Derek R.

Yer 'tiz . . . https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Hemel+Hempstead,+Hertfordshire/@51.7458877,-0.5073228,242m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x487640d05cd71ac1:0xf0e07f1fcfdff2b2?hl=en

Yes - good point.

I'm sure the paperwork would lead to a date and place, and the cartridges aren't so old. .22 long rifle ball, 50 rounds a box. Any big houses located nearby?

The Limehouse Cut was built under the River Lea Act of 1766, and provided access to the Thames from Hertford. RCD was opened in 1820, and initially had no connection to Limehouse Cut. However, I see that the Regent's Canal took ownership of the Limehouse Cut from January 1st 1854, and created a link from the basin, but was filled in in May 1864. Not until 1968 was there another direct navigable link. Non of the maps I have seen dating back to 1855 through to 1968 show any link, though most are devoid of specific details anyway. More detailed information on water variances in Wikipedia HERE. Quite interesting that. More from Richard Thomas's website HERE. Even more interesting. - and HERE.

See what you mean. I think the image is of craft leaving Limehouse Lock, rather than RCD (aka Limehouse Dock).

That is exactly where it was. Entering the cut from the river at that point did not give access to Limehouse basin, but took you along the Limehouse Cut to the Lea Navigation via what was labelled the Hackney Canal, which also was joined by the Hertford Union which itself joined the Regent's and thereby Regent's Canal Dock. The connection between the Dock and the Limehouse Cut is a modern contrivance.

Possibly red white and blue in respect of the Coronation 1937. Not to say this was 1937, but from then on.

Here's a couple for you Peter, taken by me on a trip to Holland in 1980. We came back with a handful of Dutch books on traditional craft.

A busy scene, though we can't see what the movements are I'd reckon they were just making their way steady. The boats on the right bank would be oiling up, maybe on both types of pump (steerer is watching the performance), and the chap kneeling on the day boat fore end looks like they are going to do same (he could be using a shaft). LADYBANK is almost certainly towing her butty, and as the other motor eases forward towing her butty to take the place of the third motor going into the lock, they'll jiggle around and all sorted. Lovely image.

A line from a Mikron song comes to mind: - From the album 'Last Run' "Nationalisation . . . Ruined the cut . . Means rationalisation, how shall I put it - by judicious selection, we'll take a new direction, ensuring the protection of - profits"

Don't take a newsreel quote as being accurate, if the details are not to hand they'd just make something up - like the "few toots on the whistle" line.

Ultimately it's the customer who's right, not the one trying to explain why he's right (see signature). Plenty of examples of more than one bakers and butchers in a high street, and each will have their chosen patronage. Personally if I had the choice to travel on the cut in a trip boat or an open hold - I'd choose the hold.

I bet 'Sex and the Sea' gets the most clicks . . .

Speaking of windlasses - well, sort of - apart from flogging them on ebay, they come in useful occasionally: -

Is she in the picture?

A small can, but still a bargain. As windlasses go, this looks more interesting than the bronze one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Authentic-english-cast-iron-canal-lock-key-windlass/271655075149?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27550%26meid%3D61ff3be9bd5145ddaf419a9be0b0207b%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D11355%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D321569980123&rt=nc - and a lovely B & W at Paddington: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Photo-Easter-service-for-canal-narrow-boat-families-Paddington-March-1932/171508878128?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27550%26meid%3De100f9c9ef2e41a4b63aaf87c736258f%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D11355%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D381038688247

Don't run away with the idea this is some original grey, it was put over several blues and the signwriting that was done in the eighties. But it does give some impression of a grey effect.

Hah! He might be insulted at that!!! No, 'tis one of my little cameos done on a scrap of paper no bigger than a credit card, and using a childs water colour paint tin. Here's it's partner : - Just passing an idle hour on holiday in France. I got bored, so did some doodling. There - that's your lot!

See . . . it can be done!

And another : - There's a good chance the colour scheme was all over grey, as per Auxiliary Fire Service vehicles.

The assessment was: "It's slippery - hold tight!" And they did. Gayton. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/gayton+marina/@52.188858,-0.949038,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m5!1e2!3m3!1s59811102!2e1!3e10!4m2!3m1!1s0x48770f8b358527c5:0xb3dd280dbbe5b889?hl=en Is that a steam dredger on the left looking towards the junction?

" . . and when it stopped . . . it dropped." (Doodlebugs). Thanks for posting.

It's 118 &118 . . . .

It's very nice. There's a second hanging hook opposite the handle, so could be hung showing the castle right way up. £385!!

That's quite an extensive blog! As you continue to scroll down - more appears!! Some interesting shots and maps of canal sections, but patience is a virtue. PS Laurence, are you sure that cut down section is not another boat deeper in the water beyond the first? It looks like the rudder has been shipped in a similar way to the first.