Each year we travelled to Frances Harbour, we would stay in our huge winter home, with a wonderful 30 foot window looking out onto the massive Harris Lake
The lake its self was a huge part of Lucy’s life, there. It was about 10 miles in circumference. She had walked hiked and had many adventures around this wonderful lake that narrowed into the Harbour and its town.
She had many special times here with her 3 friends.
Each winter they would meet spending the night in Lucy’s huge front lounge with all the lights down low, drinking hot chocolate, with mini marshmallows on top.
Winters consisted of catching up, on what had happened in the city, what adventures they could go on this time, while walking and what sites there may be to visit.
One morning after a late breakfast Lucy’s mum was out on the top deck through her bedroom, taking some photos.
She called out to Lucy, it had just begun to snow, the sky was a dark foggy grey, out there to the right of the lake was a boat buoyed up and with a little row boat tied to its stern, thick in snow and now a new layer forming.
Lucy pulled a big jumper over her head and went out to where her mum was intrigued.
‘Wow, mum I wonder where that boat came from, it’s just in the middle of no where, it looks so lonely out there.’
Lucy’s mum nodded, leaving Lucy to her thoughts. Her over active imagination kicked in, she ran downstairs picked up her cell phone and rang round her friends.
Gillie ~ she was her logical friend, but always kept Lucy from going over board with her ideas.
Gillie too was intrigued, saying it would be a great idea to get every one together later for a discussion on what to do.
Lucy said bye and then rang Clancy~ the only boy in the group, was thrilled at the prospect there was a subject other than haircuts boys and clothes to discuss! Even though he got the inside track on what girls wanted in a boyfriend, it still didn’t mean he wanted to know everything girlie, but he loved his 3 female friends.
Lucy rang off then spoke to her third friend Lissa ~ she was Lucy’s mirror image, they both had long dark hair and very beautiful eyes, Lissa’s were brown to Lucy’s deep blue. Personality was scatty, loved possessions always talked about boys, but totally loved her friends; she loved any adventure or exploration idea put together by the group!
On hearing Lucy’s tale about the boat, she was itching to come over to Lucy’s house.
They all knew that until the snow stopped they were not allowed outside.
The roads and footpaths were too dangerous to travel on.
So it was a waiting game, Lucy decided to create a little plan, and then send it for approval by email to her 3 friends.
She opened instant messenger and call on her friends for a chat, they would all come to her house each to stay over as tomorrow was Saturday.
That done they would go out on her mum’s deck, see the boat still out there on the lake and ask permissions to use her dad’s motor boat to go out on the lake. Clancy was to bring his digital camera for photographic evidence.
This in hand the friends now needed the snow to stop!
Lucy asked her mum to take a couple more pictures of the boat to download and send to her friends through instant messenger.
This was granted her mum encouraged Lucy’s imagination, but told her that if she went out to visit the boat on the lake then she was not to board it.
Lucy nodded, to her mum. Deep down she knew her sense of adventure may get the better of her.
All friends were now primed and now to wait out the snow fall. It took most of the day to pass.
Lucy was getting impatient so she got her e prepared by putting all her snow clothes together by the door. By re arranging the lounge area by the fired into her ‘friend den’ with lots of big blankets and throws.
She went then to her kitchen put 4 big mugs on a tray too out a jar of mini mallows, checked the fridge for milk and made sure there was plenty of chocolate powder too.
The house was now ready, her mum came into the kitchen and she smiled and left her own dished in the dishwasher.
She gave Lucy a hug, and told her she was going for a lay down, that Lucy could do the same as she knew there would be no sleeping the coming night.
Lucy thought about it but on looking out of the kitchen door, she realised the snow had ceased to fall.
She took the stairs two at a time, went straight onto instant messenger and waited for her 3 friends to respond.
Clancy was not answering, she phoned him, only to get a sluggish response, He giggled saying
I have had a little power nap; I know tonight we will be talking most of the night!
Lucy smiled to herself and agreed; yes it would be a long night indeed.
She then asked Clancy to go by and collect Gillie, and Lissa. His snow mobile was the largest, but to make sure he was to ask Lissa to bring her along too.
Lucy went downstairs to wait on her friends, Clancy banged on her front door.
Gillie and Lissa in tow, all carrying a haversack for their overnight stay.
There were all dressed and hooded n booted! Lucy took the bags from them and threw them into the hall way. Lucy pulled on her hood, and went out into the ice air.
She zipped up her coat right to her chin, and off they went. Lissa and Lucy on one snow mobile, Clancy and Gillie on the other.
They headed down to the jetty where Lucy’s dad’s boat was tied up under cover.
The shed nearest the land is where they put the snow mobiles, was old but dry and easy to drive into.
The sky was still grey everywhere had a new thin layer of snow built up over the residue.
