Day 230/365: Steam yacht gondola

[nanila]

This is turning into a Steam Transport Holiday. Today we went on, of all things, a Steam Yacht Gondola. I was not aware such a thing existed before today and I am converted to it as a mode of transport. She was absolutely beautiful inside and out. We managed to convince the children it was powered by a Fire Dragon in the boiler's belly, which the engineer was feeding in order to keep it happy.

We cruised up and down Lake Coniston, taking in Holly Howe and the boathouses of the Swallows and Amazons. I thought of many of my DW friends and the delight they would take in such a journey, particularly perenialanna, djm4, and sfred. There are many photos but I will have to wait until Monday to post them. (Current size of photo backlog: titanic)

Comments

[kaberett]

CONISTON. My mapping project was based out of the Coppermines youth hostel.

[nanila]

Ooooh, that sounds great! We were at YHA Eskdale and YHA Holly How. I'd recommend the former over the latter if you can stomach the terrifying drive to access it. It's tiny but so well kept, and such a beautiful, remote location.

[kaberett]

Holly How got all the Coppermines post and drove it up once a day, and has some useful rocks out back under the pine trees :-)

[siliconshaman]

I've been on that! Ok, about 30 years ago, but still.

[nanila]

Yay! I don't think it's changed much. Suspect the boiler engineer is probably the same, too. ;)

[silveradept]

Yay for Fire Dragon transport. Awesome times for all.

[nanila]

It is hands down the best mode of transport. So beautifully smooth in the water. I wish we could all get around via steam yacht gondola. I suspect everyone would be a lot happier.

[djm4]

Ooh! Envious. And I find that steam transport of any kind is so much more of a *living* thing than diesel or electric, so a Fire Dragon that needs constant feeding is perfect.

[nanila]

Keiki kept wanting to go up to the deck to watch the Fire Dragon being fed, even when the rain was hammering down. And he liked going round to feel the warm chimney where the steam came out, because when the chimney is warm, that means the Dragon is happy.

[tree_and_leaf]

Aw, I have very happy memories of Gondola from when I was a child (we took holidays in the Lakes quite a lot).

[nanila]

Gondola is such a beautiful craft. I want to come back up here purely to have another go on it.

[sfred]

<3 <3 <3

[nanila]

So much love for Gondola and Swallows and Amazons. :)