All Aboard the TAGUS! (Week 31) Leaving Southhampton 8/9/07
I hope you don't expect me to stop or slow you down. I NEED these co-dependent relationships I've developed on NAM.
Scoopmama... where did you find the MINI charm?
Scoopmama... where did you find the MINI charm?
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,161
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From: Trabuco Canyon, CA
. . .and I have a ferret, otter, other cool stuff. . .
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Trabuco Canyon, CA
Ok, folks. . . or can I say Tagusites? In honor of a long-standing tradition of people waiting for a climactic event who pass the time telling stories (Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, 1001 Arabian Nights, etc.) I suggest we pass the time by telling a story. Since I have boys who are on a sleep-over movie marathon tonight at my house, I claim the privilege of the sleepless and begin. Where it ends tonight, someone else can continue. Unless this is just totally weird. . .
CHAPTER ONE
“Lieutenant! WW office at Port Hueneme just forwarded an email from a MINI person. They’d like us to post our location. Shall I take care of it sir?”
Lieutenant Pepper frowned at Ensign Astro. “Absolutely not! Captain Vade would have our jobs.”
"Sir?”
The lieutenant’s face shuttered into a blank, expressionless mask. “You can discuss it further with the Captain, if you must, Ensign. Although I wouldn’t suggest it.”
Ensign Astro was puzzled. Having served on the Courage and Boheme, he was familiar with the cars that spawned such obsession, and knew the owners loved tracking their MINIs on their long journey. What was the captain’s problem?:impatient
Captain E Vade absently patted a Cabrio on the front bumper as he completed his early morning MINI check. He loved coming into the hold, seeing the headlights looking up, trusting him to get them to land; seeing the tires firmly gripping the floor. He never tired of the gleaming colors and the variety of his passengers. The MINIs were more than cargo to the captain. Sometimes he had a sense of a sudden hush as he came down into the hold, or anticipation.
“Captain?” Ensign Astro interrupted the captain’s musings as Vade reached the deck. “Is it true that you prefer our location to remain off the charts?”
“Absolutely, Ensign.”
“Sir, I don’t understand. The other ships I served on – “
“Those other ships have been very fortunate, young man. This ship has learned the hard way to be very careful"
“But sir, the MINI owners love being able to track their cars. The Tagus is the only ship that doesn’t let that happen!”
“Astro. You came aboard Tagus in November, correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“There are others who also track cargo ships. Not just owners. People even MORE desperate.
Wait times for MINIs are long in China. Where, by the way, the most successful pirate in the 1800s was from (her name was Zheng Yi Sao). In Russia, people aren’t used to waiting in lines anymore for bread. But the wait is long for MINIs. Even in Hawaii. . . Ensign. Close your mouth and focus! The last time I posted our location was late July, over a year ago, off the coast of Baja California. That was the last time.”
The captain’s hands clenched by his sides, and a vein throbbed in his forehead. He closed his eyes, remembering the shocking events, the near loss of his passengers, their grills open in horror. . .
“Ensign, before you ever reveal our location to anyone other than WW authorities, you need to hear what can happen. What DID happen, over a year ago. . “
CHAPTER TWO anyone?????
CHAPTER ONE
“Lieutenant! WW office at Port Hueneme just forwarded an email from a MINI person. They’d like us to post our location. Shall I take care of it sir?”
Lieutenant Pepper frowned at Ensign Astro. “Absolutely not! Captain Vade would have our jobs.”
"Sir?”
The lieutenant’s face shuttered into a blank, expressionless mask. “You can discuss it further with the Captain, if you must, Ensign. Although I wouldn’t suggest it.”
Ensign Astro was puzzled. Having served on the Courage and Boheme, he was familiar with the cars that spawned such obsession, and knew the owners loved tracking their MINIs on their long journey. What was the captain’s problem?:impatient
Captain E Vade absently patted a Cabrio on the front bumper as he completed his early morning MINI check. He loved coming into the hold, seeing the headlights looking up, trusting him to get them to land; seeing the tires firmly gripping the floor. He never tired of the gleaming colors and the variety of his passengers. The MINIs were more than cargo to the captain. Sometimes he had a sense of a sudden hush as he came down into the hold, or anticipation.
