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

Jack says an awkward goodbye to his Turkish and Arabian guests, while he and Stephen chat about politics, ophthalmia and even adultery with a new friend. We discover the remarkable Lady Hester Stanhope, witness a Bedouin fantasia, and wonder what the admiral will say about it all. Ch7.

Jack tests his fortune with the admiral after mixed fortunes in Arabia. Stephen looks like a vagrant, Jack feels like a bereaved lover and the Surprise looks like change could be coming.  And we talk Mediterranean strategy, amphibious operations and the Ottoman empire with special guest Philip Ball.  Ch 8.

Wray and Maturin play for high stakes, but Killick saves the chelengk. We return to Kutali, meet old friends, hear Jack fumbling with Greek and Italian, and have a brush with Bogart and Bergman. Ch 9,10

The action and tension are building, at sea and back in Valetta - a 'most romantic frame' is aboard the Nymphe, and almost takes us by Surprise. And there's a Derry Girls connection, so there is. Ch 9,10

The end of Treason's Harbour should also be the end of the line for Wray, Harte, the Surprise and the Dey of Mascara - but how will that work out in the end? Meanwhile, it's a whole new year for the Lubber's Hole! Ch 10

We're starting a new book, beginning in Gibraltar and all seems suddenly right with the world - the Fieldings reunited, Stephen's message to Diana on its way, and the Surprise on a new mission to The Far Side Of The World. We learn about the art of spin doctoring, and the fallacious nature of Black Swans.  What could possibly go wrong? Ch 1.

Jack is getting ready for sea, and Stephen is birding at the top of Gibraltar rock, but what is the port admiral up to? What's going on among the warrant officers? And who is that uncommonly handsome young woman? Ch 2.

Out at sea, the new crew of the Surprise is getting to know each other better.  Blood letting is just around the corner, but not in the way that you'd think. To top it all, there's a troublesome goat, so grab a dish of tea and enjoy the episode. Ch 3

Trouble and foreboding aboard the Surprise - adultery threatens the equanimity of the ship, and Jack would rather heave-to and paint than cross the Line. Terrible puns are his only relief, sadly. Ch 4.

There's time ashore for Maturin and Martin, but the owl-faced night ape takes its toll, and South America offers addictive new possibilities. As the repaired Surprise races to catch the Norfolk, there are complications, a prize in view and the Horn to weather. Ch 5.