Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:28:22 -0800 (PST)
From: Rubber Rider <rubber_rider07@yahoo.ca>
Subject: Logging camp Pt12

Well I had a great holiday riding various cross country trails, some of the
time Sam came with me and together we had our swags which we zipped
together so didn't need a tent but did have a large plastic fly sheet in
the event of heavy rain. We did a lot of love making while together and
every night started off in the 69 position however all good things come an
end. I eventually returned to River Camp my home and got unloaded put all
my gear into the laundry and got that underway. I was in the shower when
Dad came home, he called out would you like your back scrubbed that would
be wonderful yes please. Dad was soon in the shower and said it looks as
you need a good shave as well I will do that for you providing you shave me
as well.

After this cleaning up we had a couple beers and then headed for supper, on
entry to the cookhouse I was getting comment like great to see you home
again and we hear that you and Sam had a great time riding -- we sure
did.

We get our supper and John asks me what are my plans for tomorrow, well
first I must do a full service on my bike then I will look at my email and
such like. So how long do you expect that to take? Well providing nothing
of major importance about 2˝ to 3 hours so you would be clear once you have
cleaned up by 11:00 am.

Why do you ask, well we need to sit down and discuss a number of items so
give me a call and we will have an early lunch. The next day my service
went well and inect only took a couple of hours so after cleaning up I went
to my office and started going though all my mail and I found one letter
marked private and personnel from the Distant Learning School.

When I read the contents they were asking me to make a presentation to
their board on how I had achieved getting the students of this companies
loggings Camp to improve their. Marks; I put this letter to one side to
think about it later.

My radio comes to life.

Super to DR1 where are you?  DR1 to super in the office -- stay there Joe
I'm on my way.

Oh you have read the letter as I knew about it from Brent and by the way
Camp#1 marks are climbing and Camp#2 appears to be on the rise as well so
obviously your method is working well for you, which is great news.

So Joe lets go and get some lunch, so I ask John what are your thoughts on
this request? Well you can guess who is behind it -- Yes that Brent the
bugger; do you have any idea how many there are on there board of
directors.

No not off hand but I would think five people, well I have a thought there
four guys graduating this year between all the camps and I'm going to
suggest that the graduating ceremony be held at one of our camps and before
this takes place have a round table discussion with all out young folk and
get them tell the story on how they got there marks up. I would also like
to have here my old school principle as well. This whole succession should
be video taped and then could be used by the distant learning people to
show it around at other locations. I like that idea says John, get hold of
Brent and see what he thinks.

Oh by the way Jack has gone to Camp #2 as the Superintendent and we are
looking at an internal promotion to fill his place, so I would like to hear
your thoughts when we get back to the office. George at Camp #1 is there
new supper but no Assistant as yet I think that may come from outside but
would like to see an internal promotion and keep it in the family and it
would be nice if we could find someone from either Camp 1 or 2.

We take a walk around just chatting about various things and I'm saying it
looks as if I will have another couple of guys to train for the dispatch
riders to cover both Hillside Camps; well that is great news Joe.

We get back to the office and there is a message for both of us to phone
Brent so by using John's speaker phone, John puts the call in.

Hi Brent John here how can I help and I also have Joe here as we are both
on the speaker phone,

Question 1 -- John do have you anyone on site to fill Jacks slot I may
have just about to look at personnel records, sounds good once you have
made a decision give me a call later this afternoon.

Question 2 -- Joe I understand you should have had a letter from the
Distant Learning Board please send me a copy and do you have any thoughts
on this idea of meeting with them. Yes I do so I briefly tell Brent what I
said to John -- then there is total silence for a few minutes. Brent
comes back and says you are a bugger but I like that idea by reversing
everything. The idea of video taping the discussions with the young folk
makes a lot of senses however I like the idea of the graduation taking
place at one of the Camps also appeals to me be cause all there families
can be there and it eliminates dressing up. You and Sam broke the tradition
on that one and at first some folk were turning up there noses but in the
end you certainly got a good response from those attending.

I suggest you reply basically what you have suggest to me and you have my
support, thanks Joe; oh before we hang up did you have good vacation yes we
did and for a bit of the time Sam joined up with me and I know he sure
enjoyed himself, that is great Bye for now.

