tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133977632024-03-14T09:49:05.342+00:00Narrow Boat AlbertEstablished in 2005: Blog of Steve & Maggie Parkin's 60ft narrowboat based on the Grand Union Canal; includes Steve's reviews of old waterways booksUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger920125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-5347980569701295932023-01-31T18:05:00.003+00:002023-01-31T18:05:38.309+00:00The Essence of Boating ?<p>Maggie and I attended a funeral service today for our friend Chris Allin who, apart from being a gifted musician, also lived for many years with his partner Maggie aboard his narrowboat Mr Blue Skies outside The Navigation at Thrupp Wharf, near Cosgrove. Some may remember how he used to organise the music nights for the pub. </p><p>We never knew that he also wrote poetry and were amazed to read the poem below in the order of service. It just sums up the feeling you get each evening when you are onboard - particularly in winter. </p><p>I just had to get blogging again. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlQ-mrf8_fx9R4WyNeJvr_qvDMKdMQN4YD1vewSKSlyhsnTr7nsE0NUNpy3ZCmVmLOZfw_6hMrfMhZ3Y0DBS41RUFOElRs_O8c-zGePRb4OVr9nKCE2cVi5_fd8SEOmPAxZL1G6MGAFwrV39l4KPrUqjhyjFMKmMHfQzmodw4F2UndhYp72P8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1070" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlQ-mrf8_fx9R4WyNeJvr_qvDMKdMQN4YD1vewSKSlyhsnTr7nsE0NUNpy3ZCmVmLOZfw_6hMrfMhZ3Y0DBS41RUFOElRs_O8c-zGePRb4OVr9nKCE2cVi5_fd8SEOmPAxZL1G6MGAFwrV39l4KPrUqjhyjFMKmMHfQzmodw4F2UndhYp72P8=w369-h400" width="369" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-72155555121410551532021-04-16T20:46:00.005+01:002021-04-16T20:49:00.366+01:00BCN Bi-Centenary 1969<p> You may wonder why, after months of absence from the canal "blog-sphere" I am writing about an event over 50 years ago. </p><p>Well firstly I will try and explain my absence. After Edward Winter's untimely passing I felt I just couldn't get back to reporting on my mixture of canal and river journeys, old waterway's books and memorabilia. My heart just wasn't in it and to some extent I always though of Edward as being "My Reader" - I would write with him in mind. </p><p>Also my world of science, I am an editor of an international engineering science journal, just got busier and busier with researchers busy writing manuscripts during the Covid restrictions. I therefore set aside Albert's Blog "until the spirit moved me".</p><p>Well a couple of weeks ago my next door neighbour who knows my passion for canals donated some books and pamphlets that had been his fathers - mostly about the Llangollen Canal. He was de-cluttering prior decoration. As part of the handy package I obtained came a wonderful pamphlet for the 1969 IWA National Rally that was held on the Birmingham Canal Navigations to mark their 200th anniversary. The 53-page pamphlet is fascinating and the copy pristine. It has great articles that would not be out of place in Narrow Boat. In particular, the article on BCN history by J.L. Langford is really good. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ilWs_kiSf-4/YHnNh_vJLyI/AAAAAAAAnoU/i2gwzR1y4Nwy6dtMVMwtqQpi1EwK1HsfACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BCN%2BBi-Centenary%2BCover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1586" data-original-width="2048" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ilWs_kiSf-4/YHnNh_vJLyI/AAAAAAAAnoU/i2gwzR1y4Nwy6dtMVMwtqQpi1EwK1HsfACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h310/BCN%2BBi-Centenary%2BCover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>But why did that particularly move me to post about this now. Well the next image is the big clue!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNxlZ-BF9Pw/YHngkIVLc5I/AAAAAAAAnoc/VUzSpKwrkUs4W_WVHzjvn1_75-awGO9PgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DoE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1612" data-original-width="2048" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNxlZ-BF9Pw/YHngkIVLc5I/AAAAAAAAnoc/VUzSpKwrkUs4W_WVHzjvn1_75-awGO9PgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h315/DoE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> Yes, HRH Prince Philip who was patron of so many organisations was also Patron to the 1969 Rally of Boats in Birmingham. His interests in boats and sailing was well-known but I hadn't realised that he had a connection with the canals. At this time "Mr Birmingham" - Frank Price was Chairman of British Waterways and I just wonder if he was the one who persuaded the Duke of Edinburgh to oblige. The IWA were always trying to be well connected and I am sure they were pleased with the patronage. I can just imagine Peter Scott or John Betjeman asking him. However, I can't find a record of Philip actually visiting the rally. It was also a critical time for canals and the birth of leisure boating. Encouraging public interest in what were seen by some as dirty and dangerous waterways was vital for their survival. </p><p>As always with these booklets from bygone ages the adverts are revealing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFNsqfnRxh8/YHnmvDTotII/AAAAAAAAnoo/4xkKEAYNI8w1ziUSpq6NytS7RKj_Rex1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Blue%2BLine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="2048" height="309" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFNsqfnRxh8/YHnmvDTotII/AAAAAAAAnoo/4xkKEAYNI8w1ziUSpq6NytS7RKj_Rex1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h309/Blue%2BLine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Braunston Marina full of GRP Cruisers</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1615" data-original-width="2048" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1G3yYEYuaQU/YHnmu1hQ6NI/AAAAAAAAnok/j8054MJU7AkSp1XqCValnDu2-hyFG40hwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h315/Harborough%2BMarine.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Early Steel narrowboats - note the prices</b></div><br /><p>We will be out boating soon and Albert has had an updated galley. I will have to get back to more regular posting and perhaps even finish reporting on last year's cruising.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-60932756869382562362020-08-09T12:46:00.003+01:002020-08-10T08:52:56.940+01:00Our Boating Companion Edward Winter 1950 - 2020<p style="text-align: center;"> <img height="500" src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_yY8rE7nDa3A/SsZaOW52gdI/AAAAAAAAK10/U0nZIqN1BCc/w334-h500/IMG_6080.JPG" width="334" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Edward Winter navigating a very reedy section of the Aylesbury Arm in 2009</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Since buying our first narrowboat in the mid 1990s, almost every year we were joined on our travels by our dearest friends Anne and Edward Winter. A quick look through this blog will reveal many references and numerous photos of the four of us navigating the inland waterways across the UK and even on one occasion along the Irish Waterways. With Edward and Anne's wedding anniversary in August we often celebrated on board with a special "towpath feast" - often Edward's favourite chilli con carne. </p><p style="text-align: left;">With the recent Covid-19 Lockdown we have kept in close touch regularly by sharing Zoom dinners, even attempting to do this from Albert when on our recent journey to Napton. Unfortunately the lack of bandwidth west of Braunston defeated us. Last year Edward had some heart surgery but he had recovered well enough to indulge again in his passion for flying - although not solo. All through lockdown he appeared well. It therefore came as a complete shock to receive a call from Anne on Saturday 18th July to say that Edward had died suddenly that morning. She was in deep shock and so were we. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Edward was a warm convivial man who was a brilliant boating companion. He was capable of turning his hand to most things on board - even down the weed hatch where his height helped. He even brightened up dark evenings on board with his bewildering array of magic tricks. We will miss him dreadfully. His passing was made even more poignant because our Golden Wedding garden celebrations, which Anne and Edward were going to attend, were on the following Tuesday. </p><p style="text-align: left;">We explored so much of the "system" together that I am sure I will always associate Edward with certain locations - the Upper Thames, Grand Union summit, Leicester Arm, River Nene, Middle Level; the list goes on. We had wonderful times together - some were exciting like the Tideway in choppy conditions where Edward helped navigate, but others were just plain fun.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I will not dwell on all our exploits but quote from an early blog - not ours but <a href="https://balmahablog.wordpress.com/">NB Balmaha</a>. It epitomises the fun we had together. You have to picture us mooring up at a crowded Rushden and Diamonds on the River Nene back in July 2006. It is a warm summer evening and NB Balmaha were already moored up. Mo reported:</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"Again, we heard them before we saw them as nb Albert pulled up behind us and squeezed onto the last mooring bollard. With two families and a couple of comics onboard they were enjoying themselves and their chuckling kept us amused.</span> "</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">Happy times!</p><p style="text-align: left;">There are many <a href="https://osf.io/ndctk/download/?format=pdf" target="_blank">on-line tributes to Edward</a> from his scientific colleagues and, in particular, the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CC8FPJbJrL2/" target="_blank">squash community</a>. I shared his interest in science and his love of interesting cars, but boating with Albert will not be the same without the prospect of Edward coming on board, grabbing a windless and then asking if he can set the locks. I will even miss his long water-consuming on-board showers!</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-29770061382669389232020-07-13T17:50:00.000+01:002020-07-14T18:25:41.451+01:00Priors Hardwick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aSvjOydHPpA/XwyB5Qqgd_I/AAAAAAAAnMI/2pCd-A49Qu0-sh6n77Z_s8TFZQrNuj5CwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2326.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aSvjOydHPpA/XwyB5Qqgd_I/AAAAAAAAnMI/2pCd-A49Qu0-sh6n77Z_s8TFZQrNuj5CwCLcBGAsYHQ/w333-h500/IMG_2326.JPG" width="333" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>A packed lock pound at Napton</b></div>
<br />It was busy on the Napton flight. <br /><br />We got up fairly early, for us, and left our Flecknoe mooring around 8:30. We weren’t the first to depart because around 7.00 whilst we were dozing we heard a boat go past heading towards Braunston and at least two more passed us before 8:00. <br /><br />We had decided to get an early start because it was clear that this post-lockdown weekend was busy and the Napton flight, which can get busy at the best of times, had the potential to be very busy. After following a couple of boats heading west (one who turned north towards Warwick and one stopped at Napton Narrowboats) and got to the bottom lock at Napton around 9:30 and found it quiet. A solitary hire boat was on the water point below the Folly Inn. A couple of CRT volunteers were operating the locks and this looked like the start of a smooth journal up the nine locks to Marston Doles. How wrong I was. The CRT volunteers were quickly moving boats up the flight to the first pound where there was serious congestion. Three boats were “permanently” moored up there and they had been joined by five boats waiting to enter the second lock. The first pound was in fact full of boats and the extra assistance from the volunteers had simply served to make things worse.<div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqOzEoN4vEE/XwyDRk7emsI/AAAAAAAAnMU/sCGZa0jxNsMx5FFrGEijAIWQm-BodItPACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8054.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqOzEoN4vEE/XwyDRk7emsI/AAAAAAAAnMU/sCGZa0jxNsMx5FFrGEijAIWQm-BodItPACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_8054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>WWII Pill box on the Napton flight</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zaU3d7ik-Wo/XwyE47QLzRI/AAAAAAAAnMg/f_R-bmKkiHc6rMdyuFUK4EaKNszYiyGXACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8055.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zaU3d7ik-Wo/XwyE47QLzRI/AAAAAAAAnMg/f_R-bmKkiHc6rMdyuFUK4EaKNszYiyGXACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_8055.JPG" width="400" /></b></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Looking towards Napton Hill</b></div>
<br />
Eventually the message got through and the volunteers began to hold boats back. To put it simply, there was no point in going up through the lock unless another boat came down. The result of all this congestion was the first lock of the flight took us over an hour to negotiate. Boats came down in a steady stream but those going up did not. Still, the weather was glorious, and a deer was spotted alongside the third lock. The water buffalo were in their usual field about halfway up the flight but not near enough to the locks to make a good photo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zaEciHyVWl0/XwyE8YnJbEI/AAAAAAAAnMk/L5K9SE47ThUwUWhJBWzj40zZxPTSfdbGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8056.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zaEciHyVWl0/XwyE8YnJbEI/AAAAAAAAnMk/L5K9SE47ThUwUWhJBWzj40zZxPTSfdbGwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_8056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Marston Doles top lock</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
Eventually the message got through and the volunteers began to hold boats back. To put it simply, there was no point in going up through the lock unless another boat came down. The result of all this congestion was the first lock of the flight took us over an hour to negotiate. Boats came down in a steady stream but those going up did not. Still, the weather was glorious, and a deer was spotted alongside the third lock. The water buffalo were in their usual field about halfway up the flight but not near enough to the locks to make a good photo.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNC8UdO0MJ0/XwyGhNzmvEI/AAAAAAAAnM0/MnOJFMxR2zIL3v1d1SrWPfG_jAeaYjZuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8058.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNC8UdO0MJ0/XwyGhNzmvEI/AAAAAAAAnM0/MnOJFMxR2zIL3v1d1SrWPfG_jAeaYjZuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_8058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Boat in a field (no water) on the Oxford Summit</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
We didn’t travel much further and stopped at one of our favourite mooring spots on the Oxford Canal summit near Priors Hardwick. It’s marked by a WWII concrete pill box on the off-side. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mXs5jkdgK6c/XwyI9QAnsHI/AAAAAAAAnNA/DK7pWtmXQHEBaIuMqCISz85YBcbMmZmDACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8060.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mXs5jkdgK6c/XwyI9QAnsHI/AAAAAAAAnNA/DK7pWtmXQHEBaIuMqCISz85YBcbMmZmDACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_8060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Mooring at Priors Hardwick</b></div>
<div><br /></div>As I write this, sheep on the former ridge and furrow cultivation opposite Albert are furiously grazing as the sun goes down. A typical rural English scene.
