After a great weekend with my Dad, I got down to work double-checking that I had everything required for my trip out tomorrow Tuesday when John stopped in hi Joe I have some maps for you to look at. We spread them out and can see the closest road at Hillside to ourselves then we look at the evaluation and decide I do not see that being the road not to worry at present.
An Email comes in from Peter and then Tony giving me all the details of there young folk they have in camp, and Peter has provided directions and road numbers to his camp and says looking forward to your visit.
Joe packed his shop overalls and at least enough clothing to cover four days not knowing what was available in the way of laundry plus all video disks he might need. Lucky his carrying box has been enlarged and provided with a locked box so he not short of space so far.
That evening after supper, John says lets get home and I am going to pour you a real stiff one or two but only after, we have showered and lets both get well shaved, Joe says that is a good idea.
We finish up on the rear deck in the evening sunshine we are sitting there enjoying the peacefulness of the location and finally the sun went down and we could see the stars as tonight the sky was very clear and the stars became even more brilliant. Dad said I think another one is required and on his return he says to me you are barely 20 yrs old, yet you have progress well in this company; you really do not know how proud I am of your achievements.
Further, more if you succeed in getting those young folk school marks up I can see the distant learning folk coming after you to give them the information how to do it. I like your ideas of having there fathers there for the fist meeting and if you remember what Ken said you really stirred it up and the Dads help out by making sure there kids get up the same time -- well you know the rest I do not need to keep harping on your achievement. One more before we go to bed, this time John uses over proof rum as this will mean he will sleep well.
Well that night John spooned up and I gave Joe a good fucking and then they both fell asleep only to be woken by the alarm going off. It was only then did they realize they were still both connected. As John rolled onto his back he said I guess we need to get going. After there usual shower they both headed for breakfast. John got onto his rounds and Joe set about getting things loaded onto his bike, he is estimating the trip will take about two hrs but only time will tell; so he plans to leave at 9:00am. Once he is ready having top up his fuel tank he stops by the office one more time and sees John is still out so he talks to Jack and updates him on his plans and makes sure that Jack has my cell phone number.
As he comes out of the office Sam is heading that way and calls out hey Joe got a minute please, what's up Joe nothing other than to say if you need any help with these young guys let me know as I'm willing to help out and Sam gives me a good hug and wishes me safe riding and good luck. Thanks Sam I`ll see you most likely late Friday and with that I start up my bike and head off out. The ride was uneventful and on arrival I was meet by Peter & Tony who said welcome to Hillside.
I had better let River Camp know I have arrived I go to channel #1 DR1 to Super, Super to DR1 where are you. Dr1 to Super I have arrived at Hillside and have been meet by Peter & Tony, would you change channel to #6 and do a test please -- will do River Camp Supper to DR1 -- I read you loud and clear -- out
That's nice to know it is working good even on a portable radio, that makes me pleased says Joe so much easier method of direct communication.
Peter says I will take you over to the bunkhouse so you can unload your gear, thanks that would be great but I would like to fill up my tank before getting washed. No problem there, here is a key card for you and it works at both camps so help your self please the gas pump is at the end of the shop bay that grey building over there. You will find a book there for putting the amount taken and truck number in your case just put DR.
Well Joe gets filled up and freshens up and heads back to the office, OK Joe lets go and have some lunch and then I will show you around. I had a nice lunch some real good soup and egg sandwich washed down with a couple of mugs of tea. Tony by now had left so Peter and I discussed my plans and his comment it sure will be good if we can those young folk up to speed and the idea of them being kicked out of bed when there folks get up is good because a number of the Mothers also work for us and it means a family breakfast and I feel that is important.
My tour took me to the shop, supply stores and other bunkhouses and there was also a small community hall used for social occasions. I noticed they had a screen setup and asked what that was used for. Peter said the social club operated the hall and about once a month got some DVD movies and showed them, they generally charge a $1 for the show that is used to cover the cost of the movies.
You know Peter later on once we get thing moving I wonder if we can use there projector for my training video's, hey what a good idea and in fact one of the Social committee is one of the young guys dad.
