LEO

Years ago my nephew went to Kingston Uni, the uni had several house boats (looked a bit like sheds on pontoons) on the Thames, we picked him up at Brentford and dropped him off at one of them, occupied by his pal - Lawrence Dellaleo?..........

Agreed, so is the church, lovely stretch of coast line - and Dunwich, a favourite spot.............lots to see, Snape Maltings, and then onto Lavenham.......mind blowing. pleased you are enjoying it, excellent pictures, thanks.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwendovercanal.org.uk%2Fwendover-canal-towpath-update%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3eslFN8ebBT01xkxEFmdSvzXCc2muG3OBzqeg40p9OQdbko-bOMc5UxpA&h=AT19dkKOpZTnpg9tCRKB5lrXYSLe5gybWhrkbRn8ezVhhLCJj0SQOrEHforqfPuCZkldNOXh1LG4gUa8FD1qfy8GCKF-8VnNk_-SF3o_6Pe81bSLg-QZk4w4fVuor2Fgdg&__tn__=H-y-R&c[0]=AT3pd-tAt8yIPG2COJyjD8lmVA3TXwEUV4ItvIzMG311AYskkybIz6A0sAdsSFWOe3xdgXIa3ZVlVO9gk99Q8s-lDC7iZWVQwiPGjlZRwf8dJ0WKj2trndAAwSCPWmKTuobIFTUo7cVdRwzfVqCvJdhbgDjPZ7zQ21HtotXJ_7vRObH7_KV_xjhKmgM6M231Ph5kydqOPQ2xSxHSbk98nmZqzecTe-fj0cFC_wlUY_HG5RLT1CTW CRT carrying out improvements to the towpath and banks.....................towpath has been closed, but yobbo's threw all the barricades into the canal, link gives details of improvements, Not sure when first boats scheduled to arrive...........but locals already complaining about upgrades causing problems for dog walkers.

Poured concrete as ballast, not really a good idea, and you also asked about integral water tanks, again not a good idea, they rust internally and require regular treatment, I have had two boats, the first had an aluminum self contained tank, the second has a polysomething or other tank, both give good service. Not sure if I would trust a boatbuilder who used concrete as ballast or incorporated integral water tanks.

They look really good

Thanks for the information, good article and background on the event, I had a wry smile about the numbers needed to 'man' the entrance gates, I was tasked with organising folks for this purpose at a couple of festivals and yes, it was a bit of a problem, as vast numbers of people turned up once.

Yep! the beer tent was popular ..... and the 'strange' smell in the tent in the evenings made one feel a bit dizzy.........good do's though, I think I stopped going about the same time as you..

Had this hanging on my Gardener's Lavatory Wall since 1997...................memories of a good weekend, I recall it raised about £70K towards restoration. Weather was usually good, good gathering and some boaters visited the Rally at Braunston (pre Crick Days?) on the Saturday. Shame it stopped. Happy Days

Hi, Good set of gauges, not many mentions of the hour meter being useful though, like you I have one.

Hi, a 'relly' had 2 pugs, one seemed to pant a lot with it's tongue hanging out and licking everything, it had a flat face and both these actions indicated a shortage of air due to the flat face, Both dogs needed careful cleaning of the folds of skin on their faces as these areas became 'grubby'. One had to go to the vet to have it's anal gland draining on a regular basis. both were male dogs and one was prone to over eating, mainly treats from over indulgent owners and as a result it became fat. Overall nice dogs, but hopelessly over and interbred to achieve the flat faces which causes the breathing problems. I like small dogs, mainly Jack Russells and Westies.

Thanks for the info.

Some years ago, I visited the basin and saw this ironwork, the boat it belonged to is long gone, I wonder if it is still there?, It's worth having a look at the basin as I think a Building still remains and the chalk stream still flows strongly. It's a nice walk into the village (it's a large one) and near the clock tower look for the Heron Path, a pleasant walk along this past the old school buildings will link up with the stream, fences indicate it was adopted as a canal feeder collecting water from an area known as Wendover Springs. It has flowed strongly and steadily for 200 years as it drains a big area and does not suffer from too much water extraction. At the end of the path is a large pond, the sluice control iron work copies that found on the Grand Union. Well worth a visit.

Good pictures, sorry to read of the problem, having a look at the scope of the rust I would check the electrical connections on the boat to see if there are any problems causing the widespread rust.

Excellent video and replies, with some good photos (thanks), the Wendover gatherings were good and raised lots of money for restoration, but they were hard work, usually the weather was kind, but one year was a washout!, then the field was sold and no more events, one was held at Apsley but it was not the same...my boat is a 'dot' in a couple of the pics, will the canal reach Wendover? hope so. I think the first gathering was the mid eighties, when a group of D&DBC boaters reached Tringford one Easter. If you look carefully, the iron prow of a long lost boat is visible in the basin at Wendover, the railway 'twix Wendover station and Halton Camp carried coal. It is also worth reading 'Water from Wendover', which details the very constant flow of water from springs just outside the village, a walk up the Heron Path, starting near the clock tower along side this stream is good.

I have a similar engine (2LW), I usually start it after turning it over a few times with the decompression lever open, it uses a thick grade of oil and this cold weather ...........also press the button for cold starts in the winter- that helps. I do cringe when I hear people rev any engine hard on starting. I did see a Gardner 6L2 with a small tray below the air filter which you could fill with meths to warm things for Cold Starting...... But Gardner 112695 always starts first touch of the button.

How things have changed, I have not had a 'local' for years, but when I did we all used to have our own tankard at the pub, usually in the Landlord's hand as you walked in ready to be filled. Guess those days are gone forever.

Redshaw's do a nice brass unit, but the arrangement on my boat works well. with a brass speed wheel, a long metal rod and parts from a car jack - the sort which used a long screwed rod.......

I thought it was rated at 28 HP...............

Good pic.and you miss us... hope all well with you and the dog.

Another vote for Oxon, did a good job on Albion Mills, it was some years ago and they may be busy now or Chris is doing his 'Roses & Castles', more recently they did a good job on a tug style called Cypress.Sounds as if you are close by and might be able to call in....