Stroudwater1

Other genders are available. I suspect these are more small sailing boats/ dingys. I believe it’s a complex scenario that’s been rehearsed before. How would you feel if the Aylesbury or Lichfield boat clubs were just told the purpose round here is road and rail transport and told to shut down? It’s likely that the reservoir maintenance had been neglected for years. It’s quite possible that the sailing club did some useful maintenance though not the main bit that caused the problem. In other words the yacht club is really not the main problem with Toddbrook.

Found a further image from a 1920 aerofilm. It looks like the railway went under St John’s bridge. A little further are old warehouses. It always seemed odd that they were set back from the river, so that explains why, they probably got and passed goods to the railway passing underneath

An interesting map David. Is there a year on it? Does it show a station or any structure northwards? There’s a story of horses being transported away from the racecourse. Further South does it show the railway going up to the cathedral?( around 400 yards ?) and across the road over St John’s bridge, somehow.

Very interesting having lived in Worcester for years I was under the belief that there was a line that ran down to the racecourse, and dropped passengers off there. Didn’t appreciate it was for more than that It’s a long time since I’ve been there but I have a thought that the arches on the other side to Francis picture has a visible old drop in arch height to accommodate that. Fishing around this site describes the situation where it seems the line at one time was intended to go right up to Diglis , and was built up to the cathedral. . http://www.miac.org.uk/butts.html So presumably the bridge across the quay in the image Heartlands posted was part of the original intension as it doesn’t make great sense otherwise, there’s not much land to the left beyond the bridge that can’t be accessed in a different way with no need for a bridge. The line could (I think) have curved inland rather than cross a bridge. Thanks for the old image of the chimney bridge too- you can clearly see the Saltires described in the listing blurb. Pity they weren’t replicated.

According to the CRT map the GU is shut to Warwick Bar / Digbeth junction. This is strange as Bordesley junction to Garrison on the same level is open. Presumably it’s all open from Garrison to Ashsted and up. A curiosity is Ryders Green locks are on a 10-3 opening yet not Farmers Bridge. Having to moor overnight at the bottom of Ryders Green isn’t ideal.

The indication on the CRT website seems to show the canal is closed right through to Warwick Bar/Digbeth Junction? Presumably with Aston Lock flight closed the section from Bordesley Junction to Warwick Bar is open? In fairness encounters with underwater matter is not uncommon at anytime up there. It must be a blow for ABC, met quite a few hire boats from Alvechurch doing the Birmingham mini ring with Tardebigge out. .

Sorry to hear, what a mess. Isn’t that related to the culprits draining the pounds down to Northampton? Something needs doing about that surely- It’s criminal damage plus possible environmental damage too? This is completely different situation. There really is huge almost unlimited water two or three lock flights up to Birmingham and Wolverhampton plus even more if Perry Barr locks are draining down whilst being repaired . There really is near zero excuse to have a continued low pound at Minworth or Curdworth, it’s mismanagement.

Completely agree Alan. This is surely CRT incompetence? There’s billions of gallons waiting to come down from the Birmingham level and above that huge amounts continually being pumped out of mines on the Wolverhampton level. Are CRT really unable to run it down to a shorter pound below? I understand there maybe things called bywashes that can even do it for them overnight. This is the farmers livelihood here, and ultimately our sustenance.

I was going to say the same. One question I have. The previous owner of our boat assured me they only screwed the greaser down half a turn maximum twice a week. I don’t doubt that. She was out for repairs for 3-4weeks when we had ownership and since then it’s needed a turn per day, initially more like 1 1/2. It’s better now. Does the packing dry out or are there issues being out of water for a while? Perhaps it’s just chance, and it may need tightening soon?

That’s sad, when you mention not communicating it seems to be common for phones and emails not to get answered not just by Candlebridge but almost everywhere we have tried on the network. Eventually emails get answered but not always. Did you actually go round to speak to them? They are usually there except one day a week. Must say once we realised that they were a pleasure to deal with. Not only did they re thread a weed hatch bolt so it never looked a problem but took the trouble to copper grease the other 3 as well. It seems that face to face provides a response but the rest is often hit and miss with canal work. Re the boat on question it was in Braunston marina still before Easter and was having its superstructure painted grey at the time . No idea if @wanderinglotus owns her.

The young of almost all creatures can be referred to as a baby of the adult. Indeed some plants too. The phase “my little babies” I often hear referring to tiny plant seedlings. AI for moorhen chicks “ they are also sometimes referred to as Baby moorhens” I often refer to very young ducks coots and even swans as “baby x y or z” I would use it less as the offspring develop so by time they are still a juvenile but nearly in adult plumage I wouldn’t refer to them as a baby so often. @Wafi thanks for the picture it made me smile.