</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmJObD6uzb0/XwyPRvd-NOI/AAAAAAAAnNM/qUjEFpwHHu0PY1TbuPN_iYMuJXPR3rU5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2333.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmJObD6uzb0/XwyPRvd-NOI/AAAAAAAAnNM/qUjEFpwHHu0PY1TbuPN_iYMuJXPR3rU5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/IMG_2333.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-60454315829236104672020-07-13T17:49:00.001+01:002020-07-17T08:47:51.055+01:00Braunston and Flecknoe<br />
<br />
The weather was good and it was Saturday. With the lifting of the Covid restrictions we had thought that the canals around Braunston would be busy. As the phase goes, the world and his wife decided (like us) to remove the cobwebs and give the boat an airing. The first lock at Long Buckby was relatively quiet and when Ragweed and Albert left the lock there was no sign of any other boats moving. However, just as we left to pick up water the first of six boats arrived. Braunston tunnel was busy and slow but most boats were going the towards Buckby. We dropped down the flight with Ragweed passing an assortment of boats going the other direction. Frustratingly, there were a number of single boats from the same hire company who could have paired up and didn’t appear to have been instructed well. One crew appeared somewhat frustrated about their inability to understand what was required to operate a lock. With lock-down being raised, and overseas quarantines remaining, boating appears to be an attractive a British-based holiday. The section between Braunston and Wigrams Turn is usually quite popular for mooring and today was no exception. All the usual attractive moorings were busy and once moored up by bridge 102 a steady stream of boats passed all afternoon. The village of Flecknoe that looks down on this pretty stretch of canal and countryside looked an attractive proposition for a walk. We climbed the hill via the road, explored the village and then returned to the canal via a bridleway that cuts across the fields. The views from Bush Hill were stunning with beautiful fluffy clouds and blue sky. The fields were full cereals but not the usual wheat but barley and more interestingly oats. There were also some interesting patches of sunflowers mixed with barley and wild flowers.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7n9cGeTw9A/Xwx7w-JYjhI/AAAAAAAAnLg/Qq_E1TwM7x8GdUCwtHEvrkhil8DXwKf4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2315.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7n9cGeTw9A/Xwx7w-JYjhI/AAAAAAAAnLg/Qq_E1TwM7x8GdUCwtHEvrkhil8DXwKf4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w333-h500/IMG_2315.JPG" width="333" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Albert hiding from view</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVq6OE5n874/Xwx8fs7kW-I/AAAAAAAAnLo/deq053ULle8EcS8WWaeaTwCiJ4b8sng9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8036.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVq6OE5n874/Xwx8fs7kW-I/AAAAAAAAnLo/deq053ULle8EcS8WWaeaTwCiJ4b8sng9QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_8036.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Wide vistas of South Warwickshire</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ubXNobMKww/Xwx9beBoaOI/AAAAAAAAnL0/JwfwubW4YiEsCMbnOGvWbjTPEJf9oUC1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ubXNobMKww/Xwx9beBoaOI/AAAAAAAAnL0/JwfwubW4YiEsCMbnOGvWbjTPEJf9oUC1ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/IMG_2317.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Oats</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6agQQXXn5PY/Xwx-r41-GyI/AAAAAAAAnL8/M1VVpcAPf28WNvdmsrBKYHwDzXBWFYs5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8050.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6agQQXXn5PY/Xwx-r41-GyI/AAAAAAAAnL8/M1VVpcAPf28WNvdmsrBKYHwDzXBWFYs5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_8050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Wonderful old sign on Bridge 103 Oxford Canal</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-38507933631173907682020-07-13T16:11:00.001+01:002020-07-13T16:11:28.847+01:00Long Buckby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
In the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown we finally managed get away on Albert because staying overnight on boats is now allowed. We are going to take a cruise along the South Oxford which will be interrupted by a short period at home to celebrate our landmark wedding anniversary. The weather was dry as we left Yardley Wharf on Thursday but it became damp and then wet as the day wore on. We went up the Stoke Bruerne flight with a hire boat from Gayton and were assisted part of the way by a pair of CRT volunteer lock keepers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8cD6UO4Zhg/Xwx3jzcDdUI/AAAAAAAAnLI/ZmQHEWt8SOUu8IHz5WLzO1CBJEUSQwKGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8cD6UO4Zhg/Xwx3jzcDdUI/AAAAAAAAnLI/ZmQHEWt8SOUu8IHz5WLzO1CBJEUSQwKGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7771.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=13397763" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b>Our first post-lockdown locks</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the top lock I was taken aback a little when I found a swan family coming out of the lock as the gates were opened. It appears that boaters were being encouraged to try and keep the family in the top pound to avoid potentially lethal confrontation with another more aggressive family further down the flight. The operation of retaining them in the lock was quite an exercise – carrot and stick but with duck food.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUFrNvlsTvw/XwxytybxxkI/AAAAAAAAnK0/1uuAYMTBCOQ9x3PhcjQjq46VkmGST-qYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUFrNvlsTvw/XwxytybxxkI/AAAAAAAAnK0/1uuAYMTBCOQ9x3PhcjQjq46VkmGST-qYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7772.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Locking Swans</b></div>
<div>
<br />
We had a good trip through the tunnel where it was a relief to get out of the rain. We eventually moored up just north of Gayton Junction at one of our favourite spots. <br />
<br />
On Friday the weather was much better. We popped in at High House Wharf to discuss a possible paint refresh on the grey colour of our roof with Colin Dundas. The traffic on Thursday had been light but around Weedon more boats were on the move. We reached Whilton just after lunch, picked up some supplies including some gas and then went up the flight with Ragweed a hire boat from Weedon. The couple hiring the boat were from Kent and admitted to being relative novices. However, they handled the boat well and together we made good progress up the flight aided for most of the locks by a steady stream of boats coming down. We moored up just below the top lock and Ragweed joined us. Opposite was a delightful garden and we got talking to the owners who are showing it as part of the National Garden Scheme. It appears that the scheme will operate by appointment under the current Covid-19 regulations. We had a long chat because it turns out we have mutual friends.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10TVnLCwwdI/Xwx5Dn1JQOI/AAAAAAAAnLU/bKCGPunqTBE5EL5g4wUiZ5_SSgX46XtUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10TVnLCwwdI/Xwx5Dn1JQOI/AAAAAAAAnLU/bKCGPunqTBE5EL5g4wUiZ5_SSgX46XtUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2309.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br />
<br />
Geoff is a retired railway signal man and Sue is a talented canal can painter keeping the Buckby can tradition going. One of the cans on Albert is Sue’s work – we purchased it at Crick Boat show a few years ago. The garden also boasts the top part of a signal from Harpenden which works, a low-level shunting frame signal and a streetlight from Droitwich circa 1930 complete with operating original bulb.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-12638975723578415432020-06-01T22:43:00.000+01:002020-06-02T08:14:57.677+01:00A Roses but not Castles TrayLong time readers of our blog may recall that I posted about the <a href="https://nbalbert.blogspot.com/2008/12/roses-and-castles-origin.html" target="_blank">origin of Roses and Castles </a>decoration way back in 2008 when I came across a blue underglaze plate with a scene reminiscent of the traditional Roses and Castles. Having read Tony Lewery's two books on canal boat painting (<i><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Narrow-Boat-Painting-description-traditional/dp/0715367714/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=narrow+boat+painting&qid=1591047611&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Narrow Boat Painting</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flowers-Afloat-Folk-Artists-Canals/dp/0715301454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230659384&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Flowers Afloat</a></i>) I have been aware for some time of his hypothesis that the inspiration for the style came from not only Victorian pottery decoration and but also <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanning" target="_blank">Jappaned</a> goods. I was therefore delighted when the other day we got a present of a decorated metal tray that our daughter Lucy had picked up at antique fair in West London. She described it on the phone as being "a bit like Roses and Castles". When we got it we found it had all the hallmarks of the traditional Roses and Castles style - but minus the castles. It is probably what is described as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toleware" target="_blank">Toleware</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYT2QUCXWFg/XtV1EQ-JDRI/AAAAAAAAnBk/H7caTV_jUm8DTCERqzCjKlYso4vjnWkDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYT2QUCXWFg/XtV1EQ-JDRI/AAAAAAAAnBk/H7caTV_jUm8DTCERqzCjKlYso4vjnWkDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_7555.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Our painted metal tray</b></div>
<br />
The tray is just over a foot in diameter and has a dark green ground that is similar to many of the shades used on narrowboats. The flower decorations are very similar to that found on traditional canal boat decoration and the roses in the centre are painted are clearly painted in the same manner with confident sweeping brush strokes. The perforated edge to the tray shows signs of gold paint. We have no idea as to its age (or even its country of origin) but we think its a very pretty item. If could be old, that is Victorian, and this would certainly reinforce the theory put forward by Tony Lewery since the painting technique is so similar.<br />
<br />
.<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-46003452381422048102020-05-19T23:00:00.001+01:002020-05-19T23:00:42.573+01:00First Trip of the Covid-19 Crisis<br />
So with CRT advising:<br />
<br />
<i>"From today, Weds 13 May 2020<br />You may undertake short boating trips only from today – avoiding use of locks and any staff-operated structures if possible – providing, as per current government guidance, you do not stay away from home overnight and return to your home mooring (where you have one)."</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
we managed a short trip out for the first time since I don't know when.<br />
<br />
In fact with other pressures on our time pre-crisis this is the first cruise of the year. Albert need a bit of fettling after the winter before we got out of the marina by midday.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We managed it all the way to Cosgrove Lock and back but took the opportunity to drop in at Baxters at Yardley Wharf to use their services (pump-out and diesel). The weather was just glorious and ideal, it made us wish for a long trip.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iefr95XV3Uc/XsOklMsOHlI/AAAAAAAAm_4/WmebhQZdHVEyfPx5j37lsz0BqAPLgXPjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7437%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iefr95XV3Uc/XsOklMsOHlI/AAAAAAAAm_4/WmebhQZdHVEyfPx5j37lsz0BqAPLgXPjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_7437%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Grassy Towpath near Yardley Gobion</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Met some neighbours from our village walking a circular route and had a socially distanced conversation. There were a couple of other boats moving but understandably it was quite. We must do more of this!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-35493745129090762032020-01-04T16:50:00.000+00:002020-01-04T16:50:20.327+00:00Old Stratford WharfWe pass along Watling Street almost daily since we live just north of Stony Stratford. I am familiar with the route of the <a href="https://www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk/" target="_blank">Buckingham Arm</a> of the Grand Junction and the Old Stratford Branch in particular. I often sit at the traffic lights at Old Stratford in queues of traffic thinking of the boats that used to pass under Bridge 2 (the so-called Old Stratford Tunnel) on their way to and from Deanshanger and on to Buckingham. <a href="https://nbalbert.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-lost-tunnel-or-is-it-bridge.html" target="_blank">I blogged about the tunnel </a>back in 2015.<br />
<br />
It therefore came as a pleasant surprise to see a model narrow boat being constructed just by the lights and close to one of the former local canal wharves. I have been promising to photograph it for some weeks but not had the opportunity - Watling Street is a busy road. However, between Christmas and New Year the roads were relatively quite and the sun was shining so I took the opportunity to take a few snaps.<br />
<br />
The impression the wooden model gives is of a very short narrow boat because what might be the traditional back cabin is finished off by a prow which is adorned by the usual bow decoration and a boat name - Falcon which in the days of carrying was the name of a nearby inn.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OxYUfX2bRYw/XgvYNLbH61I/AAAAAAAAmhs/BStELm_bEUUaqPDiay3g3sI_JJlxm8JCACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OxYUfX2bRYw/XgvYNLbH61I/AAAAAAAAmhs/BStELm_bEUUaqPDiay3g3sI_JJlxm8JCACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>An unusual road side memorial</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Watling Street, Old Stratford (MK19 6AE)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VEXQqGL1RfQ/XgvYOHE_xYI/AAAAAAAAmh4/E4jMBtK3yqYfUU3_mCVMtMgJ4O0eZBu5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VEXQqGL1RfQ/XgvYOHE_xYI/AAAAAAAAmh4/E4jMBtK3yqYfUU3_mCVMtMgJ4O0eZBu5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TBycsC8-FY/XgvYNTfVtvI/AAAAAAAAmhw/MtpbN6iPczERY4YSI-oqfPUXetg69bSNACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TBycsC8-FY/XgvYNTfVtvI/AAAAAAAAmhw/MtpbN6iPczERY4YSI-oqfPUXetg69bSNACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6150.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The boat is decorated traditionally with the name of JT Canvin, Coal Merchants who operated at the adjacent wharf. The registration is given as Cosgrove 1928. Canvins were well-known locally. It appears that at the turn of the twentieth century they owned a steam narrowboat <a href="http://www.steamershistorical.co.uk/steamers_JUBILEE.htm" target="_blank">Jubilee</a> which, if records are to be believed, was not very sound and appeared to sink in tunnels. It was eventually reported sunk in Old Stratford in 1961.<br />
<br />
I think Alan Holloway, who appears to be responsible for this monument, should be congratulated for his enterprise and handicraft. What a good way to commemorate a location's canal history - particularly one that hasn't got a functioning link to our current system.<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-63252718100683891302019-11-22T12:49:00.003+00:002019-11-23T12:04:13.038+00:00Batteries replaced and recycledIt's the time of the year when temperatures begin to drop and batteries struggle. As I reported on our recent <a href="https://nbalbert.blogspot.com/2019/11/an-autumn-cruise.html" target="_blank">Autumn Cruise</a>, our stater battery failed as we started our journey. Well during our trip it was clear that our domestic batteries (I don't know why they refer to them as leisure) also struggled and it was clear that the little tell-tales that show their charging condition (acid specific gravity) was not showing green. So it was a big sort out. The failed domestic batteries had lasted over five years and the starter a bit longer - probably six.<br />
