bag 'o' bones

Whats the cast metal thingy?: Remains of another bridge next to a lock covered over by grass:

History is full of 'mistakes'.

Got a short video of the lock as well but don't think I can put it on here.

Red, white, vegatable oil? Its all the same. Diesel experimented with quite a few different fuels before deciding on 'light oil?'. I think more engines are killed by lack of maintainance (or use?) then anything else.

I've of the opinion that as long as you don't damage anything gaining access then all a land owner can do is ask you to leave, which is fair enough. Thing is even though I was trespassing to take the pictures, there were no 'proper' fences to speak other than a few strands of wire to negotiate. If anyone would like to see a few more piccies then I will post if there's any interest.

Below Norbury Junction For those of you who have wondered what was behind the 'Dry Dock' (The first lock) situated at the end of the short length of the Newport and Shrewsbury: The dry dock building is just behind the trees: Looking the opposite way towards Newport: Towards Newport again. The trees in the background is where the canal must have crossed the stream by a short viaduct of some sort. About 200yds towrds Newport looking back up the lock flight towards Norbury. You can just about make out the lock chambres in the grass: I don't mind anyone nicking these pictures for a website but please P.M. me first as I have a few more! Towards Newport into the cutting: The first 'complete' lock that hasn't been obliterated. Technically I had to trespass to take these pictures and involves some pretty awful banks to climb so just bare that in mind if you go to have a look yourself.

Lappal - there's not a lot to see to be honest. Funnily enough I walked the route from selly Oak up to the California tunnel portal site the other day. Not sure about 'over the hill' i've yet to explore that far. Where the Lappal joined the Worcester and Birmingham canal the tow rises indicating a bridge at some time. The canal from the junction to the Giddens Road bridge has been completely obliterated, save for a very short section where you can see the reamains of what looks like a wharf judging from the characterstic edging bricks that have been recently uncovered by heavy machinery. If you do intend to have a look, make it quick as they are going redevelop it shortly. I'm studying at the University of Birmingham and live near Selly Park which the Lappal runs past. If you ever in the vicinity give us a P.M. and we'll go out exploring.

I was wondering that.

I think you missed the point. Warts and all yes granted it livens up a thread, yes everyone has a voice which fair enough - one of the reasons why I stepped down as a moderator on the other site was the site owner was taking political correctness too far deleting slightly 'off the cuff' not quite P.C. posts. Made the site boring. When i said deleting posts I meant anything posted by 'post hoares' - you know the type - posted purely to increase a members overall post count - usually a couple of words, adding nothing of relevance to the thread..... sad but true. Ok not all chit chat is of the same type, its just after a few months a lot of chit chat has no relevance.

Set fire to your boat?

Waxoyl and welding - Been there and burnt it - the car. Well the sill anyway. Took a dumping CO2 from the mig into the cavity to put it out. Quite exciting for a moment or two. Got an extinguisher to hand these days

To add my ten bob worth I reckon some of the threads can get a bit bogged down by chit chat which is ok to a point, but when reading the replies so that you don't repeat the same thing it can make it a chore to plough through. When I helped moderate another forum I used to be a member of, I would cull the off topic posts once the interest had died down or if they were so far back in the thread that no-one would notice. Forum 'spring cleaning' I suppose, - worked well - certainly didn't get any complaints.

Sounds totally reasonable. I do like it when someone official talks a bit of sense!

Personally if it just a 'hobby' type of business - for example someone who enjoyed photo framing for the craft side of things rather than a fully blown business then getting a licence might make it unviable. For example my mum who's retired breeds Cockateils. The money she makes just pays for the hobby and the local bird club that she also runs so technically its not a 'business' but just a hobby thats gone mad. I suppose the question is where do you draw the line. Pin money for a few pints down the pub is one thing a fully fledged business is another.

not that I have any experience of thinsulate but I can't see how it can be as good as spray foam which effectively is like a very thick 'paint' that bonds with the steel rather than thinsulate which merrily 'stuck on'. Spray foam has proved its effectiveness over many winters. Thinsulate hasn't been around long enough.

Interesting. Where did you get your info from?