boatmanckp

The Dee Branch was in use on a yearly basis as the trip boats on the Dee in the 60s early 70s were maintained in the Taylor boatyard and adjacent dry dock over the winter. In the 90s a North Cheshire Cruising Club annual cruise saw several boats lock down onto the the river and over the weir.The gate in the weir was under the control of the electricity board and gave an extra 18" of draught. The whole exercise could only be undertaken on 4 highest Spring tides of the year.H W at Chester about 1h 42 mins before London Bridge. Above the weir the river is navigable on a 3ft draught to Farndon some 12 miles.

http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b69fade12 Some details found on-line The faded colours could be restored using the latest digital technology but it is an expensive process often used by the BBC and ITV if they want to broadcast such material

I believe a public right of way exists over this bridge which was previously a swing bridge and was replaced many years ago. As it has been said in a previous post we lost the right of navigation in 1968.

Caravan and camping outlets have log periodic aerials for about £14,avoid mooring near trees etc. very rarely stuck for a signal.

Bird in Hand possibly the last pub on the canal system to do top-ups, the landlady went down to cellar with a large jug and on return went round the pub topping up the glasses of those in a particular group and if you were lucky others as well,whoever was in the chair paid for the lot. Happy Days. CKP

The picture is posted higher up in the thread

This film is called "Barging Along" it has a U certificate and was released in the war years but contains prewar footage. I have a rare 16mm original copy of this film in my archive. CKP

I have used 240v LEDs in the house as security lights (3 X 1 watt) for several years when I have gone away for any length of time,up to six months,they stay on 24/7 you cannot see them in the daylight, cost next to nothing to run and failures are very rare.To the casual observer the house was occupied!they were supplemented with other low voltage lights on timers.

The picture http://images.manche...ue&refirn=24707 shows the lock tail bridge which was called BLOODY BRIDGE I remember it extant the bottom lock gates were braced with timbers clearly seen in this picture as were all the locks in this flight. CKP

The NCCC is the oldest cruising club on the narrow canals and was founded in 1943.CKP

There was a railway interchange it the bottom pound of Marple locks it was quite visible in the 60s. CKP

In 45 years of boating just one leg! CKP

The IWA is not a boater organisation. NABO and the RYA represent boaters.CKP

Very Low tides are always followed by very high tides ( springs )most vessels would reflote on the next tide but some may need the assistance of a tug to make sure they are not swept in the wrong direction when the tide turns. CKP

A very Happy Christmas to all members of the forum and may you have plain sailing in the coming year CKP

Do we all have short memories? BW fully restored this aqueduct about ten years ago, some restoration.CKP

Yes I do it too,its very green,makes the gas bottle last longer! Save the planet CKP

I purchased two ropes from Mansley's of Leigh in the early 70s a 6 lb. line and a 9 lb line both were 90 ft in length. I still have the bill somewhere? both ropes are triple twisted and made of cotton. The 9 lb line was cut into required lengths and used as mooring line 1 long one forward and 2 shorter ones at the stern.With over 30 years service I could not complain.The 6 lb. line is still complete and is in first class condition and used as an anchor line.Not that it gets used very often! The 9 lb line was the standard horse narrowboat towing line. Cotton lines were also widely used in the mills to drive various machinery through a series of pulleys.CKP

The Stockport Branch was open as far as Gorton Workshops which we still in partial use as late as 1965 despite the fact that the main line Ashton Canal was by then not navigable.CKP

The third card shows Bank Dole lock with the tar distillery on the rh side,CKP

The raised center roof area is called a lantern roof the NB Elizabeth was similarly attired at one time. CKP

The easy way to catch american crayfish. Garden cane, piece of string, slice of streaky bacon, Tie string to garden cane and on the other end tie the bacon dangle in the water, Bingo, a bucket full in an hour, leave to clean in fresh water for a day or so then boil. In the top resturants this is an expensive dish with the right sause and green embelishments. No traps no speading of any infection,no catching other species and in the canals you are now very unlikely to find the native version.CKP

There should be no need to overtighten the nut, replace with a new nut and fit a new split pin. I also lightly grease before reasembly.If you suspect a problem when out cruising,stop and check through the weed hatch.If you have lost the pin or nut you can get home by not going into astern.Props can be very expensive to replace if lost it is a good idea to carry a spare prop,key,nut and pin. CKP