William Brand

Agreed.

If the Kate were effected buy rising gas prices, tonight's special would be prison rations from the 18th century, but as this lovely establishment is one part digital and nine parts imagination, we'll be serving this...

The most disconcerting thing about buying plane tickets was watching the price rise in the thirty minutes while I was searching flights. Yes, the price actually went up as I searched. Traveling to PIP again is quickly becoming as unachievable as reaching Timbuktu in my lifetime, which is entirely too bad, since most everything else is free once I arrive there.

Each time I return to this thread there are different posts, but let me say this... I believe that Mark's ambition is sound, and with the proper enthusiasm and planning we can make this work, and anything else we truly set our minds to. Even when we have attempted and failed, we have never fallen so short of the mark that the general public and our fellow pirates did not come away wanting more and setting goals to do so. In the past I would have recommended baby steps, but PIP grew so significantly last year, and with so much success, that I can no longer recommend care and ease when adding each new idea, so long as we put our backs into it. Even some friction which existed between individuals or crews was overcome for the greater good. I could not have imagined, when first meeting Mark, that he would plow ahead with such fervor. My hat is off, Sir.

I've been mulling it over... When creating a flag, there are a few good rules of execution. First - Keep it simple. A flag has to be quickly identifiable at a glance across open water while it is furling and unfurling. Simple icons and imagery are therefore the one and only way to go. These keeps them not only simple, but more period correct, which lends a flag a certain respectability on all fronts. Second - A flag never has to be patterned after the name of a ship. Blackbeard's flag was his own. It didn't follow a theme per se, but rather followed him wherever he went from ship to ship. You don't have to use the icons of the devil or the chariot at all. Your flag could contain more ambiguous and threatening symbols used by the average pirate. Captain RHEDD's flag should be Captain RHEDD's flagg. If he wants it to be a flag which implies a devilish theme, than so be it. Third - Despite the fact that a very specific look might be desired, I must always recommend a period look over a stylized look. I have created a number of stylized flags myself, including the flag for the Watch Dog, but the Watch Dog flag is not period. It is too detailed and the use of a dog skull and bones pushes it well beyond anything I can justify historically. My intention in designing it originally, was just to make it look cool, but in truth, most pirates would simply fly a country flag or a simple jack, so I still recommend more period than less. Now, with these rules in mind you have to ask yourself a few questions. What do you want to convey? A skull is patent, and therefore appropriate. It could be a normal skull and bones with simple horns added, and that alone would be enough. While I have no period example of an animal skull being used, you could go that route by supplanting the human skull with the skull of a goat, thereby implying the devil motif. This would probably render it completely un-period, but it would have a very specific, evil look. The chariot itself is superfluous, and I would recommend you lose it. More often then not it would come across as a cart or wagon, and neither of these are threatening, so ditch it. Even a chariot wheel could be mistaken for a ship wheel, and while that is nautical, it isn't very imposing. I have no issue with the moon and star if you can explain the reasoning for them on your pirate flag. My own flag has three stars and a moon, but only because of a Moorish tie to my chosen character's past, so the symbols make sense. The pitchfork is both devilish and nautical, as Neptune himself bears a trident. You could have a trident with a skull stabbed upon it. You could have crossed pitchforks under a skull with horns and center an hourglass over these. If you do a horned skull you could lose the tridents. If you do tridents, you could lose the horns. You can have both, but you wouldn't need both for a classic flag. In the end, when making a flag you have to have a reason, plain and simple, behind each of the icons you use. In short, I would recommend something basic. A red background is period and appropriate for your captain, so that's a good place to start. A simple skull, horned or not. A trident or pitchfork for the devil tie in. Do it right without overdoing it and people will recognize it for years to come. Then it's up to you to make a reputation of fear to go with it.

Far from worrying about gas in relation to driving, I worry about the airline industry skyrocketing out of control. If airline prices continue to rise, I'll soon be looking at impossible odds to overcome. A round trip ticket per person to PIP is currently standing at $750.50, so to take the whole family would cost me $2,251.50. Pure pyracy.

I currently own a Honda CR-V, but the most classic thing I ever owned was my pale horse... ...a 1948 Chevy Truck I called Sherman. It was this color...

Niiice. I'm gearing up for my first goggles, so a little inspiration goes a long way.

A variety of period names I've seen... The White Horse The Counting House Maydenhede The King's Head Sevenstar Star and Garter Jolly Anglers The Grove Tavern

Some very good pictures this year. Thank you all for allowing us to live vicariously.

They should also be allowed to yell, "Live powder! Live powder!" while the guns are being charged.

August 4, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog "A veritable Salūqī on the water." William mused aloud. "Sah...?" Jim warren returned from where he stood with the Steward and Coxswain, for not only was the Ship's Master unfamiliar with the Arabic breed of hounds, the word veritable struck him as archaic. William laughed a little to himself. "Nothing, Mister Warren. Carry on." Jim did exactly that, and continued his interaction with Mathew Campion and Tudor Smith. He plied them on their understanding of the various instruments employed for charting and navigation. Jim fully expected Mister Campion to be the better navigator of the two, but in this he was mistaken, for tudor held her own when it came to understanding. Jim was surprised, but kept his curiosity in check. However, Mister Campion was very forthright about the matter and made repeated attempts to lure Miss Smith's past away from her. William just listened on from his place at the rail while watching the passing topography of the island alter under his gaze.

No, drop by anytime. The more the merrier. I was just away from my computer for a few minutes and I missed your arrival and departure.

Why are you so not in the Ward Room?

Tonight's special...

I hope that I don't have to remind people to take pictures.

