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As work continues we come up against an unexpected predicament...
We continue our work over the remainder of that week as the days merged into a steady cadence of activity. I would get to know and appreciate this man who has at first rubbed me the wrong way. His work ethic was impeccable; as we worked his refusal for short cuts to avoid difficulties was not his habit. So all that was accomplished was done and done well. He did find lazy calculations on the remaining “completed” work from previous expeditions, this would lead to our re-measuring the erred lots and his updating the findings in the logs.
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Just when things are moving alone I try out the Rokon Motorbike...
At one point we needed some more tools and about four 2x4 studs. The reason for them I cannot remember but Jim suggested my using the recently repaired Rokon motorcycle. This way I did not spend a couple of time consuming trips collecting the materials. Hesitantly, because of my lack of knowledge in running motorcycles, I agreed. His logic was sound. I hiked back to shore, distracted by Star Trek episodes. Arriving at the igloo I collected all that Jim listed for me to get. I placed it in a crate and secured it on the padded rack over the back of the bike. The six foot 2x4s were secured on the same rack. Two per side and the other end would drag on the ground behind me. Back to work...
In the time since Harry’s departure we made ourselves at home in two metal igloos located between the shore and lagoon. These oddities located halfway down a well-worn path from the beach to lagoon. One, the brown one, was used to store all our equipment and excess food. It was well guarded against the elements so we couldn’t have chosen better. The weather beaten white one with the peeling green hide was our chosen sleeping room only because the door on that one was latch-able. We slept comfortably at night after a long days’ worth of survey work and the five kilometer hike to and from the work site. The man becomes a quick trusted friend whose influence stays with me for decades...
Jim is an avid reader admitting that often he is reading a few books at a time. Yet for this trip he brought with him only one book that he would read voraciously on lapsed times. His choice for this expedition: Farley Mowat’s The Siberians. A study on how human nature perseveres when forced to live in an unhospitable environment as the frozen Siberian landscape. Instead of conquering the harsh landscape they utilize it in their routines, construction and all. Jim would later state that he only reads subjects that educate, informs him on the unknown if something is learned from its pages then it is a good book. My book of choice on this outing was ‘Star Trek the Movie’ adaptation penned by Gene Roddenberry, to my shame particularly since this was my second reading of it. An opening in overcast skies provides a wonder...
Jim proves to be an observant man but sometimes oblivious in his deductions. He was confident on Harry's return. I had my doubts. Even so, not much was missed by his gaze; he would pride himself on his good judge of character. He would speculate that I would abhor the lonely life and be married with the first girl “looking my way”. A brief respite before continuing...
We decide to take the weekend off before returning to the chore of work. Since now our days will involve a long hike to and from a couple of days respite will be reinvigorating. Besides, the backlash of the exhausting week suffering the rain took more of its toll on us. |
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About the Author
I have always ended up in unexpected places. So I present a collection of my tales told over the years. Places that due to circumstances I might never go on my own accord. Categories
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February 2022
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