JamesWoolcock

Granary Wharf belongs to the commercial property estate there. CRT installed the moorings for them and thus the signs. When we were there in 2018 they didn't seem to mind about staying a few days. The Office is just up and ti the right under the railway arches, so go and ask.

It is a CRT self pump out in a cabinet at the side of the top lock of the Dee Branch. So go into the full lock, and there it is.

Sad news indeed, but something that those who knew Bob knew some day was coming. When I tied MARQUIS on my many visits to Cambrian Wharf, Bob would appear from his eyrie in Galton Tower and come down for one of those wonderful witty and sardonic chats, about boats and canals, and Birmingham, and Birmingham boats and canals and everything else; and fast cars. Always a real joy. Never to be forgotten was his talk to the HNBC at Braunston Village Hall, finishing with photos of GOVERNOR out of the water and adding that that hull shape would hit a submerged pram on the Old Main Line and roll it into a small ball ! A few years ago he told me that he'd been diagnosed with dementia and then said "Not sure about that. I've remembered to tell you!" Last year I didn't see him and this year I haven't yet been back to Birmingham, a city we both love, and I came to realise that I'd never enjoy his wonderful and amusing company again. In his photographs, now safe as the Bob May Collection with the BCNS, he leaves a legacy of post war changing Birmingham, and of its canals and canal life of such value. A lasting legacy that few will equal. We'll all miss him so much. And laugh a little less. James

It is with shock and great sadness that I learned that our good friend Norman Mitchell died suddenly on Wednesday from a heart attack. He will be best known and always remembered by so very many as the Commentator for many years at The Braunston Historic Boat Rally, and in the earlier days of August Bank Holiday historic narrow boat weekends at The Samuel Barlow at Alvecote. Informative, always witty and amusing, and not really politically correct, Norman's commentaries were the centre of the boat parades, which in themselves were the centre of these events. Norman was an electrical engineer and recently retired chairman of the the Gloucester firm of LC Mitchell, founded by his grandfather in 1905. His interest in canals and canal boats were wide ranging from the Historic Narrow Boat Club for which he was the representative for South Wales & the Severn, the Russell Newbery Register of which he was a past chairman and the Commercial Boat Operators Association and doubtless much, much more. I hope that others will now contribute to this topic, filling in all that I have inevitably left out as I am sure you will have as many lovely stories to tell of Norman as he had of us! Our thoughts, of course are with Pauline and all his very many friends and colleagues. Sad days James

Ok, but one of the new ones is a Honda EU2.2i. The man next to him has had a EU20i for some years. A Honda will cost at least twice as much as the opposition but will last umteen times as long, start on half a pull every time and ARE the quietest. As the man said, Honda, end of. James

Correct! Four more have appeared in the past few months on our moorings for the daily battery charge; 18 boats, half of which are residential. In Stone we think of nothing else, I had a EU10i for 15 years (!) and now and replaced it with another. James

Call Karen at Canal Cruising Co at Stone. 01785 813982

Albion Motors was a Scottish automobile and commercial vehicle manufacturer. Founded in 1899, Albion Motors was purchased by Leyland Motors in 1951. Keep safe James

I believe that Albion is a name for the whole island of Great Britain, not just England James

Try Dave Freeman at Taff's Wharf on the T&M just up from Rugeley. He took out a small Saab single from a boat last year, or the year before. It might be what you're looking for, might be not. You will find him in the BSC Surveyors ads. James

Agreed.

I don't think so. This engine had a complete top end rebuild down to and including the big ends in autumn 2011, including new pistons and liners. I am talking about cold starts in cold weather. This only applies to the first start up of the day. After that a mere touch of the start button and it's away. I've used this procedure for 14 years so I don't expect it not to start at all. It guarantees a quick and easy start up and a cranking battery long life.

FRs were designed to run on 10, not 30 SAE oil. But this one is a little tired at the bottom end now so I now run it on 20/50 CC and as I've said it is set on low compression all the time. At start up it has 35+ lbs/in and runs happily all day at around 20. Not many FRs do that, James Yep. Read my post Richard.

Hello, Another FR owner here. The Decompression Lever is at the front of the head assembly and is there for hand starting. All FRs had a hand start but for electric start it's use is unnecessary. It should not be used for stopping the engine; the engine control lever on the left hand side and in the pump cover plates should be used. It controls the rack. Forward to stop, back to run. Vertical (I think) for extra fuel but generally not needed The Changeover Levers control the high or low compression. Up is high compression for cold starting and they should be pushed down to low compression after a short time for running. These engines were often fitted to tugs (as in this boat) and I have little doubt that some tug captains would have abused them on occasions for extra umph! This engine (FR3) had them renewed a few years ago but they leaked so much their use was soon abandoned. The engine starts and runs at low compression all the time and is much friendlier to an elderly engine's bottom end. In the warmer months it starts fine, but in colder weather the trick is this: Remove the Air Cleaner by the two clips. Incidentally the felt discs in this should always be kept DRY and cleaned by knocking or vacuuming the dust out. There is an oil bath in the bottom of the Air Cleaner housing and it should be used. Close down the throttle. Aim the flame of a DIY gas torch into the Air Cleaner body, but try not to consume all the air which the engine will need to start so don't poke it directly down the air induction tube. Press the starter button and gently open the throttle and away she goes.... Put away the torch and replace the Air Cleaner And now the oil tank. Marine versions (Engine number ending in MP for marine propulsion) are all dry sump and there is only a small capacity "sump" on the bottom of the engine which collects the oil for the scavenge pump to pop back into the copper tank. 25Litres capacity is about right. Leave this arrangement well alone. I hope this helps. James