Joe says better get some pants on and lets go for supper, when we get there we find all the married Dads are also there having supper John calls out hey guys can we join you please, sure John you and Joe are more than welcome. We all had a great supper laughing about the hen party going on.
Next morning Dad was up as well and said want a flask, oh please better take a mug as well for Julie, OK I will use the large flask and throw a couple of chocolate bars in as well.
Take Julie for breakfast once you have made your delivery to Brent, that is my plan, and we will see what happens, we are into town by 7:30am I make my delivery and I turn around and start to leave. Brent said hang on Joe please where are you going? I need to transfer Julie gear into her car and planning to take her to breakfast -- fair enough. Soon as you are clear, please come back here, as we need to talk.
I get all Julie gear into her car, invite her for breakfast, she declined, said she will stop on the way home, and email when she gets home. With that, she gives me a great big hug and says thank you I have had a wonderful time and heads off out.
I returned to Brent's office, so have you had any breakfast yet I said no, OK let us both go and eat as I have nothing more than a couple of mugs of tea. Oh I had better let Jack know where I am -- use my radio channel five DR1 to AS I am at Brent's office will be back later in the day please let John know. AS to DR1 sure thing Joe will do -- out.
Brent and I go to a local café where we had a good breakfast, on return to the office come on in Joe shut the door please now as you can understand this information I'm going to give is between you and myself. John's knows something is going on but does not know any details.
Joe I think you may have extra work with DR's I am almost though with buying up two more logging camps that are similar to our present ones. Now here is where they are located as Brent get out the large-scale map showing the locations which actually backup to the present holdings.
Both camps have a number of young folk but none of them are doing very well with there school work so I'm thinking how could you get them going. So once the time is right would you be prepared to meet up with the young folk and pass on what you did.
This sounds like a good challenge sure I can only try, thanks Joe any questions so far. When do you expect the take over to take place? Most likely within the next month so will you be having a super's meeting with the new guys yes that would be my plan.
Good that would be the time to explain to the new guy's how we work and I'm more than willing to be there to assist. Thanks Joe much appreciated because we can talk about the DR program and the need for a First Aid ticket and other safety issues. I sure like your comments, well that is it for present and I will keep you up to date as things progress.
We shake hands and use the radio again DR1 to AS Hi Joe, I'm about to leave town heading for river camp. AS to DR1 have a good trip -- out.
DR1 five mile out heading for River Camp. Super to DR1 I will meet you for lunch in the cookhouse -- out
I get into camp and have a wash and head for the cookhouse and find John there with two other folk who I do not recognize. John calls out hi Joe please join us as I walk over John says let me introduce Peter & Tony they are from the logging company that buts up to us. I shake hands with both saying welcome to River Camp so I'm asked what my job was. I'm the chief dispatch rider for the company and I ensure the training and safety of our dispatch riders in all this companies camps.
John says Joe has not told you but when he was 15 yrs old and he like many of the young guys did summer employment in our shop also found away of improving our young folk school marks and all the young folk now are getting not less than 85% through the distant learning education.
Peter asks what your secret Joe was, I laughed and said I had been getting up and having breakfast with my Dad and he and I went to our jobs. Once the school holidays were over I still got up at the same time, had breakfast with Dad and he went to work; I went home and got on with my school work the time was generally around 6:45 am and generally completed my assignments by 1:00pm and then sent my work in via Email to the distant learning
Sam another guy here was having problems and tried my idea out and his marks improved then one evening when Sam was having supper with his Mum & Dad and brother said as of tomorrow my brother Peter will also be getting up when I do so Mum, end result Peters school marks improved dramatically.
Tony said that's an interesting way of getting improved school marks, John said in fact Joe meet with all the other young folk in the other camps with there Dads and explained what he had done, I'm told there was many a chuckle from the dads; same thing happened.
Joe said please excuse me I need some lunch, sorry about that says John when you have finished would you come over to the office please, see you shortly.
