Markinaboat

Subjective of course but a Gardner 2LW followed by a RN DM2 then a Gardner 3LW. Providing either have been fully /properly restored and well maintained

Never mind 😉, there's always one! 😴

You are correct, I don;t mind at all. It's perfect for a narrowboat if you can't abide a circus bike!

I've got a full size folding Montague: https://www.montaguebikes.com/swissbike-x50-mountain-folding-bikes/

"Phill said to keep a lump hammer by the stove and leave a floorboard up." He told me the story of trawler men returning to harbour after a period at sea in forward gear only. They would circle around the harbour until they could knock the shaft back into reverse with sledge hammer. Indeed, there was one under the cabin boards when we had 'Enid'.

Did you miss my post somewhere above re Phil Robbins in Nineveh, Kent. Took over all the Kelvin spares from Kevin Whittle a few years ago.

Phil Robbins in Kent took over the Kelvin spares group from Kevin Whittle. He has tooling and can make parts, he's highly knowledgeable and a thoroughly nice chap. It's been 5 yrs since he manufactured some new water pump parts for me so not sure how pro-active they are now but worth a go .. phil@greatnineveh.org.uk You can also try Dick Goble who is 'Mr Kelvin', based in Stoke on Trent bit travels. I can pm his number if required although a google will find him.

poxy is an understatement then! 🙁 I'm the same, in poxy house in Oxfordshie and want to be on the boat in Harefield.

why is your house poxy?

So very true Dave. The older I get (64) the more and more this becomes apparent. Follow your dream and with your experience and attitude you wont; look back I'm sure.

especially when the boat name is my surname!

I was moored in a very narrow marina/cut for 9 years. I noticed my isolator red light on one day and we traced it to the 12v bilge pump in the neighbouring boat being faulty. So the stray 12v DC current was finding it's way via the AC earth.