DISCUSSION THREAD -- October 2021 -- 300 Word Writing Challenge #43

[farntfar]

A couple of other barge references for you.

If I recall correctly, the Gyptians (Farther Corder(?) etc), in Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass, lived on barges of this type, although probably bigger river and sea worthy barges, which are also sailable. (Look for pictures of "Thames barges" on the internet, with their Gaff rigging, and Lee boards)

When the canal barges came to a place where the canal went through a tunnel , which are genarally narrow, and where the drawing horses could not go, the horse was led over the top, and the people would lie down on the barge with their legs over the edge, propelling the barge forward by essentially walking horizontally along the tunnel's wall. With motorised barges, this is no longer necessary, of course.

This was where the expression "legging it" came from.

So if I included the cry "Quick. Leg it!" in my story, you'll understand the reference. (Please feel free to use the phrase yourself, if you're so inclined.)

 

[Luiglin]

A couple of other barge references for you.

If I recall correctly, the Gyptians (Farther Corder(?) etc), in Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass, lived on barges of this type, although probably bigger river and sea worthy barges, which are also sailable. (Look for pictures of "Thames barges" on the internet, with their Gaff rigging, and Lee boards)

When the canal barges came to a place where the canal went through a tunnel , which are genarally narrow, and where the drawing horses could not go, the horse was led over the top, and the people would lie down on the barge with their legs over the edge, propelling the barge forward by essentially walking horizontally along the tunnel's wall. With motorised barges, this is no longer necessary, of course.

This was where the expression "legging it" came from.

So if I included the cry "Quick. Leg it!" in my story, you'll understand the reference. (Please feel free to use the phrase yourself, if you're so inclined.)

I've legged a canal barge through the tunnel at the Black Country Living Museum. Well worth a trip if you're in the Midlands.

 

[Dan Jones]

When the canal barges came to a place where the canal went through a tunnel , which are genarally narrow, and where the drawing horses could not go, the horse was led over the top, and the people would lie down on the barge with their legs over the edge, propelling the barge forward by essentially walking horizontally along the tunnel's wall. With motorised barges, this is no longer necessary, of course.

My great-grandfather on my grandmother's side was a lighterman. He used to push Thames barges along the river after they were loaded up with goods at the docks, and deliver them to their final destination. When they got to low tunnels or bridges they'd lie on their back on the deck and propel the boat along by pushing the underside of the bridge above them. Hard work for tough men. Again, they were made redundant by motorised barges but the men who did this job were remembered by the Worshipful Company of Watermen and Lightermen.

PS It's Farder Coram (I read Northern Lights two weeks ago )

 

[BT Jones]

My great-grandfather on my grandmother's side was a lighterman. He used to push Thames barges along the river after they were loaded up with goods at the docks, and deliver them to their final destination. When they got to low tunnels or bridges they'd lie on their back on the deck and propel the boat along by pushing the underside of the bridge above them. Hard work for tough men. Again, they were made redundant by motorised barges but the men who did this job were remembered by the Worshipful Company of Watermen and Lightermen.

PS It's Farder Coram (I read Northern Lights two weeks ago )

Imagine the number of old jobs that will mystify the next generation!

 

[Ursa major]

The Challenge is now open!

 

[Peter V]

A very strong start. Now where did I leave my muse?

 

[nixie]

A very strong start. Now where did I leave my muse?

Probably gone off with mine, floating away on a barge.

 

[Ursa major]

My muse must be locked away somewhere....

 

[BT Jones]

Man, that was a struggle. 2 aborted versions, both totaling 360 words each: groundhog day. 3rd time's a charm, someone said...

 

[Valtharius]

Man, that was a struggle. 2 aborted versions, both totaling 360 words each: groundhog day. 3rd time's a charm, someone said...

Take 150 words selected at random from each and combine them.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Astro Pen: The unusual combination of highly advanced future technology and a deliberately chosen pastoral way of life provides great interest in this imaginative science fiction story. Even more intriguing is the moral ambiguity of the plot, reflecting a degree of literary sophistication far more advanced than in an ordinary tale of heroes and villains.

BT Jones: A high degree of realism fills this dystopian vision of a tomorrow that is all too likely to resemble that awaiting us. The fact that the challenges faced by the protagonist are the same as those threatening people in many parts of the world today adds much poignancy to the theme.

AnRoinnUltra: The lighthearted mood of this comic portal fantasy is sure to earn a smile from the reader. The misadventures of the narrator provide a delightfully merry sense of chaos, contrasting effectively with the dry, matter-of-fact tone of the punchline.

 

[Droflet]

Opps.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Rafellin: A bittersweet sense of nostalgia fills this gently melancholy tale of tragedy and survival. The extraordinary way in which the author makes things that do not yet exist seem like romantic memories of the past results in something special.

 

[HareBrain]

Has it been shunted into a creek?? Or ah, deposited into the scrub. The image doesn't show and it might inform my entry. It's your image, HB. What say you, good sir?

Sorry this is so late, Drof. The photo shows it moored on the (far) bank of the Wey Navigation in Surrey, UK. ("Navigation" in this sense is a river that has been made navigable to boats by adding locks, towpaths etc.)

I didn't realise it was called Mr Baggins when I took the pic -- I was mostly interested in the light on the thistles and cobwebs. Though Baggins and boats don't go together, Baggins and cobwebs definitely do!

 

[Phyrebrat]

Sorry this is so late, Drof. The photo shows it moored on the (far) bank of the Wey Navigation in Surrey, UK. ("Navigation" in this sense is a river that has been made navigable to boats by adding locks, towpaths etc.)

I didn't realise it was called Mr Baggins when I took the pic -- I was mostly interested in the light on the thistles and cobwebs. Though Baggins and boats don't go together, Baggins and cobwebs definitely do!

May I add that from my childhood experience, fishing on the Wey Navigation was rubbish! Very small roach-bream hybrids, tiny gudgeon and eels.

So, if you’re 300 word entry contains a pike, I’ll know…

 

[Peter V]

Having read the latest entry in the 300, I have had to go for a lie down.

 

[Dan Jones]

Even if that's not intended as a compliment, I'm taking it as one.

 

[Peter V]

Even if that's not intended as a compliment, I'm taking it as one.

It's certainly not a criticism. It was a mind blowing and somewhat "trippy" experience to say the least

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Dan Jones: Sufficient slapstick mishaps appear on the surface of this lightning-paced farce to provide as much amusement as any reader could require. Under this superficial layer, however, one can detect a criticism of the way that much popular culture celebrates characters who should, instead, be anathematized.

 

[Dan Jones]

Dan Jones: Sufficient slapstick mishaps appear on the surface of this lightning-paced farce to provide as much amusement as any reader could require. Under this superficial layer, however, one can detect a criticism of the way that much popular culture celebrates characters who should, instead, be anathematized.

Thanks Victoria. I think you got more from that than I did!