ClaymoorePaul

Having done those locks twice at the end of 2012, I would say for us it was because of no.1 no. 2 and no. 3 but I think I mostly felt that way because it was the end of a long week both times. I've been up them a few times in the morning and got through them easily. Having said that, it is easier to do it with one or two boats rather than 5.

Winter works are going more or less to plan. - 1 boat currently having a full refit. - 1 boat soon to have a galley refit. - 1 day boat to get a new floor. - Dry docking starting next week. - Remainder of the fleet to be painted in the new colours. Needless to say there's quite a bit to do I normally rope in an old friend from London to help the lads out for a couple of weeks and you'll even see me out there with a paint brush in hand getting red and green paint over myself and the yard... some even manages to get on the boats!

Hello All I hope you all had a good xmas and new year. I'm wondering if any of you can be of assistance. 2013 marks the 40th anniversary of our hire boat company. I'm currently working on the outline for a page on our website detailing the history of the company from its start in 1973. We have a number of documents that are assisting us but we are lacking in photos. I'm wondering if any of you on the forum have any 'historical' notes you can add to this or old photos of the yard, surrounding area, the boats or hirers that we could use on the site for this project. This is purely being put together as a bit of fun and interest and can assure you that the photos won't be used for anything other than the article and only with your permission. I'll also put a credit on each photo used. Many thanks Paul

No, Moore Hall has been retired from the fleet. The good news is that I had a very productive meeting today with a sponsor to provide us with two new boats and let us do a complete referb on the existing boat they have with us.

After pulling out someones old y-fronts from a prop this summer I'm always recommending wearing those waterproof arm-length gloves.

finished it on Saturday. Unfortunately the mobile broadband dongle gave up and I've had to catch up on all the boring office based stuff here this week. Blog will be updated shortly but the short version is: Thursday - Set off from Marple. Met Barry again at the top of the Ashton flight and Patrick further down. Was down the Ashton flight and moored at Picadilly Basin by about 4:30 ish. Quite noisy there compared to when I have moored at Castlefield and one boat got untied in the night. Barry stayed with us overnight and helped us down the Rochdale 9. Friday - Started down the Rochdale 9. Got to the lock after the one you have to stay on the boat for and the pound after that was dry. CRT blokes were there about 5 mins later. Left Castlefield at midday ish. As soon as we left it started raining and didn't stop until we tied up in Lymm. Saturday - Short 3 hour run back to base and then home to have a sit down. Was back in work Sunday to send out another 2 boats.

Liam, thanks for letting us all past today. Much appreciated

2 days to get there and past a breach! Now that's speeding!!! Was it along the Middlewich Branch? Would have either been one of our lads moving it to Wheelock or one of two sets of hirers returning one to Church Minshull

A rather unorthodox lock queue on the Ashton flight...

Flying down the Ashton now. Just passing man city ground