within twenty-four hours he was adamant that although he was only a couple of meters away from the land of plenty , they would try and get him ashore at their peril , he was mortified that he might catch something unspeakable - culinary wise , and the local chief of police , who was political rather than practical ( he could talk the hind legs off a donkey ) ( but had his heart was in the right place - his wallet ) , was , after one full english breakfast ( with all the trimmings ) - mine , although my tinnitus would never be the same again .