#358

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Lignum Vitae and Gun Metal Ballpoint Twist Pen

LIGNUM VITAE - Guaiacum officinale

Heartwood color can range from a olive to a dark greenish brown to almost black, sometimes with a reddish hue. The color tends to darken with age, especially upon exposure to light.

Lignum Vitae is regarded by most to be both the heaviest and hardest wood in the world. Its durability in submerged or ground-contact applications is also exceptional. Lignum Vitae has been used for propeller shaft bearings on ships, and its natural oils provide self-lubrication that gives the wood excellent wear resistance.

Unfortunately, Lignum Vitae has been exploited to the brink of extinction, and is now an endangered species. The name Lignum Vitae is Latin, and means tree of life, or wood of life, which is derived from the tree’s many medicinal uses.

We had a lovely evening in the New Inn (and later back on the boat) at the top of Buckby Locks with friends but the next day the Buckby flight beckoned. The flight (properly called the Whilton Lock Flight) is not that long being only seven in number and they are well spaced out through pretty countryside, but a few of them are really tough. Big heavy balance beams on sticking gates can make the going very tough.

It didn't take long to get through them and we had timed our run to coincide with boaters leaving the visitor moorings at the bottom. There is only a few hundred yards of suitable mooring before you are well and truly sandwiched between the railway the other side of Whilton Marina and the busy M1.

We had a relaxing couple of days catching up on chores, bumping into boaters (not literally) that we hadn't seen for ages and even managed a stroll around the marina to see what boats were on offer for sale. Back on the boat it was time to take advantage of the lovely sunshine charging the batteries via the solar array and get some turning done.

Pen #358  was turned on the 3rd August 2015 at the bottom of Whilton Locks.