Friday 13th July 2012.
Gas Street Basin. Shepcote Street Bridge.
Black Friday, also known as Friday the thirteenth - if you are superstitious - a day of bad omens. A day when bad things can and will befall you. Not being a superstitious person I just ignore all this mumbo jumbo superstitious claptrap. Some people also have a superstitious belief that bad things come in two, three or more.
Well the first thing today on Friday the thirteenth was when we met our first CaRT Chugger (Charity Mugger). Straight into the well rehearsed spiel with hardly a pause for breath. Disappointment was however on the cards, when I explained that we paid out a couple of grand a year to CaRT anyway as we owned a boat.
Well the first thing today on Friday the thirteenth was when we met our first CaRT Chugger (Charity Mugger). Straight into the well rehearsed spiel with hardly a pause for breath. Disappointment was however on the cards, when I explained that we paid out a couple of grand a year to CaRT anyway as we owned a boat.
The second thing today was when yours truly tweaked his back and has a painful reminder whenever I bend, lift or twist. Now those superstitious sorts who believe that Friday the thirteenth has any thing to do with this are wrong.
Some people also have a superstitious belief that bad things come in threes. Well the third thing was I took some Ibuprofen to help relieve the nagging pain. (but she is still here) Having forgotten that whilst it works OK for the pain. I also have a slight adverse reaction to the medication. So now I have puffy blood shot eyes. A bit like the morning after a heavy night on the amber falling down liquid.
OK, I will witter on a bit about superstitious belief but only because its raining again for a change and we have done little else in the way of boating to write about. I think that most people are familiar with some of the more superstitious beliefs such as:-
There are superstitious beliefs surrounding good luck and charms. Find a penny pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck. Not with my back you wouldn't.
Carrying a rabbits foot is lucky. However it didn't do a thing for the rabbit and it had four!
If a black cat walks toward you it will bring good luck to you. If a black cat walks away from you, it will take your luck with it. In more general terms it's bad luck to have a black cat cross your path. Having owned a black cat, I can assure everyone it's also bad luck to trip over, be scratched by and even more so to be bitten by a black cat.
Walking under a ladder is bad luck. I have also discovered in life that falling off a ladder is not very lucky either.
The sound of bells is said to frighten away evil spirits, which is why they are rug at weddings. From experience again, I can say that wedding bells can also attract bad luck - a major cause of divorce is getting married!
There are superstitious beliefs surrounding death. Mirrors are oft covered by the superstitious in the belief that the dead will not be startled by their reflection. I get startled most mornings when I catch my own reflection. However as of this morning I was still alive and kicking but feeling dead in the metaphorical sense! Looking into a mirror over someones shoulder will result in a quarrel between the two people. That explains it then!
It is considered inauspicious to speak ill of the dead. It would be a bit more inauspicious if the dead started talking to me ill or otherwise!
Rain on your wedding day is considered good luck. There must be some marriages made in heaven this year.
It is unlucky for a groom to see his bride, before the ceremony starts. It would have been much more unlucky if she had seen him during the stag night!
Ps, Friday the thirteenth and I got my first email from CaRT today. Telling me all about a special launch event being held for CaRT at Gas Street Basin. It's a shame that the event was actually held yesterday. However, having spoken to someone who witnessed the said event - the cutting of the ribbon was cocked up when someone went through to early with their boat. CaRT - carrying on the good work from where BW left off!
Daily Total
Miles: 2.5
Locks: 0
Swing/Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 1.0
Diesel: 0
Accumulated Totals
Miles: 975.0
Locks: 722
Swing / Lift Bridges: 119
Tunnels: 9
Pump Outs: 11
Engine Hours: 2251.3
Domestic EH: 2262.6 (11.3)
Diesel: 40L (49.57)
Later......
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