You know this will be a great place for your first get together with the young folk and their parents, I will get that arranged. Sounds really great Peter and what time do you suggest, lets say 7:00pm, OK I will set that up and do you want to show any video this evening. Had not really thought about that but could show the one on the truck driver accident and why the first aid ticket is so important for all to have. That video I can see is going to be shown a lot at both our camps says Peter. Eventually we return to the office where I'm introduced to the receptionist Dorothy and the Assistant Super George. Now we have two spare offices both with a desk, table and chairs you are most welcome to use which ever one is suitable. I looked at both and chose the one that looked both over the entrance way and also the valley behind. Good choice Joe says Peter, well I will leave you to get things sorted out any office type things just ask Dorothy she I'm sure will be able to help you out. I assume you are standing bye on channel 6 yes I'm that is great so we can get hold of you or vice versa if required sure thing thanks.
I head over to the bunkhouse and bring my material over to the office including my laptop as I spotted a network outlet. So the first thing I did was to test out the connection and bingo it works.
I sent a report to Brent & John on the first few hours at Hillside and how I had been received. I got a reply almost immediately from Brent saying he was coming in late on Wednesday and would be staying until the weekend and then I might go to River Camp but not sure yet; I noted this message was sent also to John so I replied to all saying Brent I'm standing bye on Channel 6 while at Hillside works well to River Camp.
I got my material all sorted out, and then looking around he camp and went into the residential area and as I wander around one the ladies say's hi would you by any chance be Joe I said yes that's me, well please come in and have a mug of tea I have just put the kettle on. Come in do not worry about your boots as I am sure there not full of mud. Well take a seat please and how do you like your tea black please no sugar -- sensible man. So tell me please how do you get these young folk going. I start to laugh some need a swift in the butt. However, these days some folk would create at that idea. Therefore, I tell here what happen to me and how I got another guy to try the same and this idea slowly worked through river camp, then I got ask to try it out on another camp and we got the same results.
To make simply when you and your husband get up for work your son or daughter does the same thing. After breakfast, they get onto their books and all being well they completed that day's assignment by around 1:00pm and then send it off to the distant learning folk. After this, the day is there own to go fishing or what ever. I sure, like that idea and hopefully it coming from some one unrelated to our young folk it will sink in. To be fair they are all a good bunch of guys and one girl.
Well all I can say is I will pass on what worked for me and hopefully we can get the same results so I look forward to seeing you this evening -- don't worry my hubby and son will be there. Well thanks for the chat and the tea and please do not hesitate to come over to the office to see me if you have any questions later, nice talking to you and I will get on my way.
I head back to the office thinking it is nice to know that folk here knew I was coming here to help out there young folk. On return to the office Dorothy gave me a message all it said check your email B. Thanks Dorothy I understand the message.
I quickly fired up my laptop and got an Email from Brent, I am coming in early tomorrow and will see you then most likely at breakfast -- do not say anything and good luck with your meeting tonight.
I replied understood all ready meet one of the mothers who appears to right behind me. It appears that some of the camp is aware of my presence so far every one been very friendly see you at breakfast -- Joe
I send this message off, almost by return mums the word re my early visit.
I replied that was understood my room is number 52 if you are early welcome to hide there
Thanks Joe I might come and share your bed
You are more than welcome -- out
This clandestine action sounds interesting I wonder what is going on.
My meeting with the young folk went really well; the parents were 100% behind me a couple of the guys were not so happy.
After running the accident video and asked to run it again the end result was all the fathers said if my kid can get his school marks up to not less than 80%.
One Dad said to his son providing the you not drop in your marks I will buy you a dirt bike so it up to, you will also get your first aid ticket you never know when you may need it. The other dads & mums said here, here.
All I said was if you have any questions I am more than will to help you, and if you want to talk in private come over to the office. Thanks so much for the great reception I have received. Most folk left however Tommy hung back, when he came up to me and asked me Joe did you really get up that early as you said. I said yes and after two months of working in the shop and the after the school holidays I just continued went with dad to the cookhouse had breakfast and I enjoyed those early hours plus camaraderie of the crew was so good I could not leave it.
Well I'm going to give it a try, I gave Tommy a great big hug and said go for it please and thanks for trying.
