Many years ago, in Lincoln, I was sat on Brayford Wharf with my son Jack who was about 7 at the time. We were feeding the swans and looking at the boats and barges moored up. Off to our left was a low bridge and we started to discuss how the barges had managed to get under the bridges of the rivers when they were pulled by horses. I explained that they would unhook the horses, lie on their backs on the barge and push this along with their feet on the roof of the bridge. Jack pondered this for a while and then stated that this was not possible. I could not understand why he thought this until he explained that the arch in the horses back would not allow them to lie on top of the barge. Oh dear. Of all the things to pass on ……
Tales From the River Bank