Now to lift off the canvas covering the boat, this was easy enough.
In they all jumped, four 14 year olds looking for adventure on a boat that seemed to be in the wrong place.
There must be somebody on the boat as there lay a buoy marking the anchor, and a little row boat tied to the stern.
Well they would soon find out, after ten minutes in the water they arrived and pulled alongside the very dark vessel, they could not see any name on the boat, yet it had a crisp layer of snow all about it. It seemed so alone, so quiet and with out signs of life.
Clancy took out his camera and began snapping at various angles.
Gillie looked at Lucy
‘Do you think it’s safe to call out to see if there is anyone there, or shall we just climb on board?’
Lucy’s heart was racing and b because it was so still and quiet apart from the swell of their boat pulled alongside. She felt if you listened hard you could hear her heart pounding her rib cage.
Now was decision time. It would soon be dark, so they would only have about half an hour to forty five minutes before they would have to make t heir way back.
Lucy stood up threw the buoys over the side, pressed the anchor button on their boat and looked at her friends
‘Let’s go and explore’
She took out her torch and jumped across the dark boat.
The girls all stood next to one another with Clancy right next to Lucy; she had a tight grip on his elbow.
Theirs were the first prints in the snow on the deck of this dark vessel.
They all walked slowly towards the cabin steering area.
The door when pulled was really stiff but not locked; Clancy took a couple of photographs, before tugging on the handle to slide over the door.
As the door opened a freezing cold breeze blew right through his left side.
His cheek felt like he had just been frost bitten.
Lucy shuddered then looked at Clancy his cheek looked blue with cold, and then it went pink again!
Clancy wasn’t sure about going in any further, Lucy gave him a little push, but he stepped back
‘What is it Clancy?’ Gillie ask
‘I just get this awful feeling we really are not welcome here. We are being watched but not sure by whom’
Clancy did seem a little fearful than normal, he is usually the first one to try anything on our adventures, thought Lucy.
Lucy decided she would go ahead first.
The lake its self was a huge part of Lucy’s life, there. It was about 10 miles in circumference. She had walked hiked and had many adventures around this wonderful lake that narrowed into the Harbour and its town.
She had many special times here with her 3 friends.
Each winter they would meet spending the night in Lucy’s huge front lounge with all the lights down low, drinking hot chocolate, with mini marshmallows on top.
Winters consisted of catching up, on what had happened in the city, what adventures they could go on this time, while walking and what sites there may be to visit.
One morning after a late breakfast Lucy’s mum was out on the top deck through her bedroom, taking some photos.
She called out to Lucy, it had just begun to snow, the sky was a dark foggy grey, out there to the right of the lake was a boat buoyed up and with a little row boat tied to its stern, thick in snow and now a new layer forming.
Lucy pulled a big jumper over her head and went out to where her mum was intrigued.
‘Wow, mum I wonder where that boat came from, it’s just in the middle of no where, it looks so lonely out there.’
Lucy’s mum nodded, leaving Lucy to her thoughts. Her over active imagination kicked in, she ran downstairs picked up her cell phone and rang round her friends.
Gillie ~ she was her logical friend, but always kept Lucy from going over board with her ideas.
Gillie too was intrigued, saying it would be a great idea to get every one together later for a discussion on what to do.
Lucy said bye and then rang Clancy~ the only boy in the group, was thrilled at the prospect there was a subject other than haircuts boys and clothes to discuss! Even though he got the inside track on what girls wanted in a boyfriend, it still didn’t mean he wanted to know everything girlie, but he loved his 3 female friends.
Lucy rang off then spoke to her third friend Lissa ~ she was Lucy’s mirror image, they both had long dark hair and very beautiful eyes, Lissa’s were brown to Lucy’s deep blue. Personality was scatty, loved possessions always talked about boys, but totally loved her friends; she loved any adventure or exploration idea put together by the group!
On hearing Lucy’s tale about the boat, she was itching to come over to Lucy’s house.
They all knew that until the snow stopped they were not allowed outside.
The roads and footpaths were too dangerous to travel on.
So it was a waiting game, Lucy decided to create a little plan, and then send it for approval by email to her 3 friends.
She opened instant messenger and call on her friends for a chat, they would all come to her house each to stay over as tomorrow was Saturday.
That done they would go out on her mum’s deck, see the boat still out there on the lake and ask permissions to use her dad’s motor boat to go out on the lake. Clancy was to bring his digital camera for photographic evidence.
This in hand the friends now needed the snow to stop!
Lucy asked her mum to take a couple more pictures of the boat to download and send to her friends through instant messenger.
This was granted her mum encouraged Lucy’s imagination, but told her that if she went out to visit the boat on the lake then she was not to board it.
