nightrider Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 The Inland waterways festival was held on shobnall fields Burton on Trent and the fields are right opposite Marstons brewery, due to my van having a very low backend I was a little wary of pitching up on grass due to "grounding" but I had no probs due to the field being firm and flat. One thing I did notice was the strong police presence who dealt promptly with a gang of what I found out later were Romanian gypsy's, they were causing concern by looking in peoples caravans campers and awnings, the police rounded them up and escorted them off the site much to the relief of everyone. The festival was well organised and there were lots to see and do, it will not be held next year at Shobnall due to it clashing with some other festival down south, the organisers have said they cannot cope with two big events so shobnall is being sacrificed for the southern event. My main interest in narrow boats is canal boat art known as Roses and Castles which I have been doing for several years now, in September I am going on a weeks residential tuition down at the black Country museum, I need guidence on a particular brush stroke when painting rose petals, by hook or by crook I will perfect that brush stroke. Pelmetman, no witty comments from you regarding grounding my backend :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightrider Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 Shobnall fields runs alongside the canal and there were about 350 barges in attendance from all over the country, one bargee that I spoke to said that it had taken him 32 days to get there, not surprising at 3MPH. I walked my feet off traipsing up and down the towpath taking loads of piccies for my group over in America, oh yes, I am an old time group manager, nuff said bout that. As a plumber by trade I am interested in the barges plumbing, heating and sanitation systems, you only have to stop and show an interest in a barge and the owner will invite you aboard for a cup of tea and a look round, really friendly people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 A list of other events is on here http://www.narrowboats.org/features/canal_events.aspx I notice the Bristol Kennet & Avon was the same w/e - is this the other event that will stop the Burton on Trent event next year Malcolm? It would be a shame if it was it is my "local" canal. :-S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klyne Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Been to a few IWA boat rallies ( thats what they used to be called!) back in the 70's when we had a small boat, Guildford, Ely and Lymm. I assume you mean narrowboats rather than barges ;-) David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightrider Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 Klyne - 2011-08-04 2:14 PM Been to a few IWA boat rallies ( thats what they used to be called!) back in the 70's when we had a small boat, Guildford, Ely and Lymm. I assume you mean narrowboats rather than barges ;-) David David, Narrow boats is the correct description, think it must be my lazy way of describing them, talking to one boat owner who was negotiating a set of locks, he said his boat was 6' 10" wide and the lock was 7' wide, 1 inch to spare either side, I was fascinated how those locks worked. On one of the many trade stalls I saw a big powerful magnet attached to a lenght of rope on asking the stall holder what it was for? he said many people operating the locks sometimes dropped the key that they used to open the lock gate into the water and the magnet was lowered into the water to fish out the steel key, clever what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightrider Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 CliveH - 2011-08-04 2:11 PM A list of other events is on here http://www.narrowboats.org/features/canal_events.aspx I notice the Bristol Kennet & Avon was the same w/e - is this the other event that will stop the Burton on Trent event next year Malcolm? It would be a shame if it was it is my "local" canal. :-S I'm not sure which canal it is Clive, no doubt I can find out from the "Towpath" canal news paper which is a fund of info, must get it back from my mate round the corner who I loaned it to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightrider Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 One thing that amazed me, was when talking to a boat owner was the fact that any layman landlubber can hire a boat for a weeks holiday with the most basic tuition which is a bone of contention for a lot of boat owners. Basic tuition is, this is the ignition key to start the engine, forward gear, reverse gear and this big stick is the tiller and no brakes of course apart from slamming into reverse to avoid smashing into the lock gates, there are of course, lessons on handling boats, similar to car driving lessons, dont think I would fancy navigating a 70 footer down the canal without having lessons :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klyne Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 knight of the road - 2011-08-04 3:28 PM One thing that amazed me, was when talking to a boat owner was the fact that any layman landlubber can hire a boat for a weeks holiday with the most basic tuition which is a bone of contention for a lot of boat owners. Basic tuition is, this is the ignition key to start the engine, forward gear, reverse gear and this big stick is the tiller and no brakes of course apart from slamming into reverse to avoid smashing into the lock gates, there are of course, lessons on handling boats, similar to car driving lessons, dont think I would fancy navigating a 70 footer down the canal without having lessons :D Its as easy as towing a caravan or driving a large motorhome :-D Many years ago a boatyard owner in Stone said his worse customers were navel officers, left hand down a bit Mr Philips!!!!! Margaret is keen for us to have another canal holiday, we are trying to interest our sons but even for a weekend its a horrendous price! David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliveH Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Have to say - it is the price that stops us from having a narrow boat holiday for a long w/e or week. when compared to using the caravan there is just no comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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