You would be most welcome. You would also be joining the ranks of several other volunteer EMTs and RNs. We're always glad to have a lot of extra people with medical know-how in case anything should happen. I'm certain that any encampment inside and outside the fort would welcome you aboard.

August 4, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Jonah Greene was kept busy all the while they were maneuvering the frigate. Since early that morning he had overseen the making and mending of pens, cages and enclosures for the livestock of the Watch Dog. The goats had proved counterproductive many times as they liberated themselves below decks. Jonah took this in stride and promised aloud to make a prison of the holds and this remark soon had many of the former residents of Fort Royal calling the bilge the 'Midnight Cells', in reference to the dungeon they had escaped, but also to pun the Master Carpenter, whose nickname had long been Midnight. As the Watch Dog was bracing with the wind one of the cages tumbled and a plump pigeon escaped the enclosure before Richard Tollervy could stop it. It flew about the berth deck to the confusion and delight of the Larboard Watch, and it might have escaped the ship altogether, but Ulrich fon Sandt-Thorvald caught it on the fly, plucking it deftly from the air. He did this so casually that it raised not a few humorous and appreciative remarks and some small applause, before Jacob Badger reminded them that this was a work day among some 365 working days. He even cuffed Robert Elmer a little to make his point. Meanwhile, Jim Warren and Mathew Campion stood on the quarterdeck making numerous calculations for the short journey to St. Pierre. William asked Tudor to join them there, where she proved a most knowledgable participant. She even smiled to see the rigid Mister Campion frown in surprise at her grasp of all things nautical. William watched these various scenes play out as he circumnavigated the ship. He was quick to compliment a good labor and just as quick to correct a bad one, though there were few under the ministrations of Jacob and Jack. The wind off the Cul du Sac Royal proved favorable for them and the open sea loomed as the 'Dog caught her stride. Seven bells of the Afternoon Watch Starboard Watches on Duty

There is always room for a marked improvement. In addition to a regularly scheduled meeting, we should see that each of our camps and the members of it have a copy of the schedule. This schedule should not just be the 'public' schedule', but a list of all the 'in house' meetings combined with the public schedule. Something used solely for the purposes of the re-enactors throughout the event. I also suggest that we designate a few runners, in case we have to send information anywhere when something unexpected changes. Someone from each camp willing to bear messages to the other camps if the need arises.

I agree with the morning meetings. The mornings tend to be a little on the slow side anyway, so it is a perfect time to meet and go over things just before they take place. People asked me what was going on more times in the morning than any other time.

August 4, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog William spent the next little while penning the awful reply of condolences to the officers and crew of the Chasse de Mer. The words were long in coming and he found that he had not the tongue for it. It proved too formal a letter in the end, so he began again, lacing the next one with personal observations and recollections of the former Captain. He was careful to use poignant French phrases where he could and he did not withhold his own feelings on the matter. Then he signed it solemnly and sent it on its way. After this he went on deck again, and he decided almost immediately that he had waited long enough for news of his men from Durand or any other source. He took the time to send a brief note by runner to the Navarra, explaining his intentions to meet the Spanish ship off the coast of Martinique on the morrow. He further explained that he would send a dispatch by horseman overland to tell them when he would depart St. Pierre. This done, he set his hat and moved to the quarterdeck. The time had come to cast off all lines and return the frigate to the sea. William pictured a tethered dog in his mind, but thought the use of the word 'unleash' would be too dramatic for such a simple maneuver, so he kept it to himself. "Mister Warren!" He called, shouting despite the close proximity of the Ship's Master. "Sah!" Jim returned with equal force. "Muster the Starboard Watch smartly, if you please." William pointed along the 'Dog's rails. "Let's have some men larboard and prepare to ease away." "Aye, Sah!" "Mister Franklin!" "Sah!" "Your marines to Mister Badger!" "Understood, Sah!" Eric nodded. "Marines t' me! Lay aft an' surrender yer muskets fer the workin' day!" Mister Badger!" William continued. "Sah!" "Prepare to set topsails and stand by to shiver the yards!" "Aye, Sah!" Jacob snapped off a smart salute and his whole countenance turned to that of the taskmaster. "LOOOOOSE THE TOPSA'LS! Moooove lively, Mister Clovely!" These shouts were followed by many more, many of them aimed at Mister Roberts. Jack answered every order in turn while Mister Badger looked on with a nod or two. Then orders in quick succession were heard fore and aft as orders passed from officers top to bottom and from below on up the rigging. The sharp staccato of overlapping 'Aye-Ayes!' could be heard among the din of the rabble. Rowers of the dockyard's smallboats, hired for towing the 'Dog backwards upon her haunches, dipped their oars as their boatheaders cried out in unison. Oars rose and fell, lines went slack and sails luffed, neither drawing nor aback as the Watch Dog drifted out and turned lazily about on the Cul du sac Royal. William wore a smile more at ease and he noted that among all the new recruits, none smiled more than Thomas Wheateham as they put to sea. His was the face of the moment, too happy to be truly free of Martinique's imprisoning shore not to smile as he went about his work. William turned to Jim. "Set a course for St. Pierre, Mister Warren." "Aye, Sah." Just after six bells of the Afternoon Watch Starboard Watches on Duty

We both know that you'd rather raise an entire British Armada to the waterline while drinking heavily from a stock pile of fine imports and pale ales from around the world. Say it.

As you command...

A very happy birthday to Captain Morgan! Raise a glass!

Just a thought on cost, but you might offset the expense by finding a local place to flip the bill in exchange for a period style imprint of their business on the casks. Nothing overtly obvious. Just some period style text with a name. A local pub would be the ideal supporter for this while being a fitting establishment to print on a cask as well. Again, just thinking out loud. If they get a little advertising at Walk the Plank and in the fort, you might not have to spend a single dime on this.