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bargeeboy

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  1. bargeeboy
    Started off today with good intentions.
    Found hub puller and was going to remove the clutch back plate and start re-building the Jag.
    But as I started I realised that whilst it was aprt I should make a reverse pulley and then the motion is very tired.
    So I went to the Kangaroo where the hub puller way last used and decided to fire it up.
    Well 1st kick !!
    Change of plan I shall use the change boat instead.
    So spent another day cleaning and scrubbing and well I got further tonight than I did on Saturday Now tied up below Curdorth after setting off at 8 pm. I spent a week doing the Jag with lights etc. and all I've got now is a nite lite but the range is on and a full supply of pasties under the couner so all is well. Sparrow fart start and we shall see where we get to. It did feel good to have my baby back I think I've missed the Roo. Ni Ni
  2. bargeeboy
    I've got pics back from the chemists. !!
     
     

     
    Being towed by Jasons trip along Denham Straight
     

     
    Getting dummy loading line !
     

     
    As m589 said Don't try this at home
     

     
    The reason for the trip
     

     
    Described as a succulent rib-eye steak cooked to your liking with crispy onion rings, half a grilled tomato, peas and parsley butter with chips.
     
    Well I guess the description fits well enough not to be illlegal and the peas did arrive after 10 minutes. The English Mustard was good though .
  3. bargeeboy

    Stoke Bruerne

    By bargeeboy,

    Set of chasing the light and when the light came it was bright. Sunglasses needed from 7 am heading into the sun of the Northern Oxford.
     
    Took chimney pipe down to try to carry engine noise across the motorway so the Boatman in the cemetery near might here me pass. Not as noisy as the Bolinder but the motorway was quiet.
     
    Arrived at Braunston , the traditional home of Boatmens' WAG's , and their children. around 1 o'clock but no time to stop and visit so waved from bottom of garden.
     
    Good run up and over and targeted Blisworth for the night. Gosh what a lot of tied up boats. Never seen so many but pleased that Stafford was bladed properly (more luck than judgement as I used a prop I had in stock) as no complaints.
     
    With a Josher horse boat fore end and the finest of Yarwoods sterns it also flies as it took 24 minutes for the Blisworth Tunnel. 24 Minutes going straight down the middle and no Women to distract you. A bit different from a trip with Greyhound when the Masthead lamp had run out of oil anmd I put a candle in a jam jar. No problems in Braunston Tunnel 1 candle light is sufficient to light the tunnel lining if put on the front deck. But on this occation it was just getting dark (never seem to arrive at Stoke in the daylight!) as I entered the tunnel and could just see the end. two boat lengths in and a drip hit the target and out went the candle just as the light at the end faded. What else can one do except put cans and chimney down, pull tiller on the strings and engine on very slow. Then sit it out and bounce and scrape through the tunnel. Over 2 hours this time and not a Woman to share it with.
     
    Tied up outside cottages at top lock and was sitting in the pub having dinner thinking about the boat listing first one way then the other. Classic example of water in the boat. Never load a boat with a drop of water in it is the first rule. I had the inspection hatches up down Buckby but bone dry. Thought might be water each side of the engine 'ole but again none. Did the usual and moved a bag of coal to trim the boat before I went to bed. Could I sleep ? No chance. Was it the dreaming or the nightmare as all I could picture was postings of a sunken Stafford outside Stoke Museum with the top 6 inches of cabin above the water with the legend " STAFFORD Built by FMC 1898, Rebuilt by Yarwoods 1938, Revovated and Converted by Narrowcraft Ltd 2008." To which is added sunk by Burgee after 2 days !
     
    Needless to say I was up at first light bow-hauling into the top lock. Tradition again is to start the engine once through the bridge so as not to wake up Stoke but the 3LW is so quiet I need not have bothered.
     
    But that is for later.
  4. bargeeboy

    Braunston to Home

    By bargeeboy,

    Plain sailing from Braunston. It was very sad to see Clent looking sorry for itself. I have some very fond memories of her and her Captain in 1998 !

