Cruise Chronicles, Day Two

[tikay]

Well, more an extension of Day One at the moment, I had to stop Posting last night, see explanation in the Day One Thread.

I've taken lots more nice pics too, see the Day One thread as to  why I can't load them right now.

[The_nun]

That is one pricey internet cafe...I will try to fly out and meet you on your next port of call...Shall i bring the maids outfit ...or stick to the Sailors one..

x

[tikay]

So, back to yesterday's flight.

Sat next to me, across the aisle, was a cruise-bound Phil Taylor, who was World Darts Champion about 84 times. I've heard it said he is the world's greatest sportsman, which is clearly a nonsense, but he must be some special darts player, that's for sure.

[ifm]

In terms of dominating a sport for so long there is none equal to "The Power", he is awesome, nice bloke too!

[Royal Flush]

Gl in the event tikay, when does it start?

[tikay]

No need to wear anything Maureen. Anything special, that is.

Back to the flight. In the row behind was World Heads-Up Champion Peter Gunnarson, with his partner, who is a stunningly beautiful looking lady of about 12 or 13. Maybe older, but it's hard to tell with some races. Peter & patner are Swedish nationals, but originate from, at a guess, Korea, or that part of the world.

Peter seems to have put a lot of weight on since I last saw him, especially around the face. He was on deck last night, with his young lady, they are clearly very much in love. I wish them both well.

[tikay]

ifm, yes, Phil was with his family, & was happily siigning autographs for all & sundry. I hjad my pen poised, but nobody asked me. There's a thing. Well they DID in the Mariott in Bormingham, mind you, some bugger set that up.

Flushy, the comp starts at midday today (in 3 hours), EVERYONE plays on Day One, I think there are about 300 runners. Chatted with Greg Amoils last night, it's a 10,000 chip, 60 minute clock jobbie. But it's scheduled for 5 days, can't see how it will last that long.

I'm torn between being "old tikay", grinding away, or new tikay, being all lairy. I guess it just depends how the table is, & whether it is a table suitable for misreads, so to speak.

[Royal Flush]

gl fella, no i dont see how it will last for 5 days either.

And tell Greg i say hi, and not to get me to agree to anything when i am drunk and in vegas!

That swine.

[tikay]

Back to the flight.

Quite by chance, John Shipley & I spotted each other, wow, I really like John a lot. Modest, self-effacing,  extremely intelligent & "sharp", GREAT tournie player. John is "sapphire" on blonde, & I had a pop at him, he's been one of the leading culprits in Posting on blonde about that daft childrens programme, "Deal or no Deal". How can ANYONE with a brain cell watch a programme hosted by Noel Edmonds? Sheesh.....

John is a fearsome table opponent, ask Greg Junior Hill! In Junior's first big tourney, when he got 2nd at Walsall for 36 grand (can't find the pound sterling key) John asked me "whose that damn kid who keeps stealing? Next time he plays back at me, I'm gonna move in on him". And Junior asked me "who is that geezer that keeps giving me long staredowns, I'm gonna move all-in on him next time he plays back at me".

In the EPT at The Vic, in Season One, he & Thewy clashed. I had taken 50% of Thewy - this was before he was sponsored, & Thewy had blown everyone away for 2 days, been chip leader all the time. And when they got down to Ten, Thewy was still chip leader, & I am thinking, "whahoo, 50% of 170k coming my way, luverly......" but then he clashed with The Ship twice in 3 hands, & was OUT! John went on to win it, from another new name - Burnley John, & I think Robert Cooper - playing as Bob Cook - was 3rd or 4th.

John is probably Dave Colclough's best mate in poker. Dave tells me that John was a full time professional punter on the greyhounds before he took up poker. It was said that if John even mentioned a dog's name, it's price shortened, apparently John had a legendary reputation as a judge of racing greyhounds. Think he used to punt at Monmore - is that a Birmingham track?

[tikay]

OK, last flight story.

Had a right shock, did not know what to think. I saw John Gale wheeled through the Departure Lounge, directly onto the flight, in a wheelchair. What a shock. John is a good friend, & I have no idea why he was in the wheelchair. Maybe he's broke his leg or summat, I just dont know what to think. Could hardly chase after the wheelchair & ask him what the problem was......

I have yet to see him on the boat, but I guess I will bump into him today, & let you know the svore.

John is SUCH a nice bloke, you cannot imagine what a gent he is. I do hope it's nothing serious.

[dik9]

Usually a nice ploy to get extra leg room

Seriously tho, hope he is OK!!

[tikay]

In the Transit Lounge at Port of Miami, I bumped into John Kabbaj & his jaw-droppingly beautiful wife. She's Russian, & could be Miss World.

So I'm thinking, life just gets better & better. Then I felt a tap on the shoulder, & it was James Browning, how, err, lovely. And the NEXT guy I saw was Phil Shaw, late of Poker Europa, now of Inside Edge.

Contrary to what peeps might think, I DO like James, but gawd almighty, he does go on a bit when at the table. He makes Ariston seem mute. And he puts his face right up close, there is no escaping. We did an Exit Interview with him at Southend last year, "just give us 30 seconds please James". 6 minutes later......Even Paul Parker goes quiet when James is at the table. But he is a lovely guy.

[tikay]

After boarding the boat yesterday, I headed off to the cafe, my luggage had not arrived yet, so time for a cuppa.

Not been sat there a minute, when I was joined by Jesse May & his wife, Mickey. Mickey is a professional photographer, & a lovely looking lady, very intelligent. Whereas as Jesse is just completely mad. He was wearing his bandana yesterday, which makes his hair stand up dead straight, sort of Bongo style. He - Jesse - is a sort of PR man for me, he was telling all the Ladbrokes top brass, "this is the man you want, he's great". And then he kissed me. Had to be a catch I guess. Nice kiss, mind.

[tikay]

Usually a nice ploy to get extra leg room

Seriously tho, hope he is OK!!

I DID hear that suggested!

I just hope he is OK. He boarded, I assume, so can't be too bad.

[meds]

has the drawn been done yet