John hangs up the phone, and looks at me and says ok your thoughts Joe; I
Like the idea of promoting the master mechanic however you also have
forestry engineer; that did work briefly in the bush but in my mind not
long enough whereas Bob the master mechanic did work for several year in
the bush then did his apprenticeship for a heavy duty mechanic. Now for his
replacement we have a several dammed good mechanics and I would let Bob
recommend his replacement plus we have two guys who have recently completed
there HD Apprenticeships so we would not be short at the bottom end.

John sat there very quietly then left my office returning shortly with
Bob's personnel file and looking through the only item was a slip about not
wearing his safety vest when out in the bush but that was 10 years ago and
as far as I'm concerned that does not need to be there. John destroys that
notation. I see he has been in his present position now for 4˝ years and I
know he has had no labor problems.

John looks at me and says and says I like your reasoning and I agree Bob is
our man; I will phone Brent right away. Hi Brent John here we have our man
providing you agree, who is it? I'm looking at promoting Bob our Master
Mechanic who spent a fair bit of time in the bush before taking an HD
Apprenticeship and then worked his way up in the shop and has been in his
present position 4˝ yrs OK go ahead and make an offer of plus $8 but point
out he will get full medical coverage at no cost to himself and that is
worth about another three dollars per hour. I will leave it with you John
go ahead when you are ready and I will get a contract drawn up once
everything is settled at your end.

I give the thumbs up to Joe and head over to the shop and I find Bob is
under one of the trucks helping to sort out a problem with the hydraulic
lines with young Keith. As Bob comes out he says to Keith that should clear
the problem.

Oh hi John didn't see you standing there are you on a walk about or did you
wish to see me? Actually I would like to talk to you lets go to your
office, I close the door and then say how would you like to become the
Assistant Superintendent here to replace Jack who has taken over as
Superintendent at Hillside #2.

Bob sits there sort of stunned look on his face, and then say you are
asking me to replace Jack I said yes, they are big boots to fill. All I can
say if you think that I'm up to it thank you very much the answer is
yes. Now Bob this is a salaried job and your medical will be the extended
coverage at no cost to yourself and the equivalent of $8:00 per hr raise
overall and I do not have the figures I suggest it will work out at around
$13 /hr on top of what you are getting right now.

For your replacement in the shop I would like you to give this some thought
and find the best man for the job and remember we have two HD Mechanic that
have completed and can go at the bottom end so your shop will not be short
of crew.

Remember who ever you recommend must have a good working relationship with
the rest of the crew and be capable of doing any job that is thrown there
way. Bob you improved this shop because you were a hands on man when
required and you never have got worried about getting filthy dirty either;
this is what I want to see in your replacement. So go home this evening and
have a good think about it. There will be some contract papers to sign once
they come from town. We shook hands and gave Bob a good hug saying welcome
to the fold.

I get back to my own office and phone Brent an give the good news, his
comment well that is a good relief thanks John I will get the contract
papers to you by the morning make a copy once filed for your files and
return the original to me please -- sure thing Brent

Oh John we will make this effective salary wise as of to-day and as soon as
he has selected someone to fill his place give them a week together and
then he can take up his new position.

I had just hung up talking to Brent when Bob came into the office saying I
have made my selection and in my opinion I'm going to suggest Bruce. Sounds
good Bob let check his personal file, I go through it and find nothing out
of order. OK Bob lets go and talk with him in your shop office and be there
as well please, we head for the shop and the crew is talking there coffee
break sitting out side shooting the breeze. As we get closer Bob say Bruce
would come over to my office please and bring your coffee. He looks
surprised, the others are giving him a bad time by saying what did you do
wrong Bruce.

Bob come on in Bruce and shuts the door, Bob says how would you like to
become the master mechanic here and take over my job -- your kidding me,
John says no Bruce this is a serious offer as Bob is going to become my
assistant replacing Jack who has become the Superintendent at Camp#2. Bruce
says well this is an offer I can't refuse thank you very much for having
faith in me to do the job. John said the plan is for you and Bob work
together for a week getting the hang of the paper work and then Bob will
back off; but remember you can always ask Bob if you get stuck. Now to
ensure we are not short handed we have two HD Mechanic's who have completed
there apprenticeship so they can come in at the bottom.

John advised Brent that he had filled all the vacant spots in the shop and
also provided the plan on how thing were going to work out.