     
    We got to the top of Atherstone about 3.30

     
    The Jag looking and sounding a bit better then last time here with the blown top joint. Only a small weep this time although Luce looks a bit the worse for wear.
     

    http://narrowboatsalesltd.co.uk/botather.mp4
     
    Bloody good trip
     
    Thanks Luce ! Love You ! You can come boating with me anytime xx
  5. bargeeboy

    Simpson to Braunston

    By bargeeboy,

    A very sore captain kicked off in the morning. And of course with rain I suspect waterways had opened a few drain off paddles as it took me 45 minutes in the rain to get off the mooring ! After that though progress was swift and were through Stoke by midday.
     

     
    Plain sailing now and on way down braunston I sent Luce in the Nelson for some beer. She came back and said She had booked a table as they stop servig at 8.30pm I had to send her back and cancel as how can we tie up in the light !
     
    We tied up outside the dayboat at the Rose and Castle again in the pouring rain ! I was not going to have the same performance as this morning.
  6. bargeeboy

    Apsley to Simpson

    By bargeeboy,

    Got a good start despite waterways filling up Apsley top pond and having to run water below Berko.

     
    Agter filling two pounds we managed to bounce through and progress was good to we were able to scrub the boat up a bit !

     
    Made Leighton Lock before 5 pm so looking good for Milton Keynes.

     
    After Stoke Hammond it was time for a scrub off ( Me that is as boat already done). I have a tap on the water outlet which is fine for washing hands when in the engine 'ole. Not so fine for a man having a strip wash. The third bowlful was needed when i had no foorwear on and of course I slipped and rested my knee agains the silencer and my shoulder against the exhaust pipe ! I said oh dear as I back in the cabin watching the blisters appear. I got in trouble with Luce for not being dressed and ready for duty at Fenny Lock. I was however all set by Simpson but what a job getting in the side. The rain started as we tried to tie up and we managed to get the bows in just before the bridge above The Plough and walked back to the pub like drowned rats !!
  7. bargeeboy

    Pitstone to Watford

    By bargeeboy,

    This one needed an early start as we had to make Watford in time to unload. With a crew of four it was easy riding and we got to Cassio Wharf where we said goodbye to young Michael.

     
    We were quickly unloaded with the usual super efficiency of Derek and John. It was here when we saw the 'friends' of Roger that we thought is was strange we were contracted when they could have bought Roger up to Alvecote and loaded the ballast there.

     
    We made it back up to Apsley for the night where we were fed in the Paper Mill.

  8. bargeeboy

    Blisworth to Pitstone

    By bargeeboy,

    What a relief to awaken just before light and no rain. That meant we were clear of Stoke by 9 and batting round the pound when I notice the auto bilge pump working overtime. Thought is was the rain water draining through and thought no more of it. Around Castlethorpe thought I should take a further look and discovered that the bottom engine water pipe from the pump to the cylingder was leaking badly and squirting in a direction that I was unable to see when normally oiling up. I took the steelsons and have the big inch and a half nut a turn and guess what it leaked more !
    Leave it alone and wait until Cosgrove Lock. Whilst in lock I duly tried again and yes it broke !
     

     
    Lucy arrived back from the caravan park stores with real food ingredients at the same time as young David arrived fresh from getting Kangaroo and Australia back to Grendon. I sent Matts back to the stores for spare parts and Emu put us on a line.
     

     
    Narrowcraft Express Bolinder Spare delivery service came upo trumps and arround Simson a 'new' pipe arrived. I fired up just before Fenny lock and we made haste having taken 5 hours round the pound. This put us behind and it was arround 9 when we tied at Pitstone and took advantage of the Tring Chinese Food delivery service.
  9. bargeeboy
    5.30 Monday morning saw in the dark shadows Michael bow hauling Emu round the turn and by 6 we were on the move.
     

