NABO News

Well, it seems one of my photos has made the front cover of NABO News.  I have to admit to forgetting I had submitted it. Still, it does make an extremely good cover in my unbiased opinion.

National Association of Boat Owners  (NABO) is the paramount association representing the interests of all boat owners in Britain and in my opinion is the only one seriously holding C&RT to account.

Rainy Day in Blackburn

Why did we pick today to visit Blackburn?

Well, all over the country, except London, this weekend is Heritage Open Day   (London Open House is next weekend)

Walking the L&L towpath in pouring rain is memorable but not necessarily enjoyable.
When the sun is shining it is easy to overlook the rubbish donated to the waterway by local heathens.
But this is not the view we have ventured out for........

.......we are taking the opportunity to view the wallpapered bridge.









Local wallcovering firm, Graham & Brown, have adopted a stretch of the canal and decorated this bridge in their very personal way.







You may already have seen their decorated telephone box,.  (on the right of this picture)

After walking back to Eanam Wharf we boarded Daisy, the 1950 Leyland Tiger to dry off during a free tour of the town. I was surprised to find that the indicators are original: our first car in 1954 still had semaphore  arms. or trafficators.

We left Daisy at the university automotive centre to see what  delights they had to offer.

Amongst a small selection of  Rolls Royces and Bentleys we came across Graham & Baker wallcoverings again.

I wonder if they could decorate a narrowboat.

Toilet Talk

Traveling down the M6 a few weeks ago we stopped at Charnock Richard services to use the facilities. The ratio of toilets to hand-basins and drying facilities always fascinates me. (I have a very sad life). Once upon a time we had time and motion men in industry but these skills are now seemingly done either by computers or idiots. Consider this set up:
12 urinals
12 cubicles
12 wash stations each with a tap
2 hand dryers
Perhaps it was designed by a lady who wanted men to share in the queuing experience.

On a brighter note, the Wetherspoons pub in Preston - The Twelve Tellers - has some lovely tiles

Twelve Tellers Preston

Burnley Canal Festival

This weekend is the canal festival at Weavers' Triangle in Burnley. As we were  passing through on Friday evening we noticed the Liverpool Short Boat Kennet moored on the wharf  so on Saturday morning we took the bus from Preston to Burnley. One hour 45 minutes: interesting ride but not a journey to do twice in a day.

Kennet was built in 1947  to carry freight between Liverpool and the Pennines. It is 61'6" long so fits very snugly into the locks.
It was taken out of service in the 1960s and is now used as a peripatetic school room.

We were welcomed by a brass band which was surprising as we had not announced our intention of attending the festival.

 

There were plenty of things for children to spend their parents' money on and some for adults too.

But support from the boating community was very disappointing.  Apart from Kennet, there were two boats from Hapton hire fleet with Lee, the owner; the Tug Anna and nb Black Sabbath.

Five years ago we spent about a week cruising with  Alan onTug Anna whilst she was being filmed for a German TV programme. This can now be viewed on YouTube   Gecko has been edited out of the final broadcast version, however. 

We enjoyed catching up with all of these who we knew from our  winters in Reedley Marina but by lunchtime we were ready to return to Preston by rail.

What's In a Name?

A few years ago BW renamed Kegworth Deep Lock as they considered it too scary for  novice boaters. It was christened Kegworth New Lock although there is nothing new about it.
Perhaps these unhappy hirers might have taken more care  last week with their Wyvern Shipping cruiser had the name not been changed.

Photo courtesy of Narrowboatworld.com