<br />
I purchased two domestic batteries from <a href="https://baxterboatyard.co.uk/" target="_blank">Baxters</a> at Yardley Gobio Wharf, swapped the temporary start battery they had supplied earlier into a domestic so I had three identical domestic batteries. I then purchased a new 664 starter battery from <a href="https://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/" target="_blank">Midland Chandlers</a>. Like many boaters I contemplated upgrading the domestic battery technology but given the cost, options available and the charging system on Albert, I went for a like-for-like replacement.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hkuYwhYeCM/XdfXWh4WzBI/AAAAAAAAmYQ/iqvbL1O0-W01yKmw2CXNunyOZITUmku7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hkuYwhYeCM/XdfXWh4WzBI/AAAAAAAAmYQ/iqvbL1O0-W01yKmw2CXNunyOZITUmku7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5801.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>No green indicator despite the battery charger</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i>(top centre of image)</i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFX2eU_tCbI/XdfXf4xdMTI/AAAAAAAAmYU/VzCvrRo4sGUAXvNHQS3yHX193IM2-0fNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFX2eU_tCbI/XdfXf4xdMTI/AAAAAAAAmYU/VzCvrRo4sGUAXvNHQS3yHX193IM2-0fNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5799.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our truck-sized starter battery.</div>
<br />
This left me with four dead 110 AH lead acid batteries. In the past I have taken the old batteries to the local tip, but this time I browsed the internet, talked to fellow moorers at the marina and decided a trip to a <a href="https://www.agoodmanandson.co.uk/" target="_blank">local scrap metal merchant</a> in Bletchley was on the cards. The world of scrap metal is now very professional. I delivered the batteries to the yard; they weighed them and then directly transferred to my bank account around £40. It's well worth considering the local scrap dealer when disposing of old lead acid batteries, it goes someway towards defraying the cost of the new batteries.<br />
<br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-49110073594348046942019-11-05T21:20:00.001+00:002019-11-05T21:20:47.064+00:00Stoke Bruerne (and Home)Yesterday we left Gayton in sunshine and made our way to Blisworth. The trip through the tunnel was clear with nobody coming in the opposite direction. We had a pretty rapid transit.<br />
<br />
Stoke Bruerne was very quiet. The Canal Museum is closed on Mondays but I think the real reason is that the half-term holidays are over. No other boats were moving.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zSPQ2123iw0/XcHkGCpqjJI/AAAAAAAAmU4/jmiqgAe9khY49QJ_hXY_yjpHncZY-qCjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zSPQ2123iw0/XcHkGCpqjJI/AAAAAAAAmU4/jmiqgAe9khY49QJ_hXY_yjpHncZY-qCjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5788.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>A quiet Monday at Stoke Bruerne</b></div>
<br />
The first two locks we set for us (full) and then we passed another boat coming up who announced that the next three were set for us. In fact all the way down the flight all the locks were either full of half-full. This meant we cleared the last lock in good time.<br />
<br />
We paused to take on water at the bottom lock and were appalled at the conditions of the towpath. I know its been raining a lot recently but the area is impassible for walkers - the puddles are enormous and deep. We've contacted CRT to complain. It needs grading and the drainage sorting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGzsyZtA1ik/XcHlf90Lk_I/AAAAAAAAmVI/m9HFpOnKuvoa8L-iy-hrzYCn6J638VR2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGzsyZtA1ik/XcHlf90Lk_I/AAAAAAAAmVI/m9HFpOnKuvoa8L-iy-hrzYCn6J638VR2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5797.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IMQ_rSjNWrA/XcHlf-9zlVI/AAAAAAAAmVE/LDZKhvG6LkcWbe5__NBjQCHwmY7Ag4NTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IMQ_rSjNWrA/XcHlf-9zlVI/AAAAAAAAmVE/LDZKhvG6LkcWbe5__NBjQCHwmY7Ag4NTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5796.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Giy0yo9sVF8/XcHlrvI8B1I/AAAAAAAAmVM/sJszJ6KRGDUIP4sx7Ps-A0aD0FHbdS7NQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Giy0yo9sVF8/XcHlrvI8B1I/AAAAAAAAmVM/sJszJ6KRGDUIP4sx7Ps-A0aD0FHbdS7NQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5793.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What a mess!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We missed seeing NB Sculptor on its usual mooring by the museum, but they passed us going north just above Grafton Regis - just where offside vegetation makes the canal very narrow. A winter job for somebody?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then started the process on packing up and closing up. Our trip has also highlighted that not only did our starter battery also needed replacing - it could hold a good charge overnight. Since the batteries were around 5 years old I suppose that is par for the course. Some searching online for bargains is called for.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-3287091093639870102019-11-03T18:43:00.004+00:002019-11-03T18:46:09.087+00:00GaytonNo not the junction - we are moored up opposite the village of Gayton which is some distance away from the start of the Northampton Arm. As we arrived this afternoon the church bells were ringing and the sun was shining. It wasn't like that earlier today. As we left Long Buckby this morning it was quite different - cloudy and drizzly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQETzw5qJ0k/Xb8ZxrocfmI/AAAAAAAAmT0/3k2TRc89S9oXpxwh6TFRDvcnnuc4lj4ewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQETzw5qJ0k/Xb8ZxrocfmI/AAAAAAAAmT0/3k2TRc89S9oXpxwh6TFRDvcnnuc4lj4ewCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5783.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Our evening view</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The moon and its reflection, Virgin Train going south, and the Village of Gayton on the hill</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We left our mooring below Buckby Top Lock this morning and made very good progress down the rest of the flight. The first few locks were set in our favour and as we progressed we met boats coming up. As a result we managed to clear the flight by 11:15.<br />
<br />
South of Whilton the canal is heavily wooded and the section through Brockhall was a bit like travelling through soup. It took a few judicious applications of reverse to keep the prop clear. After Weedon the weather improved and the rest of the day was dry and bright.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWQHDlrebn4/Xb8cEVf40pI/AAAAAAAAmUA/Ayf813pBHAUUHgsBgrlLGNqLc1IjI9fpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWQHDlrebn4/Xb8cEVf40pI/AAAAAAAAmUA/Ayf813pBHAUUHgsBgrlLGNqLc1IjI9fpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1331.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Clearing weather at Swingbridge Wharf</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mztqVj8hXcM/Xb8cgTEADwI/AAAAAAAAmUI/Dst8F1dPDU45wieRxoCKBpncDCrezpbVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mztqVj8hXcM/Xb8cgTEADwI/AAAAAAAAmUI/Dst8F1dPDU45wieRxoCKBpncDCrezpbVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1334.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9LkSqOkiEPY/Xb8c9HzSGLI/AAAAAAAAmUQ/h4SuSNyR4PUsWTs0ZXphOAOTEUB4PSqQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9LkSqOkiEPY/Xb8c9HzSGLI/AAAAAAAAmUQ/h4SuSNyR4PUsWTs0ZXphOAOTEUB4PSqQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1336.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09LzNh-GNPg/Xb8dW2Ws3QI/AAAAAAAAmUc/VKZtFE-FK4Az0PVO3_GfO2frpcngWDMiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09LzNh-GNPg/Xb8dW2Ws3QI/AAAAAAAAmUc/VKZtFE-FK4Az0PVO3_GfO2frpcngWDMiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1342.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Autumn on the canal</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We got to Gayton we met a few friendly passing dog walkers who were enjoying the weather. One who was also fishing related how he had seen otters along this stretch. We weren't as lucky, although we watched a heron fishing. However, earlier on we did see three kingfishers and one even dived during its flight. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tomorrow we are should be back in Yardley Gobion so we will set off for Blisworth and Stoke Bruerne in the morning.</div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-80479554981981872942019-11-02T18:01:00.000+00:002019-11-03T18:47:18.831+00:00Watford and NortonToday we watched the Rugby Cup Final moored up near <a href="https://www.weltonfield.co.uk/moorings.php" target="_blank">Weltonfield Marina</a>. Shame about the result. Too much to hope that England would beat all the Southern Hemisphere rugby giants at one tournement.<br />
<br />
Once the match was over we set off towards Watford. Our original intention was to try for Welford but that was plainly too much since we need to be home on Tuesday. We therefore winded below Watford Flight. The wind was very strong and it rained off and on. This brought down clouds of leaves which blew like a blizzard across the cut. Albert is a relatively heavy boat but we soon began crabbing. However, the winding hole at Watford of sheltered and "roomy" so turning was fine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NySpy1b9ybQ/Xb281-i1LjI/AAAAAAAAmSo/YD6KinOFqa07JwwHjv4F5SB--p9ZZfFHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NySpy1b9ybQ/Xb281-i1LjI/AAAAAAAAmSo/YD6KinOFqa07JwwHjv4F5SB--p9ZZfFHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5770.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Watford Gap Services from the Canal</b></div>
<br />
We retraced out steps to Norton Junction where we took on water. Mooring was plentiful at the junction but we decided to drop down one lock to use one of the more cozy moorings. Our intention is to go down the rest of flight tomorrow. So we decided to take a stroll around the fields along the Leicester Branch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hx9YbrzyAxE/Xb3AeGAzwtI/AAAAAAAAmTo/WVQbBkREHv4Q4q3EpvBFHhsRooUqux6dwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hx9YbrzyAxE/Xb3AeGAzwtI/AAAAAAAAmTo/WVQbBkREHv4Q4q3EpvBFHhsRooUqux6dwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5767.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Obviously another enthusiastic Ruston owner </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>(at Norton Junction)</b></div>
<br />
<br />
Wallking along the moorings at Norton we discovered NB Trevor, a <a href="https://steamboatassociation.co.uk/" target="_blank">steam-powered narrow boat</a> built around 1995. It is diesel fuelled which must make it more convienient to operate than classic steamers fuelled by coal. It appears that it has just changed hands from being moored on the Basingstoke Canal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDImmhbKYow/Xb29UdaaQuI/AAAAAAAAmSw/UxMmMOGm1LcuZVREthyq6S2oLFjSmzJgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDImmhbKYow/Xb29UdaaQuI/AAAAAAAAmSw/UxMmMOGm1LcuZVREthyq6S2oLFjSmzJgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5772.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Steam Narrowboat Trevor</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNQS62cy_1w/Xb29knn_zRI/AAAAAAAAmS4/h07ojWEkhwogrBQ5A6dlf5lrU4Py6on0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNQS62cy_1w/Xb29knn_zRI/AAAAAAAAmS4/h07ojWEkhwogrBQ5A6dlf5lrU4Py6on0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5773.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Diesel furnace and steam engine</b></div>
<br />
Because of the canal's elevation the views around Norton are impressive. Today the lines of black clouds, and the sun occasionally breaking through, made this Midlands landscape look and feel very autumnal. Tonight we shall walk up to the New Inn where it should be warm and cosy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Za3l71_povU/Xb2-gD50sdI/AAAAAAAAmTE/v3M-xay2w8UTwz6XVgbxDoLdL7QlOuCkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Za3l71_povU/Xb2-gD50sdI/AAAAAAAAmTE/v3M-xay2w8UTwz6XVgbxDoLdL7QlOuCkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5774.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Wool on barbed wire near Norton</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBwsklcWe00/Xb2_AUS5-CI/AAAAAAAAmTM/M6KqYFQR09kfJ4Xrh5AsExHE_14nZ6e7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBwsklcWe00/Xb2_AUS5-CI/AAAAAAAAmTM/M6KqYFQR09kfJ4Xrh5AsExHE_14nZ6e7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5775.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWJyvSIe3HE/Xb2_n8wLWfI/AAAAAAAAmTU/VG2PpZIr-ikHSm6PDQLB-v7fKaUuZKZMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWJyvSIe3HE/Xb2_n8wLWfI/AAAAAAAAmTU/VG2PpZIr-ikHSm6PDQLB-v7fKaUuZKZMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5776.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>An enormous Badger Set</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cCuYF9RmORI/Xb3AD3dOYDI/AAAAAAAAmTg/NDGnBQJTdIsiIB6d_IdtgWqdBjvgYl5twCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cCuYF9RmORI/Xb3AD3dOYDI/AAAAAAAAmTg/NDGnBQJTdIsiIB6d_IdtgWqdBjvgYl5twCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5777.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-46807713372977107292019-11-02T10:02:00.000+00:002019-11-03T18:48:30.523+00:00An Autumn CruiseAn opportunity to go cruising arrived so we are heading
north for a long weekend. On Thursday the weather was fine and sunny as we got
ready to leave but we had seen the forecast which didn’t look good. The only
problem with our start was Albert’s starter battery failed! We managed to
quickly get a substitute from Baxter’s and we soon fired up the engine and were
on our way.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAUfkDzSH4k/Xbx9pK8QeNI/AAAAAAAAmR4/U5HW_cncxaQRK6NkyjFgXpnaCOkSQJWgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAUfkDzSH4k/Xbx9pK8QeNI/AAAAAAAAmR4/U5HW_cncxaQRK6NkyjFgXpnaCOkSQJWgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5748.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Halloween Pumpkin</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At home we had prepared a pumpkin (with two cat faces) and so
were Halloween-ready! At Stoke Locks we met hire boat returning to Weedon so we
paired up for the first lock. We then found another boat above the lock waiting
to go up. After some adjustments we waited and went up the flight with a UCC hire boat
from Braunston with a group of scouts from Essex. They were very helpful and made
a good locking team. They stopped in Stoke and we carried on through Blisworth
Tunnel finally stopped for the night at Bugbrooke, opposite <a href="https://www.thewharfbugbrooke.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Wharf Inn</a>,
even though it was only 4:30 – it gets dark early these days. We just had to go into the
pub for meal and drink. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5I40tM-jbmQ/Xbx-yGz-i4I/AAAAAAAAmSI/owHwxbWu5bYJhydEcj7mLYv-16f3JTW9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5I40tM-jbmQ/Xbx-yGz-i4I/AAAAAAAAmSI/owHwxbWu5bYJhydEcj7mLYv-16f3JTW9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5757.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Bloggers Derwent 6 moored at Heyford</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday, the first day of November, was wet and windy.
