 Most
people you see on the canals will be going in the opposite direction
on boats or on the towpath. You should give them the "nod", tilting your
head to one side, head top to the left and chin to the right if you’re
right handed, and open and close your mouth slightly as if saying Hi
or Hello. Then
look away. However, if you meet people at locks where
more interaction is unavoidable, just how you respond
depends on what type of boater they are. Here's how to
recognise some of them. |
 Family on hire boat.
You can often recognise them by the
identical yellow waterproofs and sou-westers they are all
wearing. Smaller ones may have matching lifejackets and
be quietly sobbing while holding on to numerous ropes
which may or may not be tied to the boat or the lock or
each other. One individual will be bellowing instructions
at the others. This is the dominant male or
"father" and he is completely unaware that you
can hear or see him behaving like a tyrant. His eyes may
be bulging dangerously. Use the "nod" to anyone
but him, and then leave them to it. (How to work locks
correctly!) |
 Gang of friends on hire boat.
These too may be in
matching waterproofs but there may be any number of
bellowing males and they will be working at least three
locks ahead because they are in a hurry to get to the
next pub, and the one after that. Empty lager cans may be
scattered across the boat roof. Sympathise with some of
the females who thought they were coming on a nice quiet
holiday, they have probably packed party dresses and high
heels, and then stand back and leave them to it. |
|
Live-aboards.
You’re
more likely to see them moored up, recognise them easily
by the firewood stacked on the boat roof. Nod and refer
to the weather but don’t comment on the washing
hanging from the tree or ask them where they live
because, believe it or not, they often think that them
living on their boat is a well kept secret! Ask if the
water level is down. |
Wealthy family. Recognise them by the wine
cooler and glasses on the roof, the matching sweatshirts
with the boat name and a general nautical feel more often
seen at the yacht marina. Compliment them on their boat,
help with the lock if you like and you may get offered a
can of lager (specially carried for such situations) or a
small coin. |
 Retired
couple.
These
are nice people with lots of time who have sold their
house and now travel the canals going to rallies and
showing people pictures of their grandchildren. You can
recognise them because they have brought their garden
with them and it now covers the boat roof. Talk to them
about their garden gnomes and grandchildren and think of
kind excuses to get away, unless you really have lots of
time. |
 Canal
enthusiasts.
Recognise
them by the uniform, brown cord trousers, white
collarless shirt with red neckscarf and wide leather belt
with a windlass pushed dangerously through it. Sometimes
they even wear blue overalls! They are important people
busy keeping a tradition alive, so look impressed and ask
if their boat's a Josher
and has a JP.
(Don't worry about what it means - it's actually a type
of traditional narrowboat and a diesel engine.) |
|
The rest of us.... are nice
people who like to talk about the weather, water levels,
cricket and the best local supermarkets. You'll need to
think of more excuses to get away again!
(Many thanks to Shirley Froud
for the rather fine drawings!)
|
