The 11th annual Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally, held over the weekend 29-30th June 2013, was as colourful and sometimes bizarre as ever. The setting is down a hill from the small village of Braunston, near Daventry, to which the views are stunning on a sunny day.
And it was surely sunny on my visit on the Saturday. This year I thought the attendance of spectators was down on previous years but the high enjoyment level was evident for both onlookers and boaters.
As usual, the boats create a historic scene and there’s plenty of stalls with canal related things to see and buy! There’s a beer tent with a band and a range of catering stalls.
As usual Steam driven vintage working boat President and its butty Kildare from the Black Country Museum were the stars of the parade of boats round a circular route via the marina and canal.
Below is a gallery of my photos of the event with interesting boats, people and canal haberdashery. Please Click on the first image to create a manual slideshow.
(Click HERE to find out how to get the most out of the photos.)
View over the marina
President blowing off steam!
Les Francaises ! Ils sont ici aussi?
Best trousers to match the colourful boat.
Small steamships also showed a presence.
Pink Lloyd
Slow transport – like slow food so much better!!
Bears abound.
Marina viewed from the south.
It can be tough manning a boat event bookstall.
Oh what a shirt! blends with the boat but striking in its own right.
Shetland ponies – what can I say – cute?
President negotiating the 3-abreast moored boats on the route.
At least the crowded mooring leads to talk with your neighbours.
So typical of the scene after hard work by visiting boaters.
Trad overalls and modern equivalent, perhaps.
The height of congestion – I count 3 boats moored abreast and 2 moving – yes?
Such artistry, care and preparation must have a view here.
Bring ’em up young to like the canals – this surely must leave a pleasurable image in their memories.
President mooring in the marina after its circuit
Working boats one powered towing its butty turning into the marina – tricky!
It’s that shirt again – looks like he’s landing a big one!
“The marina entrance gives us just clearance”
“It’s OK we’re through with just slight modifications to the boat’s shape – nothing that can’t be fixed (I hope)”
Captain Cook at the tiller I presume
Graham Fisher’s boat but the famous CRT supporter and Stourbridge larger-than-life character is not here
Crane working boat dating from 1924 reversing into the marina
It’s the happy lady with the smart trousers again
The picture tells it all about the scene
Simple but effective boat accessories echo the scene behind
Such attention to detail must feature here
Junction of Grand Union and Oxford canals where the parade turned round
Super accessories
And again super accessories
What a scene!
Checks and spirals can be effective
Don’t rock the boat unless you’re grounded
Devotedly, happy couple wander back to their mooring on the Oxford
How to coil a rope neatly…
…to perfection
Scenes visitors enjoy
The 11th annual Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally, held over the weekend 29-30th June 2013, was as colourful and sometimes bizarre as ever. The setting is down a hill from the small village of Braunston, near Daventry, to which the views are stunning on a sunny day.
