the next day.
Detachments and beer calls were also good for a 3-man lift or a game of spoons. They were fun. Never saw anything like it in civvy street though.
Glory days? Well maybe, but I didn't have much to show for all the money I earnt afterwards. If it'd been todays prices, I'm not sure we would have drunk so much though. Maybe another reason the culture has changed.
Detachments and beer calls were also good for a 3-man lift or a game of spoons. They were fun. Never saw anything like it in civvy street though.
Glory days? Well maybe, but I didn't have much to show for all the money I earnt afterwards. If it'd been todays prices, I'm not sure we would have drunk so much though. Maybe another reason the culture has changed.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Goudie reminds me, and it could even have been TTN 
but we fell in with a bad crowd somewhere in Singapore. I don't remember the details (to spare the guilty blushes), but the night seemed to start trying to get some beers and the 'best' place was a brothel.
Coming down the stairs one night we met a bunch of Aussies coming up. We tried to stop them as the place was a dead loss. We almost came to blows.
At the next venue we again met the Aussies coming up the stairs. As they now realised we were friend and not foe we fell in and set off.
At some point we joined up with a Victor 1 crew.. A few beers later, and the Victor captain in charge, piled in to this taxi with instructions to take us to a live porn show. There followed a wild tour of the less salubrious parts of Singapore with the taxi driver stopping frequently trying to find a show.
Eventually we arrived at a timber yard where it turned out there was a blue movie. We're not paying said the Victor tanker captain as you didn't take us where we wanted to go. I have no idea if he was paid.
Anyway, in the yard, we entered this small room, benches made of sawn timber log cuts and a flickering Super 8 camera illuminating two white civilians in long-sleeved white shirts and trousers. The Victor and Vulcan crew chiefs!
but we fell in with a bad crowd somewhere in Singapore. I don't remember the details (to spare the guilty blushes), but the night seemed to start trying to get some beers and the 'best' place was a brothel.Coming down the stairs one night we met a bunch of Aussies coming up. We tried to stop them as the place was a dead loss. We almost came to blows.
At the next venue we again met the Aussies coming up the stairs. As they now realised we were friend and not foe we fell in and set off.
At some point we joined up with a Victor 1 crew.. A few beers later, and the Victor captain in charge, piled in to this taxi with instructions to take us to a live porn show. There followed a wild tour of the less salubrious parts of Singapore with the taxi driver stopping frequently trying to find a show.
Eventually we arrived at a timber yard where it turned out there was a blue movie. We're not paying said the Victor tanker captain as you didn't take us where we wanted to go. I have no idea if he was paid.
Anyway, in the yard, we entered this small room, benches made of sawn timber log cuts and a flickering Super 8 camera illuminating two white civilians in long-sleeved white shirts and trousers. The Victor and Vulcan crew chiefs!