Exotica
25/7/2019
The green tunnelled, rural Shropshire Canal, graceful bridges, can produce some unexpected even exotic moments.
At a couple of small towns along the canal we stumbled
on canal festivals. Trading boats, some original others replicas, of the barges of old, now travelling shops. Some sold fenders, rope mats, fascinating to watch being made.
Craft abounds, jewellery, rag rugs, knitted goods. Plastic toys, like the little dog's determined possession.
Some barges are now simply homes, with old chug chug engines, even with a butty or unpowered barge in tow- needing interesting, arduous manoevres through locks.
And a first for us, an example of the exotic if you like, a boat with a wood fired pizza oven occupying its front deck. a fine useful way of making a living.
We were mightily amused as we passed an ordinary sort of boat. From its front deck we spotted its 3 black chooks, casually jumping onto the towpath to graze. And accompanied by the boat's cat.
The last surprise for the day was on the lock approach to Audlem. A boater was holding a rope to her boat, possibly waiting for her turn to lock. I was walking towards the lock, the Cap'n following on the boat. Hello, I said, are you waiting to go down the lock? Her hair glossy black, nicely frocked up, lippie on.
She smiled politely, and in an indisputably male voice, said No love, we're mooring up. You go through.
All genders, all sorts, make up the linear society of the canals.
on canal festivals. Trading boats, some original others replicas, of the barges of old, now travelling shops. Some sold fenders, rope mats, fascinating to watch being made.
Craft abounds, jewellery, rag rugs, knitted goods. Plastic toys, like the little dog's determined possession.
Some barges are now simply homes, with old chug chug engines, even with a butty or unpowered barge in tow- needing interesting, arduous manoevres through locks.
And a first for us, an example of the exotic if you like, a boat with a wood fired pizza oven occupying its front deck. a fine useful way of making a living.
We were mightily amused as we passed an ordinary sort of boat. From its front deck we spotted its 3 black chooks, casually jumping onto the towpath to graze. And accompanied by the boat's cat.
The last surprise for the day was on the lock approach to Audlem. A boater was holding a rope to her boat, possibly waiting for her turn to lock. I was walking towards the lock, the Cap'n following on the boat. Hello, I said, are you waiting to go down the lock? Her hair glossy black, nicely frocked up, lippie on.
She smiled politely, and in an indisputably male voice, said No love, we're mooring up. You go through.
All genders, all sorts, make up the linear society of the canals.
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