nipper

Hi Trish. Certainly no apology needed lass! As I said I'm sure it is an oversight somewhere in the communication chain. As I took down the poster for the Alvechurch staff, I was relating the whole story about Holly, they were as intrigued about the whole story as we all were. I also was glad to help, for whilst on my two week, 200 mile cruise of the system, my eyes were peeled for anything remotely looking like Holly. I looked at a lot of boats, and I was not too far away from her either! Best of luck Trish and I'm really glad you have her back. Nipper

Just a note in passing! I returned from a cruise today and saw that Alvechurch Boatyard still had the picture of missing Holly still up in there window. It seems that nobody had told them the boat had been found! I'm sure it is an oversite, but people who have helped, no mater how small, still need to be informed of the outcome, or otherwise there help, heaven forbid, next time will not be so forthcoming! Surely hire companies can email each other?

No news then?

I'll be venturing up the Ashby from Alvechurch from next weekend. I'll try and infill some of the questions about the hostelries while I'm up there! I take it by your comments, Carrie, that it would be better leave the polishing of brass portholes and paintwork till after I've visited the Snareston Tunnel?

As I have said in another thread. I'm of on a couple of weeks cruising from Alvechurch to the Head of the Ashby Canal and back. I'm going via the southern route, avoiding the north of Birmingham. I believe it was around here that our Shared boat ran into a Washing Machine, dumped from a bridge, requiring a new prop and shaft. Only to be stoned with concrete blocks in the same area a few weeks later, whilst going under the same bridge. Whilst I'm of a cruise, I want to relax and enjoy the surroundings be they Country or Town. I don't want to be looking over my shoulder, or in our case, Bow, wondering if this is the bridge I'm going to meet trouble. Being on a boat, one is very vulnerable and although I'm a big guy and can and will defend my patch against hooligans. The law is very heavily against a chap doing so. There is not much one can do about the stuff chucked in for "fun". It is such a shame that occurrences that, although they maybe quite rare, start to effect the way one goes about things. It is a shame that in a time when we are being encouraged not to go abroad for holidays etc. The funds to a large part of the inland boating leisure scene and indeed, way of life for some, are being withdrawn, when, just a bit more cash, maybe, would have make a big impact on ridding us of Bandits on the Cut. Blimey! someone take this soapbox away!

I find it very hard to believe that Holly has not been seen this weekend. There must be thousands of craft cruising the waterways. Most owners or Hirers will probably heard of her plight! It just goes to show that despite this modern world, it is still possible to get lost, disappear, even intentionally or unintentionally. Surly She and her Skipper will be found this weekend. I'm not on the system until next weekend, but a picture of Holly is imprinted in my brain. I dearly hope that I will not be looking for her then. Nipper

Blimey! What a project! But, if the Hull, Engine installation, and Engine itself is in good condition and you have the time and dosh, as well as live quite close and you have the skills, then why not have a go. Having been a Carpenter and Joiner for the past 40ish years and have learned, that on a boat, stay away from as much varnish as is possible, and defiantly don't varnish Oak, Teak etc! Looks smashing, but it ain't gonna stay that way. These woods have there own natural oils, and you can't varnish oil! The epoxy route don't tend to work either, it's expensive and I have found that it doesn't last any longer than normal varnish. The trouble with varnishing wood for its looks, is that, come the day when you have to revarnish, all of the old varnish has to be removed and the wood taken back, past it's oxidized outer layer it's original state Good old exterior ply, primed, filled and painted, properly, will, in my opinion, outlast any varnished surface on a boat. Lord, don't i go on! Best of luck

Um! The Cat Carrie, the Cat! Oh dear! I fear a hole and shovel moment coming on! Sounds like a i may well have to visit Coventry then. Thanks Hairy-Neil

Mmm! sounds interesting and looks quite good from your pic, Adam. I take it there's a local hostelry quite close? We'll surely look out for Blackbird whilst were out and about Carrie. We will be on Water Lily, 58 footer, nice Dark Red livery and all portholes (brass). If you don't recognise the boat, I'll be the one with the bandages. Nice Pussy!

