A few weeks ago Maggie was reading Terry Darlington's follow-up to Narrow Dog to Carcassone - Narrow Dog to Indian River. It covers Terry, Monica, and Jim as they travel along the Intracoastal Waterway in the US in their narrow boat Phyllis May. When she got to page 238 a name jumped out of the page - Dai Morgan in Llandaff who was a rowing partner of Terry. He is quoted as saying - "one slip boyo and your buggered".
I contacted Terry. It turns out that this is the same David Morgan (n.b. more formal) who was the Captain of Llandaff Rowing Club and whom I steered to victory as a cox in the 1959 regatta at Penarth. I sent Terry a photograph of Dai showing the moment were presented with the cup. He confirmed that not only was this the Dia Morgan (not exactly an unusul name in Cardiff) but that his brother was also rowing in Llandaff in the Maiden (Novice) Four B when I was coxing the Maiden Four A. It also appears that both Terry and I rowed in scratch races with the famous Commonwealth medal-winning Luke twins.
Now that Maggie has finished ND to Indian River I am delving into the mysteries of boating along the east coast of the USA and enjoying Terry's laconic humour. It is a good read! Good luck to the crew of Phyllis May with your British travels this summer.
Steve
Stoke Bruerne Locks Video
After our first attempt at making a video of operating locks, Mike Peet shot some more clips for us to edit. The original idea had been to put together a sequence to cover all locking operations but it didn't appear to work that well given the differences between locks. So in the end it was edited into a simple time sequence as we came out of the bottom lock and went up the next two. Unlike our trip down Braunston locks, we went through the locks as a single rather than as a pair of boats. We hope you enjoy it.
Canal Museum Open Weekend - Stoke Bruerne
We took Albert to Stoke Bruerne for the annual boat gathering that has now become a regular feature of the local boating calender following the Blisworth Tunnel Bi-centenary in 2005. The gathering is organised by the Friends of the Canal Museum.
However, before we went up to Stoke for the weekend we spent Friday night at the Navigation, Cosgrove where Chris Allin had organised a session by the local French folk-jazz band - Monsieur Pantin. This is a trio with Steve Cobham and Paul Martin on guitars and Jean-Pierre Rasle on bagpipes and recorder. We managed to moor up outside the pub and enjoyed the food. Monsieur Pantin went down well.
On Saturday we picked up Juliet & Mike Peet at Yardley and went up the flight to Stoke. As he did on our trip around Braunston, Mike spent time shooting vidio clip footage (to be posted later). Half-way up the flight we were warned that a horse boat was coming down the flight and asked to keep away from the towpath.
Horseboating at Stoke Bruerne Locks
It was Sue Day from the Horseboating Society demonstrating how to operate through locks using Nick Wolfe's butty Angel. We wondered how much room for mooring there would be in the long pound. The answer was not much - but Maggie managed to persuade a boat to move along and we moored up with inches to spare.
Like last year the top pound was full of working narrowboats. This year the historic boats included a much refurbished Fazeley now looking very smart and with a new engine. The ex Grand-Junction inspection launch Kingfisher from Yardley Gobion, owned by Alan Paine, was also there and looked particularly smart with gleaming brasswork.
NB Fazeley looking very smart
Later-on NBs Aldwich and Angel returned to the top lock and Angel moved from being a horseboat to being a butty. They breasted-up coming out of the lock which turned out to be an interesting move since boats on both sides of the cut were breasted-up and the section just up from the museum is very narrow.
NBs Aldwich and Angel breasting-up at Stoke Bruerne Top Lock
Just as the pair reached Raymond & Nuffield who were moored up on the towpath side, Aldwich & Angel became firmly jammed!
Stuck! - six abreast
There then followed a period of crowd entertainment as various techniques were tried to free them. In the end it took Charlie the trip boat hitched to the T-stud of Aldwich pushing, with a group of men including David Blagrove pulling on a line, Aldwich in full reverse, and Ron Withey who was directing operations rocking both boats to free the pair.
Pulling
Pulling and Pushing
Free at last!
A wag then asked what time were they going to repeat the display on the Sunday!
There were vintage cars and motocycles on display over the weekend. Steve spent some considerable time discussing the ins and outs of an Austin 7 Nippy that was on display. Steve's fist car was a 1936 Austin 7 Special.
