Cleyley Bob

I think you are correct.

My 1963 Moggy Minor traveller (woody) had something very similar to 'lock' the rear part of the side sliding windows. A Morris Minor repair specialist or a scrap yard might just be the place to look.

Some really lovely nostalgic photos in this link - thanks for sharing. Some great photos on the Stoke Flight including this one https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/canals/ZAGGwiVkStxZNg Looking up from the Long Pound to Lock 15, with the white double arched bridge (53) in the background, the roof of the Navigation Farmhouse and the chimney of the 'Tommy Shop' besides the lock.

And a few more - scans from my own slides

Trevor on Corona heading north through Stoke Bruerne on 30th May 2017 after attending the Ricky Festival. A much loved and greatly respected gentleman who attended every one of our 'Village at War' events. R.I.P Trevor.

Hi Simon. We had exactly the same situation this April. We were planning on a hand over to the next co-owners at Thrupp - but a mooring wasn't available. We actually moored up just north of the Jolly Boatman pub - which is about 200m south of Thrupp - though the moorings are looked after and regulated by the Thrupp Canal Cruising Club. We asked the landlord at the pub if we could leave a car in the car park overnight and he was most helpful and accommodating. Car park is only a few metres away from the towpath - and then a short walk to the boat. Recommend the pub too - great food and good beer.

Apologies for the late reply Mal in S. Went through last weekend and did a thorough check. All the plastic 100m chainage marker boards are in place, including the double arrows at the centre point. In my previous reply, I made an incorrect statement about the original cast iron imperial chainage numbers. All are in place - the plates in the relined section where re-affixed to the concrete rings - on the shoulder just above the timber rubbing strake.

I haven't been through for a few weeks, but will at the week-end - so will see what I can see.

Not sure which ones you are referring too - but haven't noticed that any of the plastic 100 metre chainage signs are missing. The imperial cast iron chainage plates were never replaced on the relined central section - but I think the others are all still there. As to the small metric chainage plates - not noticed any of those are missing. Perhap a trip to Specsavers is needed Mal.......

Yes, that was Madeley moored in the background. Well spotted Mike - from a small glimpse of the roof line and a couple of windows.

Is in not just the case that the bow of the boat caught into the steel lips (might not be the best technical term) on the gate? If the shorter Blue boat was back nearer the lower gates and the Red one was touching the gates, the bow could have drifted off the rubbing plate and caught? Couple of photos from my albums

Thanks Alan for the additional information - appreciated.

I've recently been entrusted (by my sister) with several boxes of colour transparencies that were taken by my late father in the 1960's and 70's. A few canal related photos amongst them, mainly of the Kennet and Avon - Bath area, along with a few of the Grand Union at Stoke Bruerne and Weedon / Buckby. There is one that I thought the Forum would like to see - Gayton Junction - taken in August 1967. Not the greatest of photos - the original was way over exposed. Interesting things to note - at least for me : - The well tended hedges - therefore good visiblity - at the junction. The colourful 'flags' in the adjacent garden or allotment plot. The lack of blockwork around the house on the right hand side - which now extends around the sani station. The foreground Willow Wren motor - Dipper. The small fleet of BW work boats along the Arm.

Thanks for the timely reminder Leo No2. Appreciated. The CRT Stoppage Notice states 8th February to 18th March - which is 6 weeks - not 10 days. And where is the winding hole at the Navigation Inn? Surely the most practical official winding place would be at the River Tove at the bottom of the flight - though as the river is in full spate at the moment - might be a tad tricky for a few days. And Bilsworth may be nearer the pronunciation that the locals use - but it is Blisworth. Come on CRT - please try and get things right!

Interested to read DaveC's comments. I was a School in Bradford-on-Avon and as a project in about 1965/6 we built a couple of pontoons in the School's woodwork shop. 4 heafty side timbers were obtained and delivered and a team of us set to work to create the 2 pontoons, using stout timber brace pieces and probably marine ply boards. These were eventually transported down to the Canal - probably at the wharf above Bradford Lock. A tipping, long toothed rake was mounded between the 2 pontoons, but can't remember if a motor was ever fitted. An outboard might have been used. I spent a couple of summer holidays assisting members of the K&A Trust attempting to clear weed-growth along the section of the canal towards Widbrook. A 'flat' boat was hauled up between the pontoons and the rake dug into the weed and then tipped backwards into the 'flat' which took it away. Be very interested to hear if anyone else has any memories of this work along with the rake - which was generally known as the Moon-Raker. Rob

A bit further south - there is a fair covering of ice at Three Locks - even in the lock pounds, and I expect there's some thicker ice out in the countryside. Nothing moving by midday today - but it made for an excuse to get the camera out.