Well I collected all my stuff together and headed for my room and then went and got a mug of tea only to find all the parents were also in the cookhouse doing the same thing. One of them called out and said come and join us please and the first question was how I got involved in the logging industry. I just said my Mum and Dad went there own ways and my mother brought me up till I was just over 13 yrs old, dad who is in logging came into town once a month and I spent time with him. This particular weekend mother had gone to see her sister who was very ill. My mother this time had a boy friend who didn't like me and any chance he get he would beat me up. It just happened to occur on a weekend that Dad was coming to town and when he saw me, he ask well did you win as I had two black eyes and my arms were badly bruised.
The end result was Dad come with some other friends from camp, well they went after the boyfriend and got the police in and was placed in the police car when mother arrived back sooner than expected. As you can expect she was going mad asking what the hell is going on. Well the end result was mum and dad agreed I would live with dad in camp and do my schooling via the distant learning.
Then once I was 15yrs I started working during the school holiday in the shop so that is how I came to logging. Thanks for being so open, you are similar to Jimmy & Nelson who live with there dads due marriage breakup.
I'll sure like your recommendation on the kids getting up so we have a proper family breakfast. By this time I have finished my Tea and said please excuse me I need to get to have a shower and get to bed, well I guess we all need to do that so we will see you around -- good night Joe.
I return to my room and see a note on my bed, hope you see this bring radio and flashlight goto channel 2 key the mike twice and meet me behind the shop -- B.
I meet up with Brent and he said there is something very fishy going on, I think Hillside is trying to move out some of the trucks to a compound in town. I have the police warned about this and I want to see what is going on. While we are watching we hear a truck startup and can just make out the driver who gets out walks around the truck checking things, I said that is Peter. Brent's cell phone goes, he gets a report from the police stating they have been watching that compound and a hillside logging truck has just entered and is being taken into the large shop on site. Brent reported that another logging truck is on the way and is being driven by Peter I also have Joe with me a member of my company.
We plan to follow in about 15 minutes Brent tells the police. I said I'm going to my room and get some warmer clothing on, I asked Brent how is your fuel tank, good he says I'll fill up in town plus I have a 5 gallon can strapped in the back. I said I have a key card for their pump here if you need fuel. Don't worry I'm OK. We get on the road and a short way past the turn off for river camp we can see the tail lights up ahead and slow down and let them get further ahead as we travel without lights as it is a very clear moonlight might.
As we get close to town Brent phones his police friends giving them an updated report, we have gone around another way and are standing in the shadows watching the compound as the logging truck enters someone is starting to close the gates when the police enter and take into custody the gate man.
The police are right behind the truck so they are out of the driver's vision, the building doors open and the truck is driven in. We can see the hillside name is being painted out. By this time we are both in the building and also spot Tony the other "x" owner.
The sergeant in charge of this operation asked me what I wanted; please charge Peter & Tony with the theft of logging equipment, the others with accessory after the fact. I will get my Lawyer on to this once it is a reasonable hour -- thanks for your help in this problem guys.
I will be returning to Hillside but Joe will be your contact man there as I will be moving about his cell # is 522.1234 or get our office in town to contact him by radio.
We leave town and head back to Hillside, by now it is almost 5:00am so we go into my office there and Brent gives John a call on his Cell. John answers Hello, sorry to wake so early John but I need you over at Hillside urgently, you may be here several days so let Jack know, tell you more when you arrive and do you have Ken's cell number oh hang on a minute, sorry it is over at the office I will call you right back.
John gets Ken's cell number and is also woken up and asked to get to #2 camp as soon as possible use your cell for rest for all communication
I think we both need a shower and then breakfast and I'm going to shutdown the operation here for two days or less and I want you to change all gate locks and leave them locked so that nothing hopefully can be removed. Take the woods foreman with you on that job and do an assessment on him.
We head for the cookhouse and as we are getting our breakfast, we both hear talk of what the hell is going on we are missing some trucks. Lets sit down and listen for a minute or too and we notice a number of folk are getting very worried looks on there faces. I said to Brent let me start this off by introducing you to everyone here.
I stand up and call out may I have your attention please, some of you know me from last evening as I had been brought in to camp from river camp to discuss and idea that has been working with our young folk and the school marks.
