Tiboo Posted September 5, 2020 Report Share Posted September 5, 2020 (edited) Hi! Someone on the London boaters fb group noted that it's funny to hear people talking on the towpath, often not being aware that boaters can hear them. The topic got quite some attention (70 likes at the time I read it) and someone suggested the idea of creating a place to share some funny or interesting passer-by quotes (in my words here), so I thought, that could be maybe a nice forum on canalworld... I think it would be good to have it as a separate forum so that they're nicely combined and can be read through... What do you think? Edited September 5, 2020 by Njiruk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted September 5, 2020 Report Share Posted September 5, 2020 I find it is the opposite. People on the towpath can clearly hear boaters, but boaters struggle to hear what people on the towpath are saying because the engine is running. Perhaps it is different in London because the boats don't move as frequently? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-M Posted September 5, 2020 Report Share Posted September 5, 2020 48 minutes ago, cuthound said: I find it is the opposite. People on the towpath can clearly hear boaters, but boaters struggle to hear what people on the towpath are saying because the engine is running. Perhaps it is different in London because the boats don't move as frequently? I wondered if you heard me saying "He must still be in bed." as we crept passed you at 8:15 this morning. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiboo Posted September 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2020 59 minutes ago, cuthound said: I find it is the opposite. People on the towpath can clearly hear boaters, but boaters struggle to hear what people on the towpath are saying because the engine is running. Perhaps it is different in London because the boats don't move as frequently? Oh, yes, while cruising it probably must be opposite indeed! It's more while being moored I guess. If it's much more of a London thing, I could propose it on the londonboaters.org website, but I thought it would be a more largely recognised phenomenon... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheshire cat Posted September 5, 2020 Report Share Posted September 5, 2020 It is recognised more widely than cuthound is prepared to admit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted September 5, 2020 Report Share Posted September 5, 2020 27 minutes ago, Rob-M said: I wondered if you heard me saying "He must still be in bed." as we crept passed you at 8:15 this morning. Nah, the shower was making too much noise! ?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beo Posted September 5, 2020 Report Share Posted September 5, 2020 Also the people on boats who don’t realise that the person walking a dog along the towpath is the owner of the boat they have just passed and are commenting on. ? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHutch Posted September 7, 2020 Report Share Posted September 7, 2020 We had a cracker the other day, about 7.30am a small group of fishermen who had found a narrowboat (us) moored in the middle of where they were expecting to set up for a Sunday fishing match discussing between each other and on the phone to presumably the organiser. "Yes, there is a boat in our the way" "It's in the MIDDLE of the canal" "Yes, it is tied to the bank, but it's in the middle" "I know, I don't know why" "Its near my pitch, but right over Dave's" "No I don't know what to do, but we can't fish here" Got up and dressed to went to had a chat, which they appreciated significantly. Turns out we were moored 'between' spot 3 and 4 of something like 75, having moored at towards dusk and slightly abruptly with mild engine (boiler feed pump) trouble, we has pulled back 6ft to avoid being on 4 but not seen no3, and because we are deep drafted where a good 3-4ft away from the bank as often the case.. Offered to bow-haul back back to before 1, which for some reason was declined, they were more keen on making sure we were against the bank, not happening! So they moved 1/2/3/4/5 to clear us and we just had 71 to boat past at 65ft spacing first thing in the morning. Obviously they can fish, presumably set up the markers the day before, and presumably can't suspended moorings but there was about 2miles, four bridges where you couldnt moor all day. Never thought about it before having along come across it while under way. On 05/09/2020 at 15:04, Njiruk said: Someone on the London boaters fb group noted that it's funny to hear people talking on the towpath, often not being aware that boaters can hear them. ... someone suggested the idea of creating a place to share some funny or interesting passer-by quotes..... What do you think? I think it is a good idea, but I am also aware that having a very large number sub-forum areas has as many problems and advantages. Perhaps we can run it as a thread and see how that goes? Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doratheexplorer Posted September 7, 2020 Report Share Posted September 7, 2020 "Mummy, mummy! Look! There's someone in there!!!!