In Brent's reply he say' there was a distant leaning board meeting
yesterday and they considered Joe's reply, it sort of surprised them
putting the boot on the other foot however they eventually came around and
decided to go for it.

Now I'm thinking that they all come to River Camp about mid-morning meet up
with some of the young folk and then we shuttle then using a crummy to Camp
#1 and get Camp#2 also brought there. Meet in the community hall so they
can ask questions of the students that have now got there marks up. I would
also like Joe to be with them at all times. We can put them up in the guest
house as the board is five and I can easily sleep in the bunkhouse so what
do you think John?

I replied it is really Joe's call and will show him your letter and get his
views and he can let you know, well I forward this letter to Joe to deal
with.

I'm back checking a new area that our forestry engineer has laid out on
paper, I ask him have you been to have a look at the area as getting a
loading area may be difficult due to the grade.

He said no that is my next job and I plan to go there tomorrow, so you
evaluate the area and then we can discuss this further -- ok John and
with that the forestry engineer departed.

I hear Joe's bike coming in and in a few minutes I call out hey Joe are you
there, yes just getting myself some tea and I'll be in to see you. I'm
still in full riding gear and John asks where have you been? Just back from
Camp#1 as one of the young guys want to see me privately.

Well it turns out that young Julian graduates this year and his Dad has
told him once graduates he will buy him a dirt bike. I have been watching
this Julian fairly closely and he has spent lots of time in shop and wants
to become a dispatch rider. I have told him I will help teach to ride in a
safe manner.

Frankly I'm very please he has come to me as we need a DR at both Camps. I
have not told him the DR bikes are owned by the company so his own bike
does not get beaten up.

Joe please check your email and then we can go to lunch, so Joe heads to
his office and gets out of his riding gear while his computer gets up to
speed. Reading his mail then he see the forwarded one from Brent and starts
to laugh then thinks about a date for the trip and finally decided that
most of the board will have day jobs so what about a Friday and Saturday;
John poke is head in the door and says coming for lunch -- on my way.

We had our usual soup and sandwich lunch; John said I heard you laughing
what was the joke? It's the comment in Brent's email, I have been thinking
about the proposed trip as I suspect most of the boards have full jobs so
I'm thinking of a Friday and Saturday so what do you think John.

After discussions with Brent again the board was invited to come to River
Camp and to arrive early afternoon. Brent had discussion with them in
regards to clothing and said he would provide both hard hats and safety
vests.

The day came and in fact Brent brought them over in one of the company
vehicles, on arrival they were offered either tea or coffee, during this
time Joe explain what he had done personally and then got others in the
Camp to try it out and it work. Now I would like you all to meet the guys
from our original Camp, and then meet the group from the newly acquired
Camp.

I believe achievement could apply to the rest of your students, in our case
we had 100% support from the parents and that really helped.

Towards the end of the visit by the Board of Distant Learning I said we had
several young guys due to graduate this year why don't we hold that
function here at Camp#1 where they have a nice community hall, there would
be no dressing up however the evening I suspect will be a big Camp out.

If you folk remember when Sam and I graduated we both went dressed in heavy
work jeans and boots however the end result went over well in my
opinion. This all was help by my old school principle who asked me about
six weeks prior if I would be one of the speaker's at that function as I
had move from town into isolated Camp when I was 13 yrs old to live with my
Dad.

Brent spoke on behalf of the board and thanks everyone making there visit
very interesting, and said a couple of the board members didn't slept that
well last night because it was so quiet. They discussed the idea of doing a
graduation function for those at this operation and felt it was a good
idea, and we should get all those involved to create a video of them
themselves out of school. So Joe I assume you still have a copy of your
presentation so please let them see that as hopefully it will give them
some ideas.

It was now lunch time so Camp#1 cook did his usual soup & sandwich special
for the guests after which they all departed to River Camp, collected their
belonging and Brent then drove them all back to town. We heard later Brent
took them all out to Supper at our local in town pub

Dad & I have not been able to really get together due to work load however
this coming weekend we are both going out on our dirt bike taking some grub
and our swags as we might stay out overnight only time will tell.

Friday evening we got everything loaded ready for an early start after
breakfast having previously let Bob know that were both going to be away
but told him if really urgent to call on channel two and that one of us
would respond.

