Barge Stories

Bob is a pickle who has spent his whole life hoping that a human family will buy him and his friends so that they can have a home and be loved forever. One day, Bob's dream comes true... well... almost. Will Bob ever have the love of his humans or is he destined to live life in the trash?

Humorous and anecdotal stories loosely based on experiences traveling and working during the 1980's and 90's, in the African offshore oil industry. Drawing on some real and some imagined situations that should never have occurred, but unfortunately did, all too often. Near sinkings, legendary drinking bouts, malaria driven feverish events, and incredulous run-ins with the politics of Angola and Nigeria from officialdom and from the locals. Old boats and oil equipment that should have been out to pasture, but all ending up offshore Africa, along with the same calibre of personnel, who drifted along with that old equipment.

One in a million people are born with a curse, the curse of the ware wolf. They must be registered with the government, so they are tracked ad surveyed. Two days before the full moon they must check into a secure government facility, failure to do so will result in severe punishment... But Cassiopeia was never one to follow the rules... ***** Some slight swearing. Not too vicious or anything, just the occasional 's' or 'c' word when they are scared or stressed! enjoy, xx

Tyler is a sheepherder living in a small community on a new frontier after a lack of work forces him and hundreds of others out of work. Eleven months ago the village of Barge Bend had lost their sons to the draft in preparation for an inevitable war with their western neighbors. They are finally having their sons returned to them, and once more the town seems to have hope of a future. But they will soon discover that a war in the west was not the worst fate that could beset them. The real threat emerges from the unknown lands to the east, and their hopes quickly change from becoming prosperous to simply surviving.

A bastard by birth and orphaned at twelve, Charles has learnt to fend for himself in 1660s London. Homeless, he seeks shelter for the night in some canvas aboard a barge on the Thames. In the morning, he tumbles awake when the sail is hoisted, and the captain presses him to work as they move away from the wharf. Trapped, he sees no option but to follow orders. Captain Bryson likes his sharp mind and eagerness, and he offers him a job aboard with food and shelter. Charles wonders how he'll be able to repay this kindness, and he strives to do his best, lest he be set ashore, again homeless. Charles drives himself to learn and gain experience and to remain in the captain's favour as their adventure grows far beyond the barge, but his insecurity continues surfacing. What will it take to give him the confidence his natural abilities deserve? Written for ONC 2021, this story was selected for the Shortlist, and after the contest, I expanded it into a full-length novel. It serves as a standalone prequel to the Wattpad-featured and Ambys winner, Zeelandia.