Hudds Lad

They not making you do the long trek to Halifax then? Although friend from up the village recently had to go for a heart monitor fitting at the new facility that's been built where the old sports centre was, very swish.

Not only in Victorian times my friend. When myself & J were getting wed, we used our local parish church. Figured we'd better show up at least once for the banns being read because how bad could it be. On the assumption it would be like the parish church where i grew up, service was about 30mins all in. How wrong we were, 1h45m of torturous seating and a good long hellfire and brimstone sermon about the wages of sin in modern society Can't tell you how thankful we were when at the last minute it turned out the vicar was double-booked and we managed to get my old vicar out of retirement to hold the service for us

Did it not originally have a stop lock at Marston though? It could therefore be dug to a different level to the Coventry and six inches when well watered is neither here nor there but more problematic when overall levels drop? I could, of course, be massively wrong

What i like to refer to as a Failaway

It's his own fault for being far too young and healthy, if he'd spent more time quaffing pies, chips & beer, he'd be of a better size to provide a much needed counterweight at the stern

That first pic looks dreadful, how do you possibly cope with such surroundings?

It probably does, from the towpath Lost count of the amount of times on the shareboat when someone walking along would enquire if our boat was electric (due to the huge hospital silencer). At least i think that's what they said, hard to tell as i was stood over the engine

Got this earlier today; Navigation Closure Navigation Closure - Oxford Canal, LK 39 Pidgeon's Lock , Kirtlington Details Type: Navigation Closure Waterway(s): Oxford Canal From: 22 July 2025 8:00 am To: 23 July 2025 4:00 pm inclusive Region: London and South East Reason: Underwater Obstruction Location Closest waterway: Oxford Canal Starts at: Lock 39, Pigeons Lock Ends at: Lock 39, Pigeons Lock Description Original 7 July 2025 11:44 am A full lock dewatering is required for our specialist contractors to access and if possible clear an obstruction from the Off Side Ground paddle culvert, we will also take this opportunity to survey the Tow path ground paddle culvert with CCTV, inspect and refurbish all lock and ground paddle furniture and connections, replacing or repairing as required. The lock will be closed to navigation with top and bottom stop planks installed, site will be secured from public access. Tow path will remain open. Information You can view this notice and its map online here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/0197e477-fdde-7cf8-b394-c041fc6588f7

There's the rub, it's the "as things stand" bit that's giving us anxiety as leisure boaters as we need to get back to the marina and car. Maybe heading up towards the Shroppie might be safer with less lock flights in danger of full closure. 🤷‍♂️

Had that happen once on the Shroppie approaching Norbury Wharf, bloke and his partner literally running around in a panic to get going in front of us as they thought we were headed to the water point and wanted to get there first. We just laughed at them and carried on.

Had planned to spend most of August doing the Warwickshire ring anti-clockwise with the addition of popping down to Stratford. We've done a chunk of it clockwise before but previously avoided the bit through the middle of Brum by carrying on up the Grand Union at Kingswood Jnctn and turning at Bordesley and doing the Garrison locks before the fun turn onto the B&F. J's juggled holidays from work i think are now set in stone so no idea what we'll do instead. How many times can you back and forth between Hillmorton/Napton/Braunston in three weeks if all the locks end up shut?

Otters are easy to spot, they have much wetter pockets than either a Stoat or Weasel

Only if Sharon lets him If they were bluey-green with black bits on the wings, they'd be Demoiselles (which are, i think, damselflies).

Lined with OSB? Ok if you're into the industrial aesthetic, not my cup of tea. I'd be wondering where else they've cut corners and budget.

Up for sale again with it's new name, yours for £94,950 https://www.apolloduck.com/boat/steve-hudson-70-traditional-for-sale/802983

The only "pushy" boat we ever experienced there was also a private boat, a trader in fact. Bullied his way past us as we were about to approach the Ponty, then basically pushed a hire boat over the aqueduct and then shouted and swore at several hire boats in Trevor basin until he got his own way. Sad and embarassing as quite a few of the boats he was berating were visitors to our country.

But as a bonus, their tomatoes are coming on a treat

Have seen similar, but sadly no pics as usually the occupant of the boat is leaning out having a smoke, which i assume is why they made the roof thing in the first place

Found an interview with the chap, not automatic i'm afraid, does it by hand

I've seen a vid where someone was miffed at people constantly parking on their drive so rigged a timed hose to a PIR or similar, could be useful for deterring towpath pirates when not cooling your roof