     
    Came out of top of 'morton around 11 and crawled through Braunston around 1. We then we flew up and over in 3 hours. Stoke was clearly on the agenda until the heavens opened.
     

     
    Emu' bolinder was settling in and going round a treat. Rain, Real Rain, More Rain. Michael suffered more than me as I had the benefit of a roaring range. Settled for Blisworth as it got dark before 8 and the Blisworth Arms Hotel (now The Walnut Tree) and the EXCELLENT food they produce. I cannot recommend it enough and of course much better then last November when I stopped there and Monday is the chef's night off so the specials were not available, or was very much else for that matter. Got a complimentary meal on that occasion as 4 choices were not available. But they did feed me. I think Northampton IWA were in that night.
     

     
    After drying out in pub it was still bloody raining when we walked back to the boats and we got soaked again. We did sleep well.
  10. bargeeboy
    The trip really started two weeks ago after Kangaroo and Australia headed to Beale Park.
    five 2 ton bags of railway line was delivered to the yard for transhipment to Watford.
    It being sods law the JCB had a puncture so we had to position it and use the back hoe as a static crane to unload the lorry. Pete Gilbert then came to the rescue with his hi-ab and we managed to load into the boat although it was very precarious as his hi-ab only handles 1500 kgs 3 ft out !!!
     
    The plan was that we should meet the returning pairs at Marston Lane of Friday at 4 ish. They duly arrives as you will see on my youtube vid of the occasion. Preceded by Drew on Stafford who was out for a jolly with us.
     

     
    We tied at Lime Kilns and proceeded to Shakerstone for Saturday evening. Leaving on Sunday at noon it took us until 7 to get to the Junction and duly tied up at the Stop where our next rondeuvous was with Young Michael who was bring the Emu from Alvecote for its trip back to Enfield for completion of the renovation. The plan was that I would be 'escorting' him but as it turned out is was cvery much a joint effort. He duly arrived on his own at around 9.30 pm in time for pint.
     
    This is a typical South Midland Boat Logistical Excercise as used to be reported by David Blagrove.
  11. bargeeboy
    I was asked on my recent trip why I have not been blogging on my way.
     
    I admit it is bit of a trial with a loaded boat, back cabin, bolinder and summer traffic!
     
    However if there is interest I shall write it up this week.
     
    We took the Jag loaded at Alvecote to Watford with railway line ballast for NB Roger.
     
    We did find the time to go to Shakerstone and actually met up with Kangaroo and Australia at Marston Lane Junction.
     
    Lawrence, Matthew and Caz had left Beale Park with 32 tons of coal for the marina on Monday afternoon with the coverted Richie trophy.
     
    We slugged to the Lime Kilns and onto Shakerstone for Saturday early afternoon.
     
    The steam train ride in the evening was exciting although not quite as good as the time we delivered to the Nene Valley Railway in 1993 when we had 3 pairs that followed through to load at Wisbech with timber for Kings Langley.
     
    I have non been idle during the summer and did take the Jag to London early in the year which was chronicled by Mike Askins on youtube. I have it listed in my favorites on youtube if anybody is interested (Joshering About) .
     
    The trip South also involved the usual South Midland boat logistics as well as meeting the pair returning from London I needed to be back at the stop on Sunday Night to meet Emu which was on its maiden trip with a settling in Bolinder that Michael was coming to terms with.
     
    Let me know if there is interest
  12. bargeeboy

    Atherstone Locks

    By bargeeboy,

    left at 7 with sun shining and no need for a top as it was so still and warm. After a short stop at Charity got to top Atherstone at 11 am. Well 4 waiting in front and 3 boats waiting in the first pound DON'T THEY KNOW ANTHING !! What a waste of time water effort. I walked home and will go back to night or early in the morning ! Time now 1 pm and havinmg luch at home. I but will complete later. Hare came past the house at 2.30 which was 3 hrs 30 mins helped by the fact that the boats in front stopped at the bottom of the thick. Went back at 5 pm and had a clear run until the last 2 and cleared the locks in 1 hr 20 as it should be and was tied up at home in 1.50. Much better option of and I did enjoy the sleep in the sun in the afternoon. A few remedial jobs to be done and now looking for another adventure. Off to Poland next (this) week to monitor Greyhounds progress and have just thought that maybe Middlewich would be an adventure if I can find a 'galley slave' as I've been spoilt travelling with the Pinnocks! So I had better sort out the Jag's engine !!
  13. bargeeboy

