|
The 2010 Crick Boat Show, Leicester Arm, Grand Union Canal
After an absence of a year we were once again at the Crick Boat Show, not for pleasure but "working"! John was doing a stint on the NABO stand and I went along to help as "back up"!
 John, David (Chairman) and Richard (General Secretary) at the stand
We had a busy time at the stand answering questions about NABO, signing up new members and giving out information leaflets etc. It was great to see lots of our boating friends again and also blog readers!
We had a shock - the show has shrunk! There was a marked absence of boat builders and the boat exhibition on the land area was empty compared to when we were last here.
 Where have all the boats gone?
There was only one large marquee and many fewer stalls to browse. I suppose the lack of these and exhibitors reflects the "economic climate", the problems of gale force winds (which forced early closure in 2008), fewer boat builders in business and many having their own "open days".
We managed to find time to do a little shopping, visit the beer tent for the Canal World Forum banter and wander down to the floating exhibits. Even the number of boats exhibited on the water was depleted. Those that were there appeared to be busy.
 President and butty Kildare were popular too
We could have done with BCN Iceboat Laplander a few months ago! She was built around 1830 with a flush deck and two masts. Laplander probably would have been pulled by 18 horses whilst the crew rocked her vigorously from side to side.
 Iceboat Laplander
We were fortunate to overnight on the cut - our friends offered us a bed and a meal on their narrowboat, which we thoroughly enjoyed. I was also able to have a "cat fix" as they own a lovely tortoiseshell cat "Smudge". There were plenty of other narrowboats moored at Crick and we spotted a few familiar names!
Narrowboat moorings from the temporary footbridge looking north and south
 
So Crick is over for another year! Hopefully the builders and traders had a successful one. It will be interesting to see the visitor numbers and facts and figures when they are released!
 Showground from footbridge
|
.png){kind=small}
