My Mum and Family
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Ronald Keith Burchell First 'Salt Water' adventures
This was the first Vessel that RKB owned.
It was a canoe that had been designed and built by his Uncle Frank Dawe and Rob Bladon from 'Steamed' timbers, copper flat head nails and canvas.
Frank and Rob were 'Adventurers' they used their Canoes to 'Shoot' Wild River rapids.
This canoe shown here was discarded by Frank and Rob as it had been badly damaged in one of their adventures.
The canoe laid unloved and unwanted under the house belonging to William George Burchell and Anne Dawe for a number of years.
RKB purchased some fibreglass cloth and resin and set about re-skinning the Canoe with fibreglass instead of Canvas as the fibreglass would provide strength to support the cracked timber ribs.
This canoe was not so small, about 12 feet as I recall and now weighed a far bit with the additional fibreglass skin, there was a mile between the house and the Lane Cove River.
RKB now turned his mind to the apparatus required to enable him to move the Canoe, Paddles, Food and Girl friends (extra paddlers) to 'The Bay'.
A cradle with was soon constructed from some Timber (also from under the house), the wheels off his pushbike, (who needs a pushbike when you have a boat).
The canoe sat in the middle of the cradle, Food and Paddles inside the canoe, RKB steadied and pulled the Canoe, whilst the Girl Friend steady the rear. In no time we were launched and heading up the Lane Cove River to Fullers Bridge. Unbeknown to RKB, his wife, whom he had not yet met was living very close to Fullers Bridge and probably explored the cliffs overlooking the river, I wonder if she ever looked down on a Canoe in the River wondered who are those 'idiots'.
Yes, there were no Life Jackets, Safety Equipment, First Aid Kit, Mobile Phones.
In those days: Be careful and be back before the Street Lights come on was enough.
| Owner of original | RKB |
| Date | Late 1950's early 1960's |
| File name | Ronald Keith Burchell-late 1950's-3.jpg |
| File Size | 188.16k |
| Dimensions | 1375 x 951 |
| Linked to | Ronald Keith Burchell |
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Thank a teacher.... If you are reading it in English, thank a Veteran!