    Stoke to Ansty

    By bargeeboy,

    Late start 5.15 should have been 5 !!! but a good run and had a clear run up and over the hill which meant that we cleared Braunston by 1 pm. Cracking run top Morton at 3 and out bottom at 3.20. Thats the way to do it!! But then we joined a convoy and tied up at Ansty as it was painfully slow with the right amount of boats coming the other way which mean no chanch of overtaking and well as wall to wall tied up boats. Lie in in the morning as now cracked it and will be back home tomorrow ! I think !!
  14. bargeeboy
    Went to Wendover from Ricky and tied at the end of the arm. Went back to recover Stafford on Tuesday evening and apologise for running engine for 30 mins. I was going to go on Monday Night by my Good friend Michael said his Son was moving Hare from Ricky on tuesday morning and was heading for Cowroast on Tuesday night. Left the end of the arm at 5.30 in time to meet Hare at Maffers. Good day wall to wall tea and sandwiches made me think I must get my domestic life sorted.
    We tied top of Stoke Bruerns at 8 pm. So a good day. The locals told me that the Indian is superb although of course a bit pricey but I settled for steak and chips in the Boat fopr 6.95. Good value. I also told Jules that the last thing on my mind was a coal order as She had been busy texting Michaels' client list to get a boatload together at Summer prices. Good to Blaggers looking so well. Early start I recon in the morning.
  15. bargeeboy
    A lot has happened since the first Ricky festival in 1993. It was set up to commemorate 200 years of the Grand Union. It is still going strong and well run by the Rickmansworth waterways Trust.
     
    Ricky really started me off in the canalworld in the early sixties I would cycle to Batchworth and buy my 10 Consulate Menthol cigs from Jon’s stores by the lock.
    I spent my first night aboard a boat above the lock on Trojan listening to the water weiring over on the opposite bank.
     
    In 1993 I took Clover and Sunny Valley to Castlefields to load pallets of envelopes for John Dickinsons.. The Castlefield Hotel had been built but the rest of the area was flattened. Greyhound was loaded in the Midlands with Bags of fertiliser which was unloaded beside the lock onto a Foden Steam Lorry for onward delivery. The pair were unloaded up the River Chess by a crane in the woodyard. I guess the last commercial activity on the River.
     
    I was just asked if Stafford could juged for the best turned out 'work' boat. I declined as it is a converted boat. They said it should still be judged. Again I declined and said Clover is without doubt the best turned out real work boat. They said it won last year so guess it will have to be the equally well turned out Fazeley.
  16. bargeeboy

    Helm sorted

    By bargeeboy,

    Took advantage of some muscle on Sunday to try and put it back in again. Ist prize a few pints. Nobody won as it would not drop in. Decided to drop the rudder out whilst in the deep water to check it was not damaged. Dropped it out and it was okay and managed to get arm down to the cup and it was clean. Then put it in the cup without the collar and it dropped in place. Repalced the cup and perfect. It was a case over my lads had overengineered it and not allowed enough tolerance with the new rudder into the old cup and the collar also too tight a fit. The grinder will sort it out when back home.
     