Overnight a plethora of leaves had landed on Albert’s roof. Passing through
Heyford we found bloggers <a href="http://derwent6.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Derwent 6</a> moored up. At Furnace Wharf we disturbed a
kingfisher who scurried along in front of us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Buckby bottom lock we dropped in to <a href="https://www.whiltonmarina.co.uk/marina-facilities/cafe.aspx" target="_blank">Whilton Marina café</a>
and had some delicious soup for lunch. A steady stream of customers came in
while were there. Obviously a popular local venue. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Going up the Long Buckby Flight we met a few boats coming
down which helped, but the lock mechanisms are so stiff the flight is never a
pleasure. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VD0JQwbqlEI/Xb22IDpjW0I/AAAAAAAAmSc/s8FlNrWTnxoltD3WZMdUvhrJHNs06ruFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VD0JQwbqlEI/Xb22IDpjW0I/AAAAAAAAmSc/s8FlNrWTnxoltD3WZMdUvhrJHNs06ruFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5766.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We turned off up the Leicester Branch and moored up for the night near
Weltonfield. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-54510134441648993612019-10-29T21:28:00.000+00:002019-10-30T21:22:00.832+00:00Yukon River - a waterway with a unique historyThe <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukon_River" target="_blank">Yukon River</a> is the fifth longest river in North America at some 2,000 miles long. It rises on the border between British Colombia and the Yukon Territory and flows north-west towards Alaska and into the Bering Sea. What I hadn't realised, until our recent trip to Alaska, was its role as a major navigable waterway and its economic importance, if but for a short period of time.<br />
<br />
In July 1897 a small steamship called the Excelsior brought a small group of men back to San Francisco with gold they had just discovered in the Klondike. This was shortly followed by another ship bringing more miners and a ton of gold. The newspapers went crazy and men from all over the world flocked to Dawson City seeking their fortunes. Of course, very few did.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="318" src="https://postalmuseum.si.edu/gold/images/wpasstra.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
The route to the gold fields for those seeking their fortune was not simple. There was the difficult sea route to the mouth of the Yukon River at St Michael in the Bering Sea and then an upstream journey by paddlesteamer, but it was expensive, long and difficult. Those with less resources travelled a more direct route by sea to Skagway, a small port on the Inside Passage. They then trekked over the coastal mountains to the headwaters of the Yukon. It was then downstream by steamer to Dawson. The route was arduous and many died in the mountains despite the Canadian authorities demanding that stampeders (as they were called) only entered the Yukon Territory if they had a ton of suppliers. But born out of such difficulties came a business opportunity - a narrow-gauge (3 ft) rail route was built over the mountains joining up to the river. This is the <a href="https://wpyr.com/#s_1" target="_blank">White Pass and Route</a> which still exists today and which we travelled on last month. It is a fascinating railway and truly spectacular. The connection to an historic river transport system also fascinates me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qOh8HV48nk/Xbd1tVEJ5yI/AAAAAAAAmPU/DcTCRgsUhhQOkAg16uo3bKxX0Z_Rw6rSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qOh8HV48nk/Xbd1tVEJ5yI/AAAAAAAAmPU/DcTCRgsUhhQOkAg16uo3bKxX0Z_Rw6rSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1635.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>White Pass and Yukon Railway</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJNdLrAar7U/Xbd2WcqFSLI/AAAAAAAAmPk/6Imb7eHVYsU_JDgf82RwjqE4PVczEMV2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJNdLrAar7U/Xbd2WcqFSLI/AAAAAAAAmPk/6Imb7eHVYsU_JDgf82RwjqE4PVczEMV2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1652.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Route the original stampeders took</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqkACZh84c4/Xbd1_8gxPiI/AAAAAAAAmPc/85emfD0VJkw3taRneOB6hMi9ofyt9iCOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqkACZh84c4/Xbd1_8gxPiI/AAAAAAAAmPc/85emfD0VJkw3taRneOB6hMi9ofyt9iCOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1649.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>An original trestle bridge </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>(now retired from use!) </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FC0MjVUXQyw/Xbd3qvCA_TI/AAAAAAAAmP0/p_QmYwyR--Atr9vMRK284hTRPxpqc18JgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FC0MjVUXQyw/Xbd3qvCA_TI/AAAAAAAAmP0/p_QmYwyR--Atr9vMRK284hTRPxpqc18JgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1672.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>At the summit</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
On our visit to the Yukon we left our cruise ship at Skagway, Alaska and joined a train pulled by two historic diesel locomitives up a series of tight passes, over trestle bridges and through tunnels to the summit at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraser,_British_Columbia" target="_blank">Fraser</a> where crossed into the Yukon Territory, Canada. It was an unforgetable ride. We moved from the train onto a coach and travelled through the upper reaches of the Yukon stopping at various tourist spots that included spectacular views, but the place I will not forget is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcross" target="_blank">Carcross</a> which was originally known as Caribou Crossing. It is now a small community with only a population of 301 but back in 1889 it was an important staging post during the goldrush. It is here that there are the remains of SS Tutshi, one of the mighty stern paddlewheelers that used the travel along the river between Whithorse, Dawson City and St Michael.<br />
<br />
The tiny community of Carcross now relies on summer tourism but it doesn't take much to visualise the "town" during the Goldsush and its immediate aftermath. The size of Tutshi is impressive and its characteristic design must have appeared awe inspiring at the turn of twentieth century. I certainly impresses me today. Tutshi was 167 ft long and displaced 1041 tons. The sight of one of these wood burning steamers navigating through <a href="https://sightsandsites.ca/central/site/five-finger-rapid" target="_blank">Five Finger Rapids</a> using winches, and the annual spring races to be the first steamer to Dawson City following the ice-melt must have been something to behold. Unfortunately as Tutshi was being restored when she was heavily damaged by arson in 1990. Some idea of the steamer in her prime can be seen <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/45976771684" target="_blank">here</a> in 1987. It was common to see the Yukon sternwheelers on the river bank because they were often hauled out for the winter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zxs_3qpr6j8/Xbiq-VHSdII/AAAAAAAAmRc/09kkbjUDMDY2zHdz_DrR8t77pjK6HUK9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zxs_3qpr6j8/Xbiq-VHSdII/AAAAAAAAmRc/09kkbjUDMDY2zHdz_DrR8t77pjK6HUK9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1738.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Remains of SS Tutshi</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ks2U-bk_n2A/Xbd4Ta2jjrI/AAAAAAAAmQE/mkQi8tjZMpQkNz6nQlDIfUTMv2j8wop4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ks2U-bk_n2A/Xbd4Ta2jjrI/AAAAAAAAmQE/mkQi8tjZMpQkNz6nQlDIfUTMv2j8wop4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1739.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYACxQ8gAc8/Xbd6av0c71I/AAAAAAAAmQo/SUAp_Kp-qcQ5ypGuba0i8jsv40W5BkcjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYACxQ8gAc8/Xbd6av0c71I/AAAAAAAAmQo/SUAp_Kp-qcQ5ypGuba0i8jsv40W5BkcjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5342.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Replica of Tutshi's Sternwheel</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dbqmTvYJEY0/XbiqBpeQIPI/AAAAAAAAmRU/7YOQpyJsomAOZki9tjkpPkb4bjG76MwIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dbqmTvYJEY0/XbiqBpeQIPI/AAAAAAAAmRU/7YOQpyJsomAOZki9tjkpPkb4bjG76MwIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1742.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Tutshi's Boiler</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jwbmmSyX5Ik/Xbd7J58BS2I/AAAAAAAAmQ0/R9XgGaRSbFIPtWWK-J4UiJA1cwK7MA94gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jwbmmSyX5Ik/Xbd7J58BS2I/AAAAAAAAmQ0/R9XgGaRSbFIPtWWK-J4UiJA1cwK7MA94gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5337.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Interpretation Board Image of Tutshi on the River Bank</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XXBuCvBJ5sc/Xbd8rQXVTMI/AAAAAAAAmRI/8rXPHn2ErHkRxwUrcupa2fJx_mHPziJ5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XXBuCvBJ5sc/Xbd8rQXVTMI/AAAAAAAAmRI/8rXPHn2ErHkRxwUrcupa2fJx_mHPziJ5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1751.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Bennet Lake Beach, Carcross</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZQ9u-VOI-o/Xbd5hYto9PI/AAAAAAAAmQU/pdujY6rxWxoloRdB5MPh4oxVD4crjGOowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZQ9u-VOI-o/Xbd5hYto9PI/AAAAAAAAmQU/pdujY6rxWxoloRdB5MPh4oxVD4crjGOowCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1752.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Railway Bridge, Carcross</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7SohbXs0OY/Xbd5_LrkNSI/AAAAAAAAmQg/igA5MRemNtQ68E7Fwmckvl8XqgEaYHYfACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7SohbXs0OY/Xbd5_LrkNSI/AAAAAAAAmQg/igA5MRemNtQ68E7Fwmckvl8XqgEaYHYfACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1748.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Bennet Lake</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for steamer five finger rapids" height="400" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Yukoner_in_Five_Fingers_Rapids.jpg" width="293" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Sternwheeler negotiating the Five Finger Rapids using Winches</b></div>
<br />
If you want to find out more about the river boats I can recommend the excellent well-illustrated book by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Paddlewheelers-Alaska-Yukon-Graham-Wilson/dp/1927691109" target="_blank">Graham Wilson "Paddlewheelers of Alaska and the Yukon"</a>. There are some also some helpful websites for visitors such a <a href="https://destinationcarcross.ca/" target="_blank">Destination Carcross Yukon</a>. If you are near Skagway a trip along the <a href="https://wpyr.com/#s_1" target="_blank">White Pass and Yukon Route</a> into the interior just has to be a must.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-48312200602588372992019-10-09T00:00:00.000+01:002019-10-09T00:00:28.344+01:00Another Albert BlogWe spent a week in September cruising the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inside_Passage" target="_blank">Inside Passage</a> from Vancouver to Alaska on MV <a href="https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/cruise-ships/ms-volendam/5.html" target="_blank">Volendam</a>, a Holland America Line ship. It was a brilliant cruise and part of a trip of lifetime. We stopped at Juneau, Skagway, Ketchican and had a cruise into Glacier Bay. With visits to glaciers, waterfalls, whale watching and a trip along the White Pass and Yukon Route railway into the Klondike it was full of memorable events. Later I will post about some of our experiences, but this post is essentially about the ship.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MW0_VzlwF5o/XZz0_uFFNeI/AAAAAAAAmLs/-a-e_wz0IKw-rnBikB-DHQ8Gc85-75jBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MW0_VzlwF5o/XZz0_uFFNeI/AAAAAAAAmLs/-a-e_wz0IKw-rnBikB-DHQ8Gc85-75jBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5242.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIpPVCGowP0/XZz18zR_DsI/AAAAAAAAmL0/lYVToC8vkpE7i9kor390dhC9MZM5_ZaegCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIpPVCGowP0/XZz18zR_DsI/AAAAAAAAmL0/lYVToC8vkpE7i9kor390dhC9MZM5_ZaegCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5279.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Volendam at Juneau</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3o0RPT1sfcs/XZzxJlPsaFI/AAAAAAAAmLU/_sMDYYiLVZ42yMTD4Hvh_2KjLfAYs3fqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3o0RPT1sfcs/XZzxJlPsaFI/AAAAAAAAmLU/_sMDYYiLVZ42yMTD4Hvh_2KjLfAYs3fqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1788.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Volendam in Skagway</b></div>
<br />
At around 60,000 tons, 780ft length and 105ft beam, Volendam is not a large cruise ship, by modern standards but she does carry around 1400 passengers and 650 crew. I was impressed how she was navigated into some of the tight channels in the Inside Passage and spun arround at the head of Glacier Bay. This led me to explore the Holland America web site for details about the ship and crew, particularly our captain who had the distinctive name of Captain Friso Kramer gezegd Freher.<br />
<br />
It was then I discovered that their senior captain Albert Schoonderbeek, blogs under the tag <a href="https://www.captainalbert.com/" target="_blank">Captain Albert's Blog</a> about his colleagues, their backgrounds and his role in the company's safety procedures.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.csun.edu/~hfact004/images/Alaska_2011/Pearl/map_AlaskaInsidePassage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for inside passage alaska map" border="0" height="400" src="https://www.csun.edu/~hfact004/images/Alaska_2011/Pearl/map_AlaskaInsidePassage.jpg" width="387" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
What is particuarly fascinating, to me, is his description of navigating the<a href="https://www.captainalbert.com/27-july-2019-british-colombia-inside-passage/" target="_blank"> Canadian part of the Inside Passage</a>. Just how you take such a large vessel around some of the "tight bends" is impressive . When the Volendam went through this section, in not very good weather, I was as able to watch navigation from the "Crows Nest", an area directly above the bridge. On occasions I was mystified as to the direction the channel took and the "bank" appeared not that far away.<br />
<br />
