bargeeboy

I re-build my boats as original which is one complete shaft from the bolinder thrust bearing to the blade

A sign of the times the engineering company we have used in the UK for many years have ceased trading. Are there any others who can turn 12 ft shafts of 2 and a half inch diameter ? Anywhere in the UK please.

Narrowcraft hold full stock of all Barrus consumerables. Also delivery to the Shroppy this week is available

Unless the boat is being sold with exclusive mooring facilities it should make no difference. Potential purchasers travel many miles to view boats with their main Brokerage visits in the Midlands where they can visit many yards in one day. I E Wilton , Crick , Braunston , Rugby as well as ourselves near Tamworth So I would suggest it makes little difference as a general rule

South Midland have a pair off boats on the Shroppie but NOT ADVERTISING !

Available on the telephone but not canalside as such

Think you missed the point Alan A 'free' ride of 100 tons could go with them using the resourses of manpower, diesel, water etc .

Andy was fed up with only short lease renewals from Waterways so told them to st*** it !

Looking at Victoria I can not help thinking what a waste of resourses both of the boa,t the system and the people to take that empty hold space on a jolly to London and back. Get real next time and get some weight and/or purpose in/on the boats

If your boat is tied correctly on this length of deep water then you should be okay. The gravel boats loaded woyld create more pull than Victoria flat out empty !

Or you could always go to yard/marina and book a 'fit out' bay for 3 months !

Try Me Same day service VIEW , PAY , TAKE AWAY Simple

We have settled for 12 mm base plate on all our new boats and shells. No point in 15 mm base plate and 6 mm sides ! if going to 15 mm 8 mm sides would be expected. We also put 3 coats of paint on the underside of the base plate in the factory which I consider is good enough for 10 years wear on a 'shallow' drafted boat even if it is never done again.

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.

Is there a stream underneath the railway 'bridge' ?

I got it wrong SORRY I went to Norwood Top It is actually Hanwell top in the 1957 pic !! Thank you idleness . It was raining and I was parked on yellow lines so did not walk down ! FIVE PADDLE I have always know it as that and was surprised when the sign Home Park appearsed I can not see why they would need it but I was told there was a paddle on towpath side to discharge into the stream under the towpath. I have been told that the paddle hole can be seen in the brickwork but I have not seen it ! NORTH GROVE Always known as Hunton Change Lock from Steamer days 3 hr 20 between change locks ! Cowley being the next before London.

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.

I went there 3 weeks ago and was confused by the extention to the house that appear to be earlier than 1957.

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.

These pics were found recently and I am at a loss to identify the location. The 3 main choices I have visited and discounted. The latest being top of Hanwell but now discounted although the chimneys match Any suggestions ?

Not much use to me either I used Narrowcraft's same day Bolinder parts delivery service on Tuesday heading South with the Jag and Emu.

I think I need younger boats I'm beginning to feel as old as my boats !!

I usually walk on the towpath alongside the boat.

Not really sunk ! Just took a lot of water. Lawrence was hospitalised on his return from London via Shakerstone loaded with 16 tons on motor. With the rest of us being away (Jaguar heading South with railway line for NB Roger) the boat was not 'put to bed' and took some water. All sorted as the boat looks as good as it did at Beale Park. Taken this morning Monday 13th Sept 2010

Batchworth 1965 !