What a fantastic day. We woke up to the sun burning through the solar panels and making even the wasteland of Wakefield look attractive with the witch hazel in bloom and the the chaffinches playing. We were meeting up with some friends at about 1100 so, as we always do, we decided to pick up all the rubbish around the boat where we are moored. This time though it amounted to three full bin liners. I find it very satisfying really and should have taken some before and after photos but they never show the difference as great at is in reality.
I first met Jon when we both sailed on MV. Helenus. I first saw him on the steps of India Buildings in Liverpool where we were assembling to fly over to Ghent to join this ship. The start of it all didn't go well. We got there in the dark and there weren't enough rooms to go round. The Captain abdicated all responsibility as we weren't signed on so he just left us to sort it all out. The ship was a converted bulk carrier. They had basically opened a hatch, cut a hole in the side and built a steel structure on the deck to house around 4000 cars on very low steel grid decks. The 'garage on the front was so high, including all the fans, that from the bridge you couldn't actually see ahead so they built a little replica on the top called the 'Wendy House'. We left Europe and slowed at Singapore to get mail etc before continuing on to Japan where we loaded cars in several ports. It was then over the Pacific, through the Panama Canal and several ports on the US East Coast before heading back to Europe. I was pleased to get off in the end. But a gang of us from the ship kept in touch for along afterwards.
I first met Jon when we both sailed on MV. Helenus. I first saw him on the steps of India Buildings in Liverpool where we were assembling to fly over to Ghent to join this ship. The start of it all didn't go well. We got there in the dark and there weren't enough rooms to go round. The Captain abdicated all responsibility as we weren't signed on so he just left us to sort it all out. The ship was a converted bulk carrier. They had basically opened a hatch, cut a hole in the side and built a steel structure on the deck to house around 4000 cars on very low steel grid decks. The 'garage on the front was so high, including all the fans, that from the bridge you couldn't actually see ahead so they built a little replica on the top called the 'Wendy House'. We left Europe and slowed at Singapore to get mail etc before continuing on to Japan where we loaded cars in several ports. It was then over the Pacific, through the Panama Canal and several ports on the US East Coast before heading back to Europe. I was pleased to get off in the end. But a gang of us from the ship kept in touch for along afterwards.
Mv Helenus as a car carrier on charter to K Line of Japan.
After being picked up when off to have a bite of brunch outdoor near Newmiller Dam. There were loads of people about and a bacon and sausage sandwich in the sun was a great treat. It was to get better when we went to their house. They had just about finished a fantastic rebuild of an old house that was stone built and now has an oak frame inserted into it. They have managed to make a beautiful well proportioned house that is a delight. We sat in the sunshine in the enclosed garden chewing the fat about and old and new times. Later we went out for an Italian before they dropped us off back at the boat. It was a fantastic day and good to see them both. Thanks for the hospitality and transport to and fro and hope to see them again soon. That was the power of a Christmas card apparently. We kept sending them with news and phoe numbers etc and eventually we got together!
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