dove

Yes, I oiled and greased everything on our last trip and BW men sat in the van and watched me. cost me a fiver. BW just spent 1.5 million on new towpath, no sorry cycle path! Andrew

What a really good event, glad we went and glad to see this out and about. Andrew

Did it ealier this year, take an oil can and you'll be fine. Andrew

Did Garrison late last year with no problem at all, as for Perry Bar, done them about four times this year. Andrew

Had this sent to me...note the dates Diglis River Locks Closure Monday 12 September 2011 - Friday 21 October 2011 Diglis River Lock Stoppage- Major Works being undertaken from 12.09.2011 to 21.10.2012 Diglis lock is made of two locks which are side by side. The locks are fed by a single feed pipe which runs between the two locks and to allow the safe dewatering of the each lock we need to close off the feed pipe. To do this a steel plate will be installed at each end of the pipe. Once in place, this means we will be unable to fill either lock. The timing in September and October is intended to reduce the risk of the River being in flood and should be completed before the October Half term holidays. The works that are being undertaken on the stoppage are:- • Replacement of Gate Cills • Repairs to main lock Cills • Brickwork repairs • Inspection of Feeder culverts • Inspection of the lock chamber • Removal of debris from the lock chamber There may be an opportunity to see this unique structure as part of a public open event – keep an eye on press releases as we approach the stoppage. Enquiries: 01452318000 Andrew

Just filling in the form now, see you there. Andrew

Our's goes off sometimes, but the LED on the front flashes three times quickly. Turn the fridge off for two min's then turn back on. Andrew

Did it last week with Trout, Cassiopeia and Marquis. No probems at all. I've oiled all the paddle gear for you so it's easy now. We do it every year. Andrew

Just a couple of photos Andrew

14th Andrew

We'll be there, got a little bit of touching up to do after doing the BCN twice in two weeks. Andrew

Joanna and the two joey's came 10th, we came 13th (don't know what we did wrong) and the cat came about 17 or 18th I think. Andrew

Can't wait...I thought Team Tawny Owl had got it in the bag. Andrew

Nice video Mike, like others not my choice of music. Also not sure about the "Easy Start" prefer the blow lamp. Andrew

Will do. when all buttons come back on the screen! Andrew

Mr. Fuller

Don't think so, it's been bladed three times and I ripped it a bit with the shaft. Andrew

But don't chuck it back in the same place, or it just wouldn't be fun... Andrew

As supplied by Gardner Andrew

I'll take some lifting gear next time we go up that way and remove it shall I. Andrew

Leaky rivets shouldn't be welded up, this stress relieves them and they stop doing what they are suppose to do. That is holding two or three plates or knees together. If doubt replace it, it's not difficult. Andrew

Mike, the owner also owns the two joey boats he dragged round the BCN. He spend a lot of his time around the BCN going to various clean ups and events. The boat is a Hudson boat powered by a JP2. Andrew

Here's what we did, can't be asred work out all the points. It was just good fun to get stuck into some locks. Boat...Dove, draught 36" Length 70-6", crew Me and Andrea. Set off from top of Perry Bar locks 8:00 up Aston up farmers bridge new main line All the loops up Smethwick old main line up Oldbury locks on to Navigation winding hole (question) back down Oldbury Down Spon Lane Down Ryders Green Locks On the Tame Valley Up Rushall Locks Had a kip. Now 12:30 On the W&E Down Walsall Locks Into Walsall town arm Broke our record and did 72 locks in one day Andrew

All the photo's of the early part of the restoration are here https://picasaweb.google.com/fmcdove in various files. Don't be put off by the riveting bit, there are loads of people doing it now. There's a bit video of us doing ours on the blog links. Andrew

We came through this morning (Tuesday) BW man on duty, he say's they are closing the Wednesday all day. Andrew