Up-Side-Down

A new, updated edition of Nicholson Waterways Guide Book 2 – Severn, Avon & Birmingham – which covers this area is due for publication on 13th March http://www.amazon.co.uk/Severn-Birmingham-Collins-Nicholson-Waterways/dp/0007538987/ref=sr_1_30?ie=UTF8&qid=1391593314&sr=8-30&keywords=nicholsons+waterways+guides. New, updated editions of Books 3, 6, 7 and The Broads Guide are also scheduled for publication between now and the middle of March.

From the report: "The call from the Cleopatra came into the Port of London Authority control room at Woolwich as a ‘fire call’. The Committee heard discussion about whether that initial call, from the Cleopatra’s Captain, should have been a mayday, or at the very least, a pan-pan call. The protocol says that if a situation is serious, for example someone's life is at risk, a vessel should send a mayday voice message. If it is urgent, but not life- threatening, for example the mast snaps, you should send a pan-pan message".

So you've given up using the dinghy now ............ ?

Upon reflection, is there some confusion here between The Boat (top of Stockton Locks) and The Two Boats (bottom of Stockton Locks)? The ex-tenants of The Boat and The Bridge certainly know one another as they are both 'serving' under the Punch banner.

Without directly commenting on the The Wharf, I'd say that it's well worth the walk into the village to visit the Merrie Lion. However, on a dark winter's night 'tis not the best of roads to walk along and beware the railway bridge if it has rained. The road negotiates the main line at this point via a deep dip (both railway and road are, in reality, more or less at the same level) and I have seen this filled with water after a torrential downpour (like what we seems to be getting more and more of these days). This would equate to a water depth of somewhat in excess of 12ft! Told me they'd come from a pub in Northamptonshire. The Two Boats, although under relatively new management I believe, is in a totally different league - unless it's taken a dive since my last visit when I used to regard it pretty much as my local. I don't believe it's one of Punch Tavern's either.

A new manager moved into The Boat at the top of Stockton Locks at about the same time as the Bridge Inn at Napton was re-opened earlier this year. Both pubs are owned by Punch Taverns. The Boat has also closed again recently. I understand from talking to the landlords that they have had previous leases with Punch and have made a success of other failing hostelries. Neither had a good word to say for the company, but each described their experiences in terms of a stoic acceptance of the status quo. The Bridge is heading for demolition and the development of the large site for housing. Dubious site lines where the car park joins the road, together with its much smaller footprint, make The Boat's future as a housing site much more unlikely. But with competition from the 6 pubs in Long Itchington, at the bottom of the Stockton flight, it is unlikely ever to be a long term success. Such are the harsh realities of of today's pub trade. As Dominic observes, there are ways of bucking the trend and The Merrie Lion in Fenny Compton is an excellent example. This is indeed down to the hard work, investment, experience and commitment of the couple who have taken it on, combined with the financial interest of members of the community.

Blackrose doesn't iron anything and nicknorman de-ionises everything. Would this be one and the same thing by slightly different names?

Can I take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU for all the time you expend in providing reliable advice, based on many years experience, across a wide range of topics on this (and other) forums. There are many nuggets of valuable understanding to be learned from your posts, and your knowledge - gleaned over a considerable number of years - is worth its weight in gold. Don't be put off by a few less than enthusiastic responses. Just remembering that wee slice of Shakespeare that observes: "When ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." What I have learned (particularly on the practical front), during my spell on this earth is largely down to the generosity of others, sharing their accumulated knowledge in a wide range of different fields. You are someone who has greatly enriched my understanding of what makes my boat go brum, brum, brummmmm!

Enjoy your Lancashire trip Matty - that'll be downhill all the way too!!

For those with access to back numbers of Waterways World, there is an article about the Helix on page 88 of the May 2012 issue, giving a fairly good idea of what is what. A couple of pictures of the Kerse Road Bridge – one with a Dutch Barge negotiating it (just) – demonstrate why a new section of canal, bypassing this obstruction, was desperately required!

If you head for Junction 6 of the M9 and then take the A905 north you will cross the River Carron after approx 1/4 mile, on the Kerse Bridge. This was the biggest obstacle on the the approach to the 'Old' sea lock – you needed sufficient water to clear the sea lock cill upstream, whilst still having sufficient headroom to get under this somewhat low road crossing: something of a navigational conundrum! A new lift bridge is under construction at the southern end of the Kerse Bridge, over the new 1 Km length of canal which joins the Carron just east (downstream) of the (chemical) pipe bridge, via the new lock. There is a minor road, heading east, along the north bank of the Carron, followed by a track which takes you to a point on the river's north bank opposite the new sea lock. I've been along there once or twice for pictures and a general nosey. A quick look on Google will clarify this!

A likely candidate is Granthams Bridge Boat Services Hilmorton, Nr Rugby 01788 578661/07812 039110 www.canalbreaks.com. They're an excellent outfit to deal with and I can recommend their service.

By implication it would appear that Chertsey is on the moon. Explains a lot really ...............

That post smacks of misogyny! It also suggests that you've seriously missed the point of the OP's post and her reason for posting it.

Definitely very yellow - not dazzling, granted, but far from cream!

I've had a quick scan through the WW back numbers online is there is no mention of an article about The Stoker there. The listings go back to before 1999. Therefore most likely to be one of the other two waterway magazines published then.

Keith at Crowthers is your man - you really can take what he says about propellers as gospel. Yes, I am a very satisfied customer. Tel: 0161 652 4234

Hopefully the Anchor in DIGLIS BASIN will re-open to provide a consistently good pint of real ale, reliable food and an agreeable clientele.

A friend, having had much time to kill recently while waiting for the Severn flood waters to abate, spotted a notice at the Anchor stating that it was now being refurbished and will re-open soon.

Shameless bumping, but before this short thread disappears for good, I'm hoping someone who knows the whereabouts of nb Flemish Weaver will see it. Still the optimist!!

I was hoping to avoid bothering them 'cause I know they're got a lot on their plate. But it could become Plan B. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

Well that's quite a diverse selection of boat builders - many remember the Brum Tug with great affection, though I didn't realise that Sam Cole was involved. The builders Canal & River Craft Ltd cropped in a thread at the end of last year when LoopyLou was trying to track down the origins of her boat. You again hit the jackpot by identifying that its original name had been Tyke and steered her towards Jim Shead's list: http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=52032&page=2&hl=tyke#entry974319

I'd second all that ................. in conjunction with the aforementioned cape of course!!

As the above - but with the addition of a good quality cape (+hood) in foul weather. It funnels the heat from the Epping to the upper part of the body which it keeps dry. It also prevents rain, snow and the like from getting into the back cabin and heat escaping into the great wide world.

A couple of days ago – armed with very little useful information and therefore not expecting much success – I set out to trace a narrowboat dating from the late 1970's, then called Claragh. To my amazement, and thanks to the efforts of forum member Pete Harrison, exactly one and a quarter hours later I had a result. According to Jim Shead's list, Claragh is now called Flemish Weaver, was last licensed in May of this year and her index number is 68466. Everything else tallies. So my next question is, please can anyone put me in touch with this boat's current owners, or provide further information on the whereabouts of this craft? According to the list there is only one vessel registered with this somewhat unusual name.