However late last night I received a message that was disturbing from the head of woods man logging the outfit that is taking over this operation.
I would like to introduce you to Brent the head of Woods Man Logging and he will give you the latest news of what has been going on up to about 3:00 am this morning.
Brent stands up and gives all the information that he knows to date and says due to the lack of no logging trucks and I should tell you we know where they are plus they are under police guard.
Peter & Tony have been arrested, and are held in custody. I hope you can understand but I have to shutdown the logging operation for hopefully not more than two days while things are sorted out. I hope that your assistant superintend can find most of some work.
I'm also bring in a temporay super from river camp and one from mountain view camp to for your #2 camp. After breakfast, I have to see the crew at your #2 Camp but will be back here later this afternoon and I want to give you an update at suppertime. If something serious is discovered, please report to your findings to Joe until John the temporay supper arrives. Thanks for your patience in this matter I do not like it any more than you do.
Well that causes a lot of talk as you can well understand, we leave the cookhouse and head over to the office and meet up with George the Assistant Supper. What is going on, Brent says I guess you were home having breakfast so Brent fills him in on everything and although we have to shutdown all logging for two day as we have no means of moving the wood. I would like to see as many of the crew working doing useful jobs that generally are not done because of no time.
Now George do not be offended but I am bring a temporary supper from river camp his name is John. He is very straightforward and I want you both to work together, in the mean time until he arrives, Joe is in charge as my representive.
George something you can help me the quickest way to your #2 camp as I must get there and see the crew ASAP. George thinks and then says we have a heavy duty apprentice mechanic who makes that trip every so often he can show you the way and in fact he may have stuff to take there let me check. While George is checking with the shop his counter, part calls on the radio and asks Ben does he have any problems with missing trucks -- yes, we do Gavin.
Just a minute I have Brent here I do not think you have meet yet and I will let talk to him. Hi Gavin yes it is a bad morning tell me how long does it take to get over to your camp, about one hour using the short cut.
Could we please get everyone together lunchtime in the cookhouse I will tell everyone what know -- that is great don't get lost on the short cut no I bringing the HD Apprentice as I understand uses that short cut regularly. I look forward to meeting you and my guide has just shown up so I will be on my way in a few minutes. Thanks Gavin -- out
George says come on in George and in case you are wondering he is called little George at home and yes, he is my son. So are you ready, yes sir -- call me Brent please and none of that sir business either, everyone is laughing and as we left I expect to be back around mid-afternoon.
Once on the road I am asking how long are you into your apprenticeship, I am second year the hardest part is the school part, that never is easy. Do you enjoy the practical side of the work? Yes very much and everyone in the shop is very helpful in explaining anything you ask. I am very please to hear that. George says we are nearly there as he calls in reporting his location. As we get into camp George point out where the office is and then he says looks like Gavin over there as we pull in front of the office.
Gavin leaves whoever he was talking too comes over to me I think you must be Brent? Yes and you are Gavin nice to meet you under a bad situation. Could we go into your office so we may talk privately?
As we sit down Gavin says what the heck happened. I do not have the full answer yet but on the face of it; it appears to me that between Peter and Tony they have stolen several logging trucks and were caught red handed as the cab doors were being repainted. That is interesting because one day Tony said to me I need to get that pickup door dents taken out and fixed, that was a month ago and have not seen that truck since -- interesting.
Do you have the insurance papers for the trucks? The originals are locked up in Tony's office but I always kept a photocopy can we check please. We got to Tony's office, fine the office is totally stripped, and the filing cabinets were empty.
Bugger this makes things more complicated, where did Tony live, #6 lets go there and check things out. Once there most things were gone, I decided to check the attic bingo there were a number of file boxes there all were clean I lifted the cover on one box and the content appear to have come from the filing cabinet is there crawl space, yes but generally some homes have a trap door in one of the closets.
Hey, Gavin its lunchtime we had better get over there and explain what has happened to date to the crew so I would like you to introduce me please no problem. By the way, we have a great crew and they are our family -- I pat Gavin on the shoulder saying I sure like that attitude.
The cookhouse is jammed full and as we walk in everyone goes silent, Gavin says none of us here knows what really has happened but Brent here is going to fill you in up to about 3:00am this morning. Brent tells them about last night and Tony & Peter have been arrested for the theft of logging equipment.