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEngo Posted September 7, 2020 Report Share Posted September 7, 2020 Oriental lady, on our front deck, " Can I come in and try this dress on?" Passing gongoozler "ooh look, they've even got a cooker." N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudds Lad Posted September 7, 2020 Report Share Posted September 7, 2020 Family passing on towpath, kids commenting; "it's got a fridge and everything!" "It's even got a TV! oh, it's only small though" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mack Posted September 7, 2020 Report Share Posted September 7, 2020 6 minutes ago, BEngo said: Oriental lady, on our front deck, " Can I come in and try this dress on?" Some years ago, friends of ours were moored up on the towpath when a model and photographer turned up asking if they could model wedding dresses with her standing in the front well deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark99 Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 (edited) "They must chuck their poo under the bushes". My favourite one was a bloke telling his wife forget it you cannot stand up in narrowboats. So I went to the open engine hatch and said hello when they walked past. He never looked me in the eye. Edited October 11, 2020 by mark99 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 1 minute ago, mark99 said: "They must chuck their poo under the bushes". The poo is bad enough, but I have seen broken toilet cassettes chucked in places only a boat could get to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac of Cygnet Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 On 07/09/2020 at 13:46, David Mack said: Some years ago, friends of ours were moored up on the towpath when a model and photographer turned up asking if they could model wedding dresses with her standing in the front well deck. I think this must happen quite often. This is not a modelling session though, but a real wedding pic. I've no idea who they were. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray T Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 (edited) Two old dears walking along the towpath at Stoke Bruerne. "Ooh, look that boat has come all the way from Sweden." Edited October 11, 2020 by Ray T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 I'd take that with a pinch of salt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray T Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Athy said: I'd take that with a pinch of salt. To digress, this salt works has now been demolished. Edited October 11, 2020 by Ray T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray T Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 (edited) Braunston bottom lock. Helm of boat 1 to helm of boat 2 "Would you like to go into the lock first as I have a 13mm base plate and my boat is more difficult to handle." Helm 2 (quiscale) "okay." Wife of boat 2 to wife of boat 1 whilst opening the paddles. "Does he ever let you steer?" Wife of boat 1 to wife of boat 2 "I wouldn't want to steer his boat in case I scratch the Bloody thing." Edited October 11, 2020 by Ray T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave moore Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 The wedding thing. We live close to the Waterfront moorings at Merry Hill. Some time ago we had Resolute on the moorings. On the day in question, we’d walked to the shopping centre. On the way back, crossing the bridge by the adjacent Copthorne Hotel, I noticed a swarm of people both on and around the boat. I was about to remonstrate and tell them to go forth when I spotted a bridal gown. The wedding party was from the Copthorne, the photographer using the boat as a back cloth for pictures. I didn’t ask for a retainer..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenataomm Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 7 hours ago, Ray T said: quiscale quiscale Noun[edit] quiscale m (plural quiscales) grackle Noun[edit] grackle (plural grackles) Any of several American blackbirds of the genus Quiscalus, and related genera, having iridescent plumage. (formerly) Any of several Asian myna birds of the genus Gracula. Sorry Ray I'm none the wiser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 11 minutes ago, zenataomm said: Sorry Ray I'm none the wiser. I thought it was a phonetic spelling of quizzically 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mack Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 8 hours ago, Ray T said: Two old dears walking along the towpath at Stoke Bruerne. "Ooh, look that boat has come all the way from Sweden." I get the same with a boat called Belfast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray T Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 33 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said: I thought it was a phonetic spelling of quizzically Yep, can’t spell, doh! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 11 minutes ago, David Mack said: I get the same with a boat called Belfast. Why do people think Belfast is from Sweden? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Featured Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now