Ruth Coker
While the boat passes under Fallow Hill, Ruth takes its horse over the top.
Look closer at the illustration ↗Ruth and her husband Josiah live in the cottage at one end of Fallow Hill Tunnel. There is no towpath inside. When Ada Brimble brings Patience through with the new bell, Ruth takes Marigold’s bridle and leads her up the hill with a lantern and a black-and-white collie.
She wears a tartan shawl and a long brown coat. She knows the path over the tunnel, and tells Pip that the boat will pass beneath the air shafts while she and Marigold cross above them.
Ruth has the mare waiting when Patience comes out. Marigold has stopped at the top to look at the view, as she usually does. Ruth reconnects the line to the traces herself; afterwards, she, Josiah and the collie return over the hill to their cottage.
People they know
Josiah Coker, with a black beard and knitted cap, holds his lantern beside the tunnel. Josiah Coker
Her husband
Ruth and Josiah live beside Fallow Hill Tunnel. Ruth takes the horse over the hill while Josiah helps bring the boat through.
Ada Brimble · From the illustrated world of Candlebury Ada Brimble
The carrier whose horse she leads
Ruth takes Marigold over Fallow Hill and has her waiting when Ada's boat emerges from the tunnel.
Pip Hobday · From the illustrated world of Candlebury Pip Hobday
The passenger she explains the hill path to
Ruth explains to Pip that horse and boat will take different routes through and over the hill, then meet on the other side.
Places in their stories
Along the canal
Locks, towpaths and the quieter journey to Little Tallowmere.
Stories
The Narrow Boat to Little Tallowmere
Travel with Ada Brimble, Pip and a new church bell aboard Patience, along the canal to Little Tallowmere.
With Ada Brimble, Pip Hobday, Dorothea, Ruth Coker, Josiah Coker, Mr Gedge