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Mac of Cygnet

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Posts posted by Mac of Cygnet

  1. From the latest CRT notice about the numerous obstacles to navigating the HNC:

     

    Huddersfield Narrow Canal Marsden Flight Information

    Boaters wishing to pass through the Huddersfield Narrow Canal are restricted to 57ft in length (Narrowboats of no more than 60ft in length can pass through diagonally)

  2. 11 hours ago, Mike Todd said:

    Some people, I understand, devise their own device to insert into the hole near to the rim which acts as a handle to make turning somewhat less of a chore!

    Just so that you can send the appropriate crew member to work it?

    I had only one crew member, and her paws couldn't grasp the wheel or reach the box.

  3. 17 hours ago, beerbeerbeerbeerbeer said:

    Hebden Bridge, just remembered,

    slowest of the slowest taps, or was,

    maybe they’ve improved it,

    someone with a weak bladder could pee faster,

     That is indeed the slowest I've ever found.  Knowing this, I once risked going off shopping while filling.  It took another half hour after I returned from the town centre.

  4. Patrick Moore bought me a pint once (he was in St Andrews collaborating with my housemate, an astronomer, on a book).  My main memory of him was that he was so large that he required two chairs, side by side, one for each cheek.

    I met him again at Jodrell Bank, with another astronomer friend.  No pints involved that time, unfortunately.

  5. I produce enormous amounts of sawdust each time I cut up one of my woodpiles (each stack lasts most of a year).  At first I attempted to use the sawdust as fuel, but it just wasn't worth it - lasted very little time and choked up the stove.  So it has accumulated to about a foot deep over several square metres.  The only thing I do use it for is instead of salt to put on my steep icy drive.  It doesn't get rid of the ice, but makes it possible to walk and drive on.  I put several sackfuls in the dry for this purpose each winter. 

     

    I did wonder if anyone would want it for animal bedding, but not the present lot as it has quite a high proportion of yew in it.

  6. I singlehanded the Thames from Oxford up to Lechlade and back down to Brentford a few years ago (with a diversion up the Wey) and found it all very pleasant, except very early one morning at a lock when the electricity ('public power') hadn't been yet turned on.  But it was summer, and the river was very gentle, and my boat was small and easily handled.

    TBH, I have found the Yorkshire Ouse and the Trent much more difficult when singlehanding.

     

  7. Reading the original article, it says that they have spent their time continuously cruising the River Lea and Regents Canal, so if the pic is of their boat while they had it, then all these other places seem unlikely.  I've looked at my pics and others online of Lea (and Stort) locks, but can't find any revealing metal piled sides, although the lockside structures of some look similar

  8. From today's Times (or rather from 100 years ago today) in the archive section:

     

    From The Times: September 13, 1923

    The canals are relatively so small a part of the transport system of the country that a strike of canal boatmen — they enjoy the dignified title of captains — has gone almost unnoticed, though it has continued nearly a month.

    The canal boatmen are a class very much apart from others. The conditions of their life set up a barrier of separation. They have a restless occupation and a moving home. They live on the boat, in the little cabin with the iron chimney at the stern. They stand on its doorstep to steer. It is the home not only of a man but usually of a family — the only home. On land they have no dwelling at all.

    It is a roughish sort of life, inclined to be monotonous and devoid of ambitions. The “captain” has a crew. It consists of his wife and of the children who are old enough to lend a hand. If the man follows the horse, the wife steers.

    The cabin is a crowded and stuffy place at night, when the shelves that serve as tables by day are converted into beds. As likely as not the children sleep on the floor. An instance of a man, his wife, and seven or eight children, living in one boat and sleeping in its narrow cabin was recently brought to light. The children have little or no schooling. They, too, live apart from others.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    During the summer the Transport and General Workers’ Union put forward what was called a national programme for canal boatmen. It included stabilisation of wages and the gradual abolition of the “living-in” system. Present wages range downwards from £2 a week. The union foresees that the discontinuance of living-in would require increases of wages to enable the men to maintain comfortable, fixed homes.

    But this programme is not now under discussion. It had scarcely been launched when the largest firm of carriers gave notice of a demand to reduce wages by amounts ranging from a penny to fourpence a ton each trip. The men worked this out to mean a loss to them of from seven to as much as fifteen shillings a week. They refused the terms, and went on strike.

    About five hundred boats are idle. The canal transport industry is not in a prosperous state, but the men contend that they are being called upon to make too great a sacrifice. Efforts are being made to arrange a conference.

    • Greenie 2
  9. 1 hour ago, LadyG said:

     Did you actually read the thread?

    I don't know why you are posting here, unless it's some sort if twisted logic.

    You don't appear to support this excellent forum, I donate a small amount, not only to help with finances, but slso moral support for the hard work done by those involved.

    I suggest those who don't value the forum should not post, they should resign, and push off.

    I've added  pete.i to my ignore list so I don't have to be annoyed by his negativity.

    I think you've misunderstood Pete. His post was in jest.  He didn't add a 'tongue in cheek' emoji (is there one?).  I've met Pete and he was very helpful to me, not at all negative.  

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