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They'd point and laugh .....


zenataomm

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I agree it's important to keep old Canal Traditions alive, but I sometimes wonder how far off the rails we are with some of the dodgey practices that have moved into contemporary boating yet are thought to be real?

I've heard it said that near the end of carrying boatmen and women were surprised anyone would want to pleasure cruise the cut.

 

So what else would they see today that would either confuse them or make them point and laugh?

The ones I've noticed that make me smile.

 

Back end rope hanging on the tiller pin like a coiled up washing line.

A brand spanking new Josher-clone resplendent in its GUCCC livery (very expensive, very funny)

 

What else?

 

 

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I agree it's important to keep old Canal Traditions alive, but I sometimes wonder how far off the rails we are with some of the dodgey practices that have moved into contemporary boating yet are thought to be real?

I've heard it said that near the end of carrying boatmen and women were surprised anyone would want to pleasure cruise the cut.

 

So what else would they see today that would either confuse them or make them point and laugh?

 

...... or cringe?

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My favourite (from Dave Moore) :

 

Painted on the side..... A couple of f***ing frogs with champagne glasses dancing down the cabin side.

Seen better than that, a boat rocked up at marina with the side of the boat covered in Gnomes, and the name of the boat..........yes you have guessed, Gnome Sweet Gnome.

Phil

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Back end rope hanging on the tiller pin like a coiled up washing line.

A brand spanking new Josher-clone resplendent in its GUCCC livery (very expensive, very funny)

 

What else?

 

Know-alls who look down on other boaters for what they perceive to be "inferior practices" (especially the 'fenders up' brigade).

 

 

 

  • Greenie 4
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Back end rope hanging on the tiller pin like a coiled up washing line.

A brand spanking new Josher-clone resplendent in its GUCCC livery (very expensive, very funny)

 

What else?

 

Know-alls who look down on other boaters for what they perceive to be "inferior practices" (especially the 'fenders up' brigade).

 

Greenie for that.

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How about pump-outs and cassette toilets? They might wonder what was wrong with chucking the contents of the chamber pot in the cut like proper boatmen.

Ah! The good old days.

Not my family, but perhaps common practice in yours.

Don't concern yourself though we never looked down on others for "inferior practices" ..... each to their own eh?

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Just to add a question. What is traditional as far as boats are concerned. With so much diversity over time, which period is sought to be remembered and replicated?

 

Even with narrow boats design and decoration varied and there was a time when they were not as gaily painted as they became. Then there are the specialist craft such as those few boats specially built for the Bond End Canal, or those that worked from Pratts Wharf along the Stour to Wilden before the lock was made. Was any attempt made for these craft to be colorful?

 

Ray Shill

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Back end rope hanging on the tiller pin like a coiled up washing line.

A brand spanking new Josher-clone resplendent in its GUCCC livery (very expensive, very funny)

 

What else?

 

Know-alls who look down on other boaters for what they perceive to be "inferior practices" (especially the 'fenders up' brigade).

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have just become one of those. (Not quite true, I have never understood why people think it is necessary to travel with fenders down)

 

Why? because of the idiot that went through a lock and left one behind.

 

It ended up round my prop.

 

angry.pngangry.png

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Just imagine in 100 years time, people buying replica "Eddie Stobart" lorries and living in them cruising up and down the restored M5 motorway. Having fantastic holidays parking up at "Michaelwood" service station and talking about the good old days of traffic jams and eating replica burgers.

:)

  • Greenie 3
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I think most traditions emerge from a common practice that was found to be workable. Then there are the decorative traditions which as we know vary from area to area, but pointing and laughing - that seems to be the pastime of more modern folk through either ignorance or attempting to deride others. I would imagine ex-working boaters would simply stand and stare in wonderment, sigh, and look away.

 

I tried to watch Tim & Pru doing the Southern Oxford, and was sad to see Oxford so disfigured (not that I knew it well). But BBC i-player was having tantrums so I gave up in the end, and the producers ability to include their bumping about did paint a wrong impression. Don't believe everything you see.

 

A bit off topic, but the author of 'His Dark Materials', Philip Pullman, was introduced, and they spoke of a series of waterways and barges that appeared in the story. Not having read the trilogy I cannot confirm such is true, but the film made from the book called 'The Golden Compass' had boats, but fantastic sailing/flying ships and no sign of canals or network of waterways as described. But that's showbiz I guess.

 

PS:

 

Pram-hoods can be a boon to the live-aboard, and on the cut were pre-dated by the rain shed.

Edited by Derek R.
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And that's me. Vintage engine and cupboard. Our campervan in Australia ex Brits hire van vw lt has better shower cooker water heater, bed, and storage space and does 110 kph. However it has no intrinsic value unless you are a vw anorak , it's practical and modern I could replace it tommorrow , unlike my boat , and it's the evolution history and feel of tradition that makes me polish brass, and paint, coil ropes on the slide,and creosote the fenders, so I don't care if it's seen as odd because the prior custodians of my boat would approve. Keep the approval of the ghosts.

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Especialy the ones who who still have silly uncomfy boatmans cupboards and " Vintage " engines when they would all have loved our silky smooth modern stuff biggrin.png

 

Tim

 

Life's little pleasures -

Don't have much to say about boatmen's cubby hole, except they (can be) / are pleasantly decorated companion way.#

 

But Vintage engines - ah yes, really nice, something to polish while you're moored up early (just to get a prime mooring space).

I don't have either of them......

 

(Great to see such a boat with a smoky boat - just so I can say - "A Gardner?' - the shame is most boaters don't understand the comment, so it's wasted)

  • Greenie 1
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