pig

Came down the S Oxford onto the Thames at Isis Lock. We had seen the stoppage notice for Dukes Cut lock, so although we were heading for Lechlade, had to shlep into Oxford and back out again on the river. Talking to the lockies on the way they all said that the lock was usable, albeit slow going. Turns out the top gate paddles are broken, but the top gate leakage allows the lock to slowly fill. The bottom paddles are working normally. So on the way back from the Thames, we turned up Dukes Cut, and found the lock was filled. Went in, emptied the lock and out we went. Going the other way involves a wait of about 15 mins while the leaky gates fill the lock apparently. Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but it could save a lot of time for someone. By the way the River was pretty deserted, and the recent weather made it a glorious trip.

Don't you install gas boilers?

Other way round, Shirley?

Had a chance to watch it through - some interesting period shots. Braunston stop lock/toll house recognisable. Passage through tunnel interesting meeting a working pair going the opposite direction. Worth a watch especially if you know the area (Leighton Buzzard to Braunston).

Spotted a programme on Talking Pictures TV: "Canal Capers" - "A charming short film featuring a picturesque journey on a barge down the Grand Union Canal." Recorded it, haven't had a chance to watch it through, but looks interesting. Available to stream here: https://www.tptvencore.co.uk/Video/Canal-Capers?id=3ce8bc83-365b-4e8b-bda4-5a29ec82bb3c

Just done mine. Sprayed it with Wet & Forget, left it a fortnight, took it home, jet washed it and treated with Fabsil ( liquid not spray). It honestly looks like it’s new. Very pleased.

Indeed. Got as far as Ellesmere and turned round. Too much madness.

We use an A4 document holder with clipped lid. its showerproof, but wouldn’t survive a dunking. Fits a Nicholsons guide perfectly Amazon do them - search CIOUYAOS A4 File Box

New series now showing on Freeview channel “Yesterday”. 1 hour programmes instead of 30 mins on the Beeb. ETA all episodes available now on UK TVPlay

https://www.melloronline.co.uk/ I've found these people very helpful for spares and advice

Back home now, so here's some photos of the old pulley.

Not too concerned with its accuracy: for my purposes it should read: idling bimbling chugging thrashing

Indeed. I set the engine to idling, and turned the adjuster on the back of the rev counter to match previous revs.

I haven’t had a good look at it, and it’s now at home, so I’ll inspect it in a week or so when we get back. Certainly the belt seems to fit more exactly to the new pulley.

UPDATE having put up with the rapid belt wear, and slipping on first startup in the morning, for what I see to be four years (doesn’t time fly!), I decided to bite the bullet and replace the 65mm tinplate pulley with a machined steel 80mm pulley. Removing the pulley in situ was easy with an impact driver. The new pulley needed the shaft hole making bigger to fit- easily done with a step drill. The belt was refitted, and so far so good- no slipping/screeching on startup. It does seem to be a much snugger fit to the pulley. The rev counter has an adjuster on the back so I reset it at idle speed, to what it was previously. Theres no sign of reduced charging, so all in all a success. Thanks for the help.