The China Sea Marine Trading Co., where some of us have been hanging out periodically for sea shanty sessions amidst the nautical bric-a-brac and banter from Capt. Bunker and his wife Sharon, has indeed moved out of Portland's Old Port to various rental storage units. Sad to see the empty shop but what a glorious move. Several Roll & Go members made themselves useful including myself, Uncle Jaque, and Sinsull, and at least half a dozen others. There were at least three truck loads of the heavy stuff, two van loads of art work, and two pickup loads of spare nautical parts. Today we moved the heavy stuff: the three cannons (a stubby 12 pounder, a longer 9 pounder, and a long 6 pounder), three or four rusty anchors, a capstan, a windlass, and display cases. What joy to muscle a cannon in and out of the moving van, to be ultimately deposited in Capt. Bunker's driveway; that should keep the neighbors at a respectable distance. No one got seriously injured in the process but I bet there are a few aches in the lower back area tomorrow morning.

Anyway, some of us are going to help scout our a new place for the shop, hopefully a permanent place. Be nice if there was a bar and a fireplace to gather around as well.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, ready to pack it in.