David Cropper

I seem to be out of step with everybody whose commented on here. I think he's dropped a bollock by putting an ill thought out image out there. I found it horrible to rip the crap out of a new born. Before the mob start calling me a snowflake, or sensitive flower, I assure you I ain't . Beyond the pail for me I'm afraid.

Ex matelots usually sit in a quay side pub sporting an unkempt beard that nesting birds live in, saying wise words like lubber, avast and other gems. They especially like the well worn phrase " pass the cabin boy to me." They often have a knackered old fishing net on their knees that they pretend to mend to impress the tourists. Vast amounts of free ale and rum are consumed by the said net mender, all the while talking in the manner of Robert Newton playing role of Long John Silver. Very impressive to witness. I am now progressing to Champagne, so will be spouting more crap. I apologise in advance .

And he was a sodding matelot. I am now preparing to repel boarders.

It never seems to amaze me that "locals", half probably moved from London, living in tourist hotspots, moan like buggery about visitors spending money in their idyllic area. I lived in Dorset for 31 years, the same there, moan, moan bleeding moan. They'd soon moan if the money dried up. I've been out on the piss so don't care if I get abuse. I thank you in advance.

I don't think you should publicise the fact, Steve.

You're looking good in that photo, Mick. Not sure if pink really suits you though.

You'll get no abuse from me. You have a perfect right to say what you said, it was a situation were wrongs were done on all sides. To put my view in perspective. I've said before that I left school, joined the Army and went to Ireland as a naive kid, knowing nothing of the world in general. 1969 was a year of eye opening for me. If you remember, the Belfast Protestants were burning Catholic houses, the Army were sent in to try to restore some order and HELP the Catholic minority. There was a piece written by a well know journalist of the day which to me summed it up. The Rev.Ian Paisley had rolled up at a flashpoint and said in earshot of the journalist to one of my Regiment, "Don't worry son, were on the same side." To which was quoted by the journalist " The Lancer said back "We're on no bleeding side." I also remember being in the Guardroom just before a patrol and a group of the B Specials came in, big farmer types, jolly uncle's going out on a jaunt, to search a Catholic farmhouse, all because it would amuse them to do so. That opened my 17 year old eyes to injustice. We tried our hardest to be neutral , they were strange times for us. We didn't realise although we spoke the same language, worshipped the same God, maybe differently, were predominantly the same colour, yet things were not what we thought life would be like in another part of the UK. You wonder why squaddies have a sick sense of humour? I read your reply to me, had a bad night's sleep working out my response, it's took a lot of thinking on my part. It's too easy to rant about the atrocities: Omagh, Belfast, Manchester, Warrington, Birmingham, Eniskillen, the M62 coach bombing, the list goes on. Killing soldiers is war, fine, that's accepted, but soldier's families, civilians having a quiet drink after work in a city centre pub, paying respect to the war dead and being blown to pieces, can anyone justify this? Ireland is an emotive subject. My mother's family came over to Oldham during the Famine as did a lot of people, it's a very diverse and sometimes divided town, but generally plods on regardless. Don't think I'm an ignorant, bigoted ex soldier, I'm not, I try to see other folks views, generally respect them, but as to what happened in Ireland , please don't try to excuse the terrorist activities, on both sides.

This could possibly start a massive debate between Big J and Skyhuck. I apologise in advance.

Is that a clever play on nuts and thread? I suppose he's still a Remainer then?

I think the burning topic now is concerning the nuts of said Igor. Should they Remain or Leave?

I don't know what the PC Brigade would have made of when the IRA Slimmer of the Year, Bobby Sands, was doing really well on his diet and we in the Corporals' Mess decided to have a sweepstake as to when he would attain his Target Weight, or as we call it, death. How they would have laughed!

If that's not an incentive to get on target, I don't know what is. Oh, wait a minute, maybe the man himself stood downrange. No bugger would miss then. PC rears it's head yet again. Whoever released the clip needs the facts of life explaining to him.

She doesn't look too traumatised does she? Dreadful behaviour on Igor's part.

Isn't that the new Waddington's game? "Incest, the game all the family can play". Already a sell out in Cornwall.

I bought a DR Power 9hp years ago , paid for itself within a couple of months. Biggest stump I did was a chestnut just under 1 metre, took me near enough 5 hours as it was full of stones. It's been sat in my garage for a few years, used it over 2 years ago as I couldn't get my SC30TX up nasty set of steps. Did the job but nearly sodding killed me! Bounced all over the shop, but, it got the job done.

Women have got the vote? Bugger, I missed that bit of news. Things will never be the same again. Disgraceful!

Oi ! Do you mind!

I hope this doesn't mean you buggers are going to start to groom me?

That's the problem mate, I ain't!

Christ! I thought I'd wandered onto Grindr by mistake!

So sorry to hear that Stubby, your missus sounds like a fighter. Hope all goes well for you both.

This is his latest thing. As well as killing anything on land, he's now taken to fishing.

Another fussy bugger!

Jolly Jack and the Golden Rivet springs to mind.

So am I mate but I ain't got any standards!