The next season started, and as my owners had anticipated, I had the slipway just about to myself. Not only that, £140,000 of public money had been spent on a ramp, built to the specification of Lil Clouds requirements. More importantly, in the opinon of Lil Cloud and Big Wessy anyway, Al Legory was out of our hair as he had got a job aboard the "Jolly Roger".

"Jolly Roger" was a replica galleon originally owned by Scarlington Council and which had been left to rot by them. Big Oggy and his partner Kinnel had bought it and restored it to its former glory, largely against the wishes of the Council who would have preferred it to be left where it was until forgotten about. Capt Windy had been downgraded and his replacement, Billy Lair, told them to operate from the Silver Globe slipway along with the speedboats. This seemed a nonsensical choice when there was a brand new purpose built slipway provided, according to the Council, for all licensed passenger boats at Gravelgate slipway!

The two speedboat operators, Mr.G. Readie and his partner Mr. N. Ozy, did every thing in their power to make life difficult for "Jolly Roger" until eventually safety issues were raised and the council were forced to allow her to operate from the newly improved facility, with me!
Big Wessy and Lil Cloud were not amused by this, as they considered this area to be "OURS"!

"Jolly Roger"s operators were motivated by necessity to make the venture a success and it showed, the boat was spotlessly clean, unlike me who never got a wash down unless it rained. The slipway was kept clean and tidy on a daily basis by Al Legory who also was responsible for touting for trade at the top of the slipway. Sea Shanties were played for the enjoyment of passengers and onlookers alike, and kiddies were given Jolly Roger badges.

A lifesize replica of a pirate stood at the top of the slipway where, to Big Wessies disgust, Al Legory  touted, long, loud and hard for custom. It was later pointed out that we too had a 'big dummy' but I couldn't figure that one out. All in all I envied the way that the "Jolly Roger"s crew went about their business.

Although we were doing OK by our previous season, in comparison to "Jolly Roger" we were performing miserably, and it showed. Little Cloud and Big Wessy were absolutely cowed and "gave up" on trying to run me as they had promised. Instead of pulling their socks up and competing, a strategy of blocking was adopted. Any opportunity that came along Lil Cloud would put me in the way of "Jolly Roger".

Eventually they tried Big Oggy,s patience too far when at low water I was placed to make it as difficult as possible for "Jolly Roger" to back out of the slipway.
But what a showing up we got thanks to Big Wessy, showing his true colour, which as with most bullies of his ilk was yellow.

Because "Jolly Roger" was scraping the bottom of the sea bed and so unable to manoeuvre efficiently, Big Oggy got his boat hook to push me out of his path.
Well, Big Wessy who was watching with a broad smirk on his face thought he was about to be impaled and ran forward as sharp as his size 14's would allow.

He crashed into Lil Cloud Pipe who fell in a heap of pipe ash sending up a plume of smoke, rather like a distress flare. They picked themselves up and started my engines in double quick time and shifted me out of the way.

All this to the accompaniment of "what shall we do with the drunken sailor" which was playing loudly on the pirate ships music system. The kids thought it was hilarious and wanted to know which one of my two was Smee!

After this fiasco I was tied up and never ventured from my berth again that season.

                                                                 
                                                                                    Billy Inkwell Ashtray