sandrewn

Make that Five ports of call, four British and one Spanish. Timing is everything and Cardona was just what the doctor ordered. Hopefully it will last him until Marks next surprise (hint). I wonder if he will tell Lord Elgin what he did, I doubt that she will. Will this finally change her? With this kind of writing, I don't need guns a blazing all around me, more please. Well done, thank you.

I didn't see any softening in that letter, it seemed a courteous, straight forward business correspondence. Time heals all (so they say), let us hope. O'Hara was as sharp as ever and ever so glad he heeded Grangers' warning. I don't think Lady Elgin is capable of changing. I wonder if Lord Elgin will ever get a grip on her. So, two ports of call down, two to go. Great chapter, thank you.

I can't see Granger volunteering to revisit any of those places just to verify an attitude change. One port of call down, three to go. One ambassador well roasted and crisped. The voyage shortened by two days. Lady Elgin thwarted once more. A masterful chapter, without the need of a naval battle to liven it up. Great chapter, thank you.

Well now the Elgins know what the new game is and the rules that go with it. George has shut her down at every turn so far, what else can she think of to do, I don't think she will stop until she is dead or gone home. Another Col from his past, who is next (who is left)? His warning of danger from his enemies, this just keeps getting better! Great chapter, thank you.

Rich, richer and richer still, will his luck hold out? Time will tell (but I think so). Avila and Rameriz, indeed a small world and a chance to send letters off to the brothers. If wasn't for his resident harpy, what a grand voyage this could be. What will George do to/with her now? Great chapter, thank you.

The reverend to his left, the professor to his right and Lady Elgin in his face, oh joy. A possible sea action, to Granger must seem like manna from heaven and a chance to get all three of them out of his hair. With three other British frigates and their captians junior to him, he gets to play Commodore once more. Add to this Col Vila on board one of the Dons, sounds like booty(oops thats for pirates) I mean prize money a plenty for all (again), tally-ho! Great chapter, thank you.

The battle has been won, the terms of surrender laid out. Will Caroline abide with them? With his rear hopefully secured, forward now to the impending voyage. Already, a first skirmish has occurred ending with a favorable result. What will the enemy ( A.K.A. Lady Elgin ) try next? Great chapter, thank you.

Phase one of the battle plan accomplished, with a satisfying success and no casualties. Now the first salvo has been fired and the main objective engaged. A really great chapter, thank you.

So we have a battle plan in place. Will it stand the test of time? History shows it is always something you that didn't foresee which will sneak up and bite you in the ass. So, first Cavendish then Caroline. The game is afoot. Great chapter, thank you.

Finally, the answer to what the hell happened. This explains Cavendish's avoiding of him, but what of Arthur? Curse that old demon drink. It would seem that Caroline was the one who initiated this tryst, but what could possibly have motivated her, inquiring minds want to know. So Treadway is off the hook, Caroline appears to have damned herself and can he ever forgive Cavendish or should he? More please! Great chapter, thank you.

The King, the prince and the duke are happy, even the crew seem content (except for a nervous Treadway). Only George appears to be adrift. Now that he has met the Elgins, he knows his problem with wives is far from over. It is great that he could take William on board for the trip to Portsmouth. Great chapter, thank you.

The defiance of Caroline to not tell him, brings to mind that in those days being 'Lord of the Manor' meant exactly that. What could be so terrible (especially after a child) that she will not tell him and risk the marriage, yet again. What is going on with Cavendish and Arthur? Now to add to it all, he seems to misplaced the King. Great chapter, thank you.

Dave Unlike Mark, I'm so late, I missed the party. All the same I hope your Birthday Day was all you wished for. All my best. Sandrewn May you live a long life Full of gladness and health With a pocket full of gold As the least of your wealth May the dreams you hold dearest Be those which come true May the kindness you spread, Keep returning to you.

Hi y'all. I'm back (for about two hours). Since time is short, I am making a hard copy of all that I have missed. I will try to review and post on all of it. I don't know exactly when I'll be able to pass them on to GA. What the heck is going on here? The likes for each chapter are great, the corresponding number of reviews not so much so. The posts (our back bone) have taken a nose dive, very depressng. So this is a token post. I have enjoyed a few ( well ok, maybe more than a few ) tots in the past. Here is something I found on its history: http://readyayeready.com/tradition/tot-history.htm The following I can really attest to ( big time ): For those who can remember back to their camp firesongs, this is a clean one ( sort of ): This last one, was sort of how I felt when I saw the recent feedback to our beloved Bridgemont series. I apologize in advance for the language. I just felt really poopy about it all: See you all, I don't know when, take care. Please, post and review. Bye for now.

