Bartimaeus

We had an evening in The Anchor pub with Jude in Boroughbridge. It came recommended, but possibly because the food was hearty and inexpensive and we were not getting that benefit. We weren’t attracted by the pool table or sport screens but they didn’t dominate or distract either. There was some amusement at the antics of various dogs with very different appearance and characters, most of which visited our table at some point. 

Jude was surprised to see an old photograph on the wall that could be the interior of her own place. It is a converted brewery so perhaps it was not so strange that it should be on a local pub wall. I was also amused by the hangover cures on the wall. It might be strange to be reminding the customers that they might get a hangover, but on the other hand it might be hoping you’ll have another drink and try one of these cures in the morning. Some are much more appealing than others.

None of us are heavy drinkers so were safe from having to try any of the cures. We did meet someone on our way out, who might have had one too many and he struck up conversation with us. Already impressed that we lived on a boat and wanted to know who drove and seemed to further admire Shane for attracting two women and declared he had had the”best of both”! Jude and I did not explore what he might think were our best qualities or skills. We all went merrily on our way.

Jude joined us the next day on our cruise towards Linton. Fortunately the sun shone and the kingfishers were active. Shane and Jude saw what they thought might be an otter in the water too. I missed the sight, only catching rings in the water, but there was no missing the strange squeaks and yelping barks that followed. On the return to our lunch spot and Jude’s point for heading back we heard the same noises again. I looked up on my phone what noise an otter makes and it sounded just the same. Right enough one of the regulars in the pub in Linton had told us he had seen otters and they used to be regularly beside him in the morning but he hadn’t seen them for a while. 

It might have occurred to us to share this exciting bit of news when we met him, but by the time we got there, nature study wasn’t uppermost in our minds. More pressing was that when we switched from electric to diesel, the throttle lever gave no acceleration beyond tickover. We made slow progress, trying to decide between gentle charging on tickover or faster  travel but further depletion of the batteries. We managed to get moored before dark, but were still travelling at sunset. A heron was still out and about too.

We had just missed the serving window at the pub, on curry night too, but beelined there anyway and ordered a drink, not worried about food but relieved to see our otter spotting friend there – we knew from our previous  visit that he had a reputation as a boat mechanic and our hopes were pinned on him.

He made no promises but did not disappoint, arriving in the morning to see what he could do. We could not have got a better service. Our issue was diagnosed and a spare cable found and fitted within the morning. 

Meanwhile the boater who had previously warned us about rising water on our last visit to Linton, and praised the mechanic, was not in good health. We met him on our way into the pub, having a little smoke but saying he should give up as he was having breathing difficulties. The woman at the bar gave him her own nebuliser and told him to ring her mobile if he needed anything at all. The next morning we asked him how he was and he was improved. We could see why he liked staying near here with the kind attention of the locals.

We had got up too late to take advantage of the other recommendation of pies at the nearest post office, which tended to vanish by 9.30. Still we cycled to the shop and found it had a number of attractions. A well stocked shop and a well decorated post box.

We fancied trying out the little cafe. The board was outside but we were not sure how to get in. There were plants for sale and an attractive path that lured me up to a locked door. I saw a cute little barrow that looked just like one I had as a child, which seems a slightly strange gift but it was used lots and very popular with the next generation and lasted several decades.

A woman approached as I was coming out and asked if she could help. I was in fact encroaching on her garden and the cafe was behind a large locked gate. She apologised for closing early but she had to have a tooth removed. She was clutching her face and a little blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. We felt so sorry to have been in her way. She just wanted to go and lie down but she showed us what is usually available and despite having much discomfort herself, apologised again and asked if we had needed to use her toilet (often a coffee stop is also a toilet stop and they were the only option in town) we said we were fine and she should get her nap and sorry to have bothered her. We felt bad to be leaving the next day without giving her custom.

We continued to patronise the pub with dinner booked in ahead. It was steak night but also other specials and the full usual menu was available. Shane had enjoyed the joke that the vegetarian wellington was rubbery and plumped for it anyway. I discovered I was her guinea pig for moussaka. As always the portions were generous. I helped Shane with his brassicas and he helped me with my massive moussaka.

We were back for fish special for lunch and had a farewell drink in the evening, with the bonus of the blood moon on the way.

While we filled with water, the next morning, I tried to go to see if anyone was around, but our neighbour was sleeping after some night fishing and the pub didn’t open until noon. We were sorry to leave this friendly place with banter and support for friends and strangers alike in abundance, without saying goodbye, but moving on is the only way to find the the next attraction and we have appointments to keep.

We headed to York to find mooring tricky with very little space so we had to use the middle and back ropes only on the end of the rings. It wasn’t ideal but only for one day. I had my mind set on getting buttons while I was in a town with a shop called Duttons For Buttons, I couldn’t let it pass. I was offered a bewildering array of possibles with personal assistance and allowed to take them out of the shop to compare with the wool in daylight – yet more excellent service and they do a button matching service for on line orders too.

On the way we heard singing and saw a small crowd. We are used to street performers in Edinburgh but kudos to these two for talent and novelty of combining the very different art forms of opera singing and fire dancing. The flaming baton was flung breathtakingly high accompanying the equally breathtaking high notes from the soprano. They can be hired for weddings or other events. This wasn’t the attraction we expected in York, or anywhere else. They got my tap and tip, a small price for opera, a few pence more than my five buttons.