Well I did say I would 'fill you in' about various hiccups before, during, and after the filming :-
The owner of 'Otter' duly arrived very early with his lovely steam launch, slipped it into the canal at Denton, tied it to a mooring post then proceeded to organise the engine etc. Everything was done ready for starting the engine, and the BBC film crew, and John Craven were waiting in great anticipation. However, the engine was struck up, started, was running nicely, then BANG! Apparently a nut at the top of the cylinder sheered off ! The owner, who had by now got the boiler nicely steaming, struggled to sort out his engine. After several minutes, a lot of grunts and groans and using different tools etc. He announced that unfortunately it was an 'in the workshop' job ! Chris noticed that there was a pair of short oars inside the boat, and there were a couple of rollocks on the gunwales - he asked if it could be rowed, then once speed had been attained, they could ship the oars and with the steam gushing from the boiler, it would look like the boat was under way ! Also, somebody could pull the boat along by using the forward line ! Great ideas, they were immediately adopted. Trouble was there was no engine sound (a gentle knocking really), so whilst the camera was pointing at John Craven, Chris and the boat owner were gently tapping with their knuckles on the side of the boat !
So if you manage to see this programme (11am - 12 noon Sunday 22 March BBC 1 - Countryfile), please don't laugh too loud - we may permit a knowing smile though ! It just shows that problems can be got round with a little cunning ! One thing, John Craven thought it was a hoot, and found difficulty keeping a straight face, particularly when the knuckles were knocking for the engine sound !
This pic is the steam launch being pulled through the bridge by the producer (just out of picture to the left !) - they do physical work too sometimes you know! :wah:
:yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl
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