Neil Corbett

Here's what I wrote in my blog (NbHerbie) last October, having seen the drawings. Some boaters are not happy about the work as the towpath improvements will no doubt lead to more speeding cyclists. (Please note that I am writing here only what I have observed and learned and that this does not in any way constitute official CRT information.) That between Ladbroke Grove-ish and West Drayton (that’s about 15 miles) over a two year period the towpath will be improved to a new standard creating a new path surface between 1.8 and 2 metres wide, plus a 500mm strip of level grass either side and the hedgerow vegetation trimmed back ( not in the nesting season) and overhead to create more space. No more muddy puddles, no more cycle ruts, no uneven surfaces, and more space for people to get past each other. There will also be a significant number of access points (already identified) where improvements are needed where current steps and ramps are unsuitable or in poor condition. Finally there will be improved signs. (I think CRT might call it signage GRRRR!!) I had a look at the cross section drawings for the new towpath surface which is to the latest spec. I didn’t understand all the details of the materials, so don’t quote me on this but it looks like a sub structure of aggregate, smaller in the middle and larger at the edges for lateral stability (not under the grass verges), then a layer of some sort of bituminous material (that might not be the right word but you get the idea) on top of which is sprayed and stuck a top layer of a much finer stones to give a smooth but grippy surface. It will of course have a gentle slope towards the canal (1:50 I think) to drain off surface water.

He was talking to the lockies at Watford staircase when I went down last week. Seemed interested in what was going on and asking questions about vegetation etc.

Thanks everyone. It looks like all I need now is the right weather. I notice that the forecasts for next week are getting worse every time I look at them. Neil

Next week, I'll be having to wait with our boat around Fazeley for a few days. The weather forecast looks ok and it might be a good chance to get the gunnels repainted. Does anyone know of a good spot with a nice low bank to get the gunnels clear and room to sit on the towpath to get the job done? Thanks Neil

Cheers Jim. I guessed as much but always best to check. Neil

Looking at the satellite pics, it looks as though there is a whacking gert tree blocking the winding hole above Somerton deep lock. Can anyone with local knowledge please confirm that I will be able to turn my 50ft boat there in a couple of weeks time? ta Neil

Thank you Alan and well said. If your recollection is correct then I can't see the proposals causing me (or anyone else actually travelling along the canal) too much bother, although I'm still a bit concerned about "destination" visitor moorings e.g Oxford where you might need three or more nights to have a look round the city. Two nights leaves only one day to visit. And while I'm at it, many thanks for all your work on the Berko consultation and other enquiries. If more people actually got involved in discussion with CRT as you do, rather than just complaining, we might get somewhere. Neil

More to the point, has any boater or diesel seller been prosecuted for false declaration since the new law came in? I suspect its below HMRCs worry line.

I don't suppose I'm the only one who doesn't understand the finer points of the proposed new rules. 14 continuous days in the area I understand. 14 days in any one month I understand. 2 days in a hot spot I understand. But what happens if I'm on an out and back journey and I stop in a 2 day hotspot for two days on the way out and then return to that place on my way back a fortnight later. Can I stop another two nights, or do I have to move down to the 7 or 14 day bit? This is quite a likely scenario for lots of people who leave their home mooring for an out and back journey of a week or three. I do hope CRT have clarified this with their volunteer mooring wardens or whatever they're called. The worst scenario would be being told by one on the way out that you could come back, and then finding another point of view when you return.

Me too. I attended both courses when Tony was running them and I learned loads and loads. Tony was a very good teacher, but I imagine that if RCR have kept to the same formula of instruction followed by hands on have a go, then it'll be well worth it.

Thanks guys for all the useful information. That gives me a few good leads. Any further comments still welcome. Neil

The engine is off centre anyway, certainly vertically and perhaps horizontally too, so the shaft has universal joints. So alignment isn't straight through. I sense no vibration when in gear. Maybe the UJ would fail first if the prop was stopped.

We recently looked at a boat with a Gardner 2L2, and a couple of things concerned me. First, the engine( which ran very smoothly and started well) appeared to be running very cool. I didn't see any temperature gauges, but after a couple of hours idling I could still hold my hand on the top of the head, and the water from the calorifier was only tepid. I don't know what thermostat, if any, is fitted. Secondly the engine was prone to stall if brought back to idle in neutral. Thirdly the engine was installed so that the gearbox was on the opposite end from the flywheel. I know this is supposed to be a threat to the crankshaft if the prop is suddenly stopped, but has anyone actually heard of that happening in such an engine? The engine otherwise looked and sounded very good and had been regularly serviced etc. Would you regard any of these faults as show stoppers to a purchase?

For milk, use Cravendale. Having the bacteria filtered out, it keeps a long time without going off even in warm weather. We've used it in a tent in the summer and I can't ever recall it going sour. Tastes nice too. No I don't work for them, or anybody else.

We've been up and down the Buckby flight a few times, and whilst they are undoubtedly the hardest on the GU, I'd swap any of 'em for the little lock with the cranked bottom gate beam as you come into Stratford on Avon. I nearly bust a blood vessel on that one this summer.