Friday 3 October 2008

Narrowboat Names (nothing to do with potatoes)

Yesterday we explored a bit more of the Kennet and Avon Canal starting from Kintbury (towpaths are good flat walking places for wonky knees and crutches). We manned the lock gates for "Maris Widgeon" to pass through - we got talking to the owner and his wife. I was interested in the name, especially because one of my closest friends is called Maris.
The boat was named by her previous and first owner after a brand of wheat. Now that is a surprise - one would have thought that perhaps the Widgeon part of the name was a bird. Apparently Maris Widgeon is a type of wheat especially grown to be used in thatching because it produces very long stalks. So my dear Maris, when you read this - perhaps you were not named after the famous potato but a type of wheat?

5 comments:

Lane Mathias said...

I'm sure your friend is very pleased - Maris is a lovely name. Not sure about the 'Widgeon'. I think Piper sounds nicer;-)

Millennium Housewife said...

It just goes to show... If only we all stopped to take the time of day with someone, I think I'll give it a try. MH

Suburbia said...

How interesting.
I love the colours of the painted canal boats.

Liz Hinds said...

I've just been reading a Katie Fforde book called Going Dutch about - oh, no, it was a barge not a narrowboat - or are they the same? Predictable but good fun.

I thought widgeon was bird-connected too.

Lakeland Jo said...

thanks so much for visiting my blog. I enjoyed visting yours and will come back.
Excited to have a fellow rugby fan visiting my blog- we came down to Quins last year and had a great time.