“Captain?” Ensign Astro interrupted the captain’s musings as Vade reached the deck. “Is it true that you prefer our location to remain off the charts?”
“Absolutely, Ensign.”
“Sir, I don’t understand. The other ships I served on – “
“Those other ships have been very fortunate, young man. This ship has learned the hard way to be very careful"
“But sir, the MINI owners love being able to track their cars. The Tagus is the only ship that doesn’t let that happen!”
“Astro. You came aboard Tagus in November, correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“There are others who also track cargo ships. Not just owners. People even MORE desperate.
Wait times for MINIs are long in China. Where, by the way, the most successful pirate in the 1800s was from (her name was Zheng Yi Sao). In Russia, people aren’t used to waiting in lines anymore for bread. But the wait is long for MINIs. Even in Hawaii. . . Ensign. Close your mouth and focus! The last time I posted our location was late July, over a year ago, off the coast of Baja California. That was the last time.”The captain’s hands clenched by his sides, and a vein throbbed in his forehead. He closed his eyes, remembering the shocking events, the near loss of his passengers, their grills open in horror. . .
“Ensign, before you ever reveal our location to anyone other than WW authorities, you need to hear what can happen. What DID happen, over a year ago. . “CHAPTER TWO anyone?????
Last edited by Scoopmama; Aug 16, 2007 at 12:13 AM.
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
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More, More, More!! I'm not very creative in this regard, so I will just say that I've been sucked into the story by Chapter one and will wait anxiously for someone to start Chapter 2!! Scoopmama are you a writer? Great first chapter!!
WOW! I am humbled by your writing prowess, but challenged to give it a shot. So, here goes......
CHAPTER TWO – HOW IT ALL BEGAN
The Captain paused, sighed deeply and motioned Ensign Astro to follow him towards his private quarters. Before they both entered, he ran his hand lightly around the edges of the bulkhead that framed his door and then punched in the code to the lock. Upon entering, he reached far beneath his desk, which produced a faint electronic chirp. “You can never be too careful,” the old Captain muttered to himself as he visually scanned the room.
The tension was palpable. “Astro, you’ve heard the old salts tell you that ‘Loose lips sink ships’? Well, that saying, born in a time of war needs to be changed for these new desperate times. What you need to remember now is, ‘Loose lips loses passengers’.”
“But Sir, I’ve never heard of any WW ship any problems that would have led to loss of passengers!
And you won’t.” Captain Vade barked back. “At least in any official report.”
"It all began in July of Aught Six. A week 26 build if I recall. The load was heavy with R50s and 53s. There was quite an excited crowd, as usual. Nervous anticipation by those babies of the unknown; both having never sailed before and trying to picture their owners who they only knew from orders and being tracked.”
Sweat began to form the Captain’s brow as he leaned closer and whispered “Aye, and being tracked they were….”
The Captain went on. “The loading procession was as orderly as can be with a bunch of high spirited youngsters. Some tried to cut in line and I remember one Sparkling Silver“S” asking a cute Cabrio for ‘back cuts’. Ha! What they won’t try to get their first… It’s just in their blood.” Both the old Captain and young Lieutenant smiled as they thought of these and past sets of passengers they had taken across the pond.
“We set sail from the South Hampton Port on schedule. The Atlantic crossing was routine, but following the passage of the Panama Canal is where the strange happenings began. It started with sonar readings that indicated the shipping channel has shifted further west off the coast of Mexico. We came to dead stop. The GPS verified our correct position, but the sonar and charts did not match. Progressing under these circumstances would have been foolhardy and risking our passenger’s safety, but little did we realize that stopping was what was putting all of us in grave danger.”
