Friday Fictioneers
‘Forward’ ordered Gideon. Hercules his trusty horse tugged on the rope and for the last time, narrowboat Marion set off along the canal.
That night he carved his initials and the date on the cabin door and walked away. Gideon sold Marion. Hercules went to a new home.
*
‘How old is she?’ asked the father, ushering his excited kids onto the canal boat.
‘Marion? We are not sure, but she was a working barge until July 1926’ said the captain pointing to the cabin door. ‘Enjoy your cruise’
He fired up the motor, spun the wheel and off they went.
Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo is provided by Fatima Fakier Deria
Dear Keith,
It looks like Marion has been sold to people who will appreciate her. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
She certainly has Rochelle just like many retired barges which are now homes and canal cruisers
We took our kids on a canal boat ride years ago, Keith. Your story took me right back there 🙂
Some of my favourite photos are of my kids on our canal holidays! Happy days
Nice bit of historical fiction.
Thanks so much James.
Sums up what has happened on British canalways certainly, and lovely it is too pottering along on a barge, from my limited experience of trying it 🙂
Floating along at walking pace and mooring outside pups is one of my favourite ways to relax! A pint?
I’ll be there 🙂
A nice story about transitions, Keith and what they call “progress”. A motored barge is easy to operate than a horse drawn one, but certainly lacks that sense of theatre and nostagic value. I say bring back the horse.
Best wishes,
Rowena
The good old days! I have to agree with you Rowena, but whether I’d hire a horse drawn one for a holiday I’m not sure!
Just wonderful, Keith, and at least we have our dedicated people on the canals still, albeit in a different world. Such a touching story. So glad those initials were carved.
It’s wonderful that having falling into disuse, the inland Waterways Associatiion are now maintaining them and giving them new life.Thanks Jilly.
You’ve treated us to a delicious feel-good story, as pleasurable as an ice-cream with a chocolate flake in it! So glad Hercules went to a new owner rather than the knacker’s yard.
That’s the tastiest compliment I’ve ever been paid! Thanks so much.
I love the message for the future carved into the cabin door. A superb story, Keith.
That’s so kind of yu Edith
Nice to know that even an old boat can have a second career!
There’s life in the ‘ole boat yet! Cheers
What a treat your story is. Good feelings all around. The horse, the boat and the lucky families who got them.
I just to think about canals and narrowboats and I feel happy! Thanks Alicia
Awww … and Marion continue her journey in a totally different way.
Lovely tale, Keith.
Isadora 😎
A reincarnation! Thanks so much.
It’s sad when an era ends, we can only hope the next chapter is as good.
She’ll probably be more pampered! Chers Mimi
This was truly lovely, Keith… Marion gets to live on and leave her mark on others…
Indeed, although I’d bet she misses Hercules and Gideon!
I’m glad Marion is still plying a trade, if a slightly different one. With upgrades!
I’m sure she’s enjoying her new life!
Having just sold our barge, this struck a chord with me. I wish I’d thought to carve my initials somewhere… 🙂 A lovely take on the prompt, Keith.
I’m sure you’ll miss it Sandra. I’ve had many a holiday on the canals and even considered living on a narrow boat but never made the move.
And so, Marion lived on 🙂
That she did! Cheers
Marion must have lots of really interesting stories to tell
I’m sure she’s seen a thing or two! Thanks Larry
Great story with a historical touch.
Thanks so much
1926, and still in working order? Great!
There are quite a few about still. Cheers, Reena.
Those were indeed the days Keith.
…oh yes, those were the days!
I really like the gentle tone of your story, accepting of how things change, and continue on in a different way. Lovely tale.
The same craft, two contrasting lives. Thanks, WWM.
The old-world charm is brought alive!
May such treasures thrive 🙂
I Spy You – Anita
Indeed. Thanks so much Anita.
Life in the old girl, yet eh? I like that idea, retiring a boat to a more leisurely life just as you would a pit pony or a seaside donkey. I hope Hercules shared a similar benign fate. Lovely story Keith
They all lived happily ever after! Thanks so much Lynn
My pleasure
I’m happy for the boat. Let’s hope Hercules didn’t wind up in the glue factory.
After all those years towing Marion, Hercules was a pretty tough cookie – woe betide anyone who tried to do anything unpleasant to him!
Horse power has become so compact over the years.
Indeed it has. Cheers Alice
i guess all’s well that ends well. 🙂
I quite agree! Thanks Plaridel
A really nice story Keith that shows the moving on of time very well.
Thanks so much
Marion is off to new adventures. Nice take on the prompt.
https://trailbrooklane.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-ride.html
I’m sure she’s having fun! Thanks so much
Old is gold. Nicely done.
Indeed it is! Thanks YS
Friends of ours bought a narrow boat and lived on it for years in their retirement. I can still see the blanket I crocheted for their bed. Thanks for the memory.
What a lovely memory. I’ve always said I’d like to live on a narrowboat, but it never happened – not yet anyway! Cheers Liz
A lovely slice of history, and Marion continues through life loved and occasionally updated.
We’d all like that ourselves! Thanks, Sarah
Nice empathetic tale, Keith
Thanks so much Michael
There is a series of books by Faith Martin and the detective lives on a narrow boat in Thrupp. I’d be bumping into everything.
Not a book I’ve come across, but as a canal boat enthusiast, I’m sure I’d find it interesting. Btw, In still bump into everything!
This makes me think of all of the history such a boat has seen. Wonderful!
A lot I’m sure. Thanks Sascha
🙂
I like the history behind the boat. I wonder more about Gideon and what happened to him.
Another story for another day perhaps! Cheers Fatima.
A lovely tale of Marion’s history! =)
Thanks so much Brenda
Oh no, poor Hercules, hope he doesn’t come unstuck. Lovely take on the prompt, Keith, A real taste of history and reality unreality.
I’m sure he had very happy retirement! Thanks Kelvin.
Great story. I want to know more about why the narrator walked away.
I had in mind that he and Hercules retired after a very long time together. Cheers Joseph
Aha! That is an awesome ending!