Tim Lewis

It's Agenda 21 Tim

Have seen boats being overplated at Debdale Marina on the Leicester section seemingly very efficiently, can't comment on the standard or price though. Tim

From the Canals Mailing List a couple of months ago: You're all so very kind that maybe now it's the time to announce that One Man and a Narrowboat; Slowing Down Time on England's Waterways will be available from all good bookshops in the spring. However, this announcement comes with a caveat for the book is actually a reprint, with a new cover, of Fruit Flies Like a Banana which many of you have already bought. True, it is a comprehensively revised text. There are new bits and some of my more.... err... hysterical outbursts have been quietly binned. Even so, anyone who has read Fruit Flies would be disappointed they weren't getting something new and I'd be sorry for that to happen. Especially since this is a decision of the publishers over which I've got very little control. However, some of you who haven't read FF might like it, and those that have might be curious as to what I'm least pleased with and have axed. <Snip> Steve

They are closed on Mondays! Tim

We generally do the trip over two days to get from Teddongton To Reading to make the best use of the short term licenses but it is a beautiful section of River that you shouldn't rush if you don't need to. Windsor is an excellent place to spend an evening/lunchtime, Hampton Court Palace is well worth a visit. Henley is nice if you can get a mooring - have always been disapopinte at Marlow - not sure why, the pubs are just not my style. Teddington Lock works 24 hours but Brentford doesn't - your departure from Teddington will depend on the tides! Tim

Try here. Tim

There are no public/visitor moorings in Battlebridge Basin, the only 'free' mooring is at the London Canal Museum which can be booked by visitors to the museum at £6/night. Nearest visitor moorings are the other side of Islington Tunnel but these are normally full ditto at Camden. We have often moored just below City Road lock, not the quietest area but never heard of any trouble there. Tim

Try again, Birmingham is covered. Tim

Google have just released streetview for major towns in the UK. For those who have not used it it is continuous photography at street level of every street/house in the areas covered. I warn you, it is addictive - try spotting your house/car/boat. http://maps.google.co.uk/streetview Tim

According to the stoppage notice the closure isn't until the 20th April! Tim

There is a BCN Yahoo group read by BCN experts you can join/post to at: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/CanalScapeBCN Tim

We do not take week long mooring bookings at the London Canal Museum as we have a lot of school visits etc that require the use of the wharf (we only have one boat lengths of mooring) We do accept overnight moorings and possibly day long ones for visitors to the museum subject to availability. Tim

We have never failed to get a mooring at Little Venice/Paddington but I wouldn't plan on getting a mooring at Camden, (or anywhere on the Regents except Limehouse!) Please do the Thames - it is a stunning river! Tim

We bought our steel ballast from here, though you are not looking for much they might be worth a call - they are specialists (ie. know a lot) in boat ballast. We also use 56lb wights with handles - got ours via e-bay. Tim

Can somwone tell me the outcome - I missed the last couple of minutes! Tim

On Fulbourne we had always used black canvas which we tended to get about five years useful life out of but when we came to replace the last set we couldn't find a supplier of it for life nor money. We eventually bought a synthetic material called Regentex which we had seen on the butty 'Kildare' which has a woven effect. After initial misgivings we are very pleased with the result. We bought ours ready made up from DH Load Control in the Black Country, details here. Tim

S'funny, had a perfectly acceptable pint there last year whilst waiting for the boat! Tim

It's HBOS Now: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/272799 At the time it was being built I was working on the construction of a couple of sites in Central London designed by the same Architectural practice (GMW) and remember that it was taking a lot of stick! Tim

All the old buildings in this picture, with the exception of the ACS clubhouse, have now been demolished and a new theatre is currently being constructed in their place. The buildings demolished included the Ship Inn which was no great loss! Tim

HBOS actually! Tim

It was his first post! (at least here) Tim

Reminds me of a WRG dig many years ago when Sue was cooking a very large pot of stew and was asked if there was a vegetarian option. "Yes" she replied "just take your portion from the top of the pan as all the meat has sunk to the bottom" Tim