Page 13 - recollections of a life in Porthleven

When we got to the top of the hill we would turn to the left and walk up the
road called Polvarth. Uncle Fred and Auntie Gladys lived in the last house
on the left hand side of the road.The house overlooked St Mawes, Carrick
Roads and you could even see Falmouth Castle.

(Uncle Fred was a very well-known person in the village, Captain Fred Ferris)
My time in St Mawes was just wonderful, I cannot remember having any
breakfast but I am sure Auntie Gladys or Uncle Fred would have given me
a proper Cornish breakfast.

All I can recall is walking (skipping) down from the house first thing in the
morning with my Uncle Fred. I am sure that each morning there was never
a cloud in the sky. The sun was always out and never no wind. The birds
were all ways singing. Do you know I was then living in a perfect world.
Well Uncle Fred and I would walk along the road and lane to the boat yard
or close by. The river would be very quiet but the wildlife would be very
active, even fish jumping clear out of the water.

I loved my time with Uncle Fred, the words he would come out with, there
that's a proper job, here my ansome, we will do that dreckley? Going back
to them, you could tell from there accent what part of Cornwall they came
from. Losing my story, Uncle Fred would unhitch the punt and pull it to the
shore. ‘Steady boy now get on’. So on I would get up into the bow. First
time I did this trip with Uncle Fred I thought he would pick up the oar and
skull out to the ferry. But no, he put in the row locks, placed the oars into
them, stood up facing me and rowed out to the ferry which was moored just
off shore. On board the punt was tied to the mooring. We would then go
down to the engine room. When after checking the oil and opening the
seacocks etc the engine would be started. We would then go back on deck
were I would be told to stand in the wheel house and when told I had to put
it into gear. Go ahead, then Uncle Fred would shout knock her out, (take her
out of gear). There would be a splash from the chain and rope as it hit the
water.

Next thing Uncle Fred would be in the wheelhouse saying, ‘that's a proper
job boy’ and we would steam down to St Mawes harbour, passing the large