    Left Monday morning for Uxbridge where I left the car on Friday. Back next weekend for Ricky Festival.
  17. bargeeboy

    Little Venice

    By bargeeboy,

    Still dragging the helm I crept slowly through London again watching the commuters commute. Same as Birmingham with Café in one hand and Metro paper in the other. I ties up below St Pancras at 8.40 to do a car shuffle. How things change I got on a bus to Liverpool St and was told to pay at the machine by the bus stop. This I did and the bus sped off! I got a train to Ponders End then took car to Uxbridge and back on tube to Kings Cross. Back on boat just before 12 and within the 4 hours moorings limit. At middle lock Camden the Aussies were skate boarding over the wier. They had a cable across the cut with a donkey engine which pulls the line that the skater is holding. I then had the pleasure of meeting the star of the YouTube video who did 3 weirs down Farmers Bridge. Strong fellow lifted the helm in himself. Thank you. I stopped on the zoo and put a few jubilee clips on the rudder shaft to stop it falling so far if it drops out again. What an overgrown mess the landing stage is. Very Sad.
    I went to the first cavalcade in 1984 and I was beaten in the boat handling by Mickey Cull (for the perfect hull call Mickey Cull) . I think I won a tankard and he a bottle of Whisky. I’ve still got the Tankard and we all had the Whisky so I guess I did really win. Tied up at end of Paddington Arm for the weekend. Hope the sun shines where you are. I am planning a swim to check the helm if nobody falls in before. I can see it in the clear water and all in line but I suspect that i have something in the cup even a small pebble can cause such grief.
  18. bargeeboy
    In the words of Ronnie Barker “Its good to be on the move again” Left Enfield on Stafford around 3 .30 on Thursday. It was strange to have a full conversion ahead of me again. On the way to Enfield a few weeks ago I vent close to rivers edge around Tottenham to pass the dredging works when I went over something solid and rested on it. A tug pulled me off or over as the case maybe and the helm came out. It is quite amazing that that the deepest BW navigation in the South is being dredged but guess that’s politics as I am sure the Olympic Committee is paying. So I put helm back in but on the way round the tight turn by the Youngs pub it dropped out ! I am now getting a bad feeling about it as I was sure it was in the cup but it did take all the weight of the boat as I was pulled off. Up the Hertford Union I strapped the helm across the gates to assist the lift and again got it in. Until at the end where we meet the Regent and out it came again. This time no bottoming. I remember coming back from Waltham Abbey in 1994 with Jaguar and Australia loaded with timber. It took 3 hours to get from Hertford Union top to Old Ford Lock even with Waterways running half a paddle to top up as they had no spare water. Thanks then to Plover and Apple who assisted 15 years ago.
    Keep fit London I now know what the railings are for, it is so the joggers can perform gymnastics on them. 15 years ago I would only tie up on the Pub side by Victoria Park but now full of joggers with ear pieces and tight shorts. Great improvement.
    I pushed onto Battlebridge for the night and tied up at 9 with the helm dragging only to be approached by a jobs worth who said I could not tie there. Said going to the pub and if you don’t like it call the Police and the Waterways. Pub oh the pub has gone. I am sure there was a pub in the corner of the basin last time I was here. No wonder jobsworth looked at me in amazement! True to my word I was gone by 8 the next morning and never trespassed on his charge.
  19. bargeeboy

    Home in 3

    By bargeeboy,

    Did not appear to have moved overnight and quickly got range roaring for the tea and was at top of 13 for 7.30. A mob handed Viking Hire boat had just gone down and they said they were following a boat with only 2 crew and that they would help them out. I asked if they would pull me a pasddle then. I visited the facilities at top lock and then set down to 3 as started down at 8am. Its handy in the thick of the 13 as the boat will go on its own along the pounds if you set the tiller strings right. You can jump off and close the gate and meet the boat in the next lock. Perfect timing as they were just leaving 13 as I left 12.
     
    They then tied up as I passed by they said if I waited for them they will do the same down Aston. What loose a boat by NO chance ! I said it would be quicker if they locked up behind me. Once in a rythym its no problem on your own just a lot of walking.
     
    Walk down 2 and draw a paddle, back up and open gate, back to your now empty lock. Put in ahead, up ladder, close gate and step on. DO NOT JUMP !
     