I can recommend a look at our namesake's blog. I aim to check it our regularly to see how their voyages progress.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N71TRcSPT7o/XZzzMkmOVyI/AAAAAAAAmLg/RLuNJzdk8K8gebepa064BUgCmCmc5PZkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N71TRcSPT7o/XZzzMkmOVyI/AAAAAAAAmLg/RLuNJzdk8K8gebepa064BUgCmCmc5PZkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Leaving Glacier Bay</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-70281355193426370832019-09-24T21:58:00.001+01:002019-09-24T21:59:26.130+01:00The Ferries of VancouverYes, it's a bit of a different post.<br />
<br />
We have just spent two weeks on a very memorable holiday in Canada and Alaska. Some of the time we stayed In Vancouver where we discovered the delights of the ferries of False Creek. Vancouver is of course a major port and much of the city is centered around its seafronts. One of the jewels of Vancouver, so far as the tourist is concerned is <a href="https://www.tourismvancouver.com/vancouver/neighbourhoods/granville-island/" target="_blank">Granville Island</a>, which lies just south of the main city and under Granville Bridge. It not actually an island but an isthmus and it lies on False Creek which, as the name suggests, is not really a creek but an inlet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SW_7nESjjm8/XYp_321GXPI/AAAAAAAAmJU/vCEoIahIIQguPLt46cU6qG5Yz5ccuvgLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SW_7nESjjm8/XYp_321GXPI/AAAAAAAAmJU/vCEoIahIIQguPLt46cU6qG5Yz5ccuvgLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Granville Bridge</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94t4ORz291k/XYp_Sobhy9I/AAAAAAAAmJI/Zqli4UOJhaU3p_HhUzslc_A96PhlVwHGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94t4ORz291k/XYp_Sobhy9I/AAAAAAAAmJI/Zqli4UOJhaU3p_HhUzslc_A96PhlVwHGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5134.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Entrance to Granville Island</b></div>
<br />
The Island is home to Granville Street Market which is a delight for food lovers with stall after stall selling food for every taste and fresh fruit displayed like nowhere else. The large asian community in the city have loads of stalls in the market with many offering street food.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqPAiPXZZOs/XYp9hoc8haI/AAAAAAAAmIs/ytTeKZWWX4gF4OhGbAQE-yyCfpV7mOY4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqPAiPXZZOs/XYp9hoc8haI/AAAAAAAAmIs/ytTeKZWWX4gF4OhGbAQE-yyCfpV7mOY4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5142.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8kw-4TPvfc/XYp9hloh5KI/AAAAAAAAmIw/yGZ7ZnNkKyEzIWOTL291zelZymKCNG2gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8kw-4TPvfc/XYp9hloh5KI/AAAAAAAAmIw/yGZ7ZnNkKyEzIWOTL291zelZymKCNG2gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5143.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQ0TQyHqaws/XYp9ipZhDoI/AAAAAAAAmI0/fcXAHM7p4Hc1hvi7M6PYozBy3GBY1E7AwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQ0TQyHqaws/XYp9ipZhDoI/AAAAAAAAmI0/fcXAHM7p4Hc1hvi7M6PYozBy3GBY1E7AwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5156.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Chinese Tea Shop</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HGq8YxekbCg/XYp9hcp_syI/AAAAAAAAmIo/O-lNxAE3rzQzzw_n9KbNJLZCQ-SrjEmwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HGq8YxekbCg/XYp9hcp_syI/AAAAAAAAmIo/O-lNxAE3rzQzzw_n9KbNJLZCQ-SrjEmwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5155.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Granville Island Market</b></div>
<br />
The Island was originally the home to sawmills and factories but is now largely devoted to food. It is from there that a fleet of <a href="https://granvilleislandferries.bc.ca/" target="_blank">small city ferries</a> operates taking travellers around the creek. Unlike most ferries these are small and are described by some as as mini-tugboat ferries, but to me they mostly resemble plastic bathtubs. They are operated by one person and are highly manouvreable. With little draft and being light they are also quite "bouncy".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Viiukgi-Mg/XYp_3yPj6nI/AAAAAAAAmKA/SUC7HDk2jNcvdTmq9ebtPdhomP8e17SWwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Viiukgi-Mg/XYp_3yPj6nI/AAAAAAAAmKA/SUC7HDk2jNcvdTmq9ebtPdhomP8e17SWwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_1084.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>A False Creek Ferry Boat</b></div>
<br />
It was a joy to spend an afternoon exploring the south of the city using the ferries as a "hop on - hop off"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcDT9pUmCGs/XYp__SkGdfI/AAAAAAAAmKE/VuFICHy_6Q4uPnpLao0c9TC10RBErAzVgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcDT9pUmCGs/XYp__SkGdfI/AAAAAAAAmKE/VuFICHy_6Q4uPnpLao0c9TC10RBErAzVgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_1090.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Checking the route</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHaW9NAKN6w/XYp_-R2kkFI/AAAAAAAAmKA/6uRfhLEQPgU00EbIB6poc9CQoC3NgGrYgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHaW9NAKN6w/XYp_-R2kkFI/AAAAAAAAmKA/6uRfhLEQPgU00EbIB6poc9CQoC3NgGrYgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_1089.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Ferry operator at the helm </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wg8d_bjkbQU/XYp_8LJ52NI/AAAAAAAAmJ0/iKZq3qLe1rEI1HiZGk-R9WXqDx3AMQtrwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wg8d_bjkbQU/XYp_8LJ52NI/AAAAAAAAmJ0/iKZq3qLe1rEI1HiZGk-R9WXqDx3AMQtrwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_1086.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EodMNORoLKw/XYp_8jE4BEI/AAAAAAAAmJ4/6Dsg601XwuEdzKQspdlobgwdpqY74SOFgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EodMNORoLKw/XYp_8jE4BEI/AAAAAAAAmJ4/6Dsg601XwuEdzKQspdlobgwdpqY74SOFgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_1088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
They don't appear to operate a conventional timetable but just circulate around the creek popping in to wharves where passengers are waiting. A great service.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-64668811737520832062019-09-04T21:43:00.001+01:002019-09-04T21:43:29.193+01:00Warm Weekend to RememberWe are in a busy period at the moment but we just had to get onto Albert and go out boating for the warmest <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49466596" target="_blank">August Bank Holiday on record</a>. We went north and pootled* around. On Saturday (24th) we left Yardley with our friends Jon & Judith Millidge after lunch. Jon steered Albert once we had left the marina and then they enjoyed (or so they said) operating the locks going up to the Long Pound. We managed to pair up with a boat from London when we got to the second lock and had a sociable journal uphill. They were on a extended version of the Thames Ring.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xu2Z-raoJHA/XXAaR-lvI4I/AAAAAAAAmAA/NRk5yV72Pok_qw8a9BcyUD1kwLtYupHLACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xu2Z-raoJHA/XXAaR-lvI4I/AAAAAAAAmAA/NRk5yV72Pok_qw8a9BcyUD1kwLtYupHLACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4910.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Our Lock Assistants</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-979eH_2sRhk/XXAaldZkPlI/AAAAAAAAmAI/AAVIL2eNH9oeKdTBgL1soFNmoKFsdhHwQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-979eH_2sRhk/XXAaldZkPlI/AAAAAAAAmAI/AAVIL2eNH9oeKdTBgL1soFNmoKFsdhHwQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4911.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The Long Pound, Stoke Bruerne</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We managed to squeeze into one of the last moorings and then went to The Boat Inn for dinner. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The good weather continued and on Sunday morning we moved up two locks, winded below the tunnel and then moored up whilst the temperature rose. The couple on the boat "next door" started chatting and we ended up visiting each other's boats. Paula and Andrew turned out to come from the USA (although Paul was born in the UK). They were going South and like us they were not in hurry so we hung around and paired up going down the flight. Paula and Maggie steered and managed to pair-up going into the locks. The evidence is on their <a href="http://andrewconway.net/index.php/tag/i-had-to-shoo-gongoozlers-out-of-the-way-so-i-did-not-push-them-in-the-canal-when-i-opened-the-lock-gate/" target="_blank">blog</a> - they post on their travels including canal trips on their boat NB Wharram Percy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NDeasZJkvU/XXAfdTV9bcI/AAAAAAAAmAs/WZUSqgeVHL8_ypMAIOBQ4pJECgPY70q8wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NDeasZJkvU/XXAfdTV9bcI/AAAAAAAAmAs/WZUSqgeVHL8_ypMAIOBQ4pJECgPY70q8wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4912.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Trading Boats at Stoke Bruerne</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We split up with NB WP at the bottom lock since they stopped and we moved on to Grafton Regis. We moored up at a spot we pass often but rarely use for mooring. We had a great evening watching the sun go down.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgZnbIzleY4/XXAf6WwqPEI/AAAAAAAAmA0/ZTygr14xOucClOCsEfzfALJVri9gsbGzACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgZnbIzleY4/XXAf6WwqPEI/AAAAAAAAmA0/ZTygr14xOucClOCsEfzfALJVri9gsbGzACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4913.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Passing a working pair</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VlHyDdd2h8/XXAeJ1EtEJI/AAAAAAAAmAc/X4wtPnMKkBElWg6OCTiJoiJpkEpPSB8XQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VlHyDdd2h8/XXAeJ1EtEJI/AAAAAAAAmAc/X4wtPnMKkBElWg6OCTiJoiJpkEpPSB8XQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4917.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>What is better on a warm evening?</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As it got dark we watched a barn owl fly over the meadow - a ghostly white figure. Next morning we cruised back to Yardley Gobion. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We must moor at Grafton Regis more often but the offside vegetation is atrocious. It would be really difficult if two boats passed each other by the moorings.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1kEdAdhDWXo/XXAfQxcVH4I/AAAAAAAAmAo/SoaRUtoNWRUkOSeBCSPnH51jYHRnc15JACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1kEdAdhDWXo/XXAfQxcVH4I/AAAAAAAAmAo/SoaRUtoNWRUkOSeBCSPnH51jYHRnc15JACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4921.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Bit of a squeeze!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span class="def" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.3rem;"><span style="color: #292929; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 1.125rem;"><b>*</b></span></span><b>definition:</b><span style="color: #292929; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 1.125rem;"><b> </b></span></span></span><i>to move somewhere slowly and with no real purpose</i></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-56016757176195381902019-08-24T10:54:00.000+01:002019-08-24T11:04:12.043+01:00In Praise of Cornish Ferries<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span>We regularly visit Cornwall and
usually take a ferry trip as part of the holiday. This year was no exception. We
stayed near the Lizard and took the foot ferry across the Helford River to Helford
Passage (Glendurgan) and later when we stayed near Mevagissey we took the ferry
to Fowey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">I think this was the first time we crossed
the Helford River but the Mevagissey - Fowey</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> ferry is an old favourite. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5UyoIP9b_A0/XWEE0yIY8lI/AAAAAAAAj6w/yj1HiuOUOJEr2at0ALghFxeXh1zVo1-XQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0608.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x6alUSNgQqs/XWEE0ajAGkI/AAAAAAAAj6s/a-3zQkB6uKgRg7rKT3bpV3bTIIuLVqFkgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x6alUSNgQqs/XWEE0ajAGkI/AAAAAAAAj6s/a-3zQkB6uKgRg7rKT3bpV3bTIIuLVqFkgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0610.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Helford Ferry</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">I notice from our blog that in 2013
we took the same journey and our eldest granddaughter Amelia, then just three, “took the controls”
of the boat on the journey. The sea state for this year’s trip was not so calm
and on the way back from Fowey the side screens on the NB Bessie James had to
be raised with a strong offshore wind and choppy waves creating spray.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h5vaCffFNxg/XWEFQawMUjI/AAAAAAAAj7A/L4cJ7Fu82mwLeNRTCIBtxwfXj6-q3IW9gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h5vaCffFNxg/XWEFQawMUjI/AAAAAAAAj7A/L4cJ7Fu82mwLeNRTCIBtxwfXj6-q3IW9gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4827.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Leaving Mevagissey</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">We can recommend the Helford River Ferry trip
because both the villages of Helford and Helford Passage are delightful (with good
pubs at either end). We spent a wonderful afternoon at Trebah Gardens which has
developed into a must-see location for gardeners. I managed to cross the
Helford River four times during our visit because Maggie left her newly purchased
walking stick at the pub and I volunteered to go back to get it. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">So just how many public ferries are there in Cornwall
and how many have we, over the years, used? Well the Cornwall Council web site very
