Back in the boat again

It’s been a busy day and a successful one, but we’re now pretty tired, naturally. So I’ll keep this bit brief and put my quiz in at the end for folk to wrestle with.

Elanor has been brilliant, turning up at half eight on her day off and shuttling stuff to and fro between the lodge and the boat. She and I took the Henry across first, together with a first load of clothes, and gave the boat a good vacuuming as well as relighting the fire.

Then we took Henry back and moved a load of stuff; it’s amazing how much had travelled from  boat to lodge over the ten days. Finally we all went back to the boat, leaving the lodge ready for the snaggers today and the cleaners tomorrow. Actually, we’ve just realised that we’ve left some onions, spuds and my big chef’s pan over there, so a quick trip across in the morning is indicated.

Sheila and Elanor then took a confused Sally over to the towpath for a game of copse and rompers whilst I sorted out the galley and baked some bread for lunch.

This afternoon’s been spent getting straight in the boat, changing the bed (which would normally have been done last Monday) and starting a wash load.

Tomorrow, apart from the trip to the lodge, we go into Derby to have my hearing aid checked out; that’s a routine appointment, it seems absolutely fine to me.

Now, here’s the quiz:

Christmas General Knowledge

1 Which company first put Santa Claus in red in its adverts?
2 “Good King Wenceslas looked out/On the Feast of Stephen”: what do we call the Feast of Stephen these days?
3 In the classic children’s story, whose father was the first man in the dog house?
4 In which year did New Year’s Day come before Christmas Day?
5 Whose consort introduced the Christmas tree to England?


Boaters not Floaters

1 What is unusual about Aston and Weston Locks on the Trent and Mersey?
2 What is an uxter plate?
3 A wide beam boat sets off from Mercia Marina. How far south can it get whilst staying on the inland waterways?
4 Which tunnel is the longest, deepest and highest on the connected system?
5 If you boat from Bull’s Bridge on the Grand Union to the Basingstoke canal, how many navigation fees must you pay (including your current licence)?


Those Classic Christmas Films

1 “Major Strasse has been shot.” What does Captain Renault say next?
2 Which Hitchcock film begins with the line “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again”?
3 “If you go, where shall I go, what shall I do?” What was the memorable answer?
4 Sean, George, Roger, Timothy, Daniel. What’s the connection?
5 What musical was based on The Story of the Trapp Family Singers?


Cathedrals on the Cut

Name the cathedral city:

1 A city at the end of a canal that carries its name. Here you will find Paddy’s Wigwam.
2 A city at the end of a canal that carries its name. Here you will find a large transport museum and a 20th century cathedral dedicated to reconciliation.
3 A city where the canal that carries its name meets a river navigation. You can moor by the racecourse.
4 A mediaeval city with many half timbered buildings. You can shop in the Rows.
5 The canal terminates in this city in Lochrin Basin. The city is famous for its tattoos and fringes.

Answers next week; please don't put spoilers in the comments! If you like you can email them to me if you want to demonstrate your skill and memory. Braidbar Owners will have a bit of an advantage as I've used many of these questions in the Owners' Weekend quiz down the years.