Sunday, December 19, 2010

New Year Peace Boats

Hi Hope all the intrepid dog walkers enjoyed the winter wonderland of the hill. Hope you have some great pictures.
Wanted to remind everyone of the new year eve peace boat tradition ( must be all of ten years old) of Castlefields. There are no organizers or rules and time is difficult to gauge as the children start earlier and the big boat builders fall out the pub at about 5:30ish. The aim is to send a boat with some kind of light over the weir. Very few manage this, but it is great fun watching with the help of mulled wine and mince pies or refreshments of your choice.
Basically, any type of home made boat which a) floats and b) holds a tea light or other type of light, LED lights have been successful but don't, in my view , have the same effect. The launch of these boats can be tricky depending on if you lower the boat over the bridge and have given due consideration to a) how to let the string go without tipping the boat over and wetting the light, and
b) if the river has risen or fallen since you last assessed the length of said rope. Many a disappointed boat builder has fallen at the first hurdle. Some launch from the towpath ( better for the children) but difficult to assess the eddies and currents,and boats frequently hit the path or other boats resulting in a spectacular fire.
The builders and designers really go to town with some boats having fireworks and rockets , many boats are made from old paper lampshades . I have known dead pet mice that have been given the full viking funeral.
So I hope to see the Dog walkers make a stunning effort. Can anyone willow weaver a dog shaped boat?

1 comment:

Anth said...

Sounds fascinating Jill. Thanks for posting and letting us know!