Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally 2015

This is the second time we have visited the Braunston show, the first being last year when we tied it into viewing our current boat 'Mervyn' at nearby Rugby Boats. Like Middlewich, until our recent trip,  we have now visited when we didn't have a boat and when we have, but are yet to visit on our boat. A future holiday one day methinks... This year was the 12th year of the event and included a rally of surviving FMC - Fellows, Morton & Clayton - carrying company boats.

The cast iron bridge above, built in 1834, was erected by Thomas Telford.

Braunston church spire up on the hillside overlooking the canal

The beautiful livery of the Fellows, Morton & Clayton carrying company

Unusual boat that was apparently fabricated from different bits of old boats!

Shiny things for the magpies among us

Working boat Holland in the parade

Tim and Pru were special guests this year, the boating community have really taken them into their hearts following their recent television series 'Great Canal Journeys'.

The festival theme celebrated Fellow, Morton and Clayton or FMC carrying company and there was an impressive turnout of beautifully restored and decorated boats on display

A riot of colour everywhere

Harlequin designs are popular

The friendly (Yorkshire) chap on 'Dove' very kindly treated us to a tune from his wind up gramophone - Glen Miller's In the Mood naturally!

Looking down into the marina from the bridge, some of the original Georgian and  early Victorian buildings are still in their intended use 

Flowers decorated most of the boats at the show, just as the boat women would have done to brighten up their boats as they worked alongside their husbands

Hitching a ride for the parade

This tiny boat 'Laplander' dates from around 1830!

Yes, that is a horse inside a narrowboat. And no, it isn't real.

Don't ask!

'Sickle'  is a regular at the boat gathering

Steam powered 'Hasty' is based of the steam tunnel tug of the same name from the 1900's

The last surviving steam narrowboat 'President'

This dog obviously thought Ii had stopped to take a picture of him, not the boat 

More lovely wild flowers on the roof, I think I will start doing this myself when we travel around.

Once again we had great day, meeting up with friends, having the best 'locally sourced, free range eggs cooked in butter, served with hand cut, home cooked chips and dressed rocket (egg and chips), a few pints and a dance in the tent late into the evening. 

These boat shows are great, roll on the next one!