Page 51 - recollections of a life in Porthleven

Then I found myself alone back on the quayside again, I’m sure I will meet
up with the Skipper again. I made my way across the outer harbour, climbed
the iron ladder at the start of the pier, walked up around the Institute and
back home to Trewarvas.

My father was waiting for me, not in a happy mood, ‘Where the hell have
you been? We’ve missed the tide because you haven’t put the boat in the
outer harbour. We had gear to pull that morning, two tiers of crab nets’.
‘You would not believe me if I told you’, was my reply.

I went in to the house and upstairs to get out of my wet jeans and have a
bath. Laying in the bath I look down at my legs as they were stinging. To
my shock they were badly bruised and covered in cuts, but, not
bleeding……….

Note from the Spirit of Porthleven (Skipper) ‘I could write a book about the
stories and secrets of our great county and beyond. But in my world it is
impossible and therefor I am relying on my great friend Johnny Boy to do
it for me, I can tell you a lot! I think he should write a book. I’ve told him
to call me ‘Skipper’ and not ask again for my birth name.

Johnny Boy asked me why me and others stay here in Porthleven. I’ve told
him it’s a lifelong story and I told him what was what…..

Like you, many others and myself my wife and the rest of the men (spirits)
you can see. When our time was over on your earth we were given a choice,
would we like to stay on this earth or live in another world. We decided to
stay because we loved our village and county so much. We have no children
to follow us so we were permitted to stay, however, we have to abide by two
rules. One, we mustn’t enter into the humans life and two, we must respect

the Sabbath, which we do. Now, you are human so did you enter into our
life or did we enter into yours?

Johnny Boy replied, ‘Yes, I have understood what you have just said but
what about me after death? Where will I go?