Geoffrey Hammond
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Posts posted by Geoffrey Hammond
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I am delighted that my boat is now finished, afloat and a joy
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It is my intent have fun, and to look after it as well as I can, as economically as I can.
One part of that intent is to care for its engine – to learn about and to be able to service it myself. The engine is a 1952 Lister JP3M.
I know little enough presently, so am minded to use the services of RCR to arrange an individual servicing session this Autumn. It would appear that an RCR engineer will spend four hours with you, talk you through your engine and guide you through its service so that you will be able to do the same job on your own in future. The cost is £150.
Has any forum member had experience of such an RCR individual serving session – did it work for them?
It may be that other forum members will recommend instead other engineers, in the Midlands, whom they believe, from their experience, could help even more – especially as it is a vintage engine.
For me, what is key, is that I have actually to do the service myself rather than just watching – and that I am helped to understand what I am doing and why. I think I have the greatest chance, then, of understanding and remembering and learning!
All advice happily received!
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I have just returned from a week exploring the Moselle by bicycle, boat and train - a most excellent holiday.
Has anyone ever kept or used a narrowboat on this river? There seemed to be many reasons why it might work out:
- 14 or so locks - so that the stream is controlled
- Separate small boat locks - 18m x 3m on average
- Plenty of off-stream moorings
- Huge amounts of beauty
- 200 km or so to explore
Yes, there are some mighty barges and pleasure boats using it, but seemed plenty of room to avoid the worst of their wake.
- 14 or so locks - so that the stream is controlled
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I am not sure of the potential value of such an undertaking. One of the main considerations in choosing a marina/mooring has got to be geographical. After all any savings made in using a cheap site at the other end of the country could easily be negated by travel costs to and from your boat, not to mention the inconvenience.
Yes, I understand your point and it is fair.
However, it could well help some people if the marinas were grouped geographically for comparison.
I think there would be people who might feel helped by a comparison of, shall we say, all the marinas within 20 miles of Rugby - and I think there are many!
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A brief enquiry.
Does there exist a marina comparison site - one to which one might turn in order to find out certain basic details:
The charge to moor - shall we say - a 50ft boat for a year
The charge for electricity per unit
The width of the entrance/exit channel
The number of moorings in the marina
Etc
I know that it might be time-consuming and little lauded to compile - what is an important detail to one person, is of no consequence to another, but I just wondered if anyone had had a go at putting together such information - even if for just a small cruising area.
Many thanks.
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Just to let you know, the photo fetched £700.
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Last week, I had the luck to help a friend take a boat from Bingley to Saltaire - what a day's pleasure.
One moment of great delight was stopping for a cup of tea at Hirst Lock, near Saltaire. A charming elderly man had a homemade cart, on which he brewed and served both coffee and tea: the service was friendly, the tea tasty, the price an utterly fair 40p. He could have charged more - the cafe barge at Saltaire certainly did - but he didn't; his costs were low; his prices were low. A good man. I hope he succeeeds.
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I am not particularly keen on either the excessive height or quality of the engine stack on my boat. Therefore, I am having a new one made by Chris Smith. I have asked him to make me one 18" tall - including its top baffle. Other than the fact that when the wind is unfavourable I will get smoke in my eyes, is there any other disadvantage to having a stack markedly shorter than most?
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Owing to the efficiency of Nick Wolfe, Mitchell Narrowboats is now underway, moving to its new home.
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Tony, thank you for your reply.
I shall try to get some images of the operation added.
If any one is at Braunston Marina on Tuesday, or passes Nick Wolfe's Aldgate on the move, I'm sure that good wishes would be well received.
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Some of you will already know that Mitchell Narrowboats is moving from Braunston to its new base at Fenny Compton Marina.
The move should prove interesting as it is being undertaken by narrowboat. This Tuesday, machinery, materials and tools are being loaded onto canal carrier Nick Wolfe’s Aldgate for the journey along the Oxford Canal. Departure is late Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning.
How good to see the apposite form of transport in action.
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On Tuesday 22nd May there is an auction of photograhs at the Bloomsbury Auction House.
Lot 96 is an utterly atmospheric canal shot from 1954 by the great English photojournalist Thurston Hopkins, now aged 98 - or 99.
