100 Words

Keith's Ramblings

Friday Fictioneers

 

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91

 

‘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.

 

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Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo is provided by  Fatima Fakier Deria

 

80 thoughts on “100 Words”

  1. rochellewisoff Jun 20, 2018 / 11:40

    Dear Keith,

    It looks like Marion has been sold to people who will appreciate her. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 3 people

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    • Keith's Ramblings Jun 21, 2018 / 09:35

      She certainly has Rochelle just like many retired barges which are now homes and canal cruisers

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  2. granonine Jun 20, 2018 / 12:49

    We took our kids on a canal boat ride years ago, Keith. Your story took me right back there 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Iain Kelly Jun 20, 2018 / 13:43

    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 🙂

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  5. Rowena Jun 20, 2018 / 14:23

    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

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    • Keith's Ramblings Jun 21, 2018 / 09:27

      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!

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  6. jillyfunnell Jun 20, 2018 / 15:21

    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.

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    • Keith's Ramblings Jun 21, 2018 / 09:22

      It’s wonderful that having falling into disuse, the inland Waterways Associatiion are now maintaining them and giving them new life.Thanks Jilly.

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  7. pennygadd51 Jun 20, 2018 / 18:55

    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.

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  10. Alicia Jamtaas Jun 20, 2018 / 22:59

    What a treat your story is. Good feelings all around. The horse, the boat and the lucky families who got them.

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Dale Jun 21, 2018 / 04:06

    This was truly lovely, Keith… Marion gets to live on and leave her mark on others…

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. draliman Jun 21, 2018 / 07:41

    I’m glad Marion is still plying a trade, if a slightly different one. With upgrades!

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. Sandra Jun 21, 2018 / 08:42

    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.

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    • Keith's Ramblings Jun 21, 2018 / 09:06

      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.

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  18. syncwithdeep Jun 21, 2018 / 13:57

    Great story with a historical touch.

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  21. Woman walking Max Jun 21, 2018 / 16:17

    I really like the gentle tone of your story, accepting of how things change, and continue on in a different way. Lovely tale.

    Liked by 1 person

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  23. Lynn Love Jun 21, 2018 / 18:35

    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

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  24. Russell Gayer Jun 21, 2018 / 19:28

    I’m happy for the boat. Let’s hope Hercules didn’t wind up in the glue factory.

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    • Keith's Ramblings Jun 21, 2018 / 22:04

      After all those years towing Marion, Hercules was a pretty tough cookie – woe betide anyone who tried to do anything unpleasant to him!

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  30. liz young Jun 22, 2018 / 17:17

    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.

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    • Keith's Ramblings Jun 22, 2018 / 19:23

      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

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  31. Sarah Ann Jun 22, 2018 / 20:03

    A lovely slice of history, and Marion continues through life loved and occasionally updated.

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  33. Denise Hammond Jun 23, 2018 / 19:42

    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.

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    • Keith's Ramblings Jun 24, 2018 / 13:12

      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!

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  35. Fatima Fakier Jun 24, 2018 / 10:13

    I like the history behind the boat. I wonder more about Gideon and what happened to him.

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  37. Kelvin M. Knight's blog Jun 25, 2018 / 08:02

    Oh no, poor Hercules, hope he doesn’t come unstuck. Lovely take on the prompt, Keith, A real taste of history and reality unreality.

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