On the bank, in the diary
The wharf calendar
Eight days a year the canal closes ranks and the county turns out.
The Frost-Off
The day the flight reopens after hard frost. The flag goes up, the first boat of the year descends Lock 27 to applause of the entire tea urn queue, and the 1911 pump is blessed, informally, with a mug of tea on its housing.
Roses & Castles Weekend
Open towyard. Nesta paints in the window, visitors paint a small can to take home, and the nine-month humbug queue inducts its new members with the traditional suspension of impatience.
The Horse Weekend
The Nell & Ivy pair runs horse-drawn for two days, the only dates all year. The current Islay walks the towpath. Attendance record: most of the county, on both towpaths.
Lantern Season
The evening lantern passage runs the lower flight with lamps on the cratch board. The tea urn closes early so everyone can ride.
The Rate Meeting
Toll rates fixed for the year over one long table and one longer lunch. Visitors may watch the handshake renewals, including Kennel Lane's two-sentence contract, renewed aloud.
Paint-the-Flight Day
Volunteers repaint a named lock's gate beams and balance arms in house colours. Lock 27's duck-egg gates have been re-died every year since 1979, on principle and on schedule.
The Biscuit Tin Review
Martha's enamel orders are opened and checked against the shop standard. Outcome is written in the towyard book. Past outcomes: 'Nothing changed.' 'Nothing changed.' 'Nothing changed.'
Islay's Pension
The hay delivery to the meadow. Not a public event, but the crew treats it as one, and the meadow's current occupant is alleged to enjoy the attention.