Kia saw me and said I think you would like lunch yes please, OK I have some real good clam chowder, and for sandwiches I can make you beef, salad or egg.
Salad would be nice thanks Kia, here have your chowder and I will bring you your sandwich in a few moments. After my lunch I went over to the office, John called out come on in Joe.
Peter and Tony have been asking if you would be willing to visit there camps and meet up with there young folk and explain your way of getting school marks up. I'm willing to try and would suggest that the get together include the dads and it be done in the cookhouse where all will feel more comfortable however John this better be cleared through Brent first -- no problem Joe. While you talk I will get Brent on the phone to clear it.
After a few minutes John is back and says Joe, Brent wants to talk to you.
Excuse me as I head down the passage way, hi Brent Joe here -- I've told John to hold off a couple of weeks and it is interesting there two camp supers should visit like this -- I am sure you have said nothing, certainly not however I was asked how we got the school marks up and they seem very interested in my suggestion. OK thanks Joe I shall be out to visit next week with our other Supers -- Bye.
I returned to the meeting, John said I'm sorry Joe has to hold off for a couple of weeks but I'm sure down the road this will take place.
Peter and Tony asked please explain how the use of dispatch riders has cut costs, John gives the entire low down on this side of the operation -- you know John I think that idea is really good and to me this company is way ahead of a number of other companies I've seen. Well I guess we should head back and thanks so much John and Joe for your time today.
The visitors leave and I ask how come they came visiting us, I really don't know Joe it is sort of strange because that does not normally happen off the cuff like that.
When John checks his Email he finds a letter from Brent saying that next week he is coming up on Wednesday and returning on Friday morning. Thursday will a supers meeting and will be inviting them to get here during the afternoon on Wednesday, that evening will be a social period and supper. If Joe wants to have the dispatch riders there let me know.
John says I think you need proper office space, now we have a vacant office and as you know it is of similar size to this one and it is hardly ever used, what do you think? Well it would be better than doing my work at home plus if I have a dispatch rider meeting I think there is space for all of them. It might be an idea to paint one wall white as it would make a good video projector screen. John laughs and says I should do that also.
Lets check on exactly what furniture is actually there, checking the spare office over it has basically one long table a computer on the network. John says you need a proper desk and at least half dozen chairs and a desk chair; a radio would be nice as well with all channels a large white board for sketching and reminders, I will talk to Brent about a desk they may have a surplus one and chairs.
John mention to Joe that Brent was asking if you would like the dispatch riders to come over as well. Joe comment was you know that would work out well as I still have to get the video made for rear chain cleaning and re-lubrication then I could show that and then get then all in the shop doing there bikes. They would need to bring there shop overalls as well because it's a really dirty job so while the supers meeting is going on I have them in the shop -- sounds good to me I'll let Brent know of your plans.
Must go and see Sam to assist in making the short video and then Tony to borrow some washing trays for next week. I head over to the shop and both Sam and Tony are chatting, hey guys glad I caught you both as I need some help from both of you. Sam we need to get that video made on rear chain cleaning, washing and then re-lubricating, Tony I would like to borrow some cleaning trays for this job; no problems Joe you know where the stuff is kept.
Do we have enough chain lube for six bikes, oh that might be tight but can soon get more for Monday so what is going on. There is a supers meeting here later in the week, all the dispatch riders are coming as well, and I want to ensure they know how to do this job. Tony says if you need help just give me a shout I am more than willing to assist these young guys it will all help their future -- thanks Tony.
Sam and I get the rough outline on paper of what we had to do for this video, I asked Sam should we do the audio as we do the job or add it later. Sam thought about this and then said lets use the audio as we do the job because we can always change it later if really needed. Sounds good to me mate, so when do you want to start. Let us do it Saturday morning OK good for me.
Monday morning the video was all ready for Thursday meeting and it gives me enough time to let Brent see it ahead of time.
