Taking Advantage of some fine weather recently there was the opportunity for a boat trip from Brighouse to Castleford and back. Normally we would have gone to Hebden Bridge but due to the damage to the canal infrastructure from the Boxing Day floods, the way was still not open.

Arriving at Brighouse we discovered that it was the 1940’s weekend. Whilst the crowds seemed bigger than last year I thought the number of participants was less. Also I never saw any Germans this year which would not give the Daily Mail and others of like mind the opportunity to rant about Nazis etc., regardless of what insignia and uniform they were wearing. So the frisson of rubbing shoulders with the enemy was wanting this time.

I think this lowrider was a visitor’s bike. I heard it take off from a distance and can imagine some sleeveless muscleman with attitude in a steel helmet blatting along through the crowds with an illegal exhaust. In fact I can’t see a silencer. Actually I don’t think the enforcers trouble themselves over illegal exhausts any more. Copyright image by David Swanbury

There were loads of Jeeps but this is an Austin Champ which is post-war and I believe competed with the Land Rover. I read once that the Land Rover had the edge, not least, because it had a flat bonnet where maps etc could be spread. Copyright image by David Swanbury

A Jaguar SS1. The SS originally stood for the Swallow Sidecar and Coachbuilding Company. This car dates from late 1933 when 145 were built and as the owner has stated, is one of the first of the four seater tourers and a forerunner of the Jaguar marque. Copyright image by David Swanbury

It was a glorious hot day and the Bentley passenger was oblivious to the onlookers as was the toy dog. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Not often you see a proper Bulldog. Was here last year. Was hot last year too.

Was that a Spit darling?
Copyright image by David Swanb

They look well on their war time rations. Maybe farmers or butchers.

For those who watch the reruns of Dad’s Army, there is a good passing resemblance to the undertaker Private Frazer played by John Laurie and Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring. Well I assume that is the intention. Don't think the one on the left looks like Sergeant Wilson by John Le Mesurier? At the time I didn't think he looked like anyone in particular.

Brighouse Basin looking tranquil, which was flooded above the lock gates during the Boxing day inundation and the boats had to get in a huddle to one side and hope it didn't get worse. Further up the cut one boat ended up in a wood and by the time it was recoverd the windows were smashed and the stove and other things stolen. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Mirfield Marina.

I keep seeing this converted lifeboat around the cut. Currently at Mirfield. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Ivy covered one-time lock house at Figure of Three locks near Dewsbury.

Approaching Stanley Ferry in a bit of gloom with a hint of a sea fret.

Interesting narrowboat was moored at Brighouse all winter now at Stanley Ferry. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Lovely curves. Presumably an old Dutch Luxemotor. It seems they were called luxemotor because the owner and family had a cabin behind the wheelhouse. This was considered a great luxury, because orginally the adults as well as children slept on deck. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Not everyone has such comfort. Old narrowboats sometimes had plywood tops and this one obviously leaks. Makes me wonder how some pass the stringent five year test. Copyright image by David Swanbury

A seat in Castleford reflecting its mining heritage.. Copyright

I sometimes wonder if our food chain and water is contaminated with a cocktail of second hand drugs and pesticides etc., in such a way as to insidiously affect our metabolism and cause the weight gain so many now enjoy. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Doesn’t seem to affect the pigeons though.

I like Castleford. The people are down to earth and the little town is vibrant with activity. In some ways it is stuck in a bit of a time warp and all to the good. Copyright image by David Swanbury

There are a lot of old and disabled people about; well it's midweek; and also a host of shops catering for them from stair lifts and specialised furniture and aids to the mobile walking support cum seat this lady has. Copyright image by David Swanbury

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In the centre are seats facing the sun, a small Marks and Spencers and a big indoor market. No big supermarkets are in evidence so I guess this gives the shops and market a chance. Copyright image by David Swanbury

And an outdoor one.

A lot of budget shops and budget shoppers.

I’m of the opinion that as a general rule begging bowls need to be big – not plastic cups, also unobtrusively silent in operation and always placed slightly to one side, especially not between the feet as illustrated, to avoid direct confrontation. Trying to put money in a cardboard coffee cup requires significant effort and some dexterity. Castleford is not known for people with an obvious surfeit of any of those from what I have seen. His bit of paper says, "May you help me. Thank you". Copyright image by David Swanbury

Herons abound these days as, presumably, so do fish. I have seen shoals of them near the surface in the sunlight at Brighouse. Needless to say we passed some very sensitive fishermen in competitive mode on the way back, waving us to areas of water of their choice. On the whole Yorkshire fishermen are a bit more amenable than other breeds and sometimes even speak. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Leaving Wakefield and can we make it back before the rain again.

And so home dodging the showers and -

I haven’t forgotten the long range weather forecast of three months of sizzling sunshine. – quote –

UK weather: Britain to bake in 3 MONTHS of sizzling sunshine in hottest summer for more than 100 years

That was promised on the 21^st May here (Yes there is a link here)

(It would be unfair to single out the Daily Mail again as after all they don't create these predictions).

OK, so we had a couple of days or so of warm sunny weather and I actually wore shorts. Mind you around here they wear them all year round especially Posties. But I am what they call ‘nesh’ so it is an event for me.

There is still plenty of time for this miracle to happen. so I will wait and see, because half of June so far has been low cloud and rain on and off. Probably end up as the wettest dullest June on record. Bound to beat some record or other.

Friday 17 June 2016

OUT AND ABOUT

UK weather: Britain to bake in 3 MONTHS of sizzling sunshine in hottest summer for more than 100 years

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