Whitchurch Arm Canal Festival

The Trip Boat is here, the pagoda is up, the cards are ready for display. Friday's set up was swiftly done so, after a jaunt into town (White Bear sadly disappointing after our rose tinted memory), we took the Blue Hippo, aka nb Bala, for a training trip. All went smoothly despite my concerns about driving such an odd shaped vessel around two winding holes per trip. Definitely a feeling of the calm before the storm as traders settled in and started their set up 

A gentle start on Saturday to what turned into a busy day.

Time to chat with Sue and Jan on the SUCS (Shropshire Union canal society) stall and see what else was happening. 

The trip boat can be seen above turning in the Arm. It was busy all day and for a free trip raised lots of money for the Arm. Alison had a 2 hour driving stint on Saturday, Andrew on Sunday, and both enjoyed the experience. 

There were bands playing, a bar, and a busy towpath with lots of folk dropping off at the stall. Books to sell and the IWA and its work to plug.

At night, we went to the Boaters Dinner where we all got together to catch up on gossip, let our hair down, listen to and join in with shanties, and quiz  The IWA team won!

Sunday was a little quieter as the weather forecast was less encouraging. 

But the card and calendars were moving, and the last of the jam found a home..

and the rain held off all day! It was windy, so we had to strap the pagoda down somewhat fiercely. Team members needed to be away promptly so the pagoda was being packed away piecemeal as 4pm, the end of the festival, neared and everything was cleared promptly.  The rain politely waited until 5pm, and only a sprinkle then; heavier later on.

We had a date that evening in Chester, where Merry Hell were playing their gig rainchecked back in April. Really great although we were bushed. Slept like the dead once back on board!