If you really want a fast boat try one of these. Looks similar to the packet boat in shape. I wonder if ones ever strayed up a canal, I think it would fit. @magnetman may know (but not his sort of event ? ) Scullers have been known to travel at least 14mph, beautiful sleek lined umpires boats that have to keep up. What I found interesting was how difficult it was to judge speed, the scullers looked like they were travelling at 2-3mph and the boats sounded like they were moving at 20 (lovely engine noise too)

TBH I’m missing your journey diaries Ian, appreciate the digs were Gybe ho in amount sometimes but take that as a combination of envy and jealousy in part. Credit for what you’ve done but suspect you can’t post many warts that have cropped up. When are you doing the BCN challenge though?

I do wish HMRC and especially the NHS would do this too.

Can I advise the forum that I nearly awarded a greenie for Gybes response to boaterupnorth asking about pumping grey water onto the hard standing “The ducks prefer that to the bile you discharge overboard.” Truly found that amusing and need to advise Gybe before his linseed soaked shirt spontaneously combusts.

I pointed out to put the stuff you apply it with somewhere sensible in a thread not long ago and folk suggested the risk was low if at all. I tend to use one sheet of kitchen paper and put it in the Morso afterwards. If it’s going to burn it saves me a firelighter if it doesn’t it helps the fire next time. Needless to say it has never caught fire. It’s probably more a theoretical risk Nevertheless thanks for the inflammatory thread.

agree Rob. It’s difficult one because part of a delay maybe extracting moths and £10 notes from boaters wallets after climbing down then back up lock ladder to pass it over. The sell from some charities is getting pretty hard and lengthy too. I hope that doesn’t happen here. Appreciate times are tough and all that. Felt like a bit of a mugging with one canal charity (not CRT or Stroudwater related) recently who sold some brochures on walks for £6. When we handed £10 they very quickly said oh dear we haven’t any change so your £4 will have to be a Charitable donation. No is it OK, sorry or nothing. It didn’t feel very charitable I’m afraid. Their till shut faster with the £10 than Arkwrights one on TV. They could have lost much as it’s not one I’m minded to support now.

It really wasn’t that long ago at Hillmorton, last year it still had a number of boats there. In fact I’m pretty sure it did this April? Those things weren’t there then. I believe it’s owned by Clifton Cruisers? Many boats we pass are heading for London CMs so perhaps the number of moorings required is being reshuffled? However wasn’t Manchetter empty for years too and that looks full. Unfortunately its now overflowing onto the Bank with linear moorings giving a very long distance of having to go slow past moored boats.

Presumably since a lot of family businesses are called … and son/s there is an anticipation that the family will continue the name. I could have missed the point but I’d be proud to resurrect the name of a firm my Dad ran. Can’t see what’s wrong with that. I doubt people think Ford motors are trading off the Model T name or Henry Ford?

It’s obviously a different engine to a CE but it’s always been 12 on ours with a similar large guage. Must admit I don’t check it too often as the chances of catching it too low before damage occurs seems unlikely. Im not sure if that sort of pressure is going to get oil high up the engine. Others will know far better than I. Ours has always had a routine of putting oil into oiler cups and down the holes that’s on top of the rocker shaft . Whilst the previous owner is showing you around from experience make sure you know all about the cooling system, including if there’s an impeller and how to change it if neoprene- annually if neoprene . It’s less sexy than the engine but equally important if not more so.

Wont they refund your credit? Our marina did within the last few months. Pretty sure it’s part of some legals with electric supply? Not sure they have a cut off. Our 25 year old freezer 240v is chugging away in a room with roof lights and now 50c and happy keeping things at -18c. Don’t know how it manages it tbh

Oh dear Gybe, one reply does not a stampede make. I think you find many of these threads have a response advising going to Whilton as they have plenty of stock and give you the keys. Actually come to think of it when someone suggested that recently you caused a “stampede” (of one) criticised them and pointed out others marinas do this too.

That’s very sad. About 30% of the cost of a new narrowboat. Hopefully there’s a way out somehow? Pity all involved.

Whilton advertise extensively, often near or at the back of the free paper that is around the network as well as other magazines. They are very long established too(at least since 1980ish) Don’t forget many boats are sold by people getting old infirm or by families who have had a boater who has died. Whilton also unusually offer cash for boats and so it’s a natural fit for someone who just wants rid. Perhaps Whilton is the nearest marina for someone wanting to sell to get to. In Cuthounds case Whilton may have got the asking price for the Hudson which is a reasonable price. So perhaps you need to alter your comment simply to some people put their boats on brokerage at Whilton.

Hi Patrick, I’m sorry I can’t help with dates. However two thoughts, firstly the Wilderness boat owners Club are pretty active still so based on memories and log book entries it’s likely a list can be generated. AFIK many though if not all were in conjunction with the IWA so it seems possible that the list would be in their archives. It’s a shame there aren’t more of these. occasionally we have passed several and it does look a fun way of getting to places that we won’t ever get to otherwise. Perhaps this should be in the historic section and retitled dates of Trailboat festivals? It may get lost in the General section