Coconuts and trainers!

It is well known in the boating world that the two most often sighted items floating in the canals are trainers....

....and coconuts....

I have often wondered as to the origins of these items and there is an interesting thread currently going on on the CanalWorld Forum suggesting that the coconuts are down to Hindu funerals. There is still some speculation as to whether the ashes of the deceased are placed inside them, money and gifts are placed inside them or they are simply an offering to the gods. The debate continues and it is an interesting one; maybe someone can help?

As the trainers, no such debate exists! I can only suppose they are either knocked overboard or disgarded by kids mucking about canalside in summer weather? Both items obviously exist for a very long time due to the longevity of their materials and so have a chance to accumulate.

The last of the daffodils were planted today so I'm ready for the spring! It was nice to have a break during the planting in order to chat to a lady on the bridge, (sorry, I didn't ask your name - oops!) who was a follower of this blog. It was great to chat about all sorts of boating issues and opinions and gave me a valued chance of getting my energy back for the final few bulbs!

On a more serious and much sadder note, we are all devastated this evening by the news that one of the residential team here, a new boater who was very much 'living the dream' and was always seen waving and smiling was tragically killed last night in a car crash. I spent much of this afternoon with John helping the family sort the boat out for them and shutting it down. It brings a sobering thought to everyone when something sudden happens like this and all our thoughts are 100% with his family and friends at this sad time; it's times like this that the boating community has to put all differences aside and pull together.