Tuesday morning I got a surprise as a truck pulled up in front of the office; Jack went out and then called me saying here is your office furniture Joe. I help with the unloading so the three of us quickly got everything off the truck and I said to the driver come on and have some tea or coffee before you return.
I did not realize at the time it was lunchtime so the driver had a soup and sandwich before returning. So the rest of my day was getting things sorted luckily our camp handyman had repainted the room including putting a good white wall from about 3 ft off the floor. I must now get photos of all the dispatch riders on there bikes doing there job in the bush. I am proud of my crews that are a great bunch of guys.
Wednesday afternoon the first of the supers with there DR that rode into our camp. Jack or John meet the respective supers; I meet up with the dispatch riders, taking them over to their room in the bunkhouse so they could clean up, and throw their overalls into the laundry machine.
Very soon, everyone was here and my crew was happy to see each other swapping stories. I soon got word to get everyone over to the cookhouse for supper and that to sit at the large table setup towards the rear of the cookhouse.
General chitchat took place as normal and as river camp crew was nearly finished eating. Brent stood up close to the exit door and spoke up by saying; gentlemen I have a major announcement for everyone and in order to prevent rumors
Woods Man Logging is taking over Hillside Logging, they have two camps and there area backs up to our boundaries. Therefore, over the next period, you will see strange faces in and out of this camp and in order to make access easier we will push a road through linking up with there road network from what it looks like there is only about ? mile to do this and it will save time and cost in the long run
Several of the River Camp crew asked questions and what was this Hillside Logging like for equipment and such like and do they have many married folk, Brent did his best to answer all the questions thrown at him and said the more I know I'm going to arrange to post the information on bulletin board right here so that everyone is kept up to date.
He also mentioned that sometime tomorrow afternoon the two Hillside Camp super will be coming into our camp here to meet up with there counterparts and we know they are very interested in our dispatch rider operation for small parts.
Thanks I will see you all sometime later have a great evening, with that the crew all departed. John then says we have some suitable refreshment at my place where we can sit outside and socialize and I'm going to invite Joe & Jack to join us.
Once every one had arrived John did the honors with the refreshments, well Joe asks one of the supers looks like you are going to busy again setting up two more camps. My answer was all the basic is done and on video and in fact I'm running a training secession tomorrow with the other DRs on rear chain maintenance, how to clean and re-lube.
My first job is to meet with all the young folk at each camp with there dads and discuss how to improve their school marks in the same we did on this operation a couple of years ago. Ken says I remember you certainly stirred it up and the dads were really chuckling over your plan, however it was simple and effective I don't think to-day anyone is getting less than 80% in there marks.
Brent said he knows that some of the young folk in these two camps are barely above 50% and that is one advantage of being on the board of directors for the Distant Learning it is easy to find out how everyone is doing. One of the other supers says good luck Joe and lets all raise a glass of what ever to "Joe".
Next day the training secession on rear chain maintenance went really well and all the bikes were done by lunch time, any questions on anything about your bike? Well if not go and make sure your fuel tank is full and then park your bikes in front of the office so it makes a nice lineup. Get out of your shop overalls and get scrubbed up and then we will meet for lunch in the cookhouse. I did the same and after my shower I got dressed as normal in my jeans, boots and DR shirt.
Walking over to the cookhouse I suddenly realized that these DR shirts need to be Hi-Vis in keeping with our safety practices, the ones we are wearing are ideal for town and social gathering, must talk to John about this.
After lunch we all gathered with our supers and make sure there were no problems. Brent said I sure like seeing our bikes lined up and in fact we must get all our riders into there gear for a group photo can you arrange that please Joe who also says I want individual photo's of the crew riding on one of there regular roads.
Looks like you have something in mind there Joe; yes I do one photo for the rider and one for my office wall. The other supers said they would like a copy of the group and there own guy don't leave me out either says Brent.
Our receptionist Audrey comes in to say Peter and Tony are here from Hillside Logging they are outside looking at the bikes. Everyone get up and heads outside to meet our guests Joe's crew each go to there bikes and answer questions from Peter and Tony.