usefully provides a definitive list as part of its public transport service remit.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Foot Ferries<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.plymouthboattrips.co.uk/ferries/cawsand-ferry/" target="_blank" title="Link to Cawsand ferry website: opens in a new window">Cawsand - Plymouth</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.falriver.co.uk/getting-about/ferries/flushing-ferry" target="_blank" title="Link to Falriver Cornwall website: opens in a new window">Falmouth - Flushing</a> *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.falriver.co.uk/getting-about/ferries/st-mawes-ferry" target="_blank" title="Link to Falriver Cornwall website: opens in a new window">Falmouth - St Mawes</a> *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.falriver.co.uk/getting-about/ferries/enterprise-boats" target="_blank" title="Link to Falriver Cornwall website: opens in a new window">Falmouth - Trelissick - Tolverne - Malpas/Truro</a> *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.falriver.co.uk/getting-about/ferries/helford-ferry" target="_blank" title="Link to Falriver Cornwall website: opens in a new window">Helford Passage - Helford Village</a> *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk17495965"></a><a href="https://www.mevagissey-ferries.co.uk/" target="_blank" title="Link to Mevagissey Ferries website: opens in a new window">Mevagissey - Fowey</a> *<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.plymouthboattrips.co.uk/ferries/cremyll-ferry/" target="_blank" title="Link to Cremyll Ferry website: opens in a new window">Mount Edgcumbe - Plymouth</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.padstow-harbour.co.uk/phc_ferry.html" target="_blank" title="Link to the Padstow Harbour Commissioner's website: opens in a new window">Padstow - Rock</a>*</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/timetables/" target="_blank" title="Link to Isles of Scilly Travel website: opens in a new window">Penzance - Isles of Scilly</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.ctomsandson.co.uk/" target="_blank" title="Link to C Toms and Son website: opens in a new window">Polruan - Fowey</a> *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.falriver.co.uk/getting-about/ferries/place-ferry" target="_blank" title="Link to Falriver Cornwall: opens in a new window">St Mawes - Place</a>*</span><span style="color: #6f6f6e;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We have used all the foot ferries above with an asterisk. We have yet to visit the
Isles of Scilly and haven’t had a vacation near Plymouth, so I suppose it’s
safe to say that we have tried all those “local” to us - currently 8/12. I
think my favourite is the Mevagissey to Fowey ferry, but the quaint and very short journey from St Mawes to
Place is fun. It turns a 8 mile walk into a mile and a half boat ride (no contest
unless you want the exercise). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<b>Vehicle and Foot Passenger<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.falriver.co.uk/getting-about/ferries/king-harry-ferry" target="_blank" title="Link to the Falriver Cornwall website: opens in a new website">Feock - Philleigh</a>*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.ctomsandson.co.uk/" target="_blank" title="Link to C Toms and Sons website: opens in a new window">Fowey - Bodinnick Ferry</a> *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.tamarcrossings.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=49632" target="_blank" title="Link to the Tamar Crossings website: opens in a new window">Torpoint - Plymouth</a> - Torpoint Ferry</span><span style="color: #6f6f6e;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Of the vehicle ferries, we have used
the two in the west. Most notable is the wonderful, and popular, King Harry Ferry which
takes you close to that jewel of a National Trust property, Trellisick. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">When we visited Fowey this year we saw
the Bodinnick car ferry operating and the Polruan Ferry foot ferry was very
busy. The short trip across the river, the long journey around the estuary and
the difficulty of parking in Fowey must help keep the foot ferry thriving. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4tv2pNYTS-8/XWEFsAHBPyI/AAAAAAAAj7I/hk9UE02pk2QTqWW33LPYzf_KMOiZ1PsTQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4tv2pNYTS-8/XWEFsAHBPyI/AAAAAAAAj7I/hk9UE02pk2QTqWW33LPYzf_KMOiZ1PsTQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4837.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Bodnnick Car Ferry</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Although going by boat in Cornwall is great fun, I don’t
think I can leave this post without reporting on an incident that happened to
us in the 1980s. We went for an afternoon trip to Falmouth from St Mawes with
our family (four adults and two children). It was a warm summer Sunday. As we
got near to Falmouth we casually asked the boat skipper when was his last
journey of the day. “This is the last journey – I’m mooring up at Falmouth”. We
had an expensive 30 mile round trip in taxi to get back to St Mawes and it was
a squash getting us all in the car together. That’s probably why the Mevagissey
to Fowey ferry take great care to tell you their running times and insist that
if you book a particular time slot you stick to it. Pity the skipper in the
1980s didn’t do the same. Still, we learned a lesson about ferry travel.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-78628586191098913322019-08-05T20:06:00.000+01:002019-08-05T20:06:16.202+01:00Another Source of the ThamesTravelling through Gloucestershire on our way to Cornwall we paused at Seven Springs. We have passed along this route a few times and never given it thought. This time we decided to have a coffee at a well-equipped van in a lay-by just off the A436. Like many lay-bys it used to be part of the original road before it was straightened. As we wandered around the picturesque site under the shade of beech trees we noticed a set of steps down to a small stream running under the road and to decided to investigate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxBpG5xpsXA/XUfs7kOsQSI/AAAAAAAAgKw/xz0QcqsK8IMO7XXW5UbxMrXNzR6YRVudACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxBpG5xpsXA/XUfs7kOsQSI/AAAAAAAAgKw/xz0QcqsK8IMO7XXW5UbxMrXNzR6YRVudACEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_4472.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Coffee by the springs (7)</b></div>
<br />
<br />
The stream was crystal clear with water bubling from a series of springs (and yes there were seven). We had stumbled on the reason for the name of the hamlet but it turned out we had also come across something a bit more intersting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKF8UBz9SCw/XUfs9PK7NGI/AAAAAAAAgK0/P3SbZxCswJkEU7F9D-OOoCMJQ0efa6ELgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKF8UBz9SCw/XUfs9PK7NGI/AAAAAAAAgK0/P3SbZxCswJkEU7F9D-OOoCMJQ0efa6ELgCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_4471.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Investigating Seven Springs</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Where the stream passes under the main road we found a stone embeded in the bridge proclaiming in Latin "Haic Tuus O Tamesine Pater Septemgeminus Fons". Obviously something Thames related - I never learnt Latin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGNayJLINTc/XUftJR8CS_I/AAAAAAAAgK4/_MO-vNSIPJQ8wOcpk6z82DfBn6wtFc78wCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGNayJLINTc/XUftJR8CS_I/AAAAAAAAgK4/_MO-vNSIPJQ8wOcpk6z82DfBn6wtFc78wCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_4473.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Latin Inscription</b></div>
<br />
It all became clearer when we discovered a grubby notice in the lay-by from the local parish council who stated the sites claim to be the "the ultimate source of the Thames". It was Coberley Parish Council who arranged to the engraved stone to be set into the bridge. The waters from the seven springs form the River Chum and this flows into the Thames at Cricklade. On the basis that the waters at Thames Head sometimes run dry, and the waters from Seven Springs do not, they consider their claim to be the true source is convincing.<br />
<br />
The Parish Council also point out on the notice that regarding this as the Source of the Thames adds an extra 14 miles to its length making it 9 miles longer than the River Severn and the longest river flow in the UK. So perhaps the answer to the quiz question "What is the UK's longest river?" could be the Thames, or perhaps more accurately the Chum/Thames.<br />
<br />
Either way, I still can't get out of my head the Michael Bentine (It's a Square World) sketch where they search for the Source of the Thames. They find it to be a dripping tap in a field, they turn it off and this drains the whole river.<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-1073259692647687482019-07-27T09:28:00.000+01:002019-07-27T09:33:33.496+01:00Over and Under the Hill - Potterspury History GroupFor some years I have been helping lead some of the <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/events/stokebruernecanalpartnership/over-and-under-the-hill/1113521122048783/" target="_blank"><i>Over and Under the Hill</i> events at Stoke Bruerne</a> where participants explore Blisworth Tunnel by boat and walk back over the top with guides. Last Saturday we held a special version for our village history group. With the warm and dry spell of weather we managed to fill trip boat <a href="https://www.stokebruerneboats.co.uk/default.aspx" target="_blank">Charlie</a>. The tunnel element of the event never fails to impress. Despite travelling through the tunnel on Albert you get a new perspective sitting in Charlie near the water line when you can concentrate on looking at the side passages and the wonderful colours of the mineral deposits on the walls.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YXGkTFd9Qn0/XTwHJukzXNI/AAAAAAAAf7I/aMTEvRboqhQ_Ch4WAGv2qALupSdMPPgcgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YXGkTFd9Qn0/XTwHJukzXNI/AAAAAAAAf7I/aMTEvRboqhQ_Ch4WAGv2qALupSdMPPgcgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4359.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Familiar view</b></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_j3uO2X5E6Q/XTwHgv57pFI/AAAAAAAAf7c/_Rylri3B-ZMabhuc3TVDSIH2CTgMx7X5gCLcBGAs/s1600/UKWU1675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_j3uO2X5E6Q/XTwHgv57pFI/AAAAAAAAf7c/_Rylri3B-ZMabhuc3TVDSIH2CTgMx7X5gCLcBGAs/s400/UKWU1675.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Checking the route</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rPqFtwnlTLM/XTwHS-rdN1I/AAAAAAAAf7M/Gnxej8Bs4v00RceucRT-PkIHMkKD_Os2gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rPqFtwnlTLM/XTwHS-rdN1I/AAAAAAAAf7M/Gnxej8Bs4v00RceucRT-PkIHMkKD_Os2gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4357.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Boat Horses in the quarry field</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
We carried out a reconnaissance on the Thursday before the trip and some our pictures are from that walk.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gr13LrGYOCI/XTwGLwbmpSI/AAAAAAAAf7A/pzPjoHheEWsTFKCgANWG2LfODe3uVhNSQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gr13LrGYOCI/XTwGLwbmpSI/AAAAAAAAf7A/pzPjoHheEWsTFKCgANWG2LfODe3uVhNSQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4366.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>A group of happy walkers ready for the tunnel</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfjVA0IO2bg/XTwMEqQsbLI/AAAAAAAAf7s/JrMD18iTphcZJULaqV5Pp5VNATHMMAp1QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfjVA0IO2bg/XTwMEqQsbLI/AAAAAAAAf7s/JrMD18iTphcZJULaqV5Pp5VNATHMMAp1QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4368.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>In the tunnel and looking at interpretation material</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h8IR9euf0vk/XTwHYmysc8I/AAAAAAAAf7k/zWkohS4ZuUkSpCmCmcbh-q-nLIp7gXlnQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h8IR9euf0vk/XTwHYmysc8I/AAAAAAAAf7k/zWkohS4ZuUkSpCmCmcbh-q-nLIp7gXlnQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_4372.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Leaving Charlie at Blisworth</b></div>
<br />
<br />
Finishing with a meal for over twenty at the Navigation Inn it was a memorable event. The next event like this is at the <a href="https://www.stokebruerneboats.co.uk/events.aspx" target="_blank">end of August which is being organised by Trip Boat Charlie</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-66338375456189913562019-07-17T11:30:00.000+01:002019-07-17T11:30:40.757+01:00Kelmscott Manor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DId8J0GVzOA/XS71hNWfNDI/AAAAAAAAf4Q/7lclYz2IlwMCb-hHOJHZSTVSt_EoTXxQgCLcBGAs/s1600/News%2Bfrom%2BNowhere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1163" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DId8J0GVzOA/XS71hNWfNDI/AAAAAAAAf4Q/7lclYz2IlwMCb-hHOJHZSTVSt_EoTXxQgCLcBGAs/s400/News%2Bfrom%2BNowhere.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Almost 12 years ago we had a trip
up the Upper Thames and moored up at <a href="https://nbalbert.blogspot.com/2007/08/kelmscott.html" target="_blank">Kelmscott
overnigh</a>t. This was following the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_United_Kingdom_floods" target="_blank">summer
2007 floods</a> that devastated the Cotswolds and caused havoc across
central England. We had planned to visit the former summer home of William
Morris, Kelmscote Manor but, although the floods had subsided, the damage to
the house was so bad it was closed to the public. We particularly remembered
that even the Plough Inn was out of beer because of the flooding and an
unfortunate couple who had travelled from Norfolk in their camper van to visit
the manor and had slept overnight outside only to discover it was closed for
the rest of the year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Since then we have not been back
along this stretch by boat, so when we found ourselves travelling through the
Cotswolds a week ago we decided it was about time that as William Morris
enthusiasts we visited Kelmscott. We were not disappointed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Kelmscott village does lie a little
off the beaten track but it is delightful. A visit to the manor can effectively
become a visit to the whole village since there are connections
throughout to Morris family (William, Jane and May) and their fellow <a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/p/pre-raphaelite" target="_blank">Pre-Raphaelite</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dante_Gabriel_Rossetti" target="_blank">Dante
Gabriel Rossetti</a> who had a complex relationship with the Morris family
. Just look at the <a href="https://www.sal.org.uk/media/581191/2017_12_KM_Illustrated_Map_Vector_edited_by_RL.pdf" target="_blank">map supplied by the manor</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
We arrived late morning on a
glorious summer's day and parked in the village car park (a field) designated
for manor visitors. After "the pub with no beer" episode twelve years
ago we visited The Plough and had a great lunch. The inn has several rooms so
would make a good centre for walkers since it's not far from the Thames Path.