Friday evening we gave each other a real good shaving personally for me it
was long over due, then a good shower and gave each other lots of
protein. Finally with our towel rapped around dad pour a mighty stiff rum
and ginger as I headed to sit out side in the evening sunshine after couple
we headed for bed and went into the 69 position and finally Dad ask may I
take you, of course it has been a long time. It sure didn't take long
before I had all of Dad in me.

Dad fucked me well while he was doing this I fell asleep, only to be woken
by the alarm clock which had forgotten to shut off. Dad was still in me and
I started to pump my arse and soon found dad was getting hard again. I kept
this up for about 20 minutes when I felt my ring piece tighten down on his
cock; it was not long before he is shooting loads into his condom as I
could feel it swelling considerably.

Saturday morning

Suddenly I hear a voice asking if I'm awake I said yes the alarm woke me,
well I just had a great dream that I was fucking you this morning, I laugh
no worries Dad you are still in me so you don't have to wash the sheets
this time. I broke the connection and felt very empty but I needed my early
morning pee, while there Dad comes in and say hey move over I have to do
the same, after which we both take a shower and ask what gear are you
wearing today Dad? I'm going in leather, then my body amour and my Hi-Vis
overalls that sounds like a good plan.

Well go and have good breakfast and our cook has got us two nice steaks, a
couple of good sized spuds, we also grabbed a couple of sandwiches, ginger
ale and some milk.

Everything got loaded on our bikes and I asked do you have your field
glasses --Yes then we were off. We headed off on an old track at times it
was pretty rough but we were in no hurry, this track climbed a fair hill,
once at the top we could see a nice looking lake so was the direction we
took. Once there we found partly fallen down cabin which was well located
so get as much sunshine. We decided to use this for our Campsite especially
since the lake was only about 25 feet away. Our bikes are parked on there
prop stands as the ground was soft we found some suitable wood to provide a
better spreading of the weight. We went down to the lake and the water was
nice a clear so we both decided on a swim so back to were we are going to
camp everything is peeled off and back into the water and "Burr" it was
cold, came down and dived in and surfacing saying bloody hell that is cold.

We both quickly got out of the water and soon got some gear on. Dad was
doing something I said I'm going to collect firewood; good we will need it
as I fear it might be cold to-night.

I found a great spot for fire wood and we soon got the fire going and it
was putting out good heat. Hey Dad that lake water was sure cold never
expected that, no nor did I and I think we should both have rum and ginger
to help warm up never thought you would say that but it sure sounds
good. Dad brings the two rums over and say's mate. So Joe I know you have
been up to your eyeballs in work how are things?

Joe said this distant learning created a bit of un-needed work but Brent
asked me to help them out. I meant a fair bit of travelling and I don't
like sleeping in town it is too noisy and you miss out on your sleep
badly. This Distant Leaning group who do excellent work brought all the
parents and there kids into a large Campout first I had to meet with all
the parents while the kids were meeting there teachers possible for the
first time.

My job was to explain what happened in my own case and how I got Sam
involved but the big thing was the kids got up with there parents whatever
time and had a family breakfast after which dad went to work and there kid
also went to work and in general they should have completed there school
work around 1 -- 2 pm then need to send there school work off by email to
the distant learning folk. The rest of the day is there own however it does
mean a change in sleeping habits in other words they go to bed the same
time as Dad does.

Now a number of the kids are living in logging Camps, and the one thing
they want is a dirt bike. Now use this as a carrot by saying you get your
marks up over 80% then you will consider it. Of course I'm referring to
guys but no doubt's the girls want similar things just use the same thing
and then also where there may be a girl and a boy in the family they are
both treated the same, and that is very important.

The meeting with the girls and guys went on a similar line and how I was
doing lousy and then finally got things going.

This whole event was three days long and I slept with all the kids as I had
taken my swag and the was a really good, I slept like a log, yes the kids
asked me many questions and they I think were relaxed because I was sitting
on the ground and sleeping in the same tent, I feel you get right through
them this way.

Dad says interesting in the way you tackle that sort of problem, so how do
you think you made out, you know as well as I do time will tell.

