Pottering on the Pocklington Canal

[Donald]

As written about elsewhere, last weekend (Easter) we spent time in Yorkshire, England, staying with family members. On Saturday we spent the day on the Pocklington Canal.

'New Horizons' is the boat that's available for hire/rent. It is crewed by volunteers.


We set off at 10am. Maximum allowed speed is 4 miles per hour. 'Serene' is the word that springs to mind.

We meandered our way down the canal for 3 hours. Then stopped at a pub for lunch. The meandered back again for another 3 hours. It was truly magical.



It was amazingly bright. As someone from Scotland not used to sunlight (!), it was a photographic challenge. I wanted to try and capture the low contrast, mellow calmness of the landscape through which were floating.

The constant battle is against the invasion of plant life. Often, the crew had to throw the engine into reverse to try and free the propeller from the weeds and grass that got caught up.



As well as the beautiful vegetation all around, there are, of course, the gorgeous old swing bridges and lock gates. Every time you approach one, you have to land, get out, open it, sail through, land, close it etc. Great fun.





But the beauty of the journey made the effort worthwhile.



But sometimes more effort was required than at other times.



And then everyone sailed off into the sunshine.



Hope you enjoy.

[rob marshall]

Excellent shots, Donald. I particularly like the last one - very evocative of the rural idyll of England and all that.

[jiro]

Now that's what I call real story-telling. The shots really compliment the story. Well done, mate.

[ilovelucydog]

I love the pictures... I love the story they tell... and the feel of calm and quiet that they present. What I really want to know is... what does 'pottering' mean?

[Donald]

I love the pictures... I love the story they tell... and the feel of calm and quiet that they present. What I really want to know is... what does 'pottering' mean?

Sorry Mary - A very British term I suspect (because we're not focused enough on doing important things!)

One search says:
Meaning: Spend some time doing little things for pleasure
Example: I POTTERED AROUND, sorting out my CDS and a few other things.


Another one says:
To potter, to be gently active doing various things in an almost aimless manner; e.g I like to relax pottering around the house doing this and that at the weekends.

[jeeperman]

All very nice Donald. #4 drws me in, I think childhood memories stir.

[ilovelucydog]

Sorry Mary - A very British term I suspect (because we're not focused enough on doing important things!)

One search says:
Meaning: Spend some time doing little things for pleasure
Example: I POTTERED AROUND, sorting out my CDS and a few other things.


Another one says:
To potter, to be gently active doing various things in an almost aimless manner; e.g I like to relax pottering around the house doing this and that at the weekends.

Thank you, Donald. I thought maybe that's what it meant, but then I thought maybe it has something to do with floatin' in the water.

[Katy Noelle]

These are wonderful, Donald! They do give such a sense of a mild, pleasant, relaxed day. Oof! I wish that I'd been there with you - it really looks fun. I like the photos individually but, together, by the time I got to the seventh one (second from the last), I felt like I'd been on a journey with you. It's a wonderful story. I (just honestly) wish that I could see it in color.... I love country fields green.

(you didn't run into a particularly funny toad-like washerwoman, did you?)

[Donald]

(you didn't run into a particularly funny toad-like washerwoman, did you?)

Yes, but that was after a few pints in a wonderful pub that won a national award for its real ale (beer). After those, anyone, including toad-like washerwomen, looked gorgeous.

[Donald]

I (just honestly) wish that I could see it in color....

Oh well. Since it's you. Just one though.

[Katy Noelle]

Oh well. Since it's you. Just one though.

Thank you!

[aquarius]

Hi Donald, love you photos, for those who would like to take 'a walk along the Pocklington Canal 'please follow this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDigWMM0-Wc
I do hope you enjoy watching this Audio Visual creation of mine, Donald,
Remember me, one of your crew last Saturday?
the one wearing a blue hat and waving a camera about ! ! !
best wishes
carol
ps your group photo is now on www.pocklingtoncanalsociety.org web site

[Donald]

Carol

Hello again. Fantastic to see you on CiC.

Thank you, again, for Saturday. It was truly magical. I still have a few more to process.

I sent an e-mail to the PCAS booking mailbox to link to the series on my Flickr account. Very happy if the society can use any of them.

ps - Members of CiC should follow the PhotoGallery option from Carol's link. I'm the stunningly good looking one on the left (as if you needed to be told!).

pps - Members should look at the hat looking downwards at the back of the boat in #1. That's Carol!