Come on... Chapter 3
CHAPTER TWO – HOW IT ALL BEGAN
The Captain paused, sighed deeply and motioned Ensign Astro to follow him towards his private quarters. Before they both entered, he ran his hand lightly around the edges of the bulkhead that framed his door and then punched in the code to the lock. Upon entering, he reached far beneath his desk, which produced a faint electronic chirp. “You can never be too careful,” the old Captain muttered to himself as he visually scanned the room.
The tension was palpable. “Astro, you’ve heard the old salts tell you that ‘Loose lips sink ships’? Well, that saying, born in a time of war needs to be changed for these new desperate times. What you need to remember now is, ‘Loose lips loses passengers’.”
“But Sir, I’ve never heard of any WW ship any problems that would have led to loss of passengers!
And you won’t.” Captain Vade barked back. “At least in any official report.”
"It all began in July of Aught Six. A week 26 build if I recall. The load was heavy with R50s and 53s. There was quite an excited crowd, as usual. Nervous anticipation by those babies of the unknown; both having never sailed before and trying to picture their owners who they only knew from orders and being tracked.”
Sweat began to form the Captain’s brow as he leaned closer and whispered “Aye, and being tracked they were….”
The Captain went on. “The loading procession was as orderly as can be with a bunch of high spirited youngsters. Some tried to cut in line and I remember one Sparkling Silver“S” asking a cute Cabrio for ‘back cuts’. Ha! What they won’t try to get their first… It’s just in their blood.” Both the old Captain and young Lieutenant smiled as they thought of these and past sets of passengers they had taken across the pond.
“We set sail from the South Hampton Port on schedule. The Atlantic crossing was routine, but following the passage of the Panama Canal is where the strange happenings began. It started with sonar readings that indicated the shipping channel has shifted further west off the coast of Mexico. We came to dead stop. The GPS verified our correct position, but the sonar and charts did not match. Progressing under these circumstances would have been foolhardy and risking our passenger’s safety, but little did we realize that stopping was what was putting all of us in grave danger.”
Come on... Chapter 3
Last edited by Mini2na; Aug 16, 2007 at 06:02 PM. Reason: format!
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Trabuco Canyon, CA
Tagus doesn't post its location, hence the invitation to add to our story about why that might possibly be! On the other hand, you could, as a Boheme person, go to sailwx.com (I think) and at the bottom of the page on tracking cargo ships, you can type your ship's name and get its call sign. From there, if your captain posts locations, you can track it!Good luck!
Try: http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/index.html but to use it you will have to figure out the call signs for your ship. There seem to be multiple ships with the same name.
Good luck!
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,161
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From: Trabuco Canyon, CA
Journal - Sunday, July 23, 2006
Dad caught the biggest marlin so far this week! 4'3" and 185 lbs. Not big enough to go to shore, but took some cool pix and let it go. We have to take the houseboat ashore tonight or tomorrow. Something's weird with the GPS or something. We checked our logs from the last 3 years, and we know we're in the same place as always (Mom says, "Yea, heaven forbid we go even a mile further away than we did last year!" but she loves it too). Anyway, Dad thought I'd messed around with something to hook up my X-box. WRONG! So we'll head ashore in a bit. I think we'll do a bit more fishing first.
Mostly the same folks out here this year. Fun to see them again. There's one that comes and goes from around the cape I've never seen before. Doesn't do any fishing. Kinda weird. We waved once, and dad tried to talk with them, but they just cruised on past without looking.
Well, that's it for tonight. Got to get back to Battle for Middle Earth. Think I'll reach level 9 tonight!
Dad caught the biggest marlin so far this week! 4'3" and 185 lbs. Not big enough to go to shore, but took some cool pix and let it go. We have to take the houseboat ashore tonight or tomorrow. Something's weird with the GPS or something. We checked our logs from the last 3 years, and we know we're in the same place as always (Mom says, "Yea, heaven forbid we go even a mile further away than we did last year!" but she loves it too). Anyway, Dad thought I'd messed around with something to hook up my X-box. WRONG! So we'll head ashore in a bit. I think we'll do a bit more fishing first.