So Dad what about you? Well Brent has sent over a number of visitors to
look over all our Camps and ask me to be tour guide! Something I don't like
doing but you know Brent don't get him wound up over something like
that. Incidentally I think we will be seeing him in Camp shortly as he
asked if he could visit to get away from the rate race, I bet there some
other reason in that request, Dad said I told him he would have share our
bed -- good for you.

Joe says during my travel I stopped into the office and over heard
something, I think Brent is looking at expanding again but have now idea
where.

That Brent is quiet a guy lets hope he does a full research this time and
makes sure we don't have the problem the Hillside gave us -- you got that
right Dad. However everything eventually worked out in our favor and you
know I'm surprised that there has not been a Supper Meeting yet, come to
think of it is surprising.

I think we should get our spuds and steaks cooked as we have a good
fire. Dad got his steel sheet out and between us we got it position over
the fire, poured some cooking oil at first until it was smoking hot then
some water which then cleaned off sheet. We racked out some of the hot
coals and added more oil to the sheet on which we placed our steaks.

After a good meal washed down with some rum hot water and brown sugar, you
could now feel the nip in the air. We got our swags out and zipped them
together in the meantime Dad had gone off to gets a load of bracken to make
an additional mattress for us. We also erected the ground sheet as a roof
should it rain in the night, any other gear we stowed on the old porch of
the cabin all wrapped up well. It really didn't take long to go to sleep as
we had several hot rums before turning in.

The next morning we woke up about 6:30 am, the clouds appeared to be very
stormy in appearance. I said I will get the sways put away and wrapped
up. Dad starts getting breakfast going well at least the kettle is on then
suddenly the rains came in and it simply poured down with no letup in
site. We both got our rain gear on and got everything loaded basically
loaded. We used the kettle water and put it on the fire dousing it, Dad got
the cooking plate off the heat while I got more cold lake water and then
doused the plate making ok to handle.

Now everything was loaded and headed back but took a turning to a small
town hoping to find a Café. Luck was with us, there was a Café with a
number of bikers parked outside so we joined them and had a good
breakfast. The rain was still coming down heavily so talking it over we
decided to head back to Camp. We had seen there was a Gas Station so
heading there first we topped up before hitting the road.

I knew a short cut via Hillside they used to have a connection to this hwy
but we had the gate locked and further more everyone was going out the
other way.

We took that turning lucky we had our keys and headed to Hillside when our
radio went off, John or Joe are you receiving me, we stopped and John
answered Hi Bob what up?

Sorry to break your weekend but we have two major mud slides from all this
rain, where are they Bob the main line and a small one at Camp #2. Thanks
for the update we just entered the old unused road from the Hwy to Camp#2
we will keep in contact.

I said to Joe if we have turn back it is a long ride as will have to go
into town and then back out. Things turned out good and we stopped in at
Camp#2 and had a word with the super to get the latest updated and to his
knowledge the road thought River Camp was clear. Thanks we will keep you
informed. I call Bob on Channel #2 he quickly answered, I'm just leaving
Camp#2 heading your way and will switch to channel#6 for any communications
-- Thanks John take care switching to channel 6.

Well we made it back to River Camp and meet up with Bob for and update, He
had all ready got the map out and marked the problem areas, So Bob what are
your recommendations? Well he said we cannot have crews going into those
areas until the rain has eased off as it appears that the ground is
unstable, however I believe we need to do an assessment and my way of
thinking is to drive within say a 100 yards and then walk and
examine. Sounds practical but did you realize there is another road on the
opposite side of the valley where with field glasses you can look and see
how much area has been covered. It's not a good situation Bob I think I
will go and have a close look at the areas, so Bob how about you and I go
out there and I will get Joe to hold the fort by staying here.

So Bob get your raingear on and boots and we will head out and each have a
radio, I think it will be best to use channel two so as to keep any
information away from others.

We get to place where we could see the slide area which appeared rather
wide, your thoughts Bob and what do we do? Bob says this a tough one, I'm
thinking of using this road until we get the slide clear off the road, now
I'm not sure if there is turn around area' for the trucks but need to check
that out -- OK Bob go and look at the loading area. We find a couple of
places that need cleaning out but we decided the loading area is OK.

Well Bob let us return to Camp and plan how we are going to get everything
back to normal.

Back at the office 1st Job -- take the cat and grader to clean up Valley
main 2nd Job -- allow logging trucks and crew to site via Valley Main 3rd
Job -- use frontend loader to start moving debris from slide let debris
go down into the valley.

