Friday 25 May 2007

Affordable housing for workmen - # 118

I may be wrong, but memory tells me that this highly respected gentleman has been here for 17 years - or almost, if not more! The raft has evolved over that period. The Port of London Authority tried to sling him off, but local residents campaigned to keep him, so here he stays. He tends the birds, building nesting areas, and is generally regarded as a very good neighbour - the kind of chap you like to have around.

The equipment is quite sophisticated. Originally he had a wind mill to generate electricity but last year I noticed that he has cut out the wind turbine and moved to nuclear power! Look closely and you will see the photovoltaic panel on the far side of the roof.

In the early days it was fun to watch the raft "morphing" into new shapes, and seeing experiments in protective cladding systems being tried and rejected. Today the form seems to be more or less fixed and final. This is human resourcefulness at it's peak. In my opinion it's a noteworthy sight for genuine tourists .

13 comments:

  1. Well, this is a noteworthy post. I wonder if anybody has interviewed the owner of the raft? It might make a compelling story. I am glad he is there. The ducks seem to like him as a neighbor.

    And what does he do to wash-up? And what about the toilet?

    Today, the final pictures of the series, "A Day in the Life of a Robin," is online. I couldn't decide which picture to use. I hope you get to see them.

    Abraham Lincoln
    Brookville Daily Photo

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  2. Oh, my! He must have a restless mind for he looks like a real experimentalist.

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  3. a fascinating picture ... it asks so many questions about life and the hobo existence.

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  4. Is this his home, really? Very original ;-)

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  5. Wow, the guy must be quite brilliant. Is the fellow "odd" or just "eccentric"?

    If he can afford solar panels and has the skills and knowledge to build this boat, he must be quite a smart and educated gentleman.

    What an interesting story.

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  6. Fantastic story and well in line with your preceding posts!!!

    Yes, it would be very interesting to learn something about the guy!

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  7. Living life on your own terms - you must admire his ingenuity. I would also like to read more about him, if you can find it.

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  8. wow, what a place to live.

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  9. Finally Internet (Because I can have Internet only the weekend and the public holidays), I can visit your blog. This weekend I present Martel in version black and white. I prefer the photographs in b&w and you?

    My blog photographs on the town of Martel

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  10. Finally Internet (Because I can have Internet only the weekend and the public holidays), I can visit your blog. This weekend I present Martel in version black and white. I prefer the photographs in b&w and you?

    My blog photographs on the town of Martel

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  11. I think its quite charming...and its certainly eco-friendly...something my UK charity www.global-footsteps.com is all about!

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  12. Well he certainly seems to be one of lifes originals - and I'm sure he's happier than most. I also echo this comment made in the article quoted by Chuckerroon in the next post.

    "She said that Mr McCullogh's rafts added to the charm of the riverside, bringing children to the river in summer to see the ducklings.

    She said: "He's a damned sight quieter than vandals destroying park seats and so on. I say live and let live."

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  13. Here are some more photos, I took in 2005:
    http://www.ziemnicka.com/Gallery/River/River020.jpg
    http://www.ziemnicka.com/Gallery/River/River021.jpg

    Richmond is strange place. I know one homeless who is always walking with his bacpack, always shaved and clean.
    You can meet him in library when it's cold. I wonder where does he live?

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