You are well spoilt for choice along your planned route. Agree with koukouvadia about the 2 pubs in Stoke Bruerne. The Spice of Bruerne do lunchtime meals - at least the present 'A' board outside says - set 2 courses of £7.95 The White Hart at Grafton Regis (Bridge 57) is well worth the uphill wall. Lunchtime would be fine - but would need to book for the evening. Coffee Pot pub at Yardley Gobion (Bridge 60) - nothing special - but the walk up the hill leads into a charming High Street and Church and a number of thatched cottages. Also a Post Office - only opens mornings and a CostCutter supermarket in the housing estate. The Navigation at Thrupp Wharf - (Bridge 64) Completely re-furbished this year and the menu reflects the expensive and extensive work carried out! Barley Mow - moor between the Lock and Solomon's Bridge and as Batavia says - walk down off the towpath and through the horse tunnel. Usually good wholesome pub meals. Canal passed near to a number of pubs throughout Milton Keynes. Not a comprehensive list - but The New Inn at New Bradwell has garden moorings for a couple of boats. Black Horse at Great Linford - (Re-named the Proud Perch for a couple of years)is another canalside pub with mooring alongside and excellent beer and food all day. Nag's Head in Great Linford village - a traditional pub. No up-to-date personal information for the Gifford Park, but the Barge at Little Woolstone (Bridge 83) was a cravery and good for meals all day. The Swan at Woughton on the Green - short walk east from Bridge 88 - serves good ales and good food. The Plough at Simpson has canalside moorings and a large garden and serves food throughout the day. Further south towards Linslade, the 'Grand Union' at Three Locks has rebranded and has adjacent moorings and a large outside eating area. Finally - the Globe - just north of Linslade is another very popular canalside pub with moorings alongside. Pomkitanner - trust you'll enjoy one of two of these on your travels.

This one is Bathampton on the Kennet and Avon. Some celebration - judging by the number of people on the bridge.

Lyra and Towcester returning back down the Thames at Newbridge - September 1976

And for those that love the action overhead

Even funnier Alan was when I tried to wind Sculptor below Lock 17 and not below Lock 18 about 3 years ago - and someone drew another lock full of water..... Fortunately - never seen any of the photos (yet) that were taken that day - though plenty of people where watching and clicking! Here are a couple taken when everything was plain 'sailing' yesterday afternoon.

That's terrific detective work - and I'm kicking myself now. Thank you MP and Carlt The photo below (if it works) is of that pipeline over the Northampton Arm - taken after an IWA Task Day last winter, when I helped clear moss and vegetation from the blockwork. The rest of the towpath link was cleared the following task day.

Whilst looking through some of the archived photos on the Canal and River Trust web-site, I came across the photo in the following link http://collections.canalrivertrust.org.uk/bw200.1.40.193 This is one of 12 photos listed after carrying out a search of my local stretch of the Grand Union. The other photos are recognisable and are most are of the the rebuilding of Bridge 61 along with the last 2 which I think are taken from Bridge 58 - looking north towards Grafton Regis. If the photo of the Lift Bridge is 'clicked' another series of 6 photos are displayed - which is clearly Gailey Wharf and the narrowboat 'Admiral Benbow'. If the correct location of the bridge can be identified, then I'll ask the archivist to correct the photo description. Thanks for looking and hopefully for your help.

Nice bit of detective work Theo and thanks for posting the photos. Prompted me to have a look at the old OS maps - and the link below should show the 1888-1913 6" series map alongside the modern Bing aerial photo. http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/sidebyside.cfm#zoom=19&lat=51.7536&lon=-1.2644&layers=6&right=BingHyb.

Must have got my Guns Crossed, brain not in gear and fingers sticking to the keys in the plus 30C temps. I too need a pint or two now!