Page 28 - recollections of a life in Porthleven

Chapter 6

A New Friend

Why am I on the square in Porthleven at 04.30 in the morning? Well you
know at 18 years of age (a long time ago), there are more important things
to do. When you are asked to do them. In other words, I will do that dreckly.
If I only took the boat off the moorings last night before I went to the Ship
Inn I would not be standing on the square at this time of the morning.

So before I go home for a quick sleep I thought to myself, let’s go and see
what notices are pinned on the gate. (The gate in Porthleven is were the
villagers pin up local notices etc) 'Morning boy, tis early morning I know
and its only looks as if you and I are the only ones about. ‘Spose the fleet is
gone out early this morning'. An old fisherman said. (I think he was an old
fisherman from the village.)

'Mind you, with the tide making, and the moon nearly full, spring tides aren't
far away. And with the wind in the south, south, westerly quarter. I can see
why the fleet left at first light'. 'Look boy' he said 'the tide and wind is making
quite a swell out there now'. 'Come on boy' he said, 'only you and me let's
go for a stroll around the harbour, out as far as the institute, and if the sea
has not made much more we could even make our way along the pier'. The
next few words he spoke was yet another question. 'Here boy why are there
no nets out drying, hanging over the railings and the walls. The pilchard
season will be here soon and there is no nets in site'.

Who is this old fisherman I was with?

We walked on a little further stopping out side of the Commercial Pub. 'That's
strange boy there is no coaster in. The tides are high, there should be one
tide up along-side. ‘Spose there must be coal in the coal yard boy'.
I looked up at him again and thought to myself, where has he been? We have
not had a coal boat in here for at least15 years or more. 'Here boy, what's
these wood things something like a table and bench outside the commercial?
All the fishing gear should be stored there. Where is the steam crane? Were
is that? What is going on in this village boy?