debbifiggy

Nice pics Andy. That is exactly why it was potentially so dangerous to pass underneath before the scaffold support was complete. Didn't look like a whole load of damage but structurally it was bad according to the qualified engineers I spoke to. Hey ho whatever! Just glad the navigation is open again for now because the mindless actions of a few vandals really caused a lot of people a lot of problems and ruined a few holidays. I will not comment further on those "boaters" who chose to cut the safety chains closing the navigation for safety reasons until the scaffold was completed. D

I am so pleased to hear that you got your darling puss back. You must have been sick with worry as I would have been if Merlin had gone AWOL. Glad there is a happy ending. Purrs etc. Debbi

Glad you got a mooring sorted ok. Price doesn't seem too bad to be in a such a lovely part of the world with a secure mooring. There are plenty of more expensive moorings elsewhere. After all they do say BOAT stands for Bring On Another Thousand I'd love to do the Southern Stratford again but I might wait until it rains a bit and the water levels are a bit better. But not too much rain either as floods aren't good at Stratford. D

Don't want to burst your bubble but is your decent spot for possible mooring already approved by British Waterways? I would suggest not getting the boat until you have secured a legitimate long term mooring. Could save you a lot of time, problems and money. D

Nasty tug person. They are normally kinder to narrowboats. D

The boat must have been sold as it's on my patch in West London and I've had occasion to pay a visit to where it is moored. I did wonder what the strange bumpy stuff around the gunwhales was and now I know. Not the prettiest thing from the outside and I personally don't like boats painted black but maybe I am old fashioned. Would be interested to see the interior. D Edited to correct typo

Unfortunately very true and has happened in London. D (off work sick today)

Just heard "the canal can be re-opened tomorrow (13/08/11) during the morning, more specifically after 8:00. Our on-call team is in the know and will inspect the site tomorrow morning to satisfy ourselves that indeed it is safe for boats to cross". So sorry it's not today. Edited to correct earlier optimism. D Update again now I'm back at a computer. The bridge reopened to navigation at 4pm Friday afternoon. Hurrah!

We've got an idea which boats are responsible but without witnesses I have no proof. Without proof/evidence that will stand up in court, no prosecution. So, if anyone can provide the missing link I will happily put the wheels in motion. The engineers and waterway manager have gone absolutely a&3$h*^ about it this morning. D

I have to say I am extremely disappointed in whoever cut the chains last night (again) which were closing the Paddington Arm either side of the burnt and unstable bridge for safety reasons. The scaffolders haven't finished and there are scaffold poles everywhere causing a real hazard to anyone trying to get underneath. The canal is closed for your safety and we are trying to get it reopen as fast as possible. Because of last night we've now got to check every part of the structure again before carrying on to check it has not been damaged. This is going to delay reopening because of the selfish and stupid action of two boats. There are various Bye-law offences and licence terms & conditions breaches in the actions of these boaters but it is the safety aspect that concerns me most. Can you imagine what might have happened if in the dark a key bit of scaffold got knocked or the boat got stuck going under? I can promise you that they would not have been insured as their actions will have voided their policy. Why can't people wait and follow sensible instructions for their own safety? D

Update. I have spoken to the engineers etc today. It is still conditional on the scaffolding being completed and the installation approved but we are hoping to re-open the navigation tomorrow. However, (turns rant mode on) if tonight, like last night, someone is stupid and selfish enough to cut the chains across the navigation which are there for everyone's safety and to then go under an unstable bridge, and heaven help us, possibly collide with the very extensive and still incomplete scaffolding that is holding the very heavy bridge up ... then no-one will be going anywhere for sometime and anyone behaving this stupidly won't be covered on their insurance either. (rant off) I'll keep you posted. We have also communicated this information extensively via word of mouth, bank staff, lock-keepers, mooring wardens, signs, tweets, etc. D

The eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed a number of updates to the stoppage notice both yesterday and today. Obviously as more news becomes available it will be posted. I think there will be an attempt to make the bridge temporarily safe to navigate beneath but plans may change again so until we know for sure what it happening there is no point in speculating. Brentford VM is busy but there's still space further up on the towpath between the A4 and the Fox at Hanwell. Brentford main line train service is only 10 mins walk from the Visitor moorings and goes into Waterloo. From there you can Bakerloo it to central London and Theatreland. There are fastish and frequent mainline trains into Paddington from West Drayton (near the new Tesco's), Hayes and Harlington (Bulls Bridge) (probably not a trip I would do at night, especially at the moment), or why not explore the Slough Arm and go to Iver? Uxbridge is on the Met line as well as the Piccadilly line so Kings Cross not problem even if it takes a while. For those on the other side of the stoppage the Central Line is very convenient as it's only 10 mins walk from the Black Horse. HTH D

