Who’s going to follow that horse!

As Cracker now has more time on his hooves, he’s penned the following letter:

WHAT a lovely surprise to receive such glowing praise for my monthly chats, that sadly have come to an end.

It was with bated breath that I opened the inside back page to Towpath Talk, to see who had inherited my coveted closing spot. Well done Robert Parton of Aqueduct Marina – a sterling opening effort. No doubt, if you’re to become a regular contributor, you’ll warm to your task, develop your own writing style and hopefully introduce a soupçon of entertaining humour!

I read with interest a letter from Andrew Melbourne, promoting the correct boating etiquette when passing anglers. Over the years, I’ve encountered many instances of good and bad behaviour (from both sides of an unwinnable debate).

One particular occurrence springs to mind, recounted to me by one of my long-standing and loyal crew. Most fishermen know to draw in their rods when a boat passes, but very few have encountered a horse-drawn boat. A father and young son were instructed to just duck down and let the rope pass over them. The inquisitive young lad, wanting a better view of me, immediately stood up and was catapulted into the cut.

The panicked father, intending to rescue his drowning son, dived in after him. Both individuals, realising their overreaction to a relatively harmless situation, stood up in 18in of smelly canal water and clambered, somewhat shamefacedly, back on to the bank.

Next time, if I can be bothered, I’ll recount a similar tale from the opposite viewpoint. Much love, Cracker The retired boathorse from the Montgomery Canal