'Look at all these rumours, surrounding me every day', Timexx Social Club once said, and how true those words are today. Fleetwood Mac had them, and so do we.
Like whispers from far Cathay (that’s China to you lubbers among us), we all know something about our crew mates that in many cases is more of a surprise to them than to everybody else that we told first. It is a fundamental duty of the FBA that such knowledge we have is worked upon before passing it on. Each tale bears the mark of divers embellishers, and has been crafted by numerous hands; it takes on a life of its own and travels great distances twixt mouth and ear and mouth again, without ever touching upon the truth, nor leaving this happy circle of friends.
There are those among us, although I have no proof of this, who actually start rumours on purpose! I have heard also that some of these rumours were started deliberately just to see how long it took to get back to me ...er, them. I often enjoy listening to stories about myself and wonder if one day I might find I am in a magical land where I actually get to do some of the things that I’ve heard I’ve done. I expect you, gentle reader, feel the same, after all I’ve heard some interesting things about you!!
But what of lies ? At what point does a rumour become a lie ? Off hand I would say when it is written down and serialized under the title of The Last Seven Voyages of Prince Brennan The Pirate King. Utter lies from beginning to end. In fact the whole story is the outline for a series of solo adventures we are going to run for Brennan next year. But of course, I’m lying.
Another lie I have been guilty of perpetuating, for years now, is the one you’ve all heard about the next edition of Ahoy There! being on it’s way. A few hiccups have delayed things, and there have been a couple of false starts - real life having a nasty habit of getting in the way of more important things. But the timely intervention of Gussett & Flik downgraded the lie to a rumour; and now, you can hardly believe it as you hold it in your filthy, calloused hands - the new Ahoy There! is out at last! I hope you enjoy it, and that there are lots of pictures of you.
Lots of love from,