    Same again but better to draw 2 paddles to empty lock as the draw keeps boat against the bottom gates.
     
    I recalled the trip home with Kangaroo when purchased from the T & M canal Society. I collected it with Helen (of the breasted up pair) in December 1991 I think it was. It rained and rained and I out-bought all the rain coats from Natwich Charity shops for H who was steering and I was in the car. We stayed at a Middlewich Hotel 1st Night and Market Drayton the 2nd. As the boat had been standing for many years the spiders were a bit annoyed at the noisy smokey Lister HB2. I have a picture of them taken in the dark at the top of Audlem clambering over each other at the fore stud and lfront line trying to escape ! On Sunday evening in the dark we were at Aston 10 and the bottom gate would not open all the way. After 1 hour in the dark I called International Rescue and out came Ken Ward and He managed to move the obstruction from behind the gate which we think was a safe. We left the boat below the lock and got a lift home. When we returned on the Monday afternoon the water was 2 ft in the hold and it took us 3 hours until dark to pump it out. A few old rags and socks stopped the flow through the rotton bottoms and decided to get back early the next day for the final trip home.
     
    Small fish and chips was the order of the day at the Drome cafe at Minworth £2.90 good value. Also of note is the Selco Builders Merchant Cafe on the offside. But be wary of the Black Hand Gang ! I think they might be B37 or something gang now !
     
    Dropped through bottom of Minworth and met the 2 handed boat. It was Phoebe and one of mine I built last year. Four thumbs up was the sign I was looking for. And I got a very enthusiastic thumbs up which means the boat is fine and they are happy people!
     
    As I was coming down the thick at Curdworth I saw a boat coming up below the cottage. I was quiet amazed when I got to cottage lock that they were now winded and going down. Anyway they dropped back to pub lock and drew a paddle for me so timing was not really affected.
     
    The bottom lock did not have the car parked over the tail as it did at 04.30 a week ago but it is obviously the regular parking place by the wheel marks.
     
    Arrived at the yard 10 minutes after they had gone home at 6.10 pm and was in pub by 6.30. I was told I looked like Peter Sellers playing the railwayman in St Trinians !
     
    On reflection 3 days single handed fron the Port to Alvecote. Not a bad trip !
     
    Might go off at the weekend to London for some cleaner boating on Stafford .
     
    Watch this Space !
  20. bargeeboy
    Fired up at 6 and make rapid progress up the rest of Audlem and had a very un eventful Adderley thank goodness.
     
    Only one boat ahead at Tyrley and two coming down so again flew up here.
     
    What a glorious day to be on the Shropshire Mooring Canal all was well until the bilge pump slowed and slowed until it stopped. The stern tube leaks when under way I regard it as good lubrication for the shaft. The water pump plunger was squirting back since I rebuilt it so the pump was needed to keep the water from getting round the flywheel which causes a right mess in the engine 'ole as well as getting oil on the clutch. I had a solar charger on the battery and was convinced that it was not keeping up with demand. I then put the genny on and after 15 mins the pump was still at a dribble.
     
    Up floors and it was plastic in the pump which was duly rectified. Now we were cooking on gas and got to Cut End at 6 against my earlier prediction of 5 o'clock.
     
    Wolverhampton here we come. No probs until 15 when the pounds was well down. I then spent the rest of the way up pinching water from above and in case I did get stemmed up leaving a feeder on each time. Out of top at 10.154 and put out engine near Smethwick where the boat glided to the offside and was still there in the morning.
  21. bargeeboy