Lucy nodded, to her mum. Deep down she knew her sense of adventure may get the better of her.
All friends were now primed and now to wait out the snow fall. It took most of the day to pass.
Lucy was getting impatient so she got her e prepared by putting all her snow clothes together by the door. By re arranging the lounge area by the fired into her ‘friend den’ with lots of big blankets and throws.
She went then to her kitchen put 4 big mugs on a tray too out a jar of mini mallows, checked the fridge for milk and made sure there was plenty of chocolate powder too.
The house was now ready, her mum came into the kitchen and she smiled and left her own dished in the dishwasher.
She gave Lucy a hug, and told her she was going for a lay down, that Lucy could do the same as she knew there would be no sleeping the coming night.
Lucy thought about it but on looking out of the kitchen door, she realised the snow had ceased to fall.
She took the stairs two at a time, went straight onto instant messenger and waited for her 3 friends to respond.
Clancy was not answering, she phoned him, only to get a sluggish response, He giggled saying
I have had a little power nap; I know tonight we will be talking most of the night!
Lucy smiled to herself and agreed; yes it would be a long night indeed.
She then asked Clancy to go by and collect Gillie, and Lissa. His snow mobile was the largest, but to make sure he was to ask Lissa to bring her along too.
Lucy went downstairs to wait on her friends, Clancy banged on her front door.
Gillie and Lissa in tow, all carrying a haversack for their overnight stay.
There were all dressed and hooded n booted! Lucy took the bags from them and threw them into the hall way. Lucy pulled on her hood, and went out into the ice air.
She zipped up her coat right to her chin, and off they went. Lissa and Lucy on one snow mobile, Clancy and Gillie on the other.
They headed down to the jetty where Lucy’s dad’s boat was tied up under cover.
The shed nearest the land is where they put the snow mobiles, was old but dry and easy to drive into.
The sky was still grey everywhere had a new thin layer of snow built up over the residue.
Now to lift off the canvas covering the boat, this was easy enough.
In they all jumped, four 14 year olds looking for adventure on a boat that seemed to be in the wrong place.
There must be somebody on the boat as there lay a buoy marking the anchor, and a little row boat tied to the stern.
Well they would soon find out, after ten minutes in the water they arrived and pulled alongside the very dark vessel, they could not see any name on the boat, yet it had a crisp layer of snow all about it. It seemed so alone, so quiet and with out signs of life.
Clancy took out his camera and began snapping at various angles.
Gillie looked at Lucy
‘Do you think it’s safe to call out to see if there is anyone there, or shall we just climb on board?’
Lucy’s heart was racing and b because it was so still and quiet apart from the swell of their boat pulled alongside. She felt if you listened hard you could hear her heart pounding her rib cage.
Now was decision time. It would soon be dark, so they would only have about half an hour to forty five minutes before they would have to make t heir way back.
Lucy stood up threw the buoys over the side, pressed the anchor button on their boat and looked at her friends
‘Let’s go and explore’
She took out her torch and jumped across the dark boat.
The girls all stood next to one another with Clancy right next to Lucy; she had a tight grip on his elbow.
Theirs were the first prints in the snow on the deck of this dark vessel.
They all walked slowly towards the cabin steering area.
The door when pulled was really stiff but not locked; Clancy took a couple of photographs, before tugging on the handle to slide over the door.
As the door opened a freezing cold breeze blew right through his left side.
His cheek felt like he had just been frost bitten.
Lucy shuddered then looked at Clancy his cheek looked blue with cold, and then it went pink again!
Clancy wasn’t sure about going in any further, Lucy gave him a little push, but he stepped back
‘What is it Clancy?’ Gillie ask
‘I just get this awful feeling we really are not welcome here. We are being watched but not sure by whom’
Clancy did seem a little fearful than normal, he is usually the first one to try anything on our adventures, thought Lucy.
Lucy decided she would go ahead first.
‘Clancy would you stay here then with Gillie and Lissa will come with me to check down below. I promise to be five minutes at the most!’
She reached out for Lissa’s gloved hands and although little shaky, Lissa thought it would be okay.
As they entered the cabin by torch light, they noticed some very odd things.
A little kettle pot was steaming as if it just boiled, there were five buns on a plate (they were fresh) and the tiny cabin table had 4 cups inside a built in tray, with a little bowl of mini mallows.
Lucy darted a look at Lissa, Lissa let out a little gasp. She turned:
‘Lucy how come, we haven't heart any body or we didn’t see any footsteps how come???’
Lucy shrugged her shoulders, she felt dumbfounded but even more curious.
Before she took another step, a clap noise came from behind the slicker door beyond the table.
Maybe somebody, was in there getting changed and had seen us wanting us to stay boiled a kettle, ready to greet us.
