Canals and poems

I've been asked by an interesting blog whether they can use my photo of a canal bridge to illustrate a poem.

The site's called Waterlines, and it's a blend of history and poetry about the UK's waterways network.

This is the photo. It's of Bridge No 1 on the Trent and Mersey Canal. The poem is, apparently, about this very bridge.  I've said yes, and I await the blog post with interest!

Meanwhile, here's something I wrote some time ago, when Jobbing Writer Morning AJ was known as the History Anorak......



What Masefield Missed

Painted narrow horse-boat with its polished butty
Climbing through the lock pounds, one by one
With a cargo of limestone
Iron waste, spelter
Carpets, vinegar
Or pure black coal.

Based on Cargoes by John Masefield

Bedtime reading

This is currently on my dressing table ready for bedtime reading. I fancied some short stories and received this little collection from Santa (it was in my Yule stocking).

I've been familiar with the works of LTC Rolt for some time, ever since I worked for British Waterways, and knew I'd enjoy it. They're short tales, all with some sort of travel theme, because Rolt was a transport historian. And as the title suggests, they're ghost stories.

So far none of them have been terribly scary - but they are of a sort that doesn't often get written these days. They feature isolated, creepy inns and foggy nights; grotesque figures looming from the dark; mysterious smells and lights through the trees beside a road.  It's an entertaining book with a flavour of an earlier age.
Thoroughly enjoyable - but I'm still sleeping well.