Darryl62

Just dont put George Granger near Blake, dooming the young lad to the darker side of ship life. OMG, imagining the collaboration between @Mark Arbour and @andy cannon. Explosions galore.

Marvellous! Just wonderful news from Port Royal, many thanks for keeping such quick posting. I woke this sunny Sunday here in Australia thinking about how the story will progress with the manacles laying on the deck.

Its taken me all day to read these 14,000 words. I'll read a bit,stop go off to do someone else, mulling over what I had read and what it meant. Then back again, many small delightful bites over the day. That chocolate dog needs to be bought down a peg or 10. More information about his past and heritage is needed to understand him, also,... gripping him by dominion and shaving his head.. just a thought. My god, so much and so worth the wait.

So, Vanes letter was sent around late December, and the posting came late May. I suspect all the letter did was confirm Vane was jealous and spiteful as Pitt was indeed promoted. Looking forward to what's coming up for Lt. Vane!

I'm awaiting Lt. Vane and his letter to explode upon the scene. I suspect either Pitt or Blake to receive orders for transfer or called for a court marshal in short order. I cannot see any other reason to have only (!) 5 chapters remaining even knowing that a court marshal will fail. Hoping for more adventures (once this grand tale of universal longing and desire that is denied) concludes.

@andy cannon, there is a book called "Questions on German History ", ideas, forces, decisions, from 1800 to the present. Purchased from the Reichstag gift shop. Currently on loan to my neice studying modern history. Gives great insight into how leaders behaviours lead to revolution and ultimately to the creation of Germany as a single unit rather than a patchwork of noble houses. Also, might I suggest Mark Arbour who has very detailed knowledge regarding the society of that time. His story of travelling to the Americas after the civil war in the book Northern Exposure ( part of his Bridgemont series ) gives insight into the ordinary person, set in 1800. You may have already read it. Your own story has parallels but it is different enough not to be confused by travelling in the same milieu. You writing style is so magnificent and your phrasing makes me envious. If only I had such oratory...

Because we are both loving and kind, and also have the most vicious animals in the world that live only to inflict themselves onto humans. Also, we the people are very straightforward in calling it how we see it, we even say we live at the arse end of the world, yet better than ever we are grateful to George the third for sending our ancestors here. Imagine being sent to that other place..

I wonder if Vane is based upon the awful Bligh, he of infamy in Australia.

The Australian Opera and Ballet staged an all male cast of Spartacus . The ballet dancers were told not to shave, not to trim, wax chests but to allow all the hair to grow. Sold out performances for weeks. Flights from New Zealand were packed, staged during Mardi Gras in March, ah Sydney, no shame here!

My grandfather was born 1886, my mother in 1930. She told me of her parents talking of a male cousin who "lived on the other shore" in the city. A family secret that was kept close, so when I was 16 and came out to my mother, a devout Catholic, mother to 9 children, she told me she had always known, and prayed for my happiness. Her moral influence was born and carried in a poor rural environment from people whose morality was based in the 1880, 1890s. Mothers know, but again discretion as needs must. I am more perturbed that a 9 year old can write and be aboard a ship, its doesn't sound / read like he was from a family that could afford to send a child to sea. ( Previous chapter I know..)

I came upon your story via an email and then saw it recommended by none other than the "First Sea Lord of the Admiralty" @Mark Arbour himself. I love the writing style and how its broken into discrete chunks allowing us to breathe in unison with your characters. The yearning is palpable from the central characters for what they desire but cannot be seen to have wanted.

Elizabeth darling! I've just been talking about your absence and wondering what you have been doing lately.. do you know a man by the name of Fellows by chance?

Well! The real life Lady Elizabeth Leveson-Gower became the Dutchess of Sutherland, and her descendants (grandchildren) have the name Parker-Bowles. The same family that Queen Camilla was married into and the names her children carry. Your a sly one ( as we know) @Mark Arbour, well played! Will be curious to see what shenanigans you plan for this Yuletide season 😉 far too soon for Christmas trees make an appearance

Jessica's child should be the responsibility of Jack's family, the Hobart's. Let's hope she doesn't become like a limpet on a whale..

Well, you pulled the poker from the fire and branded us all @Mark Arbour for all the mean and nasty comments previously about Jack... well done, you would think that we might have been more considered as we know how you operate. I'm thinking tissues next chapter or two.

I am hoping that the month is going on rest and relaxation, rather than work commitments. I was concerned that it might be health related based upon a few subtle comments over the past 6 weeks. Don't want to pry as not my business, but hoping all is well with you and your family 🙏 ❤ 💙

As you know, I'm a fan. Great story to recommend 👏 👌 👍 😀

@Mark Arbour, Saturday morning here in Sydney,, waiting patiently for the next instalment! The theories about Jack must have you chuckling. @PrivateTim, The Bridge was 100 times better than the Tunnel, the opening was incredible. Also, a favourite, Fortitude set in Spiitsburgen / Svalbard. Subtitles, but.. scary prescience

Aether and Hunter.. unexpected arrivals. Marvellous story telling. Looking forward to the next instalment, and Pigsirpoq meeting with the other Snow from the Tower. So much to speculate on. Thanks @RedMoon

Very very happy with the story, hopefully the epilogue is from the viewpoint of the Vampires and the scheming mother...

The first three sentences had me hooked, fabulous writing and so evocative of the weather... and the story.

I wish to thank the author @E K Stokes for the most impressive reply and calmly without hyperbole took each comment and showed their thought process of the how and why. Im still in awe at the story, such carefully worded malevolence, the Brothers Grimm would appreciate it.

So, in about 4 hours it will be here rattling the steel louvres trying to shake us awake on the 18th floor.

I read " Jeremy in Polynesia ", and thought, that's a twist.

Greeting from a warm Sydney, that was so unexpected and are they going to lay out their thoughts to Petrovic? Also, Jeremy's internal monologues are showing us a steady improvement in his mental health, would love another interaction with the no nonsense counsellor. Jack just needs time unless he has fallen to a husband who wants revenge ( anything possible in this universe). Thank you Master @Mark Arbour