It was busy and one of their outside rooms was set up for a party. I discussed
the floods with the staff - it appears that the wooden floor of the pub was destroyed
by the floods so they now have one in stone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sWe__Lyqb8/XS71vczE_0I/AAAAAAAAf4U/oE5ymhkIvSkmSifyC9JTKKSKgiOIr4D0QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sWe__Lyqb8/XS71vczE_0I/AAAAAAAAf4U/oE5ymhkIvSkmSifyC9JTKKSKgiOIr4D0QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4253.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b>A pub with beer - this time</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
On the gentle walk to the manor we
passed the cottage that has a wonderful stone carving of William Morris and I
was also taken with some unusual nearby stone fencing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QDzI03PefqA/XS71-dJIFNI/AAAAAAAAf4c/8t9NC1KWL5EY2lGHopoPq9namwNYsE8BQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QDzI03PefqA/XS71-dJIFNI/AAAAAAAAf4c/8t9NC1KWL5EY2lGHopoPq9namwNYsE8BQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4255.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b>William Morris contemplating life</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><i>Memorial Cottages 1902 - carved by George Jack</i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GuI6hdza_4/XS72D-qdiqI/AAAAAAAAf4g/5QeiH9CHfb8wOaMLyuZIlq_3o4lM2VjYQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5GuI6hdza_4/XS72D-qdiqI/AAAAAAAAf4g/5QeiH9CHfb8wOaMLyuZIlq_3o4lM2VjYQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4256.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p><b>Quite a different field boundary</b></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
The manor is not a
large property if you are familiar with visiting stately homes, and you will
soon become aware that it had a long history before Morris lived there.
Visiting this building is all about William Morris and his work, but there are
other little gems, notably by his daughter May who lived there for many years
following his death.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OlDd_OJ8-b8/XS72RdYtpPI/AAAAAAAAf4o/Vl9inQO2FokrQK9n-Tj33JfLScv34w8UACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OlDd_OJ8-b8/XS72RdYtpPI/AAAAAAAAf4o/Vl9inQO2FokrQK9n-Tj33JfLScv34w8UACEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_4268.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b>William Morris's Bed</b> </div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9M6nWTxeM8/XS72fTxH7EI/AAAAAAAAf4w/QELKxkjFYToP157z2QzZGme-QKpBmvFbACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9M6nWTxeM8/XS72fTxH7EI/AAAAAAAAf4w/QELKxkjFYToP157z2QzZGme-QKpBmvFbACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4265.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b>Jane Morris's Bed decorated in Willow Boughs </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
It is a widely held
view that Willow Boughs (which we have decorating Albert) was inspired by the
backwater of the Thames that passes through Kelmscott.</div>
<div class="" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAYvJrUYesU/XS72r16saFI/AAAAAAAAf44/zZfEzZzNERg4Nb2AVhG7FnogRPG-TySlwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAYvJrUYesU/XS72r16saFI/AAAAAAAAf44/zZfEzZzNERg4Nb2AVhG7FnogRPG-TySlwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4270.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b>Split-stepped staircase installed by the Society of Antiquaries
in 1962</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNVvrY5TVb4/XS72-Pd9aaI/AAAAAAAAf5E/38DJqDuGz6k6nkdtl3SFn-PlE6ZTjQIKgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNVvrY5TVb4/XS72-Pd9aaI/AAAAAAAAf5E/38DJqDuGz6k6nkdtl3SFn-PlE6ZTjQIKgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4272.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b>Attic bedspread</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5U5rBYBw4VE/XS73GT8qweI/AAAAAAAAf5I/7JpRKfldIfwksy0_BOatW9GQlvUkPOI8ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5U5rBYBw4VE/XS73GT8qweI/AAAAAAAAf5I/7JpRKfldIfwksy0_BOatW9GQlvUkPOI8ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4259.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4j8-AGR6_cE/XS73GsRN2cI/AAAAAAAAf5M/amSqjTSRa8AmYIP24_CVO9Yp3QYze8kUQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4j8-AGR6_cE/XS73GsRN2cI/AAAAAAAAf5M/amSqjTSRa8AmYIP24_CVO9Yp3QYze8kUQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4275.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br /><div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b>Jane and William Morris</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Sv4MBcqUcc/XS73Yj1UVmI/AAAAAAAAf5c/i-IGa2lAG8Q6wBCwpVNC-sgh5lHFUhPwwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4269%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1463" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Sv4MBcqUcc/XS73Yj1UVmI/AAAAAAAAf5c/i-IGa2lAG8Q6wBCwpVNC-sgh5lHFUhPwwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4269%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="365" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b>Cartoon of Morris fishing on the Thames</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
The gardens and
outbuildings shouldn't be forgotten. Maggie and I were particularly taken by
the massive mulberry tree in the back garden. It was too early in the season
for ripe fruit but maybe in late August?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ofRItVsjc4g/XS73edBwUaI/AAAAAAAAf5g/Q3IKJIiSPoYKpeqpZnJvtz6WCVS8icYrgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ofRItVsjc4g/XS73edBwUaI/AAAAAAAAf5g/Q3IKJIiSPoYKpeqpZnJvtz6WCVS8icYrgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4285.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b>Kelmscott Manor's magnificent mulberry</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oj4HlwzizXE/XS7tbCuOjxI/AAAAAAAAf3M/PlxX8QQvNEIXI3IwcCmAFs1Tqqdes9ZngCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4284.JPG"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_i1029" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oj4HlwzizXE/XS7tbCuOjxI/AAAAAAAAf3M/PlxX8QQvNEIXI3IwcCmAFs1Tqqdes9ZngCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4284.JPG"
href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oj4HlwzizXE/XS7tbCuOjxI/AAAAAAAAf3M/PlxX8QQvNEIXI3IwcCmAFs1Tqqdes9ZngCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4284.JPG"
style='width:300pt;height:225pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/cspar/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg"
o:title="IMG_4284"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FrDSCz8hiuk/XS73wQdHw-I/AAAAAAAAf5s/qcUZLZotc_QRcE7Vb9Pyz0ShaaCWjRK7QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FrDSCz8hiuk/XS73wQdHw-I/AAAAAAAAf5s/qcUZLZotc_QRcE7Vb9Pyz0ShaaCWjRK7QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4284.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECu0iAGWmBc/XS735DdA86I/AAAAAAAAf5w/Ccn8ecfcPe0WWQ5bkwBljyB4puAofryWACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECu0iAGWmBc/XS735DdA86I/AAAAAAAAf5w/Ccn8ecfcPe0WWQ5bkwBljyB4puAofryWACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4274.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfsO3-QECz4/XS73_D3ITiI/AAAAAAAAf50/0MfKPKTPgzgLmOLFeCtfC4mB_aWnlzgcQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfsO3-QECz4/XS73_D3ITiI/AAAAAAAAf50/0MfKPKTPgzgLmOLFeCtfC4mB_aWnlzgcQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4287.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m_1E2Dg-eR0/XS7tbFik3yI/AAAAAAAAf3I/HHEc4pNXdRQylWTnbsXrRDAWfip6WAgKQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4274.JPG"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_i1028" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m_1E2Dg-eR0/XS7tbFik3yI/AAAAAAAAf3I/HHEc4pNXdRQylWTnbsXrRDAWfip6WAgKQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4274.JPG"
href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m_1E2Dg-eR0/XS7tbFik3yI/AAAAAAAAf3I/HHEc4pNXdRQylWTnbsXrRDAWfip6WAgKQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4274.JPG"
style='width:225pt;height:300pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/cspar/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image014.jpg"
o:title="IMG_4274"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1TC_qDHeHY/XS7tzvqI9XI/AAAAAAAAf3c/fCQ5i3g9WZ0JQckEWnTqmjhkttV4EeirgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4287.JPG"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_i1027" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1TC_qDHeHY/XS7tzvqI9XI/AAAAAAAAf3c/fCQ5i3g9WZ0JQckEWnTqmjhkttV4EeirgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4287.JPG"
href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1TC_qDHeHY/XS7tzvqI9XI/AAAAAAAAf3c/fCQ5i3g9WZ0JQckEWnTqmjhkttV4EeirgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4287.JPG"
style='width:300pt;height:225pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/cspar/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image015.jpg"
o:title="IMG_4287"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b>A Three-seat Privy</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
The Manor owned by the <a href="https://www.sal.org.uk/" target="_blank">Society of Antiquaries of
London </a>and is only open Wednesdays and Saturdays in the summer. Also
this year it will close for an extended works, mostly associated with the
outbuildings and infrastructure so next year they may have quite a short
season. I did ask the guides about the damage done in 2007. It appears that
none of the artifacts were damaged but they had to have a new floor at the rear
of the building.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQl2aZ7PGjA/XS74GZrPzKI/AAAAAAAAf58/arbMBCAjee8EjVhKQGr8kcjHZwr8D4fRACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQl2aZ7PGjA/XS74GZrPzKI/AAAAAAAAf58/arbMBCAjee8EjVhKQGr8kcjHZwr8D4fRACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4257.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7TEUKHAmJY/XS7vsqzBszI/AAAAAAAAf38/_fnPxC16T18grhWam8K49Q1AlIgtp6bZwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4257.JPG"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7TEUKHAmJY/XS7vsqzBszI/AAAAAAAAf38/_fnPxC16T18grhWam8K49Q1AlIgtp6bZwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4257.JPG"
href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7TEUKHAmJY/XS7vsqzBszI/AAAAAAAAf38/_fnPxC16T18grhWam8K49Q1AlIgtp6bZwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4257.JPG"
style='width:225pt;height:300pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/cspar/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image016.jpg"
o:title="IMG_4257"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b>Morris's Topcoat</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
The mooring at Kelmscott is a very
short walk to the manor and is a delightful setting. Although we moored up
there in 2007 and have now visited the manor, we still aspire to do both things
at the same time. I suppose that is icing on the cake? - talking of which the
manor does cream teas!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVtW-r-0Z_g/XS74NDTGEsI/AAAAAAAAf6A/kqxR35JXbcYnCS17z9Whd33MliSZitJtACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVtW-r-0Z_g/XS74NDTGEsI/AAAAAAAAf6A/kqxR35JXbcYnCS17z9Whd33MliSZitJtACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4288.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b>Kelmscott moorings</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Kelmscott, Lechlade GL7 3HG, UK51.690237 -1.642043000000057931.495451000000003 -42.950637000000057 71.885023 39.666550999999941tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-29935765722821707912019-07-03T23:40:00.000+01:002019-07-04T07:37:15.003+01:00Down the River by H E Bates (1937-1979) Having posted about the <a href="https://nbalbert.blogspot.com/2019/06/down-river-by-h-e-bates.html" target="_blank">1987 (50th) edition of this book</a>, I began to look for earlier versions which I soon realised had wood-engravings for illustrations - I just love wood-cuts. It soon became clear that the first edition of 1937 had been reprinted in 1968 and 1979 and these editions used the same illustrations. Although I prevaricated (I like using that word), when eBay advertised a copy of the 1979 edition for less than £4:00 I couldn't resist buying another copy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9gtScYG1cDE/XR0f6iLE7eI/AAAAAAAAfzw/u5MtEroSjY8CI2pclFpe3yof4NFcAD69ACLcBGAs/s1600/Dust%2BJacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1217" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9gtScYG1cDE/XR0f6iLE7eI/AAAAAAAAfzw/u5MtEroSjY8CI2pclFpe3yof4NFcAD69ACLcBGAs/s400/Dust%2BJacket.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
<br />
The hardbacked copy came with its original dust jacket complete with a charming illustration. The book boasts 83 wood-engravings; some full page, some included in the text and some decorating the chapter headings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puJqRqnnWUA/XR0gwruP44I/AAAAAAAAf0s/D_iVwf4PxHE9INTBuvQFSWW4wjpzHuI2QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="697" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puJqRqnnWUA/XR0gwruP44I/AAAAAAAAf0s/D_iVwf4PxHE9INTBuvQFSWW4wjpzHuI2QCEwYBhgL/s400/Boat.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlr_7p9qYSU/XR0hSky-NTI/AAAAAAAAf04/VBbl572QoiUSUGgduddFVEClxOgHlT0GwCLcBGAs/s1600/Lace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1600" height="167" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlr_7p9qYSU/XR0hSky-NTI/AAAAAAAAf04/VBbl572QoiUSUGgduddFVEClxOgHlT0GwCLcBGAs/s320/Lace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Lace Making</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
