J R ALSOP

I saw a old Cowburn and Cowper that was being re-bottomed, the rounded chines had been overplated five times. The boat was only fifty years old when the work was done.

can we not just get on boating and abide by the rules.

They were section 8 boats, that would not stay afloat for more than 2 minutes, the only good bits were the metal bits. 85% of the wood was either covered in plastic filler, floors and stem posts cement with chicken wire reinforcing. Machinery was missing, even I remember them in the late 50's and early 60's, it is very sad to break up something that you know. But having been on the canals for over 50 years I have seen a lot of changes and I would rather see a good old boat than a modern one trying to look like a old one.

I have to admit I worked for the firm that disposed of Raven and Robin, they were both rotten, Raven was on the River Lee and Robin on the Southern GU. It was 3 or 4 years ago.

Not a SR,it's a HA or B cost a bit to lower mounts, you would have to move engine forward a bit to get a flex coupling in. I would overhaul and refit as solid mounting.

The bubble tester must be only fitted in the gas locker. The morco water heater should have a gas test nipple where the gas imput connects to the heater.

The wide beam with the damaged doors passed through Berkhamsted as I was at the Boat Pub, I was watching the lock empty from the window, 10 minutes later it had not stopped emptying, so being a nosey blighter I decided to go and investigate. Boat in lock no one visible, then saw top and bottom paddles up. A person then appeared from wheel house and looked surprised to see boat only half way down in lock. I said you have left a paddle up, he replied I am in a hurry to get to London before stoppages, and he was going to Watford that evening (it was about 3pm) Watford is about 7hours with a narrowboat, and he was on his own, so know idea what time he got there. He related the Blisworth story saying even with front and rear thrusters it would not steer. It is heading for Roydon (the wide beam capital of the system). Off he went and left both gates open, I rather think he had not shut any all the way from Braunston especially the top gates at Grove Lock which drained the Marina adjacent as the lock empties in about 10mins with top gates shut.I rest my case my lord.

I think it is a dodgy flasher bulb, does it go off when you have completed a turn?

I think it his bank card pin number, post it on here and we will remind you when you forget .

Have you put a shilling in the meter?

Don't forget most trucks are 24 volt.

I would have tripped over it and thrown it into the cut.

Blooming heck, what a mess, I would have tidied up a bit before I would have shown that to any one.

Perhaps we can get back to the old days, just turn, up have a great time without all the razzmatazz of the trade, and officialdom. Have it where the most good could be done to high light problem areas. answers on a post card.

Lovely clean lock sides and steps, tree's well pruned, those were the days.

why can't you seal the top of the mud box?' that is the first thing that the insurance company is going to ask.

The most obvious answer to me is go for a cruise, then when you come back they should have moved to somewhere else.

I used to go out with a Gay, we went out for 3months, then she got engaged to my mate and married him. I never forgave him.

I will ask the person who took the 35mm slides to see if he will give permission, he is in Spain on holiday at the moment.

I have 4 pictures of Holland with engine, Willow and President along side at Northwich taken by the man who bought it and had it renovated to a trip boat by M. Braine, looks like that there were a lot of photographers about.

I do not do gentley, it is the only way to tell it. I do know someone who is selling a pontoon house boat (no engine), you could buy that, scrap it on site (as it will not go under many bridges) and move your boat onto the mooring.

I would step off and walk over the top and wait for it to come out at the other end, and yes I know someone who did just that.

You would have to wait for someone to die to get a chance to get a mooring there, As scarce as hens teeth.

You must all be doing something wrong, 1100 miles this year, 4days at sea from Boston to Brentford and only less than an egg cup of water ingress from the stern gear. Keep your stern gear adjusted and greased as grease is cheaper than stern gear. In over 50 years of boating, water is meant to be on the outside, you are doing or not doing something you should be.

Hit the roof with a big hammer!?