Mike Tee

Just to be sure - are we talking about the 4.5 metre boat? If so, I doubt if you would get it further north (by water)than Milton Keynes. There are a couple of bridges in MK where its virtually impossible to get two narrow boats through when breasted up, and thats only 14'. 4.5 metres is nearer 14'9". I remember some years ago having to drag one back out of a bridge - I think it was 81a or 81b - he had got as far as this, then had to rethink and take it back south. I'm going on distant memory here but I think that was a L&L boat.

I think maybe before you drive all the way to view the boat, it might be wise to ask the agent / owner 'when was the last time this boat moved any distance under her own power?' - it sounds like you want a boat to go cruising on rather than a floating London flat.

This assumes every surveyor is honest and not out to rip you off. Like every doctor and nurse has only your best interests at heart. And their are no bent coppers. Sometimes I'm too cynical - sometimes I'm realistic.

Don't get too close to Br.74 - its close to the local tip, and when the winds in the wrong direction......................

The speed some of them travel that won't be a problem

Loafer, those pics are more than good. You've got me interested now - how did you decide which filter to go for? I've looked at protech's site and they give samples of the various filters but don't go into much detail in order to make a decision. And I assume once converted you are then stuck with the one filter? (Or forking out another £250 to 're-convert' if you make the wrong choice!) (As far as printing goes, I've had some photos printed on canvas and framed by these people and was really pleased with the result - their quality, which is excellent, seems to be constant) https://orbitprint.com/photocanvas/

That's interesting - the guy at Gifford park may be in the same situation - his house is also below the canalEta - not exactly BELOW the canal - lower than..........

Whilst this homeowner seems to be coming over as a complete tool, the 'damage' to the towpath is minimal. For some reason, if it is him, he has just cleared the foot between the towpath and the bank - it will, if left alone, look fine in a month or so. Just to be clear, I'm not condoning what he has tried to do to the legitimate moorers there.

That'll be the householder dancing round his pentacle - you've had the fire, look out for the pestilence and plague eta - whenever he kicks off and moans at you, just imagine him dancing round his pentacle NAKED and it will either make you laugh or throw up - either will annoy him.

Be careful when allowing a smallish dog to get off at the stern. When a pup, ours tried to jump from the counter onto the bank - I'd got off first, she waited as told, then leapt for it after I was on the bank. She slipped on the steel and fell in next to the boat - and didn't come up. I suddenly realised what had happened, she'd come up under the uxter plate. I laid on the bank and put my arm under and managed to grab her first go, so no harm done. Could have been very different. I'm not sure who's pulse was going the fastest!

Now he has dug it over for you, bung in some sticks and tell him you've planted a few beans and will be there till they come up, although you might have to call an ambulance if he starts foaming at the mouth!

Simple ecofan test - use the solid fuel stove without a fan, then after an hour or so, when its pumping out the heat, feel the temp of the ceiling above it next day, do exactly the same with an ecofan on the stove - the temp of the ceiling will still be warm, but will be at a far lower temp than not having a fan so where does the heat go? down the boat also, with the fan the temp at floor level will be higher than without a fan (I don't think everybody reads the instructions with these fans - they should be placed towards the back of the hot plate so they draw cold air from behind it and blows it OVER the hot stove, thus circulating the air and heating cold air at the same time) Back to the original post, a 45' boat should be easily heated with a solid fuel stove (and ecofan!) without the need for back boilers and rads although it would probably be more efficient with them

A link to this film has been put via this forum before - however, last time I looked at it , it did not have 'Beulah' and a clock running on it. Cannot remember who put the link up, but I'm sure it was on here.

Depends where the windlass ended up (no pun intended, but I like it!)

http://www.protectivetextile.co.uk/products/tarpaulins/canvastarps.html I've never used them, but they came up after a quick search. I'm sure one of the vintage boats will know far more about availability and quality - or do they all use plastic?

Why mess about? Buy the real thing - I'm sure one of the working boat guys will point you towards a supplier.

I see from the Virginia Currer site that 'France' is no longer listed. I also understand that it was in Braunston for the 'do'. Was this with a new owner? Good that it is out and being used.

Thanks, that works a treat