The Pen Makers Boat: #523 Now Sold

Blue Acrylic Crystal and Chrome Ballpoint Twist Pen

Whenever I start to make a pen from an acrylic blank I always remember the negative points. Acrylic turning is messy, I really try to clear every last scrap of it up; it can also be smelly; the sharp little chips get everywhere and it can blunt the turning chisels really quickly. By the time the pen shape is turned and I start the messier job of wet sanding through about fifteen different grades I'm usually trying to convince myself that maybe its better to just concentrate on turning wooden pens.

Then the final grades of sanding and polishing start to reveal something special and I really like acrylic again... until the next time.

Pen #523 Was made at Fazeley Junction Just outside Tamworth on the 13th May 2016

The journey from above Shadehouse Lock at Fradley Junction to Fazeley Junction an dour next trading destination was done in one hit. It's certainly not a long way, about 5ish hours but the weather was against us for the first few hours. The volunteer lock keepers had arrived and were quiet in their soggy waterproofs so at least the couple of locks we had to negotiate were quick and simple, then it was a right hand turn through a swing bridge and keep our heads down out of the drizzle.

About an hour outside Fazeley, just passing the industrial estates on the edge of Tamworth the sun started to come out and dry up all the rain. We carried on past a few early traders and turned (winded) the boat ready to take our place on our allocated mooring space. It wouldn't be the last time we'd move though. There's always one isn't there? Someone was digging their heels in, not happy with either their mooring place or the curve of the towpath. It's not easy to trade on the wobbly bits but someone has got to and the mooring plan is drawn up at random and emailed to us in advance so we can easily chose not to attend if it's a problem.

Whilst Debbie had walked (hiked) into town I moved the boat one final time and started catching up with the increasing pen turning list I had given myself. It was a great market and lovely to see so many happy people visiting from the locality and farther afield. Hopefully the local pub will get on board next year and maybe get a band and a BBQ organised and there is plenty of space for a few local charity stalls too. I can easily see this turning into the Fazeley Junction Festival in the future.