Derek R.

And what of the van? I suspect it may be a Standard Vanguard Service van. Though in real life I have never seen such a beast. https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1955-standard-vanguard-van-43Rddn Great yard if unkempt. Reminds me of a Council depot where I worked for a while in 1966.

Are cyclists likely to contribute financially to this 'benefit'? Didn't think so.

Speaking of 'rolling', I was told that TYCHO at some time had baulks of timber bolted to the hull sides externally so that when 'rolling/rocking' the boat, the baulks of timber (fixed just above the water line) would help smash the ice and widen the broken path for better steering. Beneath the cross bed there were indeed bolts that filled the holes for such baulks, and they were quite long. I'm sure they got the chop when on dock at Stockton for steelwork in the early 2000's). This must have been quite a palava to fit and remove, so whether they were actually used in anger might be questionable. That 'V' bottom:

To the right, that's a ladder. The object below the gent looks more like a ridge piece. He seems to be pulling off laths . . ? Shouldn't think there was any lead up there.

Very atmospheric. I cannot help but think that 'mist' saves an awful lot of time painting in the background . . . . I was once told the difference between French Peniche operators and Dutch. When foggy, the French would send a boy forward to check the way ahead was clear. The Dutch would switch on the radar. 'Puffer' fans will know of the 'Wee Boy' was sent forward to throw stones into the water ahead. If it 'plopped', there was water enough. If it 'rattled', you were in trouble. It was a year ago, but this Christmas just gone saw us with another Giles water based cartoon. Not a canal, but docks possibly:

Hadn't spotted him before. He's there in another shot, not so certain that's a ladder though. It's a bit of a stretch.

Thanks Alec.

It's short, it's comparatively light in the water, there are three people on the 'blue tops', and Ian and a Gent who worked tugs and maintenance boats beside him (Tina driving). And it can be seen that two grown men on one side does have an effect! Two others joined on the gunnels shortly after, which caused some fun! (SICKLE following).

So, the Gent that drove LAPLANDER when steam powered (as in 2010) has gone over to diesel powered? And the 'big-end' refers to the diesel engine? Or the steam? Just curious.

Cowburn & Cowper boats had rounded chines, and 'went' very well. Was it the Town Class boats (metal) that had rounded chines? Off hand I cannot recall, and there's little reference to the chine shapes in the Faulkner booklets, though mention is made of the less 'stable' factor allegedly made by crews regarding the Middle Northwich boats. The square chined boats would have a 'damping' effect on roll, though how perceptible it would be comparing a full length 'Large' Woolwich or Northwich to a 'Middle' is unknown to me. Was there some discrimination amongst crews for their favoured type - or simply hearsay? Those who worked these boats for confirmation or denial are now few and far between, so we are left with the printed words passed down, with or without errors, save maybe for the few that are available today that can be directly compared, and probably none that could be compared with fully loaded boat(s).

Oh yes! Exacerbated by the shorter length. This is inevitable with a large prop creating the 'paddle wheel' effect, 'walking' the back end sideways. Best you can do is to counter the expected direction of the stern by steering the opposite way prior to going astern, and even then - go easy on the speed wheel when driving backwards. 'Backwards', 'astern', 'aft', same difference. Best boat I steered for going backwards was Ian Tyler's SENTINEL when she was 50'. Quite an eye opener - she actually was controllable!

Having owned TYCHO for 13yrs, I can attest that steering needs attention. Any boat with just 40' of hull in the water will not be as directionally 'stable' as one of 60' plus. At times this can be advantageous, with a section of canal that is 50' wide, slowing down to barely walking pace and on a raised tickover, the wheel can be left untouched for a full 180° turn using rudder and gears - she will 'turn on a sixpence' with neither bank being touched.

No worries, I thought if it was an indirect system, the water within could have been treated with anti-freeze/corrosion inhibitor medium as it would be quite separate from the 'hot' water from any tap. It would of course, have to have its own header tank to maintain said separate supply. It can get complicated.

Is this a direct system, or indirect?

Interlocking? It comes in rolls. Cut to fit. Some examples. https://www.onlinecarpets.co.uk/products/black-white-candy-vinyl-flooring?msclkid=e64c422f7dd81565452e25a815ebc8b8 As mentioned in a previous post (and it's just a personal opinion), I would paint the boards dark green and use rugs. However, vinyl flooring cut to fit is easy to fit, easy to mop. Far easier that masking off scores of squares, waiting for it to dry, removing masking tape and hope the edges are sharp and clear. Then (as with all painted floors) being subjected to footfall, it will wear away, and you are back to square one and masking etc. Talk about rod for your back. Painted wooden floor, clearly worn, and a piece of stair runner covered for appearances sake. Keep it simple. Wipe feet when entering, and it should only be the top step that gets wet and muddy.