Mostly the same folks out here this year. Fun to see them again. There's one that comes and goes from around the cape I've never seen before. Doesn't do any fishing. Kinda weird. We waved once, and dad tried to talk with them, but they just cruised on past without looking.
Well, that's it for tonight. Got to get back to Battle for Middle Earth. Think I'll reach level 9 tonight!
I get to head to the beach this weekend and no internet access. This is good though. I get away, but know that the babies are in good hands with all of you.
CHAPTER 3 -STRANGE EVENTS
Astro finally sat down after standing at near attention in front of his Captain. He deeply respect the man. A 31 year career. A no-loss record filled with commendations. A crew that never tranferred off his boats. An old salt that could be trusted. The young officer knew the coming tale would contain insights and wisdom that would serve him will in his career.
The Captain remained upright, in a stance that reminded Astro of a Gladiator, ready for battle. Vade's voice sounded resolute as he continued. "I ordered 'ALL STOP' in an effort to give us time resolve this conflict of information. There was a flurry of activity on the bridge; computer checks, antennna adjustments, old charts pulled out. ON the deck, all hands scurried to make sure our passengers were safe and calm as well as dropping achor. During those activities, a cabin boy noticed a number of pieces of paper floating near."
"But captain, that makes no sense. Paper floating on the high seas? The ocean would take it to the depths in less than an hour."
"Aye, it peaked our interest too. We went to quite a bit of trouble to lower a boat and retreive them. We only made it to one before the sea took the rest."
Astro wiggled like a school boy. "What was on the paper Captain?"
"We didn't know it at the time, but it contained our first clue to the events that were about to unfold. Here, I keep a copy with me. Just to remind me to be vigilant. Here look." Captain E Vade handed over a copy of what looked like civilian journal. The edges were burn and the smudges could have been caused by oil.
Astro read:
Astro looked up. "What? What clue?".......
CHAPTER 3 -STRANGE EVENTS
Astro finally sat down after standing at near attention in front of his Captain. He deeply respect the man. A 31 year career. A no-loss record filled with commendations. A crew that never tranferred off his boats. An old salt that could be trusted. The young officer knew the coming tale would contain insights and wisdom that would serve him will in his career.
The Captain remained upright, in a stance that reminded Astro of a Gladiator, ready for battle. Vade's voice sounded resolute as he continued. "I ordered 'ALL STOP' in an effort to give us time resolve this conflict of information. There was a flurry of activity on the bridge; computer checks, antennna adjustments, old charts pulled out. ON the deck, all hands scurried to make sure our passengers were safe and calm as well as dropping achor. During those activities, a cabin boy noticed a number of pieces of paper floating near."
"But captain, that makes no sense. Paper floating on the high seas? The ocean would take it to the depths in less than an hour."
"Aye, it peaked our interest too. We went to quite a bit of trouble to lower a boat and retreive them. We only made it to one before the sea took the rest."
Astro wiggled like a school boy. "What was on the paper Captain?"
"We didn't know it at the time, but it contained our first clue to the events that were about to unfold. Here, I keep a copy with me. Just to remind me to be vigilant. Here look." Captain E Vade handed over a copy of what looked like civilian journal. The edges were burn and the smudges could have been caused by oil.
Astro read:
Journal - Sunday, July 23, 2006
Dad caught the biggest marlin so far this week! 4'3" and 185 lbs. Not big enough to go to shore, but took some cool pix and let it go. We have to take the houseboat ashore tonight or tomorrow. Something's weird with the GPS or something. We checked our logs from the last 3 years, and we know we're in the same place as always (Mom says, "Yea, heaven forbid we go even a mile further away than we did last year!" but she loves it too). Anyway, Dad thought I'd messed around with something to hook up my X-box. WRONG! So we'll head ashore in a bit. I think we'll do a bit more fishing first.
