THE NORTH SEA and MEL & TIM

A Couple of more (Watery) Incidents that I clearly remember about Working on the Gas Platform back in November & December 1983, are as follows:


One of the Contractors who did something concerning the actual Drilling told me he went Fishing a Couple of times a Week and if He caught enough for me as well, would I cook the Fish for our Tea, one night!


I agreed and thought he was going to Catch it when He went back Onshore and then brought it back with him.


So a Couple of Days later, he said to me "are you ready to come Fishing, today" I thought what the Hell is he on about!

Anyway, he told me to Wear a Big Coat, Wrap up Warm and put my Hard Hat on and meet Him at a certain Place & Time,  during my Afternoon Time off, so I put my Big Coat on etc and met him where he said to!


To my Surprise he took me under this Metal trapdoor on the Main Gas Platform Floor and down all these Steps, where eventually after about 5 minutes walking, we were completely under the Platform about 500 Yards above the North Sea!


Then he said, "look over here" there to my Surprise was a  Fishing Line going down through the Metal Flooring into the North Sea, I was stunned, he was actually Fishing I could not Believe it, it was Blowing a Gale, as it was about 75% of the time, I was out there.  


Now I don't like Fishing, but that was an Experience, just being that Close to the Sea, you could actually Feel the Sea Spray on your Face!

He did Catch some Fish that Day,but I cant remember what they were, and I did Cook them for His Tea, that Night, What a Great Experience that was, one of my Highlights, on the Platform!   


Another Funny Incident that Happened to me, (but was not Funny at the time was) I wont explain it Fully as you can work it out for yourselves!


The Toilets on the Platform were as they are at Home, apart from the Water comes up from the North Sea and goes back there, so you did get a lot of "Sloshing Water" under your "Jack Jones" and when it rough it would tend to go everywhere (it was always Rough that time of year)!

Any way after about 3/4 Days on the Platform, I got a Bad Dose of "MonteZumas Revenge" and I found myself continually on the "Throne" for about 24 hours, and it was as usual Blowing a Gail outside, and Yes you Guessed it, all of a Sudden the Toilet made this "Almighty Gargling Sound and Whoosh" and I was Covered in it, and I am not Talking about the North Sea!


What an Experience, these were 2 of my Highlights!
==============================================

As for Music, in 1973 "Mel & Tim" had a Great Soul Single Release, "I May Not Be What You Want" taken from the 1972 Album "Starting All Over Again" it was on the "Stax" Record Label.

It was a Great Mid-Tempo Track from the Mississippi Duo "Mel Hardin & Tim McPherson, Probably Known Best for their Smash Hit "Backfield In Motion" from 1969 on the Bamboo Record Label!

Bamboo Records was Based in Chicago & Owned by the Soul Artist "Gene Chandler"

Download "I May Not Be What You Want" and other Great Stax Singles!