Great deluge of 2012 - Fazeley flesh-pots -'Tits' Magee - Mr Darlington I presume? - Tankards of Beer - Moon River - Great Cheese football crash of 2008 -Yes, we have no egrets.
Having lived through the great deluge of 2012. I now take every opportunity to do a little relaxing in the sunshine.
Perhaps a glass of wine and a good book, as I settle into the folding chair beside the boat.........
I had been re-reading Terry Darlington's 'Narrow Dog to Indian River' and was enjoying the description of his alter-ego character 'Tits Magee'
Sometimes I become so engrossed with a book that it suspends reality and I find it is good practice to occasionally look up from the page, if only to focus on guiding the wine-glass to your lips.
I was surprised to see 'Tits Magee' materialize on the back of boat and slowly drift past. This was a worrying development as obviously the combined effects of sun and wine were releasing my grip on reality.
Well bless my soul.......it was, it really was, the great adventurer himself Mr Terry Darlington alias 'Tits' Magee who for some reason was without his crimson suit (read the book)
"What a coincidence, I am just reading Indian River" as I waved the book in greeting....
"Persevere with it - it gets better" suggested Terry.
As Monica Darlington jumped off with the bow rope and Terry threw me the centre rope, I was soon surrounded by the whole team including whippets Jim and Jess who had materialized minutes earlier because they can project into the future ( read the books)
Terry and Monica had been on tour promoting the 'Narrowdog' trilogy and had travelled that very day from the great sprawling metropolis of Fazeley and had succumbed to the many attractions including the Indian Restaurant and Tesco Express store. They looked a little tired, which is not surprising after their hedonistic sojourn in the canal town that is Fazeley.
Terry very kindly invited us for a few drinks a little later in the day, after they had rested from their travails.
We duly arrived bearing additional alcoholic libations. This was an honour indeed as I sipped my way though Terry's beer supplies in a pewter tankard he reserves for guests. Perhaps drunken guests are prone to drop glasses as I noticed the pewter had a few dents. This was a very sound idea as I made a mental note to buy a tankard, as even I have been known to drop the odd glass.
Supping beer from the tankard and scoffing the olives, I noticed the marked absence of the rare cheese footballs
( read the books) .......
These have been responsible for the collapse of all major economies since the publication of their rarity in 2008 by 'Indian River' - I prophesy that when the green shoots of Cheese-football production appear again - all will be well with the world.
Jim was not in the mood to sing 'Moon River' for us ( read the books) and I sensed that Jess could not remember the words, (neither could I) so she had her ears stroked instead.
Chatting with Terry and Monica was an unforeseen delight.
'This was the Turtle not the mock' as Terry is given to say.....
Terry is famous for his brilliant sense of written humour but
read a little deeper and you begin to appreciate the sheer guts and bravery of both Monica and Terry in completing their challenging adventures. They obviously considered the risks and took an informed stab at the challenge - but like all true adventurers they won through by planning and
pure honest guts...... a rare thing nowadays........oh, yes my dear reader, Terry and Monica Darlington are without doubt the Turtle - not the mock.
If you have been continuous cruising on the Martian canals
Terry's books are :
'Narrowdog to Carcassonne'
'Narrowdog to Indian River'
'Narrowdog to Wigan Pier'
Buy them to ensure that 'Phyllis May II' never runs out diesel and Terry never runs out of beer
.......................you will have no egrets.
There
is a glitch with the Google software and sometimes the 'Comments' box
at the end of the post will not appear. If you would like to leave any
comments just click on 'no comments' and the box will appear like
magic....simples!!!!! :) Remember for a REAL cock-up you need a computer. just scroll down.
Having lived through the great deluge of 2012. I now take every opportunity to do a little relaxing in the sunshine.
Perhaps a glass of wine and a good book, as I settle into the folding chair beside the boat.........
I had been re-reading Terry Darlington's 'Narrow Dog to Indian River' and was enjoying the description of his alter-ego character 'Tits Magee'
Sometimes I become so engrossed with a book that it suspends reality and I find it is good practice to occasionally look up from the page, if only to focus on guiding the wine-glass to your lips.
I was surprised to see 'Tits Magee' materialize on the back of boat and slowly drift past. This was a worrying development as obviously the combined effects of sun and wine were releasing my grip on reality.
Well bless my soul.......it was, it really was, the great adventurer himself Mr Terry Darlington alias 'Tits' Magee who for some reason was without his crimson suit (read the book)
"What a coincidence, I am just reading Indian River" as I waved the book in greeting....
"Persevere with it - it gets better" suggested Terry.
As Monica Darlington jumped off with the bow rope and Terry threw me the centre rope, I was soon surrounded by the whole team including whippets Jim and Jess who had materialized minutes earlier because they can project into the future ( read the books)
 |
| Monica and Terry Darlington Chris Hill Copyright. |
Terry and Monica had been on tour promoting the 'Narrowdog' trilogy and had travelled that very day from the great sprawling metropolis of Fazeley and had succumbed to the many attractions including the Indian Restaurant and Tesco Express store. They looked a little tired, which is not surprising after their hedonistic sojourn in the canal town that is Fazeley.
Terry very kindly invited us for a few drinks a little later in the day, after they had rested from their travails.
We duly arrived bearing additional alcoholic libations. This was an honour indeed as I sipped my way though Terry's beer supplies in a pewter tankard he reserves for guests. Perhaps drunken guests are prone to drop glasses as I noticed the pewter had a few dents. This was a very sound idea as I made a mental note to buy a tankard, as even I have been known to drop the odd glass.
Supping beer from the tankard and scoffing the olives, I noticed the marked absence of the rare cheese footballs
( read the books) .......
These have been responsible for the collapse of all major economies since the publication of their rarity in 2008 by 'Indian River' - I prophesy that when the green shoots of Cheese-football production appear again - all will be well with the world.
Jim was not in the mood to sing 'Moon River' for us ( read the books) and I sensed that Jess could not remember the words, (neither could I) so she had her ears stroked instead.
Chatting with Terry and Monica was an unforeseen delight.
'This was the Turtle not the mock' as Terry is given to say.....
Terry is famous for his brilliant sense of written humour but
read a little deeper and you begin to appreciate the sheer guts and bravery of both Monica and Terry in completing their challenging adventures. They obviously considered the risks and took an informed stab at the challenge - but like all true adventurers they won through by planning and
pure honest guts...... a rare thing nowadays........oh, yes my dear reader, Terry and Monica Darlington are without doubt the Turtle - not the mock.
 |
| Monica and Terry Darlington with Jim and Jess. Fradley Junction. Chris Hill Copyright |
If you have been continuous cruising on the Martian canals
Terry's books are :
'Narrowdog to Carcassonne'
'Narrowdog to Indian River'
'Narrowdog to Wigan Pier'
Buy them to ensure that 'Phyllis May II' never runs out diesel and Terry never runs out of beer
.......................you will have no egrets.
 |
| Another tight spot for our hero - Terry Darlington on the Trent and Mersey. |
Read these great books over the years.....absolute delight
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