Calvin burying big boulders in the dreels at piece-time to **** up the digger/elevator and offer respite from the back-breaking toil, Scott driving the tractor as “one of the bigger loons” and destroying everybody’s piece denner and Thermos flasks as he took the turn at the end of the dreels too widely.
Rite of passage.
Never had to do any of that stuff because I’m not a teuchter but the hardest shift I ever did was loft insulation. Vaguely remember sitting out on the roof, chain smoking in tears. One of those times that you wish you’d stuck in at school.
I'm sure I have told this story before but it's worth repeating because of the stupidity.
15 years old and always looking for a place to shag the blonde.
We lived in Dyce at the time, place was full of half built hooses.
In a half built loft.
"Oh look" says a young donsdaft "this stuff looks comfortable."
A true gentleman I was as I unrolled the fibre glass loft insulation for her to lie down on*
* no fancy stuff. " on your back woman"
Picking tatties was bad enough.
Skulling was sheer hell.
Not that I ever did it but I remember their swagger earlier in the day turning to pain as the afternoon wore on.
Never picked tatties, but did gig crew work ... michty ... that wis a ****in work oot! ... maist times, managed fine tho ... til the last ane Ah did ... buildin the stage for Lionel Richie at the AECC .... holy fk! ... next day Ah wis briused fae shooders tae shins .... and had tae go humph gear again up an' doon a fkn spiral staircase at Fraser Castle ... an play a gig in atween! .... nivver again!