the wet artificial tufted surfaces either, not even masking tape with high tack adhesive. Fortunately, we had taken some weights on board - the cram everything into the van strategy was coming up trumps already - which enabled us to weigh the tape down to hold it in place. This was necessary as, in spite of the windbreaks that surrounded the deck, it was windy enough to blow the tape off line. Interestingly, the lines on the bowling green had to be 12mm wide in accordance with the rules of the English Short Mat Bowling Association; therefore, the day before the painting extravaganza we machined our tape line applicator to produce a 12mm wide gap. The playing surfaces had fencing right on their boundaries and, with the surfaces taped out, we found that it was impossible to use the pedestrian spray applicator. Unfortunately, the paint specified by the client isn’t available in an aerosol can, so that was one back-up plan we couldn’t cram into the van. But, we did have paint brushes and a few


pots. You couldn’t use normal brush strokes as the pile would just flick the paint off in all directions, leaving a polka dot effect that looked more akin to a Jackson Pollack than a neat white line! For best results, we had to adopt the technique of a mild mannered Norman Bates in endurance mode, i.e. several hours worth of a gentle stabbing motion instead of the short sharp full-on psycho experience although, this time, the victim was an expanse of green carpet and not Marion Crane. Lots of people were walking around looking at the ship, and then stopping to watch us on our hands and wet bended knees; it’s surprising how much capillary rise can occur in a pair of old denim jeans. Several TV crews roamed the decks too, and even filmed us at work. Towards the evening, we were asked by the attendant in charge of the games deck whether or not the paint would be dry by early morning, as GMTV were to be filming on the bowling green first thing the next day. No pressure then.


We finished the lining at about 9:00pm; by the time we had got off the ship and cleared all the security procedures - fortunately no long queues this time - it was about 9:30pm. After the quick drag back to Sweepfast GHQ, via Dave’s impression of Lewis Hamilton, I left for the drive home and those specialist radio stations. I got home bang on 2:00am and was greeted by an excitable Ziggy, exactly 24 hours after I left home. What is it they say about many a true word spoken in jest? The Queen Elizabeth is an


extraordinary venue in an out of the ordinary setting. The experience of that day has informed how we can adjust, improve and speed up the line marking process on cruise liners in the future; I just hope that next time the ship is moored up in the Caribbean, not Southampton.


Specialists in Sportsfield Construction, Fencing, Drainage and Landscaping


Sportsfields


We offer a full range of services from renovation to full pitch construction.


If required, we can take a project from initial site surveys right through to match preparation.


J. Pugh-Lewis Ltd,


The Old Sawmills, Morton Road Pilsley, Chesterfield S45 8EE E: info@pugh-lewis.co.uk T: 01773 872362 F: 01773 874763


Get in touch on: 01773 872362 www.pugh-llewis.co.uk


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Fencing


Our supply and erection service offers all types of industrial, commercial, sports & agricultural fencing. We hold ISO 9001:2000 accreditation and erect fences to National Highways Sector Scheme 2A.


Landscaping


We have a wide range of expertise in both hard and soft landscaping as well as small civil engineering works - children’s play areas, footpaths, cycle tracks, car parks, lakes, watercourses, planting, cultivation & seeding.


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