Since then Gavin and I have discovered that Tony office has been striped including all the contents of the filing cabinets as result of this I am bring In the police to do a complete search as they will need finger prints
Now Gavin I never got to tell you once we got searching time ran out and I apologize but I am bring in a temporary supper from Mountain View Camp his name is Ken and will be hear shortly.
So folks all logging is shutdown until the end of tomorrow, but I am asking Gavin to endeavor to find work for many as possible. I would like to meet up with your woods foremen as I am going to have all gates shut and locked to prevent the removal of any further equipment.
So folks I am sorry to give you bad news but can assure you all that once we have some trucks back, logging will commence; I would like to say Gavin made me very happy when he said we are all family and that is the way I want this addition to our operation to work.
I will try to deliver an update again tomorrow morning, sorry not to be able to provide more information to you all. If you have, any information please let Gavin or Ken once he has arrived. I hear someone coming into the cookhouse, folk let me introduce the man just coming in is Ken your temporary super who will be with you for a period.
Thank you for your time and I'm going to have some lunch hoping you all have not eaten everything, Ken join me please.
As the crew starts to leave we get many comments like thanks for coming even if is bad news. We get to see the cook he is full of smiles says my name Tang and what would you like please soup and sandwich for me please, and your partner same thing. I have vegetable soup and either roast beef, salad or egg sandwiches
I am going to have vegetable soup and roast beef sandwich well we both ordered the same, Gavin placed his order and the three of us eat away from anyone else
I had to fill in Ken and said don't use Tony house until the police have done a complete search I'm sure Gavin here can find you a room in the bunkhouse.
Actually that sounds like a good idea because you sometime over hear comments or valuable information and anything picked up this way; hopefully will help sort this mess out. Anything you get hold of, give me a phone call on my cell now I'm going to find young George and I'm returning to camp #1, will hopefully have an early supper and go to bed as I was up all last night.
I meet up with George and we head out back to camp #1 our trip seemed go quicker I thank George and our conversation, his comment was dad says we are all family and we must help out each other as if it is your brother or sister. Thanks for that comment I have always felt the same way with all the crews of wood man logging work once this hiccup is out of the way I am sure everything will settle down and my interest is to get the crew logging again.
George drops me off at the office and carries on his way and as I walk in, I hear Johns voice and walk into the office where he is located the "AS" was there.
First thing I said was George have you notice anything missing from Peters office, oh he always kept that locked do you have spare key yes but I was always told never to loan it out but I guess under the present situation it is well justified.
Just hang on, well we enter Peter's office and I ask do you see anything missing yes it appears everything has been removed I try the filing cabinet it was unlocked but empty. OK lets leave and lock the door no one is to go into that room until the police have examined everything, lets go to his house, George says let me get the spare keys.
Once in the house most things have gone however, there is one file box on the floor. I turned to George please do not come any further so your finger prints are not on anything John and I search we check the attic and its clear but we do find the way into the crawl space and find seven more file boxes there but do not touch them.
We leave the house and ask that John holds the keys of both the house and office until the police have done there thing sorry about that George. No problem at all I fully understand. Let us go back to the offices and Brent says come on guys I want to find out how many logging trucks can get bye with to get these guys working. George says we have one is it fully operational I would have to check our master mechanic would you do that right now as John pushes the phone over to George. Do you have any spare trucks John, I have one make sure it is operational please. John grabs his switches to channel one and calls Super to river camp shop. Hi John how can I help? I believe we have one older logging truck is it operational yes but has not been run for about four months please make sure it is fully operational and let me know ASAP.
The intention is to take it Hillside #1 Camp to help them out if needed work all night to get it operational. Well we were successful in getting enough trucks to get the crews back logging however will be a little slow as we really need four trucks. Now I must check with Ken and see how has made out at #2 Camp
Ken has been lucky and they can start logging tomorrow once the trucks are there.
Brent tells Ken to let everyone know what is happening and I would like two drivers ready to go at 4:30 am. Tell them sorry it is so early and will have them pick up from camp#2 by the chopper and taken to Mountain Camp. Then go to lower gully and drop off the driver after which come to camp#1 and collect two drivers most likely 5:30am we will then go to River camp where we have now two trucks ready to go.