OK guys would you please go and get into your riding gear and I will do the same, I will ask Jack to get the group photo and then I will take you up Branch 80 which is out of use and no falling in the mud hole either -- that caused some laughter.
Well many photo's were taken and it was time to get back to camp when my radio called Super to DR1 -- where are you and the crew DR1 to Super -- we are out on Branch 80 doing photographs, but just about to return to camp -- out. Super to DR1 get everyone to get cleaned up and before you do that come into the office -- out Well I expect you all heard that so let's return, get showered and do any laundry you may have. Sound as if I have to go to the office first see you all shortly as we all need to do a bit of bonding.
Back in camp I go over to the office and first thing Brent ask's do I have anything specially booked for next week no nothing so far, good I would like you to start on meeting up with all the young folk at both camps. Peter has suggested we go to his camp first, Joe asks how many folk will we be dealing with four one young girl she is 14yrs old and the guys one at 12yrs next one will be 15 this coming summer and the other is 15 and do any of them have bikes, not yet I think there fathers have said no bikes till there school marks get up. Another question for you Peter do these folk have regular home life or are they being brought up by there fathers. The two older young men are with there fathers and have been with us for over ten years.
Question for both of you do you have wireless internet in camp, no we do not but we have one machine in the cookhouse for any one to use and the other is in the office. I spot Brent making notes, then I ask him are the radio channels going to be standardize yes they are Joe.
Then I suggest I come out on Tuesday morning to look around and stay over night in camp if that is OK with you Peter. No problem at all so long as you don't mind staying in the bunkhouse, I like that idea because it generally puts me in a better light with the young folk. Then depending how long it takes I may not come over to you Tony until the following week on the Tuesday and stay over in the same way.
I would appreciate if both of you would email me all the details of your young folk, ages, male or female, and there first name, could you do the same please Peter so I have the info on Monday my email is dr1@woodsmanlogging.com
Thanks I had better get cleaned up, Brent says hold on a minute Joe, and I would like you to show Peter and Tony the riding gear you are wearing. I said these are regular Hi-Vis Coveralls and underneath I have my motto-cross body amour. Now in the summer time instead of a regular tee shirt I use a Hi-Vis mesh shirt and shorts plus of course gloves and riding boots I also use elbow and knee pads. Both Peter & Tony asked do all the dispatch riders were the same, yes they do and there is one thing else everyone wears a dog-tag in case of accidents plus they cannot ride until they have there First Aid ticket. Thanks Joe we will see you at supper no doubt.
Well I leave and head home and strip off then across to the bunkhouse showers to see how my crew is making out. I strip off and ask anyone going to scrub my back please, well all hands came to assist and it was Keith who said last time I fucked you, I still remember smacking your arse and you said thanks that was our first meeting so will you fuck me Joe no problems as I slip on a condom, our action starts the other off. I am really giving it to Keith and all he is saying I want it harder when suddenly my wild side took over as one of the other was giving Keith a blowjob as well, finally I feel his ring clamping down on me and that takes me over the top shooting many times into the condom. Keith has become weak kneed and is sinking to the floor and with a flop we disconnect. The others help him up; and Keith gives me a very strong hug saying thank you that has done me good.
We are now mostly shaving and John comes in looking for us and says sorry to break up the party but supper is ready please hurry. Three or four minutes later we are all in the cookhouse. We all have a great meal, the supers go over to Jack's home for refreshments, I take my crew to the office so we can look at the photos taken this afternoon after which I said come with me and I have some beer or pop in the frig at home.
Well come 9:00pm I said I guess we should all hit the sack as some of you have a good ride tomorrow and I need to be up by 6:00am we will see you at breakfast and with that they made there way back to the bunkhouse. I cleared away the empties and decided I needed a Rum & Ginger it was a warm clear evening with the sun just going down. I had been sitting there for about 20 minutes when John showed up and he looks at what I've got and said want a refill because I sure need one.
