Shipshape and Bristol Fashion

This afternoon we went into Stratford and had a walk alongside the river. This narrow boat was moored opposite the theatre. I didn’t notice its name, but I did like the colours and the fact that its bow mooring line was coiled up beautifully, as it should be. No nasty tangles or knots to catch your feet in and help you fall overboard.

“Shipshape and Bristol Fashion” was originally a nautical term and meant that a ship was ready and prepared to the highest standards. “Bristol fashion” meant a high standard, because although Bristol is a port many miles from the sea, the tidal variation can be anything up to 30 feet, and therefore ships were beached at low tide. In order to be able to withstand this, vessels going into Bristol had to be particularly sturdy and well-built, and their cargo had to be stowed securely.

Back to work tomorrow. Last week was a very short one, with Monday being a Bank Holiday.