A longish one, as I have been tardy, and need to catch up. If you just want to find out where The Art Boat will be in the next few weeks, scroll to the bottom for the next three tour dates.
As you are probably aware, I am travelling with my good friends Jules and Pete on The Hippie Boat this year. It has been good for me as I’ve had the chance to visit canals that are not on my usual trading route. Considering I am a North West lass, it is unforgivable that until this year I have never been on The Leeds and Liverpool canal or the Rochdale. They are both not a million miles from where I used to have a home mooring.
We are now on the Calder and Hebble, and I have learned that the Calder Spike is not a landscape feature, but a long piece of wood tapered at the handle end that is used instead of a windlass on this particular stretch of canal. When Pete first showed it to me I thought “why is he carrying round a table leg?” I have been presented with the poor man’s version, which is a 3ft piece of 2” by 2.5”. It works just as well.
I have been blown away by the beauty of The Rochdale canal. I loved travelling through Manchester, with the busyness, graffiti and mixture of new and old buildings.
Coming out of Manchester was a bit grim though. Low water levels made progress slow and rubbish in the canal meant multiple visits down the weed hatch.
Jules kept telling me that it would all be worth it, and she was so right!
Wow…just wow! I have fallen in love with this canal. The landscape is incredibly beautiful, and the towns nestling within it are so welcoming. I have so many paintings waiting to happen…I just need to find the time 🕰️🎨
We stopped on the way to Todmorden to see old friends Jilly, Dave and Sophie dog on their lovely mooring. A hidden gem of a place, paradise on the canal…I will definitely return.
We were delighted when Jilly and Dave decided to come down to Todmorden and Hebden Bridge and trade with us. I loved both these Yorkshire towns. They both had so much to offer. Many people ask me about the shops and the pubs when I have been to a place, but I can very rarely give an opinion on either as I am neither a pub goer or a shopper. However on this occasion I can tell you that I had a lovely meal at the Golden Lion in Todmorden, which is a hub for the town, hosting group meetings and classes. There is also a bakery in the square behind the pub which is to die for. I had a blueberry bread thing, which I can’t remember the name of, but will be dreaming about for a long time to come. The outings with Lily are what I will remember most about Hebden, as Jilly and Dave took me on some fabulous walks, along the river valley and Lily and Sophie became good pals. Water baby Sophie even encouraged scaredy cat Lily to dip her toes in the water…unfortunately I don’t have photographic evidence!
I have got very side tracked and not talked about art at all, but I can assure you this journey is most definitely leading to a group of paintings based on the Calder Valley’s lush landscape… when the travelling slows down. I have however, already managed to complete these two little paintings of Todmorden and Hebden Bridge. Both are acrylic on 5” cradled birch board. I love the feel of working on these panels, they are lightweight yet sturdy. I think they may be my new favourite small size.
(click the painting to go to the website)
Next 3 Tour Dates
BRIGHOUSE. : Sat 10th & Sun 11th June
STANLEY FERRY. : Sat 17th & Sun 18th June
KNOTTINGLY. : Sat 24th & Sun 25th June
Please be aware that these dates may change if we are unable to navigate to a place due to stoppages.
Hope to see you on my travels…but if not remember you can also keep up to date on my Facebook page, and you can contact me here
Take care…until next time
Jan x