Capt Ahab

Try two full turns on the greaser after every trip. That will force enough grease in to prevent any drips. I dont think half a turn will be enough.

My suggestion would be Oxley Marine at Autherley Junction. They are excellent engineers.

There is an interesting account from the boat which discovered the problem this morning - complete with pics. http://jhalfie.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/we-need-to-get-out-as-fast-as-possible.html

You will be wanting CabinCare: http://www.cabincare.co.uk/boat-flyscreen.php Not a cheap option buy we decided to splash out on retractable screens on the side hatch and front doors last month and the end result is excellent. He will come and fit for you / make on site if you pay his fuel from Penkridge. Sorry - no photos yet.

The L&H is fast reaching a stage where every show stopper obstruction has been avoided and the possibility of at least reaching Lichfield in the next 10 years is a strong possibility. As for the rest, if the first couple of miles can be made navigable the rest can follow using the string of pearls approach.

What a great idea - what do you suggest for errant rivet heads?

For some reason I dont seem to have photographed it. Sorry.

The basins still exist behind the care home. I climbed into them but they are smothered in undergrowth. Photos are here: http://captainahabswaterytales.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/lord-hays-canal-part-3.html

Thats the one.

I found plenty of old inclines in your area, including the first one on the Ketley Canal. Sorry - way off topic.

No list as such but most are members of the Roving Canal Traders Association (RCTA) who have an active facebook site. https://www.facebook.com/groups/canaltraders/

Mike It is short - just over 27ft including the elum. The length is very deliberate as the motor is 42ft 6"! Its two back end of boats welded together. Andy

Thanks guys. Isn't it incredible that these boats could hold 40 tons (just before they sank!). This info will be added to my blog i a couple of days so I don't lose / forget it.

Speedwheel. Thank you so much for this, a fascinating document to accompany the plates. What do you thing the words are before "Boat" It looks like Calium Wood but that cant be right!

I spent many happy days exploring the Tub Boat canals around what is now Telford. There were six real inclines which carried the tub boats plus a seventh which dropped small boxes on wheels down from the end of the Horsehay Arm to the ironworks at Coalbrookdale. The first incline was on the Ketley canal and the tokens pressed at the time clearly show cables being used - but they did use small boats on the early canal. The evolution of the British Inclined plane is a fascinating subject which runs from Ketley to Foxton but its a frustrating subject due to the lack of photographic records. The record of my wanderings can be found from the links on the following blog pages. http://captainahabswaterytales.blogspot.co.uk/p/tub-boat-canals.html I could bore on the subject of these under researched canals for ages.

My purchases included the painted door which now graces our cratch: http://captainahabswaterytales.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/going-going-gone.html and the pair of BCN Gauging Plates which will adorn The Jam Butty.

I had this issue and the problem was a pool of liquid sitting on top of the slider. The solution is to leave the trap open till absolutely all the drips have fallen through into the tank. Andy

This was a good event - The prices for the Buckby Cans were a bit of a surprise but I cane away with the two items I wanted at just about exactly the price i expected to pay.

You can get spray on grout sealer which protects the colour.

The first episode is on Channel 4 on Sun 15th.

I saw the nitrogen approach used successfully at Stretton Wharf last year which protected a particularly complex internal fit out. It seemed to work out out well and saved a fortune in re fitting costs.

The moorings at Calf Heath are great if you want a good location with plenty of cruising options - but not too many facilities. Have moored there for 10 years which says something! Very secure and plenty of friendly boaters to keep an eye on your craft whilst you are away. Because it was built in the early days of leisure boating there are mostly shorter moorings so getting a 70ft slot is difficult.

I have often moored on the Caldon at Etruria and never had any trouble - luck of the drawer I guess.

I am afraid it was a starter and not a main course. I was left feeling hungry...... On the up side there are another four episodes of Tim and Prue's Great Canal Journeys in the can and I guess they will be shown soon after this series ends.