Mostly the same folks out here this year. Fun to see them again. There's one that comes and goes from around the cape I've never seen before. Doesn't do any fishing. Kinda weird. We waved once, and dad tried to talk with them, but they just cruised on past without looking.
Well, that's it for tonight. Got to get back to Battle for Middle Earth. Think I'll reach level 9 tonight!
Dad caught the biggest marlin so far this week! 4'3" and 185 lbs. Not big enough to go to shore, but took some cool pix and let it go. We have to take the houseboat ashore tonight or tomorrow. Something's weird with the GPS or something. We checked our logs from the last 3 years, and we know we're in the same place as always (Mom says, "Yea, heaven forbid we go even a mile further away than we did last year!" but she loves it too). Anyway, Dad thought I'd messed around with something to hook up my X-box. WRONG! So we'll head ashore in a bit. I think we'll do a bit more fishing first.
Mostly the same folks out here this year. Fun to see them again. There's one that comes and goes from around the cape I've never seen before. Doesn't do any fishing. Kinda weird. We waved once, and dad tried to talk with them, but they just cruised on past without looking.
Well, that's it for tonight. Got to get back to Battle for Middle Earth. Think I'll reach level 9 tonight!
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 181
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Oh my heck, we've all lost our friggin marbles!!!! I can't believe I spend several hours a day on this post reading these goofy stories and obsessing about my Mini! Geez...
ok, I'm ready for Chapter 4...
ok, I'm ready for Chapter 4...
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Trabuco Canyon, CA
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Trabuco Canyon, CA
Ok, Mini2na~ I love this story! Just have NO idea where it's going! Have a great weekend. . .wish I could get away from a computer. I COULD, it's just I'd have to walk away. . .
Didja notice we both answered the Boheme question with the word "hence"?
Pretty funny
Didja notice we both answered the Boheme question with the word "hence"?
Pretty funny
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 181
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Anyone have an idea as to where the Tagus is in relation to Hurricane Dean? To me it looks like the Tagus should be ok coming in right behind the storm but I wonder if it will delay delivery. I sure wish the Captain would post some info...
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,161
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From: Trabuco Canyon, CA
But maybe I will and see the Manzanillo port is still set for the same day. (I feel really bad- my first concern is for the MINIs and I have to deliberately remind myself there are people involved here as well)!:impatient
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 181
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Hey, Lil A! I wondered the same thing last night. I know we're what, 3 days from the Panama Canal? I haven't checked the WW site lately. What's the point. But maybe I will and see the Manzanillo port is still set for the same day. (I feel really bad- my first concern is for the MINIs and I have to deliberately remind myself there are people involved here as well)!:impatient
But maybe I will and see the Manzanillo port is still set for the same day. (I feel really bad- my first concern is for the MINIs and I have to deliberately remind myself there are people involved here as well)!:impatientI know what you mean. As soon as I began to worry about our babies I realized there were real babies and families being affected by the storm. Helps to keep us grounded I guess... I've noticed the posts have slowed down since the Mini's went sailing...I still haven't slept any better though. I lay awake trying to think of a name for my new car. My wife says I've gone completely nuts. Then I show her some of the posts here and say, "see honey, I'm not the only one." She just shook her head and left...she just doesn't get it.....yet!
Back from the beach... great get away, but wish I had my Mini to make the drive. Saw a few and wistfully thought of my baby on the high seas.
Where is the next chapter (or even paragraph) people. I hope you don't think I know where this tale is going, I have no idea. Don't make me have to assign you chapters with a due date....
BTW, it is nice to see that the OL site finally has by baby enroute.
Where is the next chapter (or even paragraph) people. I hope you don't think I know where this tale is going, I have no idea. Don't make me have to assign you chapters with a due date....
BTW, it is nice to see that the OL site finally has by baby enroute.
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
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I just read on another thread that you can watch your ship go through the Panama Canal on Webcams!!! Does anyone know how to do this? Tagus should be there this Thursday barring any hurricane delays !!
!!
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Tracy,CA
http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Trabuco Canyon, CA