Page 35 - recollections of a life in Porthleven

Chapter 8

What a Day

Dad's last words to me, before he left for work, 'John, do not forget to drop
the boat into the outer harbour at dinner time. She might be aground by the
time we have our tea later'.

We went out every other evening to pull our nets which were set to catch
crayfish and lobsters. They also caught a selection of other fish such as
monkfish, ray and turbot.

Well I did forget to move the boat but I thought I would have time to do it
when I left work in the evening. But when I finished work I walked home
with a mate and as we were having such a good chat as we walked up around
the town clock (Institute) I went straight home for my tea, my mate walked
on home too.

Gran was there in the kitchen putting mine and Dad's tea on the table. I'm
sure it was one of her lovely stews. As Gran knew Dad and I only had a short
time for tea she always had it waiting for us.

Dad was home a few minutes and the first thing he said was, 'John you did
remember to drop the boat out at dinner time didn't you?'

I did not have to say anything, Dad could tell by my face I had forgotten. (I
could tell when I had upset him as he would call me 'Boy'.) 'No time for tea
now Boy, put the spare nets on the roof of the car, if we are fast we will just
catch the tide before she goes aground. With the spare nets on the roof off
we went down around the corner (Institute).

As we got under Bay View (a single track road owned by the Harbour
Company) an emmet (holiday maker) was coming the other way. Dad did
not stop, nor did the emmet. Now the fun started, the cars were all but bumper
to bumper. Dad got out of the car and informed the driver of the other car
he should reverse back to the jetty, where we could pass. Well he refused to
go back so Dad politely asked him again. He refused again, 'Boy' he shouted,
'go to the stores (salt cellar) and get a barrow to get the nets as we are leaving
the car here'.