Progress report on Cockleshell Cottage

Meet Old Uncle Bill of Cockleshell Cottage...

(and glimpse some plans I have in hand)

Old Uncle Bill is another much-loved character In Ferny Creek. His little cottage, aptly named Cockleshell Cottage, is a short distance out of the village, on the shores of a small inlet with views out over the ocean that he once fished daily in his trawler ‘Lovely Lady’.

Being childless he had sold ‘the lady’ when he retired, but he still likes to ‘wet a line’ as he calls it, from the end of the pier or from his little rowing boat.

He lives alone, but everyone calls him ‘Uncle Bill’ and each generation of children learn their fishing skills from him. He patiently teaches them how to bait a hook, he untangles their lines, shows them the best places to fish and safe ways to do so too. He also insists they learn to clean their fish and dispose of scraps properly.

His home is simple, and company is welcome. Uncle Bill is an hospitable old man and has interesting tales to tell of his adventures out fishing on his trawler.

If there are no visitors – and even when there are – his faithful dog Sailor (on his way) listens intently to everything Bill says, ears pricked and head cocked to one side then the other and the occasional whine or yap showing appreciation of the conversation. Many a person comments that Sailor knows everything Old Bill says.

His other constant companions are Capt’n and Bos’n, the cats. They love to tease Sailor but most of all they love to curl up on the settle or in front of the fire at night and just be with Old Bill and Sailor. During the day they are to be found around the cottage or down where Old Bill is cleaning fish.

If you peek inside Cockleshell Cottage you will find a batchelor’s house. Quite spartan but comfortable. A single well-worn wing-backed chair with a few frays here and there, the seat cushion having a definite hollow from use, faces the fire.

But guests have been provided for with a settle, well padded on the seat and with cushions for the back. It is often pulled up to the fire as to share the warmth.

An ice chest is in the furthest corner from the fire, a workbench (in progress) is scrubbed scrupulously clean and a neat curtain covers the storage underneath. There is a small table and two chairs, and braided mats (to come) provide some softness and warmth on the flagstone floor.

A door (coming) in the corner of the room leads to the rear of the cottage and the bathroom out back, as well as to the staircase leading upstairs. Upstairs is a large room, which seems to be underfurnished. Old Bill’s cozy bed and a chest for his clothes hardly takes up any room at all.

To one side is a large work table, on which Bill constructs his model boats – a passion that has absorbed him since retirement. He has given away the first two that he made, and has now started on another (on its way).

Old Bill likes to sit on the rustic bench at the front of his cottage and watch the ocean or read while he enjoys the weather when it is pleasant.

He takes long walks along the beach and is fit and healthy, running up and down the steps to the beach as spry as any youngster.

Bill is an important part of Ferny Creek, and I hope you have enjoyed meeting him and having a peek into Cockleshell Cottage.