Chequered vinyl floor covering is available at several outlets, from £9.99 sq.m - to £48 sq.m. Nice work on HAMPTON's cabin. That's a lot of polishing you've set yourself!

Boat painters of old were indeed very skilful, but painting perfect squares on a wooden floor? Looking closely at where the edges but up against the scumbled woodwork, I cannot help but think that is vinyl. At £9.99 per square meter (todays prices) how much would it cost to hire a painter to paint a cabin floor to that perfection? I suspect that in the 1930's, the then (as now apparently) popular chequer board pattern would have come available from house clearances and like gas mask clips, found a new 'position in life'. It is bold and stands out, and then as now, is more easily mopped cleaned than painted wood. But to my jaded eyes, it's overpowering, but that's just my opinion. Cover it with rugs yes, but I'd put it in a skip and cover a green or red oxide painted wooden floor with a rug, leaving painted wood beneath the crossbed. Simpler, cheaper.

The idea that a smartly restored boat priced below £20K would attract people with less money, and would therefore lead to a better looked after boat, flies in the face of logic. Most wooden* boats that are in the twilight of their years (and several beyond those years) will be cheap, and therefore attract people with very little in financial reserves. And so their 'fate' is almost secured as there is no money to carry out the regular and very necessary repair work to keep them afloat. ETHEL looks attractive, she looks as if she has been restored well, and that would have cost a lot in getting to that state. To keep her in that state, any future owner would need a solid financial position, probably someone who is beyond their first flush of youth, though they could be greybeards with resources, and an existing love of historic craft - perhaps already with a motor. It's a lifestyle 'thing', requiring long term responsibilities and a network of like minded enthusiasts. The only thing that jars with me personally, is that dreadful black and white chequered lino. Can't be having that. That would lead to a price negotiation in the thousands. * I do know ETHEL is not wooden.

I would hope no one is wanting to 'make fun' of you, and whilst 'history' may get changed from time to time, I do rather think the general practice of delineating cabin sides by paint or panelling, does follow a certain protocol. Though clearly there are always anomalies. Sometimes down to the painter. The motors of Cowburn & Cowper mostly had a small panel at the back of the cabin side in which a Castle scene would be painted. How many 'wrongs' make a 'right'? Or is there no 'right'?

The vertical bar farther back is more commonly found on butties.

Nice little documentary such as the BBC 'used' to do has risen again on the 'Tube'. Well worth another look and listen to voices and people no longer with us.

I'd have been tempted to call it 'Toff', or 'Tot' . . . coat.

Greater, lesser. Higher, lower. And the descriptive words as used, are from a language in use 300yrs ago. Just a thought.

Good to hear all that Mark. Cheers. Grey, with the letters big : M O W (T) in a darker grey did sound appealing at one time.

Thanks Paul. I knew Roger decorated the cabin, and both the old (how old? No idea) cabin doors are hanging on our living room wall right now. Had to cut an inch off the bottoms due to rot. I understood Rex Wain had a hand in TYCHO too. When I turned up at Stockton, Graeme said Rex would appreciate the brass all polished, which it was. I met Roger very briefly at one of the Braunston do's but didn't get into any in depth conversation. I was a 'newbie'. You may well be right about the cabin, but it had that old smell to it. And the headlining planks looked old and fragile around the edges, especially around the 'Bulls' eye'. The 'Classic' in the cabin was distorted from corrosion, though still took a fire. Roger's hallmark on the step: Early days with TYCHO After the butchery to gain access I was told the 3" step was rotten, and had to be replaced . . . I was not happy. That replacement was only 2". And instead of a rebate for the doors to close against, they'd put a ¾" square oak upstand. I cussed it every time I stood on it - which was most of the time. And where were the Pennies . . . King George's face upward - no date showing! At least the bilges looked good. The new ash back deck was a great disappointment, as it lifted and split (despite sealing and being scrubbed). I heard the oak cants also showed 'issues'. Neither of which as I understand it was anything to do with Graeme's work. I made a start on rebuilding the cross bed and table cupboard, but 'life' took a turn in another direction.