Back on the canal

Hi everyone

Well even though I am still under the hospital and awaiting my procedure ( When did we stop calling them operations and start calling them procedures?? With the help of friends We have been on the move on only 10 miles down the canal but hey out is out no matter what the distance. Noreen and I have moved over  to Scarisbrick Marina we came over for the boat festival last weekend which is explained below I  had a stall were I gave a Canal Art Workshop I shared my stall with Robbie who is ex Navy and the best rope man in the business so if you want any fenders or buttons he’s your man. Our stall is normally the one everyone heads for I think because we have a good laugh and nothing is serious, (except the price) but as in live everything is negotiable I was even asked to go to a school and give the kids a chance with the canal art and explain about canal live as it now and its history, I am looking forward to that  

It was not only good to be out and about but meeting old friends was a real boost many of our old marina friends from Fettlers have moved over to Scarisbrick  it was quite a reunion especially as we had two nights of partying. We should be back in Fettlers for thurs but as I may be helping to move a boat on Monday and Going to see Maryanne on Tues Noreen is working Weds we may just decide to stay another week that’s the good thing about boats no matter where you are” Home is where your Boat is”. Plus the fishing is good at Scarisbrick

I have my dates not for my plumbing job it all takes place mid Aug so by the end of Aug I should be fighting fit again God Willing.

I wasn’t going to write anymore Blogs but over the busy weekend so many people said that they had missed it I apologise for that.  

Lots of visitors over the boating weekend Noreen managed to do lunch for 11 on the Sunday even though the café was only 10 yards away. Monday we had Keith Carol and Sue that was a good day and culminated in the Indian Restaurant that was also very nice

So even though we are no out travelling there is still a lot going on, everyone stay in touch God Bless to all

Big Al  

This part of an article I sent in to Soundings a boating mag, just gives an indication of the weekend

From The North

As I read so little about this area, I am writing this to endorse and give support to this beautiful corner of our wonderful waterway system. I refer to the North West from the bottom of the Wigan flight to Liverpool along the wonderful Leeds and Liverpool canal not forgetting the tranquil stretch of the Rufford branch to Tarlton and the Ribble Link. The area boasts the longest canal, the magnificent Barton swing bridge over the Manchester ship canal, the Ribble link connecting to the Lancaster canal, the exciting ports of Manchester and Liverpool. But its main attribute is the boaters and its genuine thriving boating community. 

We have just had the second Scarisbrick Marina Boat Festival a boat festival for boaters by boaters; with boat clubs, boating societies, historic societies and ordinary boaters came together for a fantastic weekend of family fun and frolics  

Friday night was a sing along folk music (well why not?) and a boaters get together, Sat we opened for the public exhibiting all the usual boating stalls from Rag rugs making, Canal Art Workshop, Rope and fender making demonstration all by genuine boaters  from the local area also for a change we had No trade stand.

Sat night was the great barn dance, what we would call “ a reet good Do” with the obligatory potato pie supper, and wonderful fiddle playing.

Sun started with an outdoor ecumenical church service combined with St Andrews Mission, which I believe is the only boaters church still consecrated and in use St Andrews was built in 1905 for the large boating community around Burscough and is still in use today. The day was enhanced by music from a brass band, sea shanties, R&B and folk music

The whole weekend was a celebrated success with all the proceeds going to local charities.

There was 300 boaters renewing old friendships, generating new ones and talking to non boaters and of course potential new boaters.

 As I previously stated the boating community here is as strong now as it was in 1905. So please come up you would be most welcome. You will discover peaceful and tranquil surroundings places of interest steeped in history and of course lets not forget two of the biggest cities in England all combined with good northern hospitality.

This is my very feeble attempt and short account of a fantastic weekend. Of what can be achieved when a community come together.

Alan Hodgkinson

NB. Buggerlugs