The Lubber’s Hole - A Patrick O’Brian Podcast

Stephen’s shore leave karma comes home, and we get a yellow jack education. Inter-squadron tension increases. In the Bight of Benin we meet a new potto and a potto-loving woman, while there's new from home. Can the squadron leave in time to catch the French? Ch. 9.

Jack worries about the odds if they don’t find the French 74. No plan survives contact with the enemy or mother nature. We reach Ireland at last with heavy weather, Biblical references, everyone in need of a pilot, and a multitude of surprises. Ch 10.

We talk to Will Sofrin and Capt. Richard Bailey about Will’s book, All Hands on Deck: A Modern-Day High Seas Adventure to the Far Side of the World. We hear about their remarkable adventure and learn a little bit about the story behind the book.

We begin The Yellow Admiral: Jack and the Bellona are redeployed, but Jack is back in London for parliamentary business, and to deal with complications from his slavery mission. Stephen’s gone missing and Sir Joseph Blaine is worried. Ch 1.

Jack and Stephen discuss a plan to inclose the common land next to Woolcombe. We discover birds disguised as metaphors (or is it the other way around) while Jack plots to get himself into even more trouble in Parliament. Ch 2.

The big prize fight is here, and the women step up (as usual). There's a bad omen, perhaps a little nobbling, a brief history of lechery, and some masterfully scary driving. Ch 3.

Jack and Stephen try to rejoin the squadron; We learn what women most desire; and the Admiral reacts to the inclosure vote. There are wrinkled arses, maggot therapy, and a potential new career path for Jack. Ch 4.

There are disasters of old in these treacherous waters, music with a delightful new youngster, left-handed instruments, a great gun exercise, skylarking, an unexpected turn, and an anxiety-filled parting in the dark. Ch. 5.

Jack worries about Stephen, teaches trig and upsets the Admiral, again. All is not well at home. (Hint: Mrs Williams is back.) There’s a potential prize, a blow and an unexpected time ashore. Ch 6.

Stuck waiting for repairs, Jack returns to the squadron too late to pick up Stephen and frets over the Admiral's view of his recent prize-taking. Stephen’s roundabout homeward journey takes him to London, to Blaine, and the promise of a new intelligence coup. Ch 7.