Hiya all! Well, in a couple of weeks we will be off on a two week cruise from Alvechurch to the Head of the Ashby Canal and back. Just me, The Missus and the Cat! Yes, the Cat. Not a loving beast at the best of times, but, how I'm gonna get her into the reinforced steel cage without a dose of blood letting is anyones guess. Anyone got a spare pair of Welding Gloves? Anyway, has anyone any recommendations for usual hostelries, and given I have the time, is a visit to Coventry to be recommended? or as my gut feeling says, leave it alone! I'm doing a There and Back and not a Circular route because I don't wish to do the North of Birmingham area to Gas Street yet again! Would appreciate your ideas. Nipper

Na! It's only a person. The police won't jump unless the reason was, Money (cash), a child, dog, an illegal or anything else. but I'm surprised they haven't worried about the boat too much! I can imagine a Copper in charge of the investigation, fresh from University, don't know sod all about canals, boats, or even life! Reading what he has to do out of a rule book! Blimey! I must of got out of the wrong side of the bed today. My heart goes out to the chaps family, they must be real worried. Nipper

Oh very well said! It's a sad indictment of this country that cheap seems to be best! Taking cheapness as a standard and not quality! I agree with you that there are some do it yourself jobs out there, in all trades, that are very well done and good quality. But there are also others who's quality would never ever be tolerated by a professional craftsman! Sadly, this country is loosing it's craftsman. If people want quality, then they must be prepared to pay for it. The higher cost reflects the quality, training, and experience of the craftsman. I have a joiners workshop going to ruin, because nobody wants to pay more than a cheap B&Q price, for a high quality joiner made product, using good joiner quality wood, and I wouldn't be putting bits of preformed chipboard against Bedroom walls, if people would appreciate good quality work and be prepared to pay for it! Luckely, there are some out there who realise what quality is, and there are some out there who have the money to do a "proper job" even if they don't know what the difference is. Bless them, because if it were not for these people, craftsmanship would be dead and buried in this country! Oh dear! I nearly fell of me soap box! and probably in danger of being off topic too! Sorry for the winge!

Why get them so cheap? Why not make somebody a profit? You could always try E Bay? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-BRITISH-WA...1QQcmdZViewItem And if you wanted a lock key? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRITISH-WATERWAYS-RE...1QQcmdZViewItem

Yea! Hired one of them Yellow things a couple of years ago! Enjoyed the boat and the canal. Pity, but the boat wanted to stear into the bank whenever we came across a building site, must of thought it was a dumper truck!!!! I'm sure you'l find the perfect boat.

There building Houses with the stuff! And people are acutely buying them! There building Houses with the stuff! And people are actually buying them! Thats better! I had a senior moment! sorry about the previous spelling!

Most kitchens have the best possible layout in the first place, so all you have to do is copy. Always remember that it's only wood (or chipboard) and that it can be cut to fit and then made good again. M.F.I. B & Q. Howdens( MFI offspring) will gladly do a plan for you as long as you don't want it done on a busy Saturday or Sunday. I work out an Isle of Wight Store and I know some of the sales team would relish the chance of doing something different! Fitting a kitchen is well within the scope of most people, It's the Gas and the Electrics that become a bit tricky for most, what with Corgi and Part P electrics..

Hi Christine. Alvechurch are nothing to do with Anglo Welsh. Although I haven't hired from Alvechurch, Christine, The Canal Boat that I have a share in is moored there, and I can only say that the times I have been there, I have been treated most handsomely by all the staff, from the girls behind the counter, the cleaning team and the maintenance staff. Nipper

Hiya! I'll be boring and get back to topic. Sorry lads! I've just installed a multifuel fire at home and your right about the newspaper bit. It just don't wanna go! I thought it was just the missus and her Irish way of lighting up, what was for her years ago a Peat fire. But I laid the fire at the weekend and had a devil of a job getting it to go. And me an old firster Scout, with all the badges. The suggestion put forward by those who know about these things around here is that Newspaper nowadays has probably got some kind of antinflamable stuff put in it at the pulping process, making Warehouse fires less likely, also would probably cut down on the Insurance costs too! Um, Yes, the blowlamp does wonders!

must of taken a very long time to overtake the Canal Boat, Supermalc, to get to know the helmsman that intimately? Anyway, It's stopped raining, the suns shinning, the winds dropped, I'm off down to see how the boats faired over the holidays.

Oh dear! I feel this could go even further now! So, in for a penny and all that! Not a Hire Canal Boat and a Timeshare Cruiser perchance?