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In 1977 we hired our first narrowboat from Anglo Welsh at Market Harborough.From that moment our destiny was set. In 2006 we finally purchased our own brand new 57' narrowboat which we named 'Free Spirit'. Our aim is to travel the length and breadth of all the navigable rivers and canals of the UK. This will be our story as it unfolds.

Saturday, 13 June 2015

Longwood Boat Club Canal Festival

Fish and chips supper, last night, dished out in the main marquee before the entertainment started and very nice it was too. Cost us £6 each but the fish was enormous and with the chips I struggled to eat all of mine, although Ian did a sterling job of finishing my left overs as well as devouring all his. The entertainment was excellent. A group called Stardust Connection playing 60's music. The singer wasn't a bad comedian either. During the interval, something a bit different. Andy playing his bag pipes. Now I'm not a big bag pipe fan but this guy got us all singing and I actually rather enjoyed it.

Captain Ahab and Helen's Jam Butty in place for the start of the festival on Saturday.


Stardust Connection

Andy

Polly made a grab for Ian just as we were leaving.

Not sure if his expression is one of panic or joy!

So this morning...........What a shame. Our worse fears were realised as the rain arrived in the wee hours and continued all day. It wasnt until late afternoon that a glimmer of something brighter was seen on the horizon. Turnout was low and trading slow at the stalls. With one exception, the tea room. It was my rota shift and with Sheila we were kept busy dishing out hot liquid refreshment and cake all morning.

Site was open but hardly anyone about.

Andy and Helen seemed to have generated some interest in their preserves.

Trust boat moored in the lock



Not much interest here until later in the afternoon.

Get your ball in the loo to win a prize!

It's the human fruit machine.
 At 12pm Sheila closed the Tea Room. The dignitaries arrived to officially open the rally.  Richard Parry, the Chief Executive of the Canal and River trust, was one of them. I donned my official photographers hat to record the event.

Richard Parry in a dark blue jumper

Ian Lane Area manager in his C&RT shirt.


 My job done I wandered back outside and was pleased to see more of the public milling about. Some even had ice creams, not sure this was quite the weather for it......



Had time now to partake of the pig race. On your marks...... get set..........

GOOOOO....


Pig 7 won. Just happened to be Ian's so won half the stake money. All of £4

Richard Parry trying his luck at the human fruit machine.


Sheila pouring the tea with Ann, (taking the afternoon duty)
Then Ian and I was chatting to one of the old boaters and he mentioned that another boat trying to negotiate this stretch of canal today might be in for a struggle. With the Truman Enterprise Trust boat  moored in the lock, it was effectively blocking the way. I said this was highly unlikely as the Rushall canal was a remainder waterway. Typically, not 10 minutes later a boat appears! I should have kept my mouth shut!

Blue boat appeared in the distance.






It was a good job no boat was next to us, as the Trust boat could squeeze in allowing the other boat to pass. He then reversed back into the lock to ascend and resumed where he left off, showing the public around.

More entertainment tonight this time by Shady Band. Another mix of our sort of music, 60's and 70's so should be a good night.


1 comment:

Halfie said...

Looks like a great little event - shame about the weather. We've just had an excellent time on your home ground, the Erewash.

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