Austin 7 Nippy - Elsie
On the Sunday the weather was glorious. An interesting feature was James Griffin from Wyvern Shipping and his model narrow boats.
Model NB Benevolence
Steve spent time discussing boat engines with NB Saul who also have a 2YWM - Greaves badge. Like us they get their spares from Phil Lizius at Longboat Engineering . They moor near Bishops Stortford and gave us some good tips about the Lea & Stort - we are planning to go up there over the summer.
The return journey on Sunday evening was idilic. Sunny and calm. Oh wouldn't it be great if we had similar weather when we take Albert out for our longer trip. Based on last year we aren't hopeful.
However, before we went up to Stoke for the weekend we spent Friday night at the Navigation, Cosgrove where Chris Allin had organised a session by the local French folk-jazz band - Monsieur Pantin. This is a trio with Steve Cobham and Paul Martin on guitars and Jean-Pierre Rasle on bagpipes and recorder. We managed to moor up outside the pub and enjoyed the food. Monsieur Pantin went down well.
On Saturday we picked up Juliet & Mike Peet at Yardley and went up the flight to Stoke. As he did on our trip around Braunston, Mike spent time shooting vidio clip footage (to be posted later). Half-way up the flight we were warned that a horse boat was coming down the flight and asked to keep away from the towpath.
Horseboating at Stoke Bruerne Locks
It was Sue Day from the Horseboating Society demonstrating how to operate through locks using Nick Wolfe's butty Angel. We wondered how much room for mooring there would be in the long pound. The answer was not much - but Maggie managed to persuade a boat to move along and we moored up with inches to spare.
Like last year the top pound was full of working narrowboats. This year the historic boats included a much refurbished Fazeley now looking very smart and with a new engine. The ex Grand-Junction inspection launch Kingfisher from Yardley Gobion, owned by Alan Paine, was also there and looked particularly smart with gleaming brasswork.
NB Fazeley looking very smart
Later-on NBs Aldwich and Angel returned to the top lock and Angel moved from being a horseboat to being a butty. They breasted-up coming out of the lock which turned out to be an interesting move since boats on both sides of the cut were breasted-up and the section just up from the museum is very narrow.
NBs Aldwich and Angel breasting-up at Stoke Bruerne Top Lock
Just as the pair reached Raymond & Nuffield who were moored up on the towpath side, Aldwich & Angel became firmly jammed!
Stuck! - six abreast
There then followed a period of crowd entertainment as various techniques were tried to free them. In the end it took Charlie the trip boat hitched to the T-stud of Aldwich pushing, with a group of men including David Blagrove pulling on a line, Aldwich in full reverse, and Ron Withey who was directing operations rocking both boats to free the pair.
Pulling
Pulling and Pushing
Free at last!
A wag then asked what time were they going to repeat the display on the Sunday!
There were vintage cars and motocycles on display over the weekend. Steve spent some considerable time discussing the ins and outs of an Austin 7 Nippy that was on display. Steve's fist car was a 1936 Austin 7 Special.
Austin 7 Nippy - Elsie
On the Sunday the weather was glorious. An interesting feature was James Griffin from Wyvern Shipping and his model narrow boats.
Model NB Benevolence
Steve spent time discussing boat engines with NB Saul who also have a 2YWM - Greaves badge. Like us they get their spares from Phil Lizius at Longboat Engineering . They moor near Bishops Stortford and gave us some good tips about the Lea & Stort - we are planning to go up there over the summer.
The return journey on Sunday evening was idilic. Sunny and calm. Oh wouldn't it be great if we had similar weather when we take Albert out for our longer trip. Based on last year we aren't hopeful.
Braunston Locks Video
On April 12th we had a day around Braunston with Mike & Juliet Peet. Mike took some video clips on his digital camera as we went down the Braunston flight. Below is a video I constructed from his clips. As you will see one of the paddle mechanisms was very stiff! It was also quite a windy day as you will hear from the noise on the audio.
Steve Parkin
Steve Parkin
A Very Short Trip!
We took Albert out from the marina onto the cut to sit in the sun, listened to the last day of the Premier League on the radio, read the sunday supplements, and polished the brass. We certainly took full advantage of the great weather.
