The Approach to Blisworth Canal Festival 2012

Stoke Bruerne on Friday Evening

OMG we have just had the most fantastic weekend at Blisworth Canal Festival. Loads of stalls, food and craft demonstrations there is just so much to tell you I really don't know where to start!!
We moored up in Blisworth a few days before the festival started, it wasn't clear where we were allowed to more in the town so we ended up going through to Stoke Bruerne and overnighting there.  We headed back the next day after phoning the organisers and finding out visitor moorings were between bridges 49 & 50 just outside the town. 

Blisworth 

It was only about a 10 minute walk to the centre, up a very steep hill. Luckily for us there is a well placed pub right at the top The Royal Oak Its a lovely oldie worldie c1600 pub that serves a rather spiffing All Day Breakfast.  The ceilings covered in beams some so low even I had to duck!!. So we just had to sample that didn't we, and we did, more than once ;)   We also visited the only shop/post office there to get some essentials.  We did have a bit of a nightmare in there, as none of their card machines were working and we had no cash. So they ended up having to open the post office specially to enable me to get some cash out. Not sure if it was for my benefit or theirs to be honest, as I did get the feeling I wouldn't be leaving the shop empty handed and shopkeeper was going to make sure he got hold of some of my cash.
After eating, we headed back down the hill to the canal. 

Blisworth Village

The village is really pretty, very small and very well kept i wouldn't be surprised if it hadn't won a best kept village award in the past and if it hadn't, it should have. There is a definite sense of history here and you can feel the pride the locals have for their village. You can see it everywhere, in the stunning cottage gardens, or the quaint little church with well kept greens, the tidy hedges that enclose peoples gardens whilst lining the lanes through the village and the complete lack of litter anywhere. 

Each time we returned to Rae we chatted to different boaters who were also moored up waiting for the festival to start. Everyone was really friendly and chatty and we felt quite at home. For each day that passed, more and more boats arrived. All shapes and sizes, ages and conditions. Thursday things started to feel more festive. There was still the lovely friendly atmosphere but now something new was being added, it was colour. All were outside tinkering with their boats, including Yog. There was polishing, essential maintenance and decorating starting to happen. Bunting was starting to appear. All shapes sizes and shades. Made me really wish We had some too. 
Gazebo's, umbrellas and comfy chairs were popping up apx every 50 feet and by the evening, most of the boats were wearing their festival finery, lining towpath all the way down into the village. Their solar lights leading the way. Next time I'm going to be part of it. Part of the boat decorating day!!
We did manage to find our Jolly Rodger though which is now flying defiantly above us.  As well as Yogs severed arm, which is hanging on for dear life to the back button fender.  So what with that, and Rae having Captain Nasty at the bow, we deffo have a theme going on already!

Me making fenders in the sun

Speaking of themes, One chap had arranged a mammoth collection of rubber ducks on the roof of his boat. They looked as if they were swimming down the centre of his roof!!  I really wish I had a picture to show you, it had to be seen to be believed.
Another chap, who, had told me was a Santa at Christmas time and I'm not at all surprised, even without the red suit and reindeer he obviously was Santa. Anyway, he was doing demonstrations with rope. Showing people how to make different knots and weaves and offering advice and help on all things ropey. He and his wife had a wonderful working pair that was bright and obviously most loved as well as covered with rope accessories. His padlocks were even decorated with Turks Heads!! He very kindly showed me how to tie West Country Whipping so I can finish the fenders I am making for Rae off nicely.