Here is a link to the auction catalogue image: http://www.bloomsburyauctions.com/detail/35919/96.0
Does anyone recognise the boat?
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Many thanks.
1977 would certainly have been a year I went through, so it sounds like the right man.
I'll try to find the copy of WW; I'm delighted there exists an article about him.
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Chatting with a friend recently, we chanced to talk about the many canal trips we had been on in the 70s and 80s and how certain characters on the waterways could never be forgotten.
Most memorable for us was the tunnel keeper at the south end of Harecastle. Our memories might have played us false, but he seemed always to be on duty, was quite short, quite stern, in total command and was friendly and jolly helpful once approached politely.
Others will know more:
What was his name?
Is he still alive?
Was there ever an article about him in a waterways magazine - I feel that he must have had wonderful stories to tell.
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I spoke to Bob Mitchell today.
He was pleased to say that, apart from some damage to the ceiling, everything else could be put right by a couple of days of cleaning and drying.
Incidentally, the old stove referred to by an earlier correspondent was replaced last year.
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In today's Daily Telegraph there is an obituary to Crick Grundy who died on the 4th November.
I do not know how good an obituary it is, but certainly it proved an interesting read for me, as it not only paid tribute to his role in the restoration of the English canal system, but also to his receipt of the MC for 'courage, leadership and skill' in the Korean war.
I hope this may prove of some interest.
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I can well understand and nod sadly at the comments already posted, but I must say there are things about MN which I think are different and good.
I have used MN many times and in two different ways.
First, as a teacher running a school trip. Why do we hire from MN?
• The boats are cheap enough to make the trip affordable for the boys
• The boats can cope with a group of ten boys and members of staff
• The boats have always been clean and reliable
Second as an individual. Why do I hire from MN?
• The boats are available all the year through
• The company has always been utterly happy for me to be single-handed
• The boats are very well priced
• Boats are available which are different and interesting
In both cases I enjoy using a company which is individual and flexible. Once, I had to start a trip a day late; as there was no one hiring the boat the next week, MN let me keep it a day further – at no extra charge.
Whatever happens to the company, I hope that some of the above will survive and that the company will remain one of character.
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Recently I sat, watched and enjoyed several episodes of the 90s law drama "John Deed".
A barriser Deed is attracted to moves to a charming terraced house which fronts onto a river or canal.
Could anyone who knows the series, tell me the location of the terrace?
Many thanks.
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Hi Geoffrey,
Did you ask about my two queries regarding the engine thermostat housing and the tongue and groove?
Thanks,
RAP
RAP,
Many apologies for delayed reply.
I'm still not quite sure that I understand the thermostat question - but that is my lack of knowledge.
The oak T & G comes from Brooks Bros, Nottingham.
Geoffrey
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Sad news.
It appears that this well known pub is about to close - again.
I spoke to the landlord this evening and was told that it would close down on either Monday or Tuesday.
I do hope that this not the end for the Admiral Nelson - pubs on flights of locks can be very special.
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Many thanks for all advice.
They are setting off today.
I will let you know how they get on.
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Wow !
Given that you took my Strumble out for a play, do I have the chance of a play out on your Strumble........
Richard,
If you are ever heading South, I will be delighted to take you out. Trust all is thriving in the land of Doug Moore.
Geoffrey
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Some friends made contact today. They have hired a boat from Autherley Junction for a week from this Friday. They are enthusiastic but are seeking my advice. In turn I am seeking yours.
In their party are five children and four adults: none is particularly strong, none is experienced; all are quite gung-ho.
They seek a week to keep the children - aged 7 to 10 - busy and enthusiastic, but they do not wish to end every day knackered.
My immediate thought is:
Wolverhampton Flight - Black country Museum - Old Main Line - Symphony Hall - Birmingham - New main Line - Netherton Tunnel - Stourbridge - Stourton, Stourport and then back up to Autherley on the Staffs and Worcester.
Other thoughts, recommendtaions hugely appreciated.
Thank you.
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Andy,
You are most kind to be interested.
Here is an image of the boatman's cabin.
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I visited the boat today and took a bearable photo of the JP3M which has just been repainted.
I am delighted.
3 weeks to go - I hope!
Narrowboat on the Moselle
in General Boating
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Many thanks.
What a charming and lively read.
I shall certainly look closely at his website later.