JudeB

Ahh, I see. Thanks Ian

Thanks again for all the replies. We're 62ft so possibly too long for any of the 'loops'?

That's brilliant just what I wanted thanks everyone. I think you can be cast adrift anywhere it's just bad luck. It happened to us in broad daylight last year in the middle of a town and on a busy tow path while we were below eating dinner. The chap was drunk and when he realised the error of his ways, insisted that he actually tied us up again! Happy boating

We are making our way up to Birmingham via the Grand Union and North Stratford in a few days, is it possible to wind at Gas Street Basin? If so, where? And if time allows us to moor for the night, where is the best place? This area is completely new for us so I'd be grateful for any information. Many thanks, Jude

Thanks Adam. I should also have mentioned the incredible sign writing by Darren Williams. Unbelievably talented.

You're right , Jim didn't have anything to do with the original build of Pyrus but he's done plenty for us since and we're not disappointed. We have just had Pyrus repainted by Baxters at Yardley as it was painted rather hurriedly for the show in 2009 and was looking pretty worn. Looks amazing now. There are just so many skilled craftsmen around on the canals and I recommend both Oakcraft and Baxters.

The boat that won Best in Show at Crick this year had nothing to do with William Piper. The company folded a couple of years ago but the craftsmen who did such a beautiful job on Pyrus (winner 2009) and Barolo (2011) now go under the name of Oakcraft Narrowboats as Arphamoe has mentioned. They are currently fitting out two more boats - one of them almost completed. It is definitely worth a visit to see them, it's incredible what they do with a bit of reclaimed wood and a paint pot!

Please tell me what a CM'er is, also what does OP stand for? I'm sure it's obvious but I don't know!

Our boat is in Baxters at the moment for blacking, roof paint etc. Jon came highly recommended to us and he originally painted her - well one side anyway! Plus he's a really lovely chap! We're based at Blisworth which is only a 4-5 hour cruise from Yardley. There are boatyards that are closer, Heyford Fields, Blisworth Tunnel Boatyard and the Grand Junction Boat Company at Blisworth Arm, but we don't have any experience of them. Might be worth a few phone calls though,

Padlock just now.

I am indeed the very lucky owner of Pyrus, we bought her last September and plan to keep her forever! The guys at Oakcraft did an amazing job of fitting her out with all the old wood, she's full of character. Thanks for your comment 'Athy' :-)

Happy New Year to you too Phil! You dont know me but we viewed a sweet little boat based at Rufford last Summer whose name was 'Troy'. Sadly it wasnt the boat for us but we were amazed by the paint/art work that was still looking immaculate even though you'd painted it several years earlier. Would love to drop by with a bottle or two but we're not close enough!! Hope your shoulder continues to improve!

Hi, we moved our boat up from your neck of the woods - Pyrford marina - last October and she now resides at Blisworth. When we were deciding on a new home we visited Gayton first. I had such high hopes as we'd hired several holiday boats from there and thought it a lovely marina but when we visited last September it just didn't 'do it' for us. We couldnt put our finger on anything in particular, we just knew it wasn't the place for us. So off we went to Blisworth and that was it. We loved it immediately and after having a chat with Steve Williams who runs it, we paid two years upfront for our pontoon berth and haven't looked back. It's all down to personal choice isn't it, like everything else in life!

Check out the ABC Boat Hire website. Lots of choice all over the country and you can use Tesco clubcard points to pay towards the hire.

We've had our boat at Blisworth for just over a couple of months now and think it's a great marina with excellent facilities. It's run by a lovely chap called Steve who is really helpful. Can't fault the place.

It certainly tests your nerve if your engine cuts out between the swing bridge and the lock!

It's probably already been said but most owners likely started as hirers, how else would you know if you're going to like it? We hired boats for 34 years so have had plenty of practise. It's just like driving a car, lots of experienced drivers forget they were once learners and even if you've been driving for years, it doesn't mean you're a good driver.

We turned over as the programme finished, thank goodness for iPlayer:)

We hired our first narrowboat in 1979 and loved it as most people seem to do. We've carried on hiring ever since until this year when some friends kindly let us borrow their pride and joy. After that we decided that we just had to have one, our very own pride and joy. We found Pyrus for sale in Surrey and had a fabulous journey along the Thames and up the GU to our new home in Blisworth. By the way, I'm Jude and my hubby is Chris and our occasional crew are our 3 sons plus girlfriends but no animals.......yet!

We have a Ruston Hornsby (or should it be Greaves?) 2YWM in our boat. It runs and sounds beautiful, really throbby! My hubby intends to carry out most of the maintenance - servicing etc and could really do with a spares/workshop manual. Do you know if there is such a thing and how difficult it would be to find one? Also very good news to hear that it's not too difficult to get hold of parts.