Lucy shouted: ‘Who’s in there? We are friends, just come to say hello’
There was no response.
Instead behind them Clancy and Gillie came spilling down the few stairs.
A short discussion took place.
Lucy turned her torch up to the ceiling to shed more light around the tiny cabin.
She sat down at the table, and encouraged the other to sit down, without saying a word.
It was still light outside, but the cabin was dark, the friends decided to have a couple of mini mallows.
Clancy got out his camera.
He snapped away just pointing in different directions of the room.
Gillie was sitting facing the door behind Lucy,
‘I could have sworn I just saw a face on the door, as Clancy was clicking his camera, take another one of the door Clancy, please’
Clancy pointed his camera and it flashed,
Right at that moment the flash went and a smiling face came to life in the wood grain of the door!
Gillie jumped out from where she was sitting,
‘Who’s that?’ and pointed right at the door.
Lucy jolted round and didn’t see anything there.
Gillie took the torch and pointed it right where she had seen the face.
Lucy stared; a whole figure appeared in the grain of the door.
Lissa was shaking but sat very slowly, Clancy stood dumb struck, frozen to the spot.
The wood grain person, just smiled didn’t move from the door.
Lucy spoke:
‘Why are you in the door? Can you speak to us? Did you boil the kettle because you saw us approaching your boat?
The wood grain man kept nodding, then smiled and pointed to the stairs that led to the deck.
Lissa still in shock, her mouth had dropped open even further, her expression now glazed.
Gillie prompted Lucy,
‘Couldn’t you have asked one question at a time?’
‘Let’s go, I wana go, I don’t like it here, please let’s go back to dry land’
Lissa was quivering; Lucy knew it was time to go Lissa was scared.
Lissa couldn’t get up to get out of the cabin, Lucy was blocking her exit.
Clancy still rooted to the spot, managed to lift his hand to take just a few more photographs.
Lucy turned to Lissa,
‘We will go now; I know you are scared I just want to ask one more question,’
Turning back to face the wood grain man,
‘Why are you embedded in the door? Please try to talk’
The wood grain man did not respond instead he closed his eyes, and this whole image faded into the wood.
All the friends made a hasty retreat out of the cabin up the stairs.
They clambered out on to the deck Clancy said.
‘I can’t wait to get back to your house Lucy.’
Lucy jumped over to her boat and started the engine, while the other friends sat in silence. What a strange, exciting, exceptional experience. We were going to be awake all night talking about this.
Lissa was so disturbed by it and kept close to Clancy on the boat ride back to the jetty. None of the friends said a word on the snow mobile ride back to Lucy’s.
Once inside Lucy’s they were all changed into comfy clothes, and sat under the blankets in the ‘friends den’ with the addition of Clancy’s laptop and camera.
Clancy made a point of saying it was the quickest he had ever known the girls to get ready, the girls dismissed it as being cold and wanting to see Clancy’s pictures.
Clancy got comfortable, with his laptop perched on a little side table, usb linked to his camera and laptop port, all set ready to upload and view the photographs taken on the ‘wood grain’ person’s boat.
The girls were all snuggled under the covers and awaited the evidence if full colour.
Clancy’s camera was a good speed and within seconds the photographs appeared on the screen.
Lucy was feeling giddy,
‘How are you feeling now Lissa?’ She ask her friend,
Lissa turned to Lucy and just smiled, and linked through Gillie’s arm.
‘I feel safer being here than on that creepy boat.’
Gillie agreed, but added she felt it was a great adventure, that really was not finished.
Clancy was sitting staring at his laptop screen clicking away, when he let out a
Loud ‘yeh’ yeh’ We got it, we got the wood grain person, but that’s not all!’
The girls all moved together practically smothering Clancy while trying to get close to him.
The glows of light looked like bouncing balls of white fluffy spikes.
Clancy was thrilled but also bewildered because none of the ‘fur balls’ were to be seen when on the boat, yet have shown up on his random shots!
The girls were mesmerised, as Clancy clicked through the photographs, again and again.
In total there were 8 pictures of the wood grain person, and the rest were a mix of random shots of fur balls and the deck, with newly fallen snow undisturbed by foot prints.
Lucy was thrilled and began discussing their experience; did they feel it would be okay to go out on the lake again?
Gillie, was the first to agree it would be good but that we would all have to be prepared, all having cameras and not sit down this time.
Clancy made a suggestion,
‘What if Lissa stays near the deck and Lucy and I go in through the door at the end of the cabin’
‘But we can only do this if the boat is still there’ says Lucy.
So as they settle down to eat bags of marshmallows and drink hot chocolate, they realise that it would be great if the boat is still out there tomorrow to go and pay another visit.
Dees Inspirations(C) 09
Inspired by photograph by Linda Frances Harris,
No comments:
Post a Comment