Had to come back for the author that brought me to this site. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Mark.

Amen

Cheers, um sie Hans (formerly known to us as Westie). Though not a peer, I wonder if Sir Elton is a clandestine follower of this series.

So, does this mean you have some thing you want to reveal to us, my Lord. I want to state for the record, that I have never worked for the Gap stores. That I hold no shares in said company or have any interest in it for that matter. I have never even been to or bought anything from them. Four times in my last post I wrote GAP. I just looked at it again and saw my mistake. To Mark and all the readers of the CAP series, my apologies, no slight or insult was intended. Sandrewn (with egg on my face)

Well I think you have set the bees a buzzing. I am sure not a few of us are looking up info on all you have mentioned. Like what was happening in Turkey and specifically with the Sublime Porte (Ottoman government) located in Constantinople at this time in history? Who was this Envoy, Lord Elgin (see the Elgin Marbles, very controversial, even today)? What did he accomplish there, if any thing? Looking up on how Nelson's affair with Lady Hamilton played out. Then wondering how George will handle the stuck up pregnant cow (oops! I meant to say Lady Elgin). Or the know it all Reverand Hunt. For the longest time ( up until now ) I had a problem (frustration) with the disparity in the reponses to GAP and the Bridgemont series. Newton's apple(GAP) finally hit me on the head. It is not that one story is better than the other, rather they, like apples(GAP) and oranges(Bridgemont) are two completely different things. Gap is a modern tale that almost all the GA readership can relate to. They can see themselves or some one they know as some the characters, picture themselves in some of the situations presented or have experienced a similar set of circumstances. What would they do in such and such a spot or situation. It is every day life being written here and many want to comment on what if, no thats just wrong or he/they should of or could of done this or that. Well done Mark. Most the reviews and posts here reflect what I have said above. The readers are part of the story and want to talk about it. Now we come to the oranges. Bridgemont has a somewhat more limited appeal to a more specialized readership. No, not better, just with a certain interest in naval adventures, the age of sail, history, action of any kind and a love of George, his life and his exploits. Most of us have no sea background, are not peers nor are fabulously rich. Mark through his writings,has been able to transport us back in time, to being there with George and vicariously sharing in the adventures. So while our reviews are not numerous and posts infrequent. They are heart felt and freely given. Thank you for Bridgemont, long may it continue on. Sandrewn

With a mere 5,493 words, you have created the meat for half a dozen chapters or more. So many possible outcomes as each is presented. Well done, Mark. However it is sad that Lord Howes' passing did not rate even a mention or tear from George. A great chapter and I will await the next when ever time permits you. Thank you.

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, May 1915 In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. The Last Post and Rouse.mp3 Lest we forget.

I used to go to his site at least once a month hoping for an up date and then here. Sadly this will no longer be required. I read his stories about once a year to keep them fresh in my mind in case one day I would find a new chapter. Now I probably will still go back to reread them and try to imagine what could of been. Since I was seventeen I have attended Remembrance Day services. At first it was a requirement. As I lost comrades in arms over the years, it became a need. They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old Age shall not worry them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them Rest in peace Ghost Ryder.

A chapter such as this was as interesting as any with guns a blazing. Possibly a once in a lifetime chance to take his family on for a cruise. Caroline enthralled, his eldest son having mayhap,his first defining point of his life. A very pleased St. Vincent and we know from history that his career is far from over. But what is it you keep on not telling us about Caroline and the Major? Where oh where will the Admiralty send him (them)? Holland perchance? Not much else occurring at the moment. Really a great chapter, thank you.

I bit of humor, just for the heck of it. ANCIENT PIPING JOKE: The lads are marching into battle, with the piper playing away like mad ... The enemy's arrows, swords and spears are creating bloody slaughter all through the Irish ranks ... Ten men down, and the piper plays on ... Twenty men down, and still the pipes ring out. Finally fifty men have fallen, and the chieftain says to the piper, "For heaven's sake, can you not play something they like?"

What else might happen before they get home, with Mark always expect the unexpected (he is rather good at that). I am confident that Lord Spencer has by now found a mission appropriate to Georges' new command. Ricky, yes the Palace is more beautiful. There are actually two in Vienna. One is the City Palace and the other the Garden Palace. I suspect you will be at the former, as the latter is more a museum. From what I could see of the Palace (click below), George would have felt right at home or at court, walking in there (take pictures). https://www.google.ca/search?q=liechtenstein+palace+vienna&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=sBFQU-biH9SzyASJx4CYAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CDgQsAQ&biw=1013&bih=595