As we left the marina, and hailed Jon of Baxter's Boat Services, we noticed the smart new sign to Kingfisher Marina. Art work courtesy of Colin Dundas.
We turned at the Navigation, Cosgove and noticed the sign advertising the proposed marina. New marinas are sprouting up everywhere!
As we left the marina, and hailed Jon of Baxter's Boat Services, we noticed the smart new sign to Kingfisher Marina. Art work courtesy of Colin Dundas.
We turned at the Navigation, Cosgove and noticed the sign advertising the proposed marina. New marinas are sprouting up everywhere!
Thames Cruising 1963
Whilst looking for some photographs in the family archive, otherwise known as the collection of old shoe boxes under the bed in the spare room, I came across a series of black & white photographs of a boating holiday with my parents on a Thames hire cruiser in summer 1963. This was my first exposure to the joys of river motor boating.
I can't recall much of the trip, after all it was 45 years ago, but I can recall I enjoyed steering the boat. After steering rowing eights and fours at Llandaff Rowing Club, I remember finding that the wooden cruiser wasn't too difficult.
Steve's father Sam, Steve and Muriel III
We hired the boat from the Kingston area. The wooden cabin cruiser had two cabins and a clumsy folding roof to the centre cockpit. It is interesting to note from the photographs that the hirer was a member of the THCA (Thames Hire Cruiser Association). The association still exists; it appears to be associated with the British Marine Federation. The boat looks a bit primitive compared to modern hire cruisers and the two gas bottles on the stern deck look a bit exposed.
Henley on Thames, with the brewery chimney in smoke.
We managed to get as far upstream as Henley, which was an obvious aim for a family with rowing interests. Henley was also where my father had spent some time in the 1950's receiving his management education (Greenlands Administrative Staff College now Henley Management College).
Thames Lock, with Steve and his mother Rose onboard.
Happy memories!
Steve Parkin
I can't recall much of the trip, after all it was 45 years ago, but I can recall I enjoyed steering the boat. After steering rowing eights and fours at Llandaff Rowing Club, I remember finding that the wooden cruiser wasn't too difficult.
Steve's father Sam, Steve and Muriel III
We hired the boat from the Kingston area. The wooden cabin cruiser had two cabins and a clumsy folding roof to the centre cockpit. It is interesting to note from the photographs that the hirer was a member of the THCA (Thames Hire Cruiser Association). The association still exists; it appears to be associated with the British Marine Federation. The boat looks a bit primitive compared to modern hire cruisers and the two gas bottles on the stern deck look a bit exposed.
Henley on Thames, with the brewery chimney in smoke.
We managed to get as far upstream as Henley, which was an obvious aim for a family with rowing interests. Henley was also where my father had spent some time in the 1950's receiving his management education (Greenlands Administrative Staff College now Henley Management College).
Thames Lock, with Steve and his mother Rose onboard.
Happy memories!
Steve Parkin
Heyford, Stoke Bruerne & Yardley Gobion
We had a pleasant trip down from Norton Junction and stayed over night at a quiet spot near Heyford. Met Mike Partridge on NB Jubilee at the bottom of Whilton flight and purchased a bag of coal and a bag of sticks. He was on his way to Braunston making deliveries to his "regulars".
On Thursday we travelled home via Stoke Bruerne and Blisworth Tunnel. As we passed Blisworth Tunnel Boats they asked us to take a set of lines (ropes) down to Stoke Bruerne for a boat that had left them earlier and left them behind. It appears they had a their hull blacked. So for a brief period we became canal carriers. The boat concerned, Kitty, was not where we expected (at the top lock) but as we went down the flight their crew appeared. It turned out that they had moored up at the bottom lock using their centre-line.
We also met Sarah McErlean and her family who were on an outing to Stoke Bruerne. We were able to take them down several locks and they also opened gates and operated the paddles. They appeared delighted. "Made our day!". Got back to our berth at Kingfisher Marina in high winds. Managed to make the difficult (135 degree) marina entrance no problems, probably because nobody was watching.
