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Derek R.

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Everything posted by Derek R.

  1. YARMOUTH was cut down from 70' to 62' in 1962, renamed GOLDEN VALLEY and 'launched' in 1962, but I doubt it was the first, as witnessed by the detachable, externally driven items as seen above. 2.2 litre marinised London Taxi engine, a 'Commodore'.
  2. What is the stumbling block David? If it's logging in I would suggest saving the History & Heritage section as a 'Favourite' or 'Bookmark', then go from there.
  3. That's scattered woodland. Might as well include most of England. How large an area are we considering - and does it have a point?
  4. It's 15 miles North of Brum. The New Forest is about 15 miles across in total.
  5. Looking at Google Earth images of the New Forest area in their recent images, it seems the areas of trees are far greater than those shown around the Birmingham area. Though miles of canals around Birmingham has often been stated as many more than Venice.
  6. Agreed. Though I think we would have to go back the Elizabethan age when Britain built the 'wooden walls' of fighting ships to see the folly of not re-seeding forests. The French were more astute in that they did re-plant. Current forestal growth in the UK has largely been done by those estates keen to maximise of taxation benefits in producing thousands of acres of softwoods. And of course, our steel industries withered to overseas production. Would that we were able to reduce the political growths that have transpired this past fifty years.
  7. In these days of elf 'n safety, many petrol stations insist on not using a mobile phone on the forecourt for risk of an explosion. Visitors to coal mines are asked to remove their battery powered watches and leave them at the pit head for the same reasons. Sounds a bit extreme, but even a six Volt battery can produce an arc if current is flowing and then contact with the conductor is broken. When I suffered a flat battery on a forecourt one dark evening, the garage proprietor was beside himself when I sought a jump start from a recovery vehicle: - "Not on my forecourt pal!" We did it anyway when he wasn't looking. No arcing occurred. All was well.
  8. I seem to recall Jim telling me about ELIZABETH being built to take sail. https://hnbc.org.uk/boats/elizabeth
  9. CAPELLA had an inboard engine with hydraulic drive to the stern. Don't recall the details but 'Admiral' will have them.
  10. Windows on the past. I have no knowledge of the area or the craft that plied the waters there, but thank you David for the lessons.
  11. Chalk was the traditional medium. Noughts & Crosses, hopscotch, LD 'loves' BJ etc. Washed away in the next rainfall. Some pavement artists were just that, pictures (some very good) on the pavement. None of which could be called 'graffiti' which is little more than a defacing of public property, largely of late (40yrs) of gangs and individuals 'marking their patch' with 'tags'.
  12. Thank you David, a great bit of history - and a fine memorial.
  13. @davidwheeler "I am sorry if these don't appeal to you, . . . . " What on Earth gives you that idea? As others have stated, these are of great interest to waterways enthusiasts, and your articles/comments and pictures have been of great interest. Sad though it may be that carrying by water has been eclipsed by development dereliction and disuse, such memories should never 'end'. In a topsy turvy world we now are living in, such things are threads of sanity.
  14. I don't think so David, though Sentinel and her two (I think) sisters were built to break ice, Ian will have the full story on that. They were built in the early seventies if memory serves, slightly barrel shaped down to the chine, may have carried beer in casks at one point possibly around Trent lock. Certainly an acquired taste in fore ends.
  15. That's a four pot BM in SENTINEL. I liked it better when 50' though. Steered well astern. TYCHO was tied abreast for a week, prior to setting off to Braunston. I came back at the end of the week to find her on the towpath side. Apparently the trip boat steerer complained about 'reduced width' available . . . . go figure. SENTINELs' back end was as 'interesting' as the front. Modelled after a steamer I hear.
  16. "What the hell is busin ??? " Business. Limited characters in the sub title probably.
  17. We were familiar with Cow Roast and Bulbourne from 1983 on. Mid 1980's. Alongside JAPONICA prior to setting off to Braunston for major steelwork. The pub opposite was for a while re-named 'The Lock & Quay' (from the older Grand Junction Arms), and in the eighties was run by a very amicable couple who let the Aylesbury lot use the 'games room' for music and song, Christmas there was magical.
  18. I believe they are a few pages from a journal called 'Wonderful London'. Judging by the page numbers it must have been a regular publication in many parts. https://alondoninheritance.com/london-books/wonderful-london/
  19. Outside of CWF, the world is being driven to destruction. It is inevitable that influence will permeate formerly sacrosanct places.
  20. East's was just off Stag Lane, still operating in the seventies when I was on the buses. It's entrance was between Stag Lane and Billet Lane. Stag Lane led up to one of the 'Gas Two' locks. All built over with housing now. The Gasometer location can best be located on SO 1:25,000 1937 - 1961 edition. http://tinyurl.com/5n6pufxa
  21. The late Laurence Hogg had NEPTUNE for a while, and often asked what had become of the boat.
  22. Those who knew how to work a lock efficiently would also know that when strapping a top gate closed, it was necessary to have a bottom paddle drawn as the gate was half way closed to prevent excessive strain in the top gate by the compression of water mass within the lock. An 'Old boy' lengthsman on the Wolverhampton flight showed us 'the way' back in '83.
  23. Not just projects. Get fit in a gym is just the beginning. It is repeated visits and exercise (along with diet) that is essential to maintain that fitness. Miss out on the latter, and that sofa will put you back to square one very quickly.
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