So to-morrow morning we advise the crew on what is taking place -- how
does that sound to you Bob, it all makes sense. So now I will Email Brent
and advise him of what has happened and our plans to get things back to
normal.

Bob finally said I'm sorry I had to interrupt your father & son time, no
problem Bob, I next Email Brent with all the facts and then shutdown my
computer for the night. I said come on Joe we need to get changed out of
our leathers, showered and then some grub, then headed back home.

I had just poured two good rums when Dad's phone rings, oh hi Brent so will
it effect log movements, I said no but there will be a delay in the morning
while the grader send bulldozer crews to clean up Valley Main, the logs can
come out that way but will take a little longer.

Brent asks have you heard from any other Camps if the have problems well
yes Jack at Hillside and I meet and he said he had some minor slide but
have no idea where it is.

So how come you were at hillside? We had left River Camp Saturday morning
for father and son time and were camping, however with the pouring rain we
decided to head home, we had just come through the old Hillside gate from
the highway. When Bob phone me about the problems; dammed good thing we
always carry our keys.

Well John I was planning on coming out next weekend, I think I will be
there tomorrow around midday and because of the situation I'll used the
guest house and visit all the Camps that have been effected, I'm now going
to contact all the supers and get verbal update. So John I will see you
tomorrow have a good evening.

The next afternoon I get a call from Brent asking where I'm located, I said
out on the main line having close up look at the slide but Brent don't come
up here as there no where to turn your truck around. I'm using my dirt bike
for access. If you have your field glasses you can see from valley main but
they are log hauling on that road. No problems John I will wait in you
office but first will go to the Guest House and get my gear in there.

So after doing an assessment and taking some photo's I realized there was
at least another 8 -- 10 hours work. I called Bob and said I think we
should ask the guys to work 12 hours, your thoughts Bob? Bob's comment was
the longer it took to get then hauling via the main line the higher costs
and that will be considerable, it is cheaper to have the road crew working
overtime. OK since I'm up here I will talk to the crew and we can easily
get them some grub sent up by a dispatch rider.

I get hold of the crew on the radio and ask them to work a 12 hour shift
and also say what grub would you like sent up? Jackson says a couple of
sandwiches and Jimmy say same thing please and would you let my wife know I
will be late home. What type of sandwich -- don't care what ever Kia has
there. I said you grub will be here within the hour and anything to drink.

I call Bob, special job for you firstly go and see Jimmy wife and advice
her that he is doing a 12 hour shift and not to worry he is going to have
some sandwiches from the cookhouse sent up. Then get Kia to make a couple
of sandwiches each of them and tell him Jackson will be late in and have it
all sent up ASAP via our duty Dispatch Rider.

I returned to Camp, Brent was not in the office so after getting my riding
gear off, I walked over to the guest house to find Brent sitting outside
reading a wad of papers.

Hi John please come and join me, would you like a drink? I'm having a G&T;
well that sounds good, take a seat and I will be with you in a few
moments. It was not long before I'm handed my G&T cheers John, so what is
the update. So I fill Brent in and tell him that get input from Bob and he
giving me the right answers as he is looking at costs of hauling and as he
put it, it is cheaper to work 12 hours clearing than running into an extra
day the long was around. Before you ask grub is being sent up to the crew
via the duty DR.

Suddenly my radio triggers DR2 to AS go ahead Sam, I'm on my way with grub
to the road crew -- Out AS to DR2 thanks Sam they will welcome you I'm
sure -- Out

Brent says that Sam is a great young guy and really seems to enjoy his DR
work. I said his Mum and Dad are very proud of him and the way he conducts
himself, Sam helped Joe a lot to adjust to Camp life when Joe first moved
here, today you would have a job to pry him away -- he sure does not like
being in town he loves the peacefulness and solitude as it so quiet at
night and loves watching the stars.

When Joe brought his Mum out here so had no idea what to expect but after a
few days she told me it had really worked out well for Joe and was so happy
for him, later on she commented she could understand his love for being the
bush.

His old friends have sort of drifted away but one person he keeps in
contact with is his old school principle they sort of saw eye to eye and
when Joe said both he and same wanted to break away from tradition he got a
positive response.

