Some pictures from the Etruria Canals Festival

[oldironsides]

Some pictures from the Etruria Canals Festival.

[alan_fincher]

Thanks for that.....

 

Looking at Ibex with Matt and Rebekah, I'm not sure in some of the pictures if I'm looking at a boat or a crèche!

[bargemast]

Thank you very much for the sharing of these beautiful pictures.

 

Peter.

[twbm]

Another one for the 'don't cut the corners' file ...

 

Nice photos, thanks.

[starman]

Great photos - there was a good collection of boats but a shame that the number of stalls seemed to have dropped away. Someone told us the public liability insurance requirement was steep and scared a lot of them away. Shame if that's true 'cos it's a good little show with a strong 'local' feel to it.

[andywatson]

The blue on Ibex seems a bit darker and the yellow also a trace darker or more gold than most BW boats.

Was this actually the case or is this a fractionally changed colour scheme?

I think it looks really good.

[pelicanafloat]

Nice photos. Tell me, does the marina still have a collection of sunken boats? Last time we were there at least four boats were sunk at their fully paid up moorings....

[Chop!]

Excellent pics! Thanks for taking the trouble to share them

[richardf]

Nice photos. Tell me, does the marina still have a collection of sunken boats? Last time we were there at least four boats were sunk at their fully paid up moorings....

 

The marina was a pretty run down place and staff were very unhelpful - I had booked ahead, but we got shouted at as we entered, our pre booking was questioned (luckily it was written on the white board in the office) and I was told - 'you get nothing, no power, no water - nothing' I wouldn't stop there again - shame, as I remember it from years ago being quite nice.

 

We didn't enjoy the event - there weren't many boats attending and they were split into 3 distinct groups, unconverted working baots, converted working boats and (bizarrely) cruising boats. There were specific areas for each class (and it really did feel like a class thing!!) - the cruising boats were on the main line.

 

No boaters pack or plaque, despite it being mentioned on the website; and during the event, nobody even came to say hi and welcome us. The sideshows were a bit like the world's worst school fete. During the evening in the bar (with a good range of beer), the unconverted boat brigade huddled together at one end whilst the rest of us who were clearly 'not worthy' had the rest of the tent - although most people on the mainline didn't bother with the walk. We left at 09.00 on the Sunday and wouldn't return.

[Timleech]

The blue on Ibex seems a bit darker and the yellow also a trace darker or more gold than most BW boats.

Was this actually the case or is this a fractionally changed colour scheme?

I think it looks really good.

 

I remember it on the Weaver as the IBIS, in the maintenance fleet, as being a very very dark plain blue, almost charcoal, with just the name in small letters.

It had a nice 2L2 Gardner then, which ended up being ripped out and dropped (& smashed) on the scrap pile.

 

Tim

Edited June 14, 2013 by Timleech

[twbm]

 

.... During the evening in the bar (with a good range of beer), the unconverted boat brigade huddled together at one end whilst the rest of us who were clearly 'not worthy' had the rest of the tent - although most people on the mainline didn't bother with the walk. ....

 

Ah Yes, that'd be folk who share a common interest, many of whom know each other, gathering for a chat over a pint. Antisocial bastards.

[richardf]

Interesting that the crew from the Narrowboat Trust didn't make it to the top table either (it may have been you that I was sitting with on the Saturday evening) Maybe a common interest insn't enough after all - maybe you have to actually own your boat!

[twbm]

Wasn't there so don't know. My comment was generic.

[Northern Waters]

Thanks for that.....

 

Looking at Ibex with Matt and Rebekah, I'm not sure in some of the pictures if I'm looking at a boat or a crèche!

 

Isn't it good to see a new generation on the canal system?

 

 

The marina was a pretty run down place and staff were very unhelpful - I had booked ahead, but we got shouted at as we entered, our pre booking was questioned (luckily it was written on the white board in the office) and I was told - 'you get nothing, no power, no water - nothing' I wouldn't stop there again - shame, as I remember it from years ago being quite nice.

 

We didn't enjoy the event - there weren't many boats attending and they were split into 3 distinct groups, unconverted working baots, converted working boats and (bizarrely) cruising boats. There were specific areas for each class (and it really did feel like a class thing!!) - the cruising boats were on the main line.

 

No boaters pack or plaque, despite it being mentioned on the website; and during the event, nobody even came to say hi and welcome us. The sideshows were a bit like the world's worst school fete. During the evening in the bar (with a good range of beer), the unconverted boat brigade huddled together at one end whilst the rest of us who were clearly 'not worthy' had the rest of the tent - although most people on the mainline didn't bother with the walk. We left at 09.00 on the Sunday and wouldn't return.

I attended Etruria Festival by car on the Friday evening and again on Saturday and was invited to join the "top table" for Friday evening. This table was made up of people on new boats, converted boats, boats with extended cabins as well as unconverted boats, I'm sure if you had introduced yourself they would of been more than happy for you to join them. It wasn't an exclusive thing, just people socialising and enjoying talking about a common interest.... boats.

 

Water was available at the BW water point, just a couple of hundred yards from where you were tied. As for no electrics... this is not a marina, it is a museum and facilities like this cannot be expected.

 

Etruria Canal Festival is an excellent, informal, community rally which is why it is enjoyed by many. Thank you to Andrew and the team for spending so much time in organising the rally.

[Swallowman]

 

Water was available at the BW water point, just a couple of hundred yards from where you were tied. As for no electrics... this is not a marina, it is a museum and facilities like this cannot be expected.

 

 

 

Perhaps the marina referred to is the Festival Park jobbie just up the T & M from Etruria. We had exactly the same experience a couple of years ago when we moored for the night. REALLY crap meal in the filthy Toby Carvery as well to put the cap on it.