Smuggling in England started about 13th century. Edward I placed a customs duty on the export of wool because it was in great demand in Europe. This was the first permanent customs system established in England. The initial duties started quite small, but as the Hundred Years War progressed, so the tax went up. The usual image of smuggling in England comes from about the 18th and 19th century, when the high taxes led to a dramatic increase in illegal imports.

When I was a kid my Mother used to tell us that we were descended from the vicar of Appledore on the Devon, Cornwall border, near Bideford. Occasionally when he went to collect his horses in the morning he would discover they were tired as if they had been out all night. On those occasions if he searched the stable carefully he would find a bottle of brandy.

As Cheng Li is based on a Chinese pirate in the early 19th century called Cheng I Sao, I thought you might be interested in knowing more about China's traditions. So I chatted to my Hubbie's Dad and Nai Nai (Nanny in mandarin) and they explained about Fū Lu Shou.

Fu Lu Shou (Three Stars of Blessings, Auspicious Trinity or the Three Gods) are much respected and revered in China. Almost every shop or household has at least one collection and they are usually displayed in the doorways. They represent wealth, wisdom and long life or blessings, prosperity and longevity. They enhance all the good things in life. Xing means star, which explains stars of blessings.

Fu Xing represents fortune and wealth. Nai Nai described him as the classic western version of the Mandarin, a very wealthy character. This character is associated with luck, good fortune and opportunity, 'may a lifetime of fortune stars watch over you'.

Lu Xing represents wisdom. Nai Nai described him as the scholar, as he is almost always carrying books which denote his wisdom. "This word originates from feudal China to symbolize 'success in government', where the highest post in life was considered an appointment as a government official. Learned men would study for ten years just to qualify for the post - the honour and sense of ffulfilment' that followed was considered the ultimate success. Although the literal translation of this character is 'government official', over the years it has come to represent satisfaction and happiness through achievement. Lu Xing will bring 'ultimate success and fulfilment'
'."

Shou Xing represents longevity or a long life. Nai Nai described him as the old gentleman which shows his long life. "According to Chinese folklore, Longevity is described as wise, knowledgeable and capable of ruling the world. During festivals, a Chinese family normally worships the symbols or pictures of Longevity to express gratitude for granting the elders in the family a long life. Shou Xing will bring you a 'long and fruitful life'." "Shou Xing is perhaps the most popular of the three stars, and is often portrayed alone. Legend says that Shou Xing spent nine years in the womb, and born with an extraordinarily large forehead. His mother saw the star of the South Pole the night he was conceived; this star is said to determine the time of a person's death, so Shou Xing is often called 'The Old Deity of the South Pole.' Shou Xing is usually seen holding the Peach of Immortality, and carrying a peach wood staff. Legend says that the celestial peach was the Queen of Heaven’s favourite fruit, which blossomed once ever 3,000 years with it taking another 3,000 year for the peach tree to bear fruit. Thus a bite of the celestial peach could gain longevity. In typical illustrations of Shou Xing, a crane, a bat, a deer, or some combination of these may be near him, though they are sometimes associated with the other two stars ("deer" is a homophone of the character for Lu's name)."

The little dish is another way of attracting the blessings. It is read top to bottom then left to right. Chāng (long), mìng (life), gui (wealth) and fù (happiness).

Below is a picture of my Mothers nine (three times three) Shou Xing. She was diagnosed with kidney failure before I was born, and was expected to die when I was five but received a transplant just in time, which lasted an incredible sixteen years. I remember these nine characters being important to her and her explaining about them before my sister was born. Nai Nai showed me that several had peaches (long life) either on their clothes or in their hands. One is holding a crane (fertility), another holding a bat and two have wooden staffs.

For more information see www.phillychinatown.com/chinese_topic/fuloshou/fu_lu_shou.htm and www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_chinaway/2005-08/19/content_72038.htm

Sorry, I have just discovered the Beano will be in at the Bath festival in September,
but no Vampirates ........

On the Vampirate forum there is a links section and one by Sailor Bubblemoon66 was listed, so I thought you might like to read it.
See www.fanfiction.net/s/3993138/1/Good_Night_Sleep_Tight

I am assuming here, that Ma Kettle's Tavern being part of the pirating world, the spirits would get smuggled in and the beers brewed on the premises. Foaming beer can be achieved from both kegs of beer and bottles of beer. But if large amounts are being consumed beer will probably be stored in kegs. We put some beer on about two months ago and tried it last night. I had forgotten how hop-y Caroline beer tasted. Although the fermentation process takes just over a week till it is ready to bottle, home brewed beer/live beer tastes better after all the sediment has fallen out, which takes a minimum of three weeks, but two months after brewing started is better.

Justin Somper's blog has some answers to questions that might interest you. Check out www.vampirates.co.uk for more information.
"hola. BLACK HEART is scheduled for Spanish publication in June 2009. I’ve just heard that the Spanish edition of DEMONS is in its 7th printing. Carumba!"
"have asked Montena about Argentinian publication dates. Will let you know once I hear back from them."

Also under the stop press section there is a piece about their success in spain. See www.vampirates.co.uk

Justin Somper's blog is back (under the Vip Section) and he is also answering everyone's questions again. Yippee ... Check out www.vampirates.co.uk

Every so often I do an entry with a list of the countries that have visited this site. Welcome to those of you from Yugoslavia, South Africa, Estonia, Malaysia, Finland, Greece, Indonesia, Morocco and the Russian Federation.

Also our old friends from: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand (Aotearoa), Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu (Polynesian Island), Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay and of course the United States (Commercial, Educational and at home).

I don't know how many of you have looked at the other vampirate websites. I was on www.wampiraci.pl and at the bottom of the multimedia page there is a game of vampirate pelmanism (pairs).