Brent then said; you know the graduation takes place in 2 months time, get
Joe to invite him out here and see if he is willing to come ahead of the
others coming for that event.

Do you have an empty house -- no they are all full but let me talk to Joe
because we let them use our place and we will simply use the
bunkhouse. That sounds like a practical idea and I know Joe would go and
collect them from town.

Now John that bring me to something else, I would like to make River Camp
the central point for Supers meetings etc but frankly we do not have a
suitable location. This is what I'm thinking doing either a major upgrade
on this buildings or making it a staff house and putting up a brand new
building that would have a board rm, lounge and at least 12 bedrooms
complete with showers; it needs to be close to the cookhouse and thinking
of what we said earlier perhaps two of the rooms should be for husband and
wife, so your thoughts John.

First comment the bedrooms should all have patio doors facing west so if a
BBQ is done everyone gets the evening sunshine. The board room and lounge
really also be west or south facing. This actually means a rather long
building and not really practical. Mind you if the board room area is
surrounded by the bed room it does provide for better security on hot
subjects.

So Brent why so many bedrooms? Brent is very quiet and thinking; finally
Brent says you and I have known each other for a long time and I have
learnt to trust both you and Joe and for that I'm very grateful. I see it
is almost supper time so let meet at your place after supper and you can
discuss with Joe re the school principle and then we talk about other
things. John before you go here are two bottles of over proof and two
regular rums for you two and enjoy.

See you in the cookhouse in about thirty minutes -- sure thing.

Well I head home and find Joe there sitting reading some mail that came in
to-day, hey Joe we need to get clean up and have supper with Brent, we are
meeting in 25 minutes. We quickly got strip and showered, hey John should
we dress a little for this evening, might be a good idea Joe -- no
problem.

We head over to the cookhouse and go to rear but first advise Kia what is
going on, a few moments later Brent comes in and Kia greets him hi Brent
you have come for a good meal eh!

We all get our food and go to our table, I understand you both were out
Camping in the bush but got cut short by the heavy rain -- Joe answers
yes we did and Dad and I had not been out for some time away from it all
and the fact Bob had to call us was no problem as we were on our way home
anyway. By this time we had all finished our meal and John suggest that we
all return to our place.

Once we got home and Brent says you know you two guys have really made this
look like a home, it always appears comfortable. John says enough of that
Brent I assume Rum & Ginger sounds good John thanks. The drinks are served
and then John says out with it Brent.

Brent is thinking, and then says Joe you have shown me you can keep things
confidently the same as your Dad and you even don't tell him when you have
been given confidential information.

Dad will tell you about that later of modifying the guest house.

Well here it comes, I'm looking at taking on Crew Logging it a family run
business but there no family sons to take over and they want to retire but
wish to keep there operation running. They have two Camps with roughly 15
families plus about 35 crew in the bunkhouses, including several of the
crew have there son's living there. From what I understand the young folk
range from 10 yrs old to 15 yrs old between the two Camps and by the way
Joe I have not made any inquiries re there school marks.

Before I forget I will not get caught out when I took over Hillside the
situation here if different.

Now as you know they back onto the other side of River Camp and basically
makes the Camp the center of operations hence my thoughts on expanding the
guest house or replacing it, You discuss with Joe and see what idea's can
come up with.

Now John I'm going to ask you a favor, I would like you to do a personnel
assessment of both there Camp's. Lyle John's is the contact man there and
also part owner with his brother Keith John's each of them look after one
Camp. Now to get there at present will be about a one hour drive, however I
have some Google earth photo's and I think we could get a road through
without much trouble.

So let's enjoy the evening what is left of it, tomorrow I'm planning
visiting several of our Camps starting off with Hillside where there is a
report of a small slide.

We can continue this conversation to-morrow; John pours a stiff over proof
Rum & Ginger, by the time Brent had consumed his refreshment he says to
John I think I wouldn't mind another -- no problems mate.

Well Brent did not go back to the guest house that night; so we enjoyed his
company sandwiched between Joe and I. It all finished up with Brent in me
and Joe in Brent -- real mutual partnership. I think we all passed out
because when my alarm went off we were all still connected. I slowly broke
my connection and headed for the bathroom and soon to be joined with Joe.

I decided to put the kettle on and make a pot of tea and also got the
headache pills out as I'm sure Brent will need some so another day
commences.