The Inkwell
Salford, 6th April 2020
#fowc #engine
Every mechanic knows – it’s
Not the wheels , but the engine that
Get’s a driver from A to B
It’s truly – the heart of any transport
Naval, bus, car or motor bike
Exception – if you’re reliant on foot or pedal power
Salford Quays, 14th July 2018
a tale of the first time in the canal…from one of the goslings….Interpreted by Inky 🙂
It’s a bit hard stepping out
from the little nursery pool
to the great big vast waterway
but at least my family are nearby
mum and dad watching proudly on
no water wings required
chasing my brothers and sisters about the water
just flap my feathered feet and watch me go….
Navy ?
A Nautical colour
Very respected as the colour of the senior service
Yachts to Dreadnoughts – are adorned in it
North to South – Compass bearings
Are used to navigate
Vessels through dangerous waters –
Yomping through ice and hiding from the enemy
Naval Company Colours
Anchored off the shoreline are
Very Dark in Colour – when not in camouflage
Yet Revered by all who wear it.
Note, however though all men on ship wear the colour
An officer, wears slightly darker
Verifying his rank on the vessel
Year upon Year
Silent Cargoes
By Brian F Kirkham
Sat by the waters edge
Awaiting the cargo ship
The goods sit and wait
Pallets of goods
Await the arrival
of the dock – bound ship
Boxes neatly stacked
for Destination – Supermarket
Tea Coffee Cocoa
Whilst going on a trip
Screws, Nails, Nuts, Sprockets, Bolts
Off across the sea
Some would say, the
Hull of this once mighty vessel was – blessed
It seems Impossible to think that now as it rusts in its
Place on the beach
Where did its cargo go ? it’s
Really hard to fathom
Everyone on the island was asked…
Could it be, they were all in on the disappearance ?
Kings Men , they ponder – but there’s not a clue in sight
Everyone remaining tight-lipped over the cargoes final
Destination
(alternate title : A Salford lads venture in the Southwest of England)
The English Riviera…
Torquay, Paignton, Brixham – the English County of Devon
One heck of a place to get to by Car, even more by rail.
Heading south, through mystical places – on an intercity train.
A great adventure when you’re only eight years old. Watching Mum and Dad take my Mermaid of a sister splashing in the sea, while I made sandcastles on the shore. And whilst I was into construction, my sister was in the art of Demolition – I didn’t mind. I just filled up my Bucket and Spade and built it up again…
There were picture postcard cottages with picturesque gardens. A wonderful setting to enjoy a Devon Cream tea. Then , a ride on a Mini Locomotive to take you from one place to the next
Donkey rides on Paignton seafront and trips to Brixham Harbour by boat – watching the sealife passing along by before landing on shore for a lovely lunch of fish and chips. Seagulls from the local harbour looked on, watching out for a dropped chip. Then we catch a bus back to Paignton to see the Elephants at the local zoo, and watch Sea lions laugh as Dad was getting sprayed by them.
Then as we walk home to the guest house, we watched the sun go behind the cove before me and my little sister headed off to bed. Later on in the week, a trip on a coach to Dartmouth and its harbour – to see some really BIG Boats.
A walk on the prom awaits us tomorrow – and another cream tea.
But for now its time for bed – and dreams of heffalumps.
They called it “The Big Ditch”
It’s filled with water, flowing up from two rivers
making their collective way toward the west
meeting up with its Liverpool Cousin.
A long time ago – It Carried large ships
taking cargo to places far and wide
But new lines lift the strain –
With Cargo moved now by Train
So canal carries people not things
and pleasure to people visiting it brings
with museums by the football stadium, hotels and shops
the canal life keeps moving and doesn’t stop
