CHRISTMAS STORIES

After staring at what looked like snow on the horizon for awhile a thought came to Charlie – yes – yes it must be the North Pole! Charlie then began to wonder what was going on there and how busy Santa must be with his elves making all types of things getting ready for Christmas. Charlie thought how great it would be to get to the North Pole because then he could thank Santa Claus personally for all the gifts that he distributes at Christmas to everyone including himself. Charlie went to bed nightly dreaming about Santa and the North Pole. At school he would daydream about the North Pole. In the back of his English grammar note book and other school books and in every available space he had drawn sketches of Santa and Rudolph. His “artwork” had been noticed and his teacher encouraged him by giving him a sketch book with the understanding that he would not draw during class time. During recess Charlie would stay in class, while the other children played their various games of marbles, cricket or just kicking a football around he would draw his other favourite dream - that of sailing. He drew various types of sailboats even one like Robinson Crusoe. At times Charlie would go with his older brothers to the docks or near the harbour and there he would notice many different types of sailing vessels including the Bermuda dinghy – he would memorise these scenes in his head and when he got home with the picture fresh in his mind he would draw a boat with all the detailing. As time passed Charlie remained very focused on the North Pole and made a promise to himself that some day he would get there. One day when Charlie was in Hamilton with his mother they visited a book store which was owned by her employer – Mr. Styles – they were in search of a book about the Bermuda dinghy but unfortunately they did not have any luck. Mr. Styles knew all about Charlie’s interest in boats particularly the Bermuda dinghy but no-one knew the real reason behind his childlike obsession. Mr. Styles sensing Charlie’s disappointment over the book and as it was the summer holiday invited Charlie to sail with him the following Thursday in the dinghy races in St. Georges Harbour. Charlie could not believe it – he jumped for joy and hugged Mr. Styles around his legs. To Charlie Thursday was a year away – no matter how busy he kept himself with all his chores it seemed that Thursday would never come – he kept asking his mother “is it Thursday yet?”. Finally Thursday did arrive and Charlie dressed in shorts, a new pair of docksiders, tee shirt and seaman’s hat walked excitedly with his mother to the train stop to travel to St. Georges where Mr. Styles would meet him. This was not the first time that Charlie had been out in a sail boat but to be in a race was a highlight and a special treat. No-one had to worry about the dinghy capsizing as Charlie was an accomplished swimmer from a very early age. The races were a success and both the crew and Mr. Styles were very impressed with Charlie’s grasp of sailing that they nick-named him a “salty dog”. For the remainder of the summer as long as the races were held Charlie would be invited as a crew member and each Thursday would follow the same routine. When the school holidays were over and Charlie was back in school all the children had to show and tell about what they did during the summer and there were an array of interesting pursuits but the most interesting of all was Charlie’s recounting of his sailing in St. Georges - he also drew on the black board a Bermuda dinghy with a picture of himself in his sailing gear. Charlie often looked out from the railway tracks walking home from school along the North Shore and wondered what it would be like to frolic about in the snow at the North Pole – would he be able to ski and skate there as he often saw spirals of snow shooting up from the horizon. Charlie was determined that when he got a little older he would save up enough money and build a boat with a sail to get to the North Pole. No-one could convince him that it wasn’t the North Pole. Each night a light would flash and Charlie thought it was Santa sending signals. Every Monday Charlie would keep a keen look out to the corner of Baileys Bay and right on time the Queen of Bermuda would come up the channel – quickly he’d run back to his home and shout out that “Pappa’s boat was coming” – it was years before he realized that it wasn’t Pappa’s boat he only worked on it. Charlie asked his Pappa whether he could get a job on the Queen of Bermuda as he thought this would be the easiest way to get to his beloved North Pole – his Pappa just smiled and said that he was a bit young. A few Christmasses went by until one special Christmas morning Charlie checked under the Christmas Tree to find a gift with his name on it and near the fireplace Charlie saw what looked like “snow” left from Santas boots further convincing him that the North Pole really was close. As he tore off the wrapping he so hoped it would be what he had asked Santa for - and it was - plans for a Bermuda dinghy showing in great detail how to make the keel – stern – bow and ribs. Charlie would need Bermuda cedar for the ribs and spruce for the planking. Charlie began in earnest to save money from selling newspapers and caddying at the local golf club. In time he thought he would ask his Pappa how to make the mast and sail as his Pappa was good with sails and had once made one from a design of a ballerina dress – he was very inventive. Charlie went with his mother to the Bank of Bermuda to open an account and each Monday she would deposit the few shillings of Charlie’s earnings. More years passed and Charlie had saved up enough money to start building his boat. From a young age he knew how to cork and putty the boat from helping his Pappa with his. The boat took Charlie two years to complete as he was only able to work on it after his daily chores and school work were completed. Charlie spent much time pondering names for his boat such as “The Flashing Light” and “The Guiding Light” eventually deciding on the latter. In final preparation for the launching of “The Guiding Light” Charlie went to the dump to collect corks from discarded empty wine bottles to use as stoppers as the dinghy had a hole in the bottom to let water out when pulled ashore. He also went to the golf course and got a calabash to use as a bailer he cut it in half scooped out the inside and left it to dry in the sun. With the last little things attended to he was now ready to sail to the North Pole. Charlie set out with his sail set to the wind using an oar to steer set in a notch cut on top of the stern, he was both surprised and pleased with how The Guiding Light was performing as he had not done any sea trials except testing she was water tight. Charlie was getting more and more excited the closer he got to the North Pole, the journey was exhausting but fun. Looking back to land Bermuda appeared just a shadow of a silhouette but the closer Charlie came to the North Pole he became more and more confused because what he had always thought was the North Pole was in fact North Rock and what had looked like snow from the shore line were just the waves breaking over the reefs. He was so disappointed but the pride he felt in his achievement was greater and with a resigned sigh he turned the boat around and set sail for home with the sun setting behind him to a full reddish glow. Once back on shore he secured his pride and joy and sat on the rocks to ponder a moment looking out to the “North Pole” – the light flashed – one – two – three – four – five Charlie thought he was being sent a coded message of “hoping you arrived back safely” he quickly ran into the house grabbed a flash light and flashed back – one – two – three – four – five “thanks I am safely home”. For Charlie - North Rock will always be the North Pole.