Despite the lack of sleep, I returned to camp#2 and got there about 8:00pm to make sure nothing goes wrong. After a good sleep at camp#2 only to be woken by Ken saying the cook has got some breakfast; you had better get over there right now and join the truck drivers thanks Ken I'm on my way, a quick wash and a good dump I head to the cookhouse. I got a cheer from all those there and the general comment thanks Brent you have proved to us you are really family in our eyes.
The two drivers have filled there flasks with some refreshment, cook said to me do I need a fill up, sorry mine is back in town, no worries Brent I will lend you this one, Cook fills it with boiling water lets it stand for a few moments and then fills it with good strong tea.
Just as he completes we all hear the chopper coming in, one of guys said lets go guys and we headed out and boarded the chopper. I certainly did not take long to get to Mountain View Camp and we dropped off the first driver and Ken's assistant was there to meet us, he saw me and said Hi Brent anything you need nothing other than for you to give our driver the shortest road back to #2 Camp.
Talk to you later we are off to Gully camp; we are on the way see you as we shut the chopper door. 15 minutes later we land at Gully Camp both the driver and I head out, we are meet by the super all I want you to do is make sure our driver has the shortest route to #2 camp please and is all part of our family.
I re-board the chopper and we returned to #2 Camp; as we landed again about 5:20am. The pilot said I need to have a good dump come on then I will show you. I take him directly to the office. Five minutes later our pilot looks a lot better, the next two drivers are going to river camp and collect two trucks; I suddenly got two tight hugs from these drivers. Saying I also thanked both drivers as I realized my truck was at River camp and so we three boarded and decide to sleep there decided to sleep there for a few hours.
As soon as we arrived the trucks were already running and alongside the shop, our chief mechanic was there and showed them around both vehicles, once he was satisfied the drivers headed for Hillside.
I went and saw Jack to see how he was making out and to tell him I was going to head for a bunk. Jack said there was no one in the guest house so chose your room; fair enough I'll take room #3 as it has its own un-suite. Would you wake me about 1:30 pm please otherwise I will not sleep properly tonight.
I heard later that when the trucks arrived at Hillside the drivers came in blowing there horns and then almost everyone came out to welcome them, apparently something similar happen at the other camp as well. Since the crews had the landings pretty full of wood, the trucks headed out after the drivers had eaten and so hauling commenced so basically everyone was back to work, just two days downtime not bad considering what happened.
Jack woke me as requested, so after another shower I headed to the cookhouse to get a mug of tea and I also had a large bowl of beef barely soup. Returning to the office a message for me from the police saying they can release the logging trucks anytime.
I thought do we have any truck decals in stock, so a quick call to my office to find we had a dozen in stock. Next I phoned decal man and asked him to go to the police and attach the decals to the trucks. I will phone the police and let them know my plans.
I arranged for the large chopper this time to collect three drivers from each camp plus myself to fly us all to town and to land using the police helipad to drop every one off. After ensuring all tanks are full of fuel the drivers commence there drive back to camp and I'm riding in the lead truck.
The drivers are talking on the radio between each other and suggesting they should all go via #1 Camp as a parade and Camp #2 trucks to peel off and take the short cut. The lead truck driver cuts in and says just got the thumbs up from the Boss so it's a go boys.
I look at my watch and judge we will get to #1 Camp about 1:00pm, I turn to my driver and say ask the boys if they all would like soup and sandwich on arrival at #1 Camp, all I hear is yes please -- thanks.
So I get on my radio and call John and ask him to make the arrangement with the cook for seven soup and sandwich lunches and we will be there between 1 -- 1:30pm
Sure thing Brent will do -- out
We arrive in Camp #1 and it would appear that most of the crew and wives are out to greet us. The assistant super climbed up on one of the trucks and said, folks Brent here, has proved himself in my opinion as being one of the family please lets all applaud him.
Then let the drivers go and get some lunch they deserve it. Thank you all for your confidence in us, I do not know the status of the theft or if the books are corrupt so tomorrow I'm going back to town to meet with our lawyer and accountant, however when I have news I will make sure you are all kept fully informed.