Dav and Pen

Today in 1979 At Aston on Trent. We had finished camping boating and decided to load at Stenson and see if there were any customers on the way to Braunston via the Soar. Credit to the photographer.

We used to dip the ensign when we passed another of the companies fleet. Always a contest to see who could get aft first. When we had a trip on Vic 32 the puffer a nuke submarine was coming in the opposite direction, I said we should dip the ensign which we did prompting panic in the conning tower as they had no flag flying.

Today in 2005 on the Belgian Meuse. Herself asked if we could tie alongside the tanker barge which was easier for her. They told us to go first but soon overtook.We are actually sandwiched between two big barges.

Nice painting on the summit lock office of the canal du Centre France. One side to the Med other to the Atlantic. Today 2013

The quay at Givet on the French Belgian border today 2004

Biggest load I ever had on a big Northwich motor was 26 tons (which was a mistake) and managed to get it from Hillmorton to Braunston and after selling a couple of tons got as far as Wigrams where luckily sold 3 tonnes. Think max across the Oxford summit was around 18 tons but that probably meant a couple of visits to the bank at the tight bends. This was the mid 1970s

At the big Ashtac on the Ashton canal in 1972 amongst all the bikes shopping trolleys and assorted rubbish an unexplored bomb was uncovered. The volunteer dug it out and 2 of them carried it up to the towpath to show it to a policeman. The whole thing was captured on a film and the look on the coppers face when he realised what they had is brilliant. WRG had the film but don’t know if it survived.

Today in 2004 on the Belgian R. Sambre. Commercials can’t move on Sundays so we had the lock to ourselves and they used the middle gate.

Crazy price and what’s that horrible think at front of cabin

Today in 2004 leaving the mooring at Laifour in the French Ardennes on our way back to Antwerp

Every so often somebody on the forum asks for help repacking the stern tube and they get sensible answers (usually) maybe they didn’t like the answer last time. As a deck officer I never got involved in such matters but none of the ships I was on broke down for such a basic problem as having a little man who’s job it was to turn a greaser every morning. I do recall a chief engineer remarking when everything stopped during the evening meal and the captain told him tto go and sort his engineers out saying” Engineers I wouldn’t trust them with a clockwork mouse” dint inspire confidence.

Had one of these on a Senior 20 which I fitted out in the 1960s. I got the engine bearers bit wrong and the leg was then a bit to deep. Can’t really remember if it lifted but it did catch the bottom occasionally . It was left in the water through the winter on the Welford Arm one year and rats eat through the rubber gaiter. The only boat I’ve ever had that could go as fast in reverse and be accurately steered.

In 2004 showing the flag to the European Parliament when leaving Strasberg

Dog doing bit of maintenance in 2004

Today in 2006 on the move on the upper Saone. Due to its height they have to travel with the wheelhouse down which is ok until it rains.

A contrast in bows of the Clipper style and the Hagenaar AAk style both originally sailing barges. Today in 2006 at Grey on the Soane.

Today in 2018 leaving Clamecy on the Nivernais. We had been on the corner mooring and decided to get going before the hirers. Backed off and then waited half and hour for the lock.

The new Pub looks great will have to try and get up there. Whilst on the subject of Wolverhampton pubs what was the name of the pub at the top of the Wolverhampton flight? I think it was connected with the Springfield brewery which was about half way down the flight, I remember having an excellent pint of bitter in there.

A preserved towing tractor lock side in 2004

Had boats for over 50 years and never used drinking water to wash down and people who know me will tell you we kept our boats in good clean order. My last barge had a deck wash pump which drew water through the mud box.

Why would you use a hose pipe connected to drinking water supply to wash a boat which is afloat?

This hook was made by a working boatman and when we sold the narrowboat I took it to France. Never used it to get anything off the prop but handy for hooking mooring rings etc. Madam used an extending aluminum pole with a plastic hook on put the noose over the bollards as she never really got the hang of lassoing them

In 2014 on the Nivernais canal in the section where these lift bridges are. Usually there is a small landing stage either side of the bridge not really big enough or deep enough for barges like ours. As herself couldn’t wind them up ,or down, and didn’t fancy steering through they were quite a lot of work. Later some have been electrified with a control on both sides of the canal so passing walkers are more than happy to operate them.

Yes they were off to Dayton Manor theme park where they went every year when Ernie’s son was young. Not sure what Arthur made of it but they boated as before and had fixed stopping places.

Ernie and Arthur still looking at the camera .