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That was exactly what I was thinking. If someone is bothered enough to take action it is only an extra minute of their time to join up. I think you mods do a great job and put in too much time and effort to have to deal with people who are not prepared to own up to their opinions.

The nearest B&Q or Wickes... "Cat parking southern portal of hardware tunnel" - original title of thread just in case it gets changed...

Presumably it would only be the Guest who was accused of hiding under a cloak who would complain that he wasn't under a cloak, because if he wasn't the one being accused of it he would be happy with his cloak, and so wouldn't mind. I think.

I've been looking through the Phyllis Nicklin images again and found some more canal shots which I don't think have been featured on this forum before. They are Creative Commons licenced, so free to be shared for non-commercial use. The originals can be found here: http://epapers.bham.ac.uk/chrysalis.html Icknield Port Loop 9 Nov1968: Gas Street Basin 24 Sept 1968: near Salford Junction 14 March 1968: Gas Street 1962: Gas Street 1st July 1961 - the boat in the lock appears to be 'Water Vole', an early BW hire cruiser, and to the left of it appear to be two of the 'Water Baby' class cruisers : Selly Oak 1960: California Portal of Lapal Tunnel, 28 Sept 1953: Farmers Bridge, 23 July 1953: Gas St 27 Feb 1953 (image is incorrectly handed, but note 3 gates to lock):

I understand your rush, but, just slow down a bit .......................... Look at the worst case scenario (maybe different in Scotland) but the house is not sold and the money handed over until (usually) the day of completion (the day you move out) Would it not be beneficial to step back and look what may happen if the buyer pulls out or dies, or whatever at the last minute. Move out of your house book into a B&B / Hotel for a week (or two) put your 'stuff' in storage until everything is finalised and you have the cash 'in your hands', then buy / pay for your boat.

If it starts well from cold, has at least 40 psi oil pressure for a more modern engine, and makes minimal exhaust smoke once warm across the rev and load range there is probably not a lot wrong with it.

A final update on this topic. Sadly terminal illness prevented me from further visits to the boat so the rescue people were called in. They found for us someone who had owned a Russell Newbery and in a couple of hours he had sorted out a dirty fuel supply including a previously missed shut off valve that was well clogged up. Sadly I do not have the name of the man that quickly and so efficiently sorted out the problem so this is the best accolade I can give him. Once the RN got a sniff of decent fuel it was "donking" away like nothing had ever happened.

I collected an empty non-converted butty from Oxford back in the 80s. It was licensed with BWB as a commercial unpowered craft. I delivered it to Brentford via The Thames. I sent its details to Thames Conservancy and requested a licence. They charged me something like £6.75 and sent me a bit of paper authorising me to use my "canoe" for a week. A 70ft by 7ft rivetted canoe, still it was pointed at both ends.

Liverpool is a fascinating city, lots of history and architecture. Ignore the doomsayers, Scousers are on the whole friendly but like everywhere there are the idiots and scallies. Beatles feature largely. The two cathedrals are interesting and awe-inspiring. There are many vibrant pubs and restaurants but explore the ones off the well beaten tourist trail.

The roads marked "Exit" or "Way Out"

If you are going to be viewing a lot of boats you will need a better sense of humour.

Much will depend on how old the boat is and how many owners and how well the paper trail has been kept. For instance my last boat had one previous owner who kept meticulous records which I kept up with recording engine hours religously and oil changes. On the other hand my first boat was very old with unknown owners and totaly unknown engine hours. Most boats lie somewhere in between.

If you are asking for help can I suggest using someone who knows what to do. It is only a very small electric shock can kill.

Found this other photo from the Stratford trip. It was from the local newspaper.

Missed the date but in early July 1974 we took a load of coal to Stratford on Avon to coincide with the official reopening of the Upper Avon by the Queen mother. We had a little sponsorship by the Solid Fuel Federation but had to sell it on the way. Real struggle to get down the canal and members of the canal society turned up to help by raising levels at the overflows. Nick Hill brought a load of grain from Sharpness and got stuck on an old weir and had to lighten the load. I was on the IWA council and was at the lock for the ceremony.