'A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever' is a title I have used on my own blog (in relation to that magician Albert Strange.
I love these old Thames barges - never ever seen one in the flesh as it were but it's on the list. It must have been interesting times (before the expansion of railways and roads) when the whole coast east of the Thames was serviced by barge. It is amazing that these big boats were often handled by only two men - using the tides and fair winds to do their trade. I don't know how many of these old boats are still sailing but they deserve to be preserved as much as what some may say are more romantic or 'worthy' such as the Cutty Sark - Not that I have any argument about her preservation at all - saw her in Greenwich before the fire - amazing boat.
She's doing well. The sail trim looks good and she's tramping along. That's what you call a 'proper boat'.
ReplyDelete'A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever' is a title I have used on my own blog (in relation to that magician Albert Strange.
ReplyDeleteI love these old Thames barges - never ever seen one in the flesh as it were but it's on the list. It must have been interesting times (before the expansion of railways and roads) when the whole coast east of the Thames was serviced by barge. It is amazing that these big boats were often handled by only two men - using the tides and fair winds to do their trade.
I don't know how many of these old boats are still sailing but they deserve to be preserved as much as what some may say are more romantic or 'worthy' such as the Cutty Sark - Not that I have any argument about her preservation at all - saw her in Greenwich before the fire - amazing boat.