To absent friends.....

Those who watched Master and Commander (with the hooligan from OZ - Russell Crowe) might remember this scene where a number of officers were having a dinner in the wardroom (naval officers' mess/dining room)and one of the toast was "To wives and sweethearts!" and Russell Crowe cheekily added "May they never meet!". Well, that line should have been said by the most junior officer (usually the youngest) present. But since not many people in the world know about such stuff - and those who do might not watch the movie - it was a mistake that nobody really complained about.

There is a toast for every day of the week.

Monday - To our ships at sea (which means that they are on shoreleave)
Tuesday - To our men
Wednesday - To ourselves (because no one else is likely to bother)
Thursday - To bloody war or sickly season (gain promotion from the death of others)
Friday - To willing foe and sea room (easy battles and no collision)
Saturday - To wives and sweethearts (may they never meet)
Sunday - To absent friends

And so today it is for absent friends.

I would suppose "absent friends" could mean friends who are dead (because of bloody war and sickly season?). Or perhaps it refers to friends who are out at sea (to our ships?).

Or perhaps friends whom we have lost touch with.

I missed Yugin's wedding on 9 Sep. I was on standby and there was no way I could have applied leave and pack for a trip to Brighton. Feel quite bad about it because as late as June I was still planning for it.

And there's no way I'm gonna miss Tommy's wedding come Christmas Day.

So I've already bought tickets and will be spending Christmas with V in Hong Kong!