richardf

Home brew shop

I have one of those big Brasso tins, when it was empty I simply ran a tin opener around the bottom and sat it over the exhaust spigot. It fits perfectly.

I don't think so, but I'll have a dig around

In the 80s I used to moor next to Badsey and Barnes at Stonebridge Wharf at Shalford on the River Wey. In several years there, I never saw them move!

www.dresslikeatw*t.com ?

I'm not sure, but it will in the spring, so anywhere nice - the Llangollen would not be too busy, Oxford Canal, Shroppie - but that may just be my choice rather than his!

A friend of mine who is, to say the least, not short of a few bob, has asked me for a recommendation for a hireboat holiday. Having seen some of the sorry state of some of the hire boats that come past us, I just know that he would be disappointed. Does anyone know of a company that either has a one off boat or a fleet of boats that are nicer than the average? Would be pleased to hear any suggestions. Thanks

Pigeon Boxes - when I bought mine it was either the Midland Chandlers version or pay more than double to any other supplier. Actually the MC version wasn't too bad!

I hear you gave your blacking a close inspection the other day Chris - come on, tell all........

Blimey, that makes me think! Firstly as a 24 inch diameter pipe it would be too big to bury in the deck of the bridge, hence the decision to put it in a tunnel. When British Gas was arranged in regions, there was a South Eastern Region (who I worked for!) and a North Thames Region. For some strange reason, we went over the river to cover Hampton, Teddington etc - hence the need for the pipe. It used to run right along the barge walk and over the years had a problem with stress corrosion of the ductile iron bolts that formed the joints - the solution was to purge the pipe of gas and send people up the inside, sealing each joint. It was a filthy job and it fell upon me to crawl along afterwards (many hundreds of yards between shafts) and inspect every joint. When I look at myself now I think it would be a bit more tricky to fit in a 24'' - a vision Winnie the Pooh getting stuck comes to mind! I actually worked with a guy who turn round in that size, although how he had the nerve to try it the first time always mazed me! Nothing to do with boats at all though - sorry!

Any chance of you running that graining course Phil? We would be up for that!

For once I actually know the answer to this! It's a tunnel containing a 24'' gas main and I have spent many hours down there inspecting the condition of the pipe! It was a few years ago, but I seem to remember that the entrance was alongside the old Maid Boats boatyard. Once you have entered into the building there is a long shaft which drops to the floor of the tunnel - a metal 'fire escape' style staircase was in place. Once underneath the river (you can walk alongside the pipe) it is possible to hear the craft engines as they motor overhead. Of course there was the odd idiot who thought it was funny to turn the lights out down there - and also jump up and down on the staircase, thus depositing rust, spiders and God know what on the head of the person lower down!

My understanding is that oil AGAs are a continuous burn appliance, whereas Rayburns have pressure jet burners and are hence able to be turned up when required rather than just providing coninuous heat. That would make them a better bet for boats IMHO. It will also provide for better economy - don't forget that AGAs were designed when fuel was much much cheaper - not the case these days. I believe that there are quite a lot of electronics in the Rayburn so it might be awkward to fit into a boat that doesn't have constant 240V supply. Heritage have a unit designed especially for boats - and whilst they are almost a competitor of mine (our ranges are all electric and therefore not boat friendly), they are a good company run by honest ethical individuals! I would give them a look.

I had a piece of stainless rolled to just above the diameter of the flue (but not welded). I then squeezed in together until it would fit and tapped it home until it was the same height as the (single skin) chimney. Anything that condenses on the inside of the inner liner will run back down, it's a tight fit to the flu so very little will escape through to the outside. I don't use a coolie hat when the stove is running as I think they also cause problems

My first narrowboat was a Springer and had an aged pump out and tank at the front of the cabin. I was about one week away from home moorings (I was on The Thames) and went in for a pump out. The operator thought that he was sucking up air - he was, the bottom of the tank had been pulled in by the suction and the contents had drained into the shallow vee bilges. It had a 'wet bilge' that drained the front well, but I can remember the moment of switching on the bilge pump only to see a stream of blue 'water'. I had to remove all the flooring and clean it all out - sort of spolied the holiday! Top that!

This site seems to suggest that it can be more than 30p! http://www.reuk.co.uk/Feed-in-Tariff.htm

I believe there is a new scheme being launched shortly, it is an attempt to get our sustainable energy figures up. If you invest in a turbine, PV panel or whatever - you can sell that energy back to the grid for 30p a unit. Bearing in mind you can buy power at 10p a unit, that is a significant amount of money. I know of several people who are investing in wind turbines for this sole purpose. Not sure how long this scheme will be in place for, but I know of several of our customers who are doing it.

I disagree, £125 a day for the undivided attention of someone who is acknowledged as being one of the best painters on the system - I think that is pretty amazing value!

Interesting about the name, I had it as Frederick Whittingham, from memory when I seem to think it was painted on the stern. After Braunston it was moored just below Godstow lock at Oxford on the back of the weir island then it moved to Richmond where it fell into disrepair and Jim Mac got hold of it I suspect rather cheap We looked at it about 7/8 years ago when it was for sale on the 'island' in Oxford - it was for sale for 15K at the time. It was all engine with very little accommodation and just looked like it would be a money pit. The engine was very smoky and the clutch had packed up that morning! Lovely boat in the right hands though. I think Jim MacDonald bought it from Oxford, but I did see it on Apollo Duck a while ago - think there was some hints about lots of work done, but more to do!

I work in the range cooker industry and know the guys at Heritage; they were telling me the other day that sales of their ranges have grown on the back of problems being encountered with other types of diesel heaters. I think the Heritage is a great product and they are a very straight company in my opinion.

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