And what of Daisy, our cat? Throughout the journey she was fine. When the engine was on she stayed under the furniture, because she basically didn't like to sound of our Ruston & Hornsby. However, she was sociable and good natured in the evenings and when we were moored up. She particularly liked looking out of the windows and watching the ducks and moorhens. Now at home she is enjoying the garden and back to her usual routine, bothering the wildlife - so far without any impact.
On Thursday we travelled home via Stoke Bruerne and Blisworth Tunnel. As we passed Blisworth Tunnel Boats they asked us to take a set of lines (ropes) down to Stoke Bruerne for a boat that had left them earlier and left them behind. It appears they had a their hull blacked. So for a brief period we became canal carriers. The boat concerned, Kitty, was not where we expected (at the top lock) but as we went down the flight their crew appeared. It turned out that they had moored up at the bottom lock using their centre-line.
We also met Sarah McErlean and her family who were on an outing to Stoke Bruerne. We were able to take them down several locks and they also opened gates and operated the paddles. They appeared delighted. "Made our day!". Got back to our berth at Kingfisher Marina in high winds. Managed to make the difficult (135 degree) marina entrance no problems, probably because nobody was watching.
And what of Daisy, our cat? Throughout the journey she was fine. When the engine was on she stayed under the furniture, because she basically didn't like to sound of our Ruston & Hornsby. However, she was sociable and good natured in the evenings and when we were moored up. She particularly liked looking out of the windows and watching the ducks and moorhens. Now at home she is enjoying the garden and back to her usual routine, bothering the wildlife - so far without any impact.
Norton Junction
A day of two halves. We left Napton in sunshine with not a cloud in the sky and arrived at Norton in pouring rain. The trip to Braunston was delightful with lots of sunshine. We took on water at the turn and also visited Midland Chandlers.
Braunston was unusually quiet but we started the trip up the locks in the company of a community boat that was on its way to Camden. We met a single boat half way up and, because our companions went ahead we worked the last four locks alone. That's when it started to pour down. We had a very smooth passage through the tunnel with no boats coming the other direction and moored up in the rain just below Buckby Top Lock. We had to visit the New Inn again and have our usual half of Old Rosie and pint of Frog Island, but this time we had some of their good food.
Braunston was unusually quiet but we started the trip up the locks in the company of a community boat that was on its way to Camden. We met a single boat half way up and, because our companions went ahead we worked the last four locks alone. That's when it started to pour down. We had a very smooth passage through the tunnel with no boats coming the other direction and moored up in the rain just below Buckby Top Lock. We had to visit the New Inn again and have our usual half of Old Rosie and pint of Frog Island, but this time we had some of their good food.
Napton on the hill
Oxford Canal and Windmill, Napton on the Hill
You might have noticed that I used the full title of the village, more of this later.
We left Flecknoe mid-morning for Napton. We arrived about midday and turned at the winding hole just below the Napton flight then reversed onto a mooring just before the corner.
As we arrived at the mooring a Hebridean sheep was giving birth in the field opposite. The lamb took about an hour to arrive and we saw it struggle to its feet and take its first feed. We were privilaged to see it!
After lunch we walked into the village. We shopped in the local post office, visited the church, which sits on the top of the hill, and then walked up to the windmill. The views of Warwickshire and beyond from the top are stunning. Close to the summit is a rowan tree planted to commemorate a WWII observation unit that was based there and saw Coventry burn during the blitz.
Windmill at Napton
Went to the Folly Inn for pies in the evening. It was quiet, but then it was Monday. Their own brand beer was fine and the food was tasty. The bar had a collection of Estate Registers from Phipps Brewery in Northampton. The registers give details of all Phipps' property including pubs, and dates from the 1890s until the 1960s. Found out lots of details about pubs in our own village and others in South Northants and North Bucks. You would normally expect to find this sort of information in the County Record Office.
Flecknoe and Shuckburgh
Shuchburgh Estate
After a short trip we moored up at Flecknoe at exactly the same spot as summer last year. After lunch we went for a walk around the Shuckburgh Estate.
The walk involved a climb up Beacon Hill where there were spectacular views especially towards the west. The dark clouds provided some heavy showers but we appeared to miss the worst and saw some wonderful rainbows. We managed to take some great photos looking towards Lower Shuckburgh. Certainly we were in the right place at the right time.
Rainbow over Lower Shuckburgh
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