Weblog: Blackwater: Fourth Shift

<< Previous Entry | Next Entry >>

This shift turned out to be only three days. We never went back to the walk-in block because it is too wet to use herbicide, which makes brushing less effective. We moved onto another block which we finished only a little over budget, and since the only blocks left are the ones we cannot do due to wetness, we get two days off in PG. We should be able to finish up at Blackwater in the next shift, possibly early.

Two of the crews are moving to a different location after this break, called Babine, where they will be staying in a hotel (and have to cook for themselves). At Babine they will not be using herbicide at all; lucky them. The rest of us will be moving on to Abitibi (sp?) once we're done at Blackwater. Accomodation has not yet been arranged, so we may be staying in tents, or at a logging camp, or in a hotel. I'd prefer tents over a hotel, mainly because I'd rather be in a tent but have good food cooked for me than be in a hotel but have to cook for myself.

On the way back to camp one day both the tyres of a dual wheel on the truck went flat. We were just driving along and heard a pop followed by loud hissing, and there was a huge tear in one of the tyres, but we never did find what had punctured it. We were the last truck out, and since we only had one spare tyre, we had to call another truck on the radio to come back and lend us their spare. When they finally arrived we found that their spare was flat, so we had to call yet another truck to come back. We didn't make it back to camp until 8:30, but luckily someone had notified the kitchen (which closes at 8:00) so they stayed open a bit late and prepared late plates for those who did not arrive on time.

Instead of staying at a hotel this break, I'm camping with Kiril, a Russian living in Toronto who is the blade sharpener. Last break he found a good spot near the university and ended up spending no money at all during the break because he also brought all his food from the camp. It's a beautiful and quiet spot in a alder and aspen patch, with a great view of the city nearby. It's about a 30 minute walk along trails to the university, and right near a bus stop, Tim Hortons, and the swimming pool.

The mountain bike gloves I picked up earlier are starting to disintegrate. There are big holes on the thumb and index finger of the right-hand glove. Unfortunately I didn't know we were going to PG until two hours before we left, so I forgot to pack the gloves and find the receipt so I can return them.

I'm now reading "Walking to the Mountain" by Wendy Teasdill, about her trip to Mount Kailash in Tibet by hiking and hitchhiking where possible (which was illegal at the time). So far it's fascinating. "Mali Blues" by Lieve Joris was excellent. I was expecting a standard travelogue but instead it was four stories, each about the time the author spent with a person (one in Senegal, one in Mauritania, and two in Mali), and got very in depth into those people's lives. Last time in town George picked up the new Radiohead album "Hail to the Thief", so I recorded it. I've only listened to it once, and there are a couple of standout songs, and I presume that like everything else Radiohead does the rest will grow on me over time and get better with every listen. Considering the title, it's ironic that this CD is the first one I've encountered that is copy protected (won't play in my computer).

Thumbnail of: Bryce and flat tyre Thumbnail of: Graffiti on the road while waiting for spare tyre Thumbnail of: Kiril and my camping spot Thumbnail of: Path to camping spot (on the left up the hill) Thumbnail of: View from near the campsite Thumbnail of: Kiril and me at the campsite

Comments

Posted on Sun, 27 Jul 2020 at Prince George, BC, CA (altitude 677m) (map/google earth)