    Get 'em ahead

    By bargeeboy,

    Fired up at 6.45 after floating towards the bridge so as to not wake up the now sleeping party goers. Went ahead of Lamprey who were waiting for young James Booth to come with us to top of Chester. We came out of the top of Chester at 10.30 so under 4 hours from the Port. Looking good until Shady Oak when 2 lockfuls of boat were waiting. One hour 'til we got in the lock. At least they were only going to Beeston for the Monday Market. As I approached Beeston there were a dozen boats lined up waiting for the lock. I pulled onto Chas's Wharf and let Lamprey hop along the queue and put my head down expecting him to breast up in an hour os so as he came by. Two hours later there were 5 boats ahead of us asnd I was thinking I should really go up with the short boat I was behind. I could put him on the off side of the lock so we were away from the pinch spot. I then dozed off again and when I looked there were 2 boats. Where had the 'odd' boat gone I asked Tony. He told me they were all locking up single as recommended on the sign !!!!! 3 Hours it took to get into the lock then 2 working boats breasted up went through with no problem !!!!!! GGGGrrrreeee !!!!!! See General Boating topic on Beeston...
    Tony had informed them that it was not a problem unless you were in excess of 7' woth a similar oversized boat and 70' in length on the off side. Even so The counter was inside the 'wide' bit going up and the fore end had started to narrow at the point where the lock is distorted. The sign used to warn of two 70' 'wide' boats but not now.
     

     

     
    Same at Bunbury the boats in front would not go upo because 2 small ones were coming down !!
     
    Eventually got them organised and to the sound of a ticking over bolinder we did the Banbury Shuffle.
     
    So much for an early start as only 2 boats appeared behind us at Beeston we could have started at 10 and been in the same place. I now know why I gave up 'proper' boating years ago !
     
    It was looking like a late night as it got dark as I cleared Hack Green thying to make myself as secret as the Secret Bunker as I passed all the moored boats on the picnic site.
     
    No time to stop at the Shroppie as the locks were all for me. I wanted to get into the thick at least but as i approached each lock the gates parted which told me the road was still good. Thinking about making the top now until stemmed up on the weir side bottom of No 6. I held back and the engine said No. Did the sensible thing and put the fore line around the gate and went to bed. Would have liked to have cleared Audlem and had a pint but que sera !
  22. bargeeboy
    Good to see the changes since my last visit. Over 70 visiting boats (I was no. 69 to arrive) and good to see some 'old' friends with old being appropriate. Found a cracking picture of Kangaroo with Australia on one off their posters. Loaded with Salt on the River Weaver with Lol steering, Clare posing and me making lines. However began to feel been here done it by early afternoon and thinking about getting on the move again. lamprey was leaving at 6.30 Sunday so a decision was made for a 6.30 start on Sunday.
    Now home in 3 days and will post return trip later today after going to the yard to empty the till !
  23. bargeeboy

    Chester

    By bargeeboy,

    Dropped down into Chester Basin for a scrub off. Found a cafe with full breakfast for £3.50 and a spotless toilet that I was alowwed to use. Paid £3.09 for a box of Persil in Spar shop. There where about 10 boats in the basin when I arrived. I had work to do and scrubbed the boat off. Went shopping in Chester and found T J Hughes with jeans for £4 which makes them almost disposable. Fresh milk, bread and hot cross buns on the list. I set off at 4 and I saw a Toshiba sign at the Ellesmere Designer Outlet about 1 mile from the Port. Tied on offside under a bridge to go the the stores to look for a new laptop. Well I could see it but two fences were a problem. I walked round the adjoining football pitch up to the council houses. Still no way through until I saw the McDonald wrappers. I followed the trail through a hole in the fence, over the stream and squeezed through the secutity fence where one upright had been removed. Back to boat and while stopped gave my self a scrub off and put on new clean clothes. Felt good when I arrived at the Port in my clean boat and clean clothes and even the engine behaved itself whilst I winded. Time for a pint at the Time Warp pub. Yes still the same formica table tops and plastic chairs from 10 years ago when last at the Port.
  24. bargeeboy