The navigation is closed with big signs stuck into the canal bed for at least 500m either side of the dodgy bridge at Smiths Farm near the A40. Try not to go there or at least not to miss the last last winding hole either side. Bw are working very hard with the bridge owner to re-open the arm for navigation at least on a temporary basis before stoppage most likely to demolish the bridge. Mike if you remember I made a recommendation about how far to navigate and where to wind. The stoppage notice should be updated tomorrow with this information. Don't dis the gals in the office because it ain't helpful when there's been an awful lot of stuff going on out there over the last few days. Everyone is doing their best to get everyone moving and to try and mitigate the problems the actions of a few mindless vandals have caused the canal system. Hope to give everyone an update in the next 48 hours on what is happening. D

This is true and actually slap bang in the middle of the two turning points I mentioned at Willowtree Marina and Engineers Wharf. Yeading Open space is normally a very pleasent and relatively safe mooring. Hopefully all will be much quieter out there tonight and the local yoof won't be setting fires in open spaces again. Stay safe out there. D

An update for you. I've now seen the damage to the bridge. Unfortunately the bridge does not belong to BW so we are working with the bridge owners to find a safe solution so the the navigation can be re-opened. In the meantime if you are travelling from east to west the last available winding hole is at Black Horse visitor moorings Greenford. Do not travel further west than this as you will not be able to go anywhere or turn around. If you are on the Grand Union canal wanting to come onto the Paddington Arm to travel east, please don't. If you are already on the Paddington Arm trying to head east your last available turning points are Engineers Wharf Northolt or the entrance of Willowtree Marina at Yeading. HTH D

Sorry about that. The stoppage is now up on www.waterscape.com Please check to see when the navigation is re-opened. If I hear any more I will put a note on here. D

We are trying to get a notice up on waterscape asap but you heard it here first. Please note that there is no navigation along the Paddington Arm today due to an unsafe structure over the canal in the Northolt area. The towpath is closed too. We hope to be able to give you an update later today. We apologise for any inconvenience. British Waterways London 020 7985 7200

I love these films. I know you are discussing livery but I am intrigued by the locations. The start of the film is so obviously Brentford and then there is a shot of a flight of locks (Hanwell?) or much further up the GU such as Marsworth? There then seems to be a big jump and possibly a bridge over a weir Stoke Bruern Way or is it further north at MK? The final part looks like the embankment above the Hatton flight towards the Tom O'the Wood. What do other forum members think? Apols for typos. Debbi

It is very busy at present with a very large number of visiting craft including a contingent from the Bridgewater Canal. I walked Paddington to Kensal today. The basin only had one space at mid morning, Little Venice was very busy with boats all the way from the pool to the Harrow Road but at least you can double at at LV and most people using the site are very accommodating. Kensal was also quite busy but there were some spaces (furthest away from the supermarket). There was also a boat broken down on the supermarket stop and shop. I also hear that Camden is full along with the stop and shop mooring by Dead Dog basin which is missing its 4 hours only mooring sign (removed by the builders and yet to be replaced). Still it's the weekend and there's always a fair amount of churn. Saturday mid morning looks like a good bet to find a space. Don't forget no double mooring down the far end of Paddington basin and it's only 7 days. Camden also 7 days but LV still 14 along with Kensal. HTH Debbi

Thank you all so far. I'll give my customer a call and hopefully with the advice provided put him in touch with DiPerk. Debbi

I'm trying to help a customer out by locating a water pump and associated gaskets and other engine gubbins for a Perkins 3 cylinder boat engine. Unfortunately I don't have any more technical details as the customer doesn't seem very technical and neither am I. I do know that 3 cylinder Perkins are much more unusual than 4 cylinder ones so the parts are much harder to find. So, it you can point me in the right direction maybe I can put my customer in touch with the right person to get him moving again. Parts need to be supplied to London. I know the forum is very helpful and knowledgable so thanks in advance, Debbi

I didn't start it! They did Guess I should have not risen to the bait D

"the details have been passed to BW’s enforcement teams for further investigation." I.e. they come looking for you in person. Unidentified craft don't stay unidentified for long. D

There is an unofficial winding hole below Rising Sun lock. Continue downstream and look for the Esso Garage on the right hand side. Water point is here. On the approach check the the coast is clear and no-one has moored right opposite the mill race then stick your bow in the mill race and around you go. I've seen a 72ft nb get around here and a 55ft long wide beam provided water levels are normal or higher. My 60ft nb is no problem here. You can then either reverse and spend one night on the Old Mill restaurant mooring if you are eating there. Alternatively fill up with water at the Garage and then head for Little Bridge (footbridge) and moor on the towpath. Very convenient for the Rising Sun pub and their amazing selection of ciders and spirits. Usually have 4 real ales as well. Enjoy your trip. D