Waterway2go

The real answer is that the smoke comes from VIC32, the coal fired Puffer, which occasionally gets a free lift from the Navy

A wire coat hanger. The wire is just pliable enough to be shaped by hand and strong enough to handle a variety of "get you home" tasks. Past uses have included: a temporary replacement for a broken pulley block on a cable steering system; and a hook that could be attached to the end of a broom to act as a makeshift boathook.

That canoe trail website contains this gem: "Most swing bridges need to be unlocked and either manually or electronically operated, so portaging (as it's known) saves you time and saves water in the canal." First time I've heard of a bridge that wastes water.

Arthur Bray managed a bit of hopping on and off well into later years. Have Humans stopped evolving in recent years - or are we just more sensible?

And the Dalmuir drop lock - interesting solution but not recommended if you want a canal that is easy to use !

Not forgetting the Falkirk Wheel

Here's another mystery which I posted some time ago under the heading of horses and steam - but where could it be? It is many years since I was last cruising on English canals but I have a vague memory of this looking a bit like the Tring cutting of the GU. Any thoughts? The original post read-- "This painting dates from 1888 and, I think, depicts a boat with steam or smoke emitting plus a tow-rope in use - presumably with a horse. The painting is behind a glass frame so the picture is a bit confused with reflections. I read somewhere that Henry De Salis used a boat that looked a bit like a gondola when touring the canals to write his first guide book - could this be him?"

Has anyone seen photographs of the hire boats that were introduced by BW (or possible BTW) on the Union Canal in Scotland? I read one reference that described them as small sailing cruisers.

Photos of the coal elevator at Croxley reminded me of the day in 1969 when a conveyor belonging to Birmingham & Midland had to be taken back north to Charity Dock. For a few days Comet might have been described as a self-discharging narrowboat.

This painting dates from 1888 and, I think, depicts a boat with steam or smoke emitting plus a tow-rope in use - presumably with a horse. The painting is behind a glass frame so the picture is a bit confused with reflections. I read somewhere that Henry De Salis used a boat that looked a bit like a gondola when touring the canals to write his first guide book - could this be him? Was the boat steam powered, if so why the tow-rope? Any explanations appreciated.

We eventually got our act together and have now booked a boat on the Canal Du Nivernais from Locaboat, through Blue Water Holidays - who have been most helpful as described by others. As Nicholsons don't stretch that far, does anyone have a recommendation for the best cruising guide for France ?

What they lacked was a real sea dog

Use a battery, be a BAFI

The best defence against midges is a good Malt Whisky. Scotland produces the finest spirits, and if these are too strong for your taste just dilute with a little of this