    Pit Stop for Helm

    By bargeeboy,

    Fired up at 7 again and set off from bottom of Audlem with the rudder dragging the cut and a fibregalss tiller bar that was fragile. Not many bends here though. Went past Hankelowe Mill and thought would you let your 5 or 6 year old daughter go picnicing and swimming there with the Audlem local teens ? I did in the early eighties, gosh how the World has changed. Water still a problem so I tied up in the wide railway bridge to re-build the water pump. Not the pump but the mud box was full ! Tame Valley silt no doubt. Well clean out and wall to wall water. The bends on the Chester cut were proving a problem with the tiller so I blagged a scaffold pole from a building site which although much too long it just missed the chimney pipe so we coped with the bends better. I waited at Tarvin for Alton who came up behind me at Bunbury. We breasted up at Beeston Stone and came down the Iron abreast as well. Noted that the sign used to say that wide full lengths boats might get wedged in the Iron lock. CORRECT , WIDE FULL LENGTH BOATS ABREAST !!! Sign says "strongly recommends single passage". The wide bit is on the off side at the top. Alton dropped me off at Chas Hardens at 2. Helm out heat on and back in water and tiller made inside 2 hours. Thanks Chas, you're a star and always have been. early tie up then at the top of Chester Locks and posted last nights log. Was then checking e-mails when laptop died without warning. Oh well it had been shaking about a bit the last few days.
  25. bargeeboy
    At 7 I pulled Roo into lock 19 whilst the lamp was on ( I regard this as a free lock ) and along came Waterways man to check level and again what a bonus he set the bottom 2.
    Was through Cut End just after 8 and thought I'd cracked it now.
    batted up the Shroppie or should I say the Shropshire Mooring Canal.
    Its changed since last time I did the full trip.
    I was concerned with the water as I had to ease off when it started to steam. So took it steady as not many place to bat on now.
    I gazed at the telegraph pole and thought What A Pratt I Was!
    In the early eighties it fell over, the tie straps had corroded. I has a brilliant idea to fix it. One Sunday morning with Michael Pinnock we strapped our boats underneath and I put a laddre on the cabin to up to the arch. It is only when you get there that you realise that the arch is about 5 foot deep. I got off the ladder an onto the top and managed to prop up the pole. Easy so far ! Try getting back down. But I'm still here.
    Got to Adderley about 4.30 and thought maybe bottom of Audlem. Mistake to think these things.
    At lock 4 I left the boat paddling in ahead with 1 paddles as I had done down the 21 and Tyrley with no probs when I went to set the bottom lock. As I walked back up I heard the noise ! The cill had caught me or rather I had caught the cill. It had settled down when I got to it to survey the damage. No chance of the rudder going back in and definately bent the shaft. I tried to put it in the cup but to no avail and to and insult to injury I used the tiller bar without the tiller pin to lift it with my back. I then took the tiller off and put it on the cabin top OR NOT as in the cut in went. Time to tie up ! I pulled the boat out off the lock and thought no problem a spare is on the boat or is it No its on the Jag that I got ready to take on Saturday. Time to go in and get it. down the ladder on the bottom with water around belly but as I moved to the back of the lock with the water around my nipples I thought No go.
    I got out wet and sat on Ike Argents bench and had a few words with him. The mop stick is a hollow fibreglass tube so off came the end 3 ft of it and with the help off some string to stop it splitting we are on the move again but looking like top of Audlem now and a walk to the pub.
    As I came out of the bottom lock with the rudder dragging the mud a voice said " You going dowm Audlem" well Christmas had arrived. Max walked to Audlem top wher we were joined by Rogewr who said " you going down, I'll set 'em". 6.50 in glorious sunshine with 2 crew was a bit different than 24 hours earlier at Wolverhampton. Tied up down the bottom at 8.20 and in the Shroppie at 8.30.
    Well fed and watered I tried again in a dark cabin to find the dongle but I don't think the keyboard would have spelt correctly if I had found it anyway!
    Went to bed a 10.30 thinking 12 hours Cut End to bottom Audlem Not Bad !Oh and did not think about the helm that I was still dragging hanging loose in the cut. Something will crop up I am sure. Ni Ni.
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