Catseye Morgan

I take it that there's nothing, then. Drat! I've located a couple of crews in the UK and they keep giving names of places they'll be going to, but no details. Double drat! Oh, well, I'll just as have work on it. Work? Aargh! I said the 'W' word!

Did ye like the very last scene, Lady Barbossa?

I see your point, Cire, but I'm thinking that there has to be a limit. I recall a time when I was thinking of joining such a group but then witnessed one of the purists laying into one young girl because the stitching on her petticoats was from the wrong period. The woman held this girl (who looked to be about 15 or 16) up to public ridicule and reduced her to tears over something that 90% of people would not see! Needless to say, I did not join the club... I just think there's room for both types of show and maybe all kinds of variations inbetween. After all, variety is the spice of life. Personally, I love the old pirate films (and the new ones, of course) but I know a couple of people who won't touch them with a barge pole because of the historical inaccuracies. The same probably holds true for these shows.

I went to see it last night and have to say that I was completely blown away. It was one hell of a roller-coaster ride and the time just flew past. As soon as the credits started to roll, I wanted to go back and watch it all over again and I know for a fact that I'll be back for at least two more viewings! And that critic skims a hell of a lot in his review (which does seem to be trying to be a little too clever for his own good. Sort of 'I'm above this kind of thing but the peasants will like it'. Pffft.). There are a lot of subtle bits weaving in and out of his sweeping statements that give the film a lot more weight. The fight scenes are outrageous, over the top and so much fun that I found myself having to stuff my hand in my mouth to stop from cheering. Davy Jones is a tour de force and his crew are downright marvellous to behold. We find out a little bit more about Jack's past and the new baddie is the kind that makes me ache to see him get his comeuppance in the third part. And the ending! I shan't spoil it for those of you that haven't seen it yet, but the ending had me wanting to jump up and scream from pure joy! (I don't mean the Sparrow ending, but the after the crisis ending.) I'll have to stop here as I find myself wanting to say things like 'watch out for-' and 'keep an eye on-' and stuff like that. Suffice to say that I'm already starting to moan that I have another year to go before the next instalment!!!

Having said all that, of course, can anyone tell me where I can find out details of piratical type events in the UK? The only events I've been able to find out about have been historical re-enactments of the Civil War and Rome. Very enjoyable but not quite what I'm after. I'm still trawling through the Pyracy Pub, but if anyone would like to give me a helping hand, I'd be very grateful. Probably not this year, as I'm already booked solid until early November and then I'll be obsessing about Christmas, but next year would be great! Many thanks to ye.

Much as I like real history and learning all about the truth and everything, I think that there's a place for fun and frolic. Most of us are aware that the likes of Captain Sparrow and Errol Flynn's Sea Hawk never existed, but the world would be a poorer place if they were banned from our sight. As you say, Cap'n, most members of the public have a pretty strong mental image of what a pirate looks like and how they act, and would probably expect a bit of a show. This place in Detling has had the grace to warn people ahead of time that the History Police are going to be out in force, so those of us who are in it for the fantasy would know to steer clear. Myself, I think there's room for both sides of the coin, but if I had to choose I'd plump for an event that was willing to let everyone play and the public can choose what they want to enjoy. They'd probably wind up going for both versions - just so long as there was somewhere they could go and yell "Avast!" and "Aaarrrr!" a lot!

I have so been sober on many an occasion. But since them occasions have coincided with my being in the custody of the Royal Navy, I can't say I've ever enjoyed them. Dull lot, the Royal Navy. (Except for that Commodore... he livened up something marvellous before he threw me off the ship!) You're truly one of the most delusional ones, at any rate! And you has to say it, 'cos everyone else is laughing too hard!

I came to work (horrible word!) in the same place as Maraudin Sparky and he was online one day. 'Twas love at first sight - er, the website, not Maraudin; I ain't ever been that drunk! but it took a while for me to get my courage up and join. I've been lurkin' for a while. (Maraudin would probably say that was my natural state. ) Trouble is, a person can lose herself here for hours at a time!