The book has a much more old-fashioned feel to it than my later edition and this version has paper quality which is surprisingly heavy gauge. It is altogether a better version printed and produced version as long you appreciate, as I do, the black and white engravings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7IanE0LERQ/XR0gB5c3b7I/AAAAAAAAfz0/cCTatwLQzoQSsyHyCo7fPmXDUsswGdqXACLcBGAs/s1600/Title%2BPage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1178" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7IanE0LERQ/XR0gB5c3b7I/AAAAAAAAfz0/cCTatwLQzoQSsyHyCo7fPmXDUsswGdqXACLcBGAs/s400/Title%2BPage.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Title Page</b></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnes_Miller_Parker" target="_blank">Agnes Miller Parker</a>'s illustrations are extraordinary and invoke some of the same atmosphere as the Denys Watkins-Pichford work later had in Tom Rolt's <i>Narrow Boat</i>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jdGnLX3nC_0/XR0gKZGJ2xI/AAAAAAAAfz8/2SecVr0nRAMFbgkEqJKv2cPgoAKoFAwhACLcBGAs/s1600/Flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1090" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jdGnLX3nC_0/XR0gKZGJ2xI/AAAAAAAAfz8/2SecVr0nRAMFbgkEqJKv2cPgoAKoFAwhACLcBGAs/s400/Flowers.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
One example of just how "alive" the engravings are is the group of illustrations that accompany the story of Quintus that Bates relates when discussing the characters that lived near his home close to the Nene. It is a story of the close (and somewhat ambivalent) connection working-people had with their pigs in the early 20th century. Bates' grandfather and his friend Quintus used to spend long periods admiring their pig and discuss her litters. Many in our Northamptonshire village also kept pigs; I bet they had similar discussions. The writing describing the characters and their views of life is first rate, but just add a few wood-cuts and it moves to another plane.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqO-aovYvtA/XR0gWo47mZI/AAAAAAAAf0M/9SQ6BcI6fhopt0I_XmWFySJg2eRQy0hcgCLcBGAs/s1600/Pigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="725" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqO-aovYvtA/XR0gWo47mZI/AAAAAAAAf0M/9SQ6BcI6fhopt0I_XmWFySJg2eRQy0hcgCLcBGAs/s400/Pigs.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKq29I69hVA/XR0gWhVOlAI/AAAAAAAAf0I/jscXfDVDof8vHjQEH-ppSqoU5WspeHwwQCLcBGAs/s1600/Quintus%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="519" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKq29I69hVA/XR0gWhVOlAI/AAAAAAAAf0I/jscXfDVDof8vHjQEH-ppSqoU5WspeHwwQCLcBGAs/s320/Quintus%2B1.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lGdecmqTVU/XR0gWmXV2BI/AAAAAAAAf0E/N383YLtP8HESLPUz1pSbeIkzmPkqKsaugCLcBGAs/s1600/Quintus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="513" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lGdecmqTVU/XR0gWmXV2BI/AAAAAAAAf0E/N383YLtP8HESLPUz1pSbeIkzmPkqKsaugCLcBGAs/s400/Quintus.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Quintus, pigs and piglets</b></div>
<br />
According to the dust jacket, which contains a reprinted a review from The Observer published in 1937, "<i>Very few modern books have been so brilliantly illustrated</i>". Over eighty years later I would certainly agree.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FETf0gAipv0/XR0gxOundCI/AAAAAAAAf0k/eNkxlyqEpuI1dYHLFMDnyPmX-swdVGJyQCLcBGAs/s1600/Fishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1519" data-original-width="1544" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FETf0gAipv0/XR0gxOundCI/AAAAAAAAf0k/eNkxlyqEpuI1dYHLFMDnyPmX-swdVGJyQCLcBGAs/s320/Fishing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLj22QMSNxA/XR0gxLtB1OI/AAAAAAAAf0g/qoSohSzLdpQEGg8oVD781AK_C7FzZ2sagCLcBGAs/s1600/Lighters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1133" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLj22QMSNxA/XR0gxLtB1OI/AAAAAAAAf0g/qoSohSzLdpQEGg8oVD781AK_C7FzZ2sagCLcBGAs/s400/Lighters.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PCB_U1hskmA/XR0gxi7FudI/AAAAAAAAf0o/VB_v_-LVjEYEoGbOvJk0zD2HWMROouaEwCLcBGAs/s1600/Water%2Bmill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="756" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PCB_U1hskmA/XR0gxi7FudI/AAAAAAAAf0o/VB_v_-LVjEYEoGbOvJk0zD2HWMROouaEwCLcBGAs/s400/Water%2Bmill.jpg" width="335" /></a></div>
<br />
Look out for copies of this edition from the usual on-line sources - you won't be disappointed and they probably won't be expensive.<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-72888271744099755192019-06-16T23:04:00.000+01:002019-06-16T23:04:04.711+01:00Down the River by H E BatesHaving recently spent an idyllic holiday on the River Nene, I revisited a book we have had for some time. H E Bates, the famous novelist came from Rushden and wrote an evocative book about the rivers of eastern England "<i>Down the River</i>". There are several editions but ours is the 1987 (50th anniversary) edition which has illustrations by Peter Partington.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VrOS_AEOZE/XQaMRZ5kiGI/AAAAAAAAfsA/2ewSmkB83_8uT86NdINAD9tmY_Zg85OFQCLcBGAs/s1600/Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1263" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VrOS_AEOZE/XQaMRZ5kiGI/AAAAAAAAfsA/2ewSmkB83_8uT86NdINAD9tmY_Zg85OFQCLcBGAs/s320/Cover.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The book is based around two rivers, the Nene and the Great Ouse and is full of wonderful descriptions of the wildlife, flowers and people living alongside. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our copy has an inscription by Maggie's father Hugh, "<i>To a family who have the luck to live between the Two Rivers</i>". He was referring to the Chapter titled The Twin Rivers ad the fact that we live between the Two Rivers and we agree that we are lucky living in this area. With the inscription and its memories we particularly treasure this copy. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dr8O0_c-wKY/XQaMgJPwa1I/AAAAAAAAfsM/uLs8-GFJSWopNxxaPsQY4sDOnwbloz6OgCLcBGAs/s1600/DocFile%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1190" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dr8O0_c-wKY/XQaMgJPwa1I/AAAAAAAAfsM/uLs8-GFJSWopNxxaPsQY4sDOnwbloz6OgCLcBGAs/s320/DocFile%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Black-headed Gulls - we saw a lot recently near Woodford</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WpIaRQT9-v0/XQaMfwAuzgI/AAAAAAAAfsE/el_l6FRIrcU2aXCEjzL1UzpLi7YdytlXQCLcBGAs/s1600/DocFile%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1202" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WpIaRQT9-v0/XQaMfwAuzgI/AAAAAAAAfsE/el_l6FRIrcU2aXCEjzL1UzpLi7YdytlXQCLcBGAs/s320/DocFile%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>A Lock</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHOX_9-6oxw/XQaMf0_ryBI/AAAAAAAAfsI/JenGYjrlkY0WRv4dIsg299AEP7Zjpa42wCLcBGAs/s1600/DocFile%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1288" height="222" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHOX_9-6oxw/XQaMf0_ryBI/AAAAAAAAfsI/JenGYjrlkY0WRv4dIsg299AEP7Zjpa42wCLcBGAs/s320/DocFile%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Lace-maker</b></div>
<br />
There are chapters on fishing, wild flowers, water mills, and otters but unusually there is an interesting chapter on lace-making. The villages in South Northamptonshire have a long history of lace-making and we live opposite a row of cottages that was a lace making "factory". We can relate to the stories Bates relates about the craft because our village has similar. The history of how the art arrived in our part of England is retold and this is important. .<br />
<br />
There are a least two other editions with first edition, published in 1937, having wood engravings by Agnes Miller Parker. However, the 1987 edition is widely available through the usual second-hand book sellers for around £12. Its a good read and the illustrations of the edition we have are charming.<br />
<br />
Researching for this post has convinced me that we must also get a 1937 edition because it is illustrated with wood cuts - I love wood cuts.<br />
<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13397763.post-6986247237049261242019-06-07T22:37:00.000+01:002019-06-09T09:00:59.376+01:00Northampton, the Arm and Home<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We sorted out our overnight mooring fee at White Mills on Wednesday morning (29th) and then had a pump-out so we were not "quick out of the blocks". It was an interesting manoeuvre getting out of the marina with a stiff wind against us but we managed to reverse pretty well. As we left the marina we met NB Alfred coming out of the lock. manouvre. We met this boat before at Aston Marina - it is owned by a syndicate. It is a 67ft Steve Hudson tug with a Gardner 2LM engine so its not your average time-share boat. At one time is had a Greeves 2YWM engine. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The family on board were taking her (Alfred) to Northampton so we shared locks all day swapping turns to set them up. We made a good team. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FkQFoN0rRPw/XPrNf3m9QfI/AAAAAAAAfqU/3Exb3plcU1Eddv3yHFsqsiPS-f0VvrkcQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FkQFoN0rRPw/XPrNf3m9QfI/AAAAAAAAfqU/3Exb3plcU1Eddv3yHFsqsiPS-f0VvrkcQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0533.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Locking with NB Alfred</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
By late afternoon we had reached Northampton Marina. We moored up there overnight but took the opportunity to take in another tapas meal at Les Olives in the town.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tv80rZgBXlc/XPrNdd5ribI/AAAAAAAAfqM/YSMC2PpQ8_s0PlDaTaD7C3hgr42uh0M-wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tv80rZgBXlc/XPrNdd5ribI/AAAAAAAAfqM/YSMC2PpQ8_s0PlDaTaD7C3hgr42uh0M-wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0534.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Northampton Riverside</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On the Thursday (30th) we left Northampton and went up the arm to Blisworth. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cj5De7qYHC8/XPrQz-xttwI/AAAAAAAAfqw/Q_FoUE0fjQ0ta2GjrdaF_ag7NUImgCoewCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cj5De7qYHC8/XPrQz-xttwI/AAAAAAAAfqw/Q_FoUE0fjQ0ta2GjrdaF_ag7NUImgCoewCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2060.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Flag Iris on the Northampton Arm</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
An IWA working party were litter picking and carrying out maintenance in the first lock. Good to chat to our marina-friend Geoff Wood who was organising the team. They were doing a great job. Luckily the weather was good. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Locking up the Northampton Arm gives you a sense of achievement when you get to the top. Mostly it was plain sailing but a couple of the pounds were low and a couple of locks had very hard paddle mechanisms. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tiAm98kiDSI/XPrR1MPEe0I/AAAAAAAAfq4/ZUSJIsPvYu8QZHoCUqu9nOwJkqurOPC7ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tiAm98kiDSI/XPrR1MPEe0I/AAAAAAAAfq4/ZUSJIsPvYu8QZHoCUqu9nOwJkqurOPC7ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3982.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Lock under M1</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sg4ELPlOSv0/XPrSRfJrznI/AAAAAAAAfrE/-F6Kri9-bD44rq01VWRacgvp9mqfBkMdACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sg4ELPlOSv0/XPrSRfJrznI/AAAAAAAAfrE/-F6Kri9-bD44rq01VWRacgvp9mqfBkMdACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3983.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Hovel at the top of Northampton Arm</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We turned south at the junction and then moored up for the night in Blisworth village not far from Candle Bridge. We went for a walk to the Royal Oak but didn't stay to eat. We found it a bit disappointing.</div>
<br />
On Friday morning (31st) we went through Blisworth tunnel, meeting only two boats, and then went down the Stoke Flight. CRT volunteers were assisting and encouraging lock sharing. We shared with one boat for the first two locks but then they moved ahead to share with a single boat in front so we then shared with a single boat who came down behind. That boat was single-handed so we (I) did most of the locking apart from the occasional help from a volunteer. They were a few site-seers around who wanted to chat and some motor homes had set up for lunch just below the Northampton Road.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5GOlrSa0SLY/XPrNgKRq1pI/AAAAAAAAfqY/5xJ6F6xN-roLR-X2Sd4vUb8T0Brm3Np5QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5GOlrSa0SLY/XPrNgKRq1pI/AAAAAAAAfqY/5xJ6F6xN-roLR-X2Sd4vUb8T0Brm3Np5QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0538.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Blisworth Tunnel Northern Portal</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-te0HZkZyQ_Y/XPrNfWKmoEI/AAAAAAAAfqQ/I1ZMwel9vH8npCz2S9Up7ev0xn2Lw0hkgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-te0HZkZyQ_Y/XPrNfWKmoEI/AAAAAAAAfqQ/I1ZMwel9vH8npCz2S9Up7ev0xn2Lw0hkgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2074.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Emerging from Blisworth Tunnel</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We paused by the bottom lock for lunch and reached our home moorings at Kingfisher Marina mid-afternoon. When boating we usual have car parked at the marina but this time our car was at White Mills in Earls Barton so we walked home to Potterspury over the fields. There is something satisfying about walking home to our village rather than driving. The barley in our local fields had grown whilst we had been away. In case your wondering, we picked up a car in the village, travelled to Earls Barton to pick up our car, unpacked Albert and then returned home. A great boating trip.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-intk9VYn4GM/XPrNgs3ONKI/AAAAAAAAfqc/fWzp7viaFI8Aqs-YzyERoy9pwoEEZmJXACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-intk9VYn4GM/XPrNgs3ONKI/AAAAAAAAfqc/fWzp7viaFI8Aqs-YzyERoy9pwoEEZmJXACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3995.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Walking home from the marina</b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Albert is a traditional style narrowboat built in 1994 by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and was fitted out by her first owner Mike Hurd.
She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM MkV and has a traditional back cabin.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0