Along the canal
Locks, towpaths and the quieter journey to Little Tallowmere.
Ada Brimble’s narrow boat is called Patience. Marigold works the towpath, while Ada handles the tiller and the changing business of locks, water levels and passing boats.
The Brindlecombe Company and the Tallow Cut Company keep their own stretches of water. At the boundary, Mr Gedge has a striped gauging rod and rules about cargo. A bell makes a less ordinary load than most.
The journey passes Pennywhistle, Fallow Hill Tunnel and the Long Pound. At Little Tallowmere the bell will leave the boat, but there is a whole night of company and work before then.
People connected with this place
Ada Brimble
Canal carrier, with the narrow boat Patience and a grey mare called Marigold.
Pip Hobday
She has come from Amberwick Passage to tell a bell the way home.
Ruth Coker
While the boat passes under Fallow Hill, Ruth takes its horse over the top.
Ruth Coker holds a lantern beside her black-and-white collie at Fallow Hill Tunnel. Josiah is partly visible at the left.
Josiah Coker
One boat, two planks, and a steady passage through the hill.
Josiah Coker, with a black beard and knitted cap, holds his lantern beside the tunnel.
Mr Gedge
The clerk who records both what a cargo weighs and, when asked, what it is.
Mr Gedge, in round spectacles, holds his striped gauging rod beside the toll office.
Nearby and connected places
Customs & details
Look closer at the illustration ↗Stories
The Narrow Boat to Little Tallowmere
Travel with Ada Brimble, Pip and a new church bell aboard Patience, along the canal to Little Tallowmere.
With Ada Brimble, Pip Hobday, Dorothea, Ruth Coker, Josiah Coker, Mr Gedge