John then says Peter & Tony actually own the outfit these days it was willed to them on there father death but have no funds to maintain the standard there old man had always insisted on hence the buy out by Brent. It turns out they appear to know the business of logging since they both started right at the bottom as choker men and worked there way up until they became supers under there father so that is why we are expanding our operation.
The following morning all the supers had left with there dispatch riders, leaving just Brent, Tony & Peter who were in discussions, Joe was in his office sorting out video disks for his trip and making notes, John joined him after doing his rounds saying it looks like you are getting ready for your trip do you want to use the truck or are you going to ride. Joe smiles ride of course just take care, make sure you have your cell phone and ever mile or so check in by radio on progress this will let us know if we have radio communication. If no link then use your cell and call me please no problem John.
Brent walks into Joe new office and looks around and says it looks good Joe, so is next Tuesday a go I said yes providing that is OK with Peter and I plan to get there just before lunch time. Then during the afternoon I will have a look around the camp and after supper I would like to meet up with all the young folk and there dad's please, I suggest this takes place in the cookhouse out of the way of others or some other location that everyone is used to.
Peter is thinking saying the cookhouse is used as a TV area in the evenings, then he suddenly says I know the shop lunch room the young folk have all been there on occasions plus it will be private, that sounds good thanks. I'm going to ride my bike into camp and would appreciate during my time there meeting with also your crew and explaining what is going on in relation to the use of a dispatch rider for the bush mechanic but explaining what has to be done before this is becomes a reality as it will take about 9 months to implement and the need for everyone to have a first aid ticket.
Peter and Tony depart back to there camps, Brent says I my come over while you are there Joe so do not be surprised as I need to have a closer look around and you find I will be back into work gear and not shaving either; like you, if you are dressed accordingly you are far better excepted.
Anything else John drop me an email please, so I will be off thank for making the new guys welcome so we just have to play it by ear now. Well Joe what do you think; Joe is very silent for a few moment debating whether to say he knew about the extra work coming or not. Joe got up and shut his office door and said you may be upset but I was aware of this possibility as Brent had asked me after I took Mum back to town if I could do this all over again. I had asked him when was this likely going to take place and his answer was within the next month all being well, so now you can understand why I said to you better get clearance from Brent first before I go after that request from Peter & Tony on there first visit which made me wonder why they had come over to see us. You see I was sworn to secrecy so I could not say anything and I hope you understand. But now the cat is right out of the bag I can admit knowing ahead of you.
Joe when you said John you had better clear this through Brent was a good way of me finding that you had to hold off and compliment you on maintaining that trust put into.
Change of subject have you got every thing ready for next Tuesday, pretty well however I need to look at the road maps to find the shortest way there that makes sense.
Later that afternoon we both get an email from Brent saying the radio man is going over to Hillside and changing their radio channels and will extend both your office radio's and your by adding a channel six which will be there operating channel it is suspected he may have to either raise the antenna or re-locate it to a higher location. Hopefully the radio man will be with you on Sunday but at the latest Monday morning and will have a package of road maps of hillside logging.
Have a great weekend -- Brent
Joe suddenly remember John something that I realize the other day when all our dispatch riders were here, the DR shirts which all the crew really like are not suiable on the work site because they are not Hi-Vis.
What would it cost to get Hi-Vis shirts suitably marked? John said never thought of that but what do you suggest Joe as it is a safety item, well as you know I really like the mesh shirts and look at mine I'm sure there is room to put the labeling across the back with out interfering with the reflect marking. Well stand up Joe lets look at your right now. After a few minutes thought John says I'll ask Audrey if anyone in camp can has a sewing machine and tell why because we can get made up the label on reflective material and then get it stitch on, further more we can but those shirt at about half price in bulk. Dam good point Joe I will get on to it right away. Any way it's time for lunch are you joining me -- sure thing