Derek R.

With secondary air the extra combustion will produce more heat. This has to be done with the sure knowledge that the castings taking this heat are up to the job of taking the higher temperatures without failing. Do make sure they are up to it before committing. I think the Esse might need an extension built on the side.

Guidwi(ve's?) were fitted to Northwich's as standard from new, and I wonder on which side your Guidwife's firebox is? The technical drawing I have for the fitments to a Northwich cabin shows a range with the firebox on the right. Logically, it may seem most appropriate for the firebox to be nearest the doors where it would heat the incoming air, but in reality, a firebox on the right ensures the highest concentration of heat emanates from nearer the centre of the cabin. Most perishable foodstuffs I would have thought would have been kept under the back deck rather than in the table cupboard, which is also known as the crockery cupboard by some. Furthermore, a paraffin Primus when available, was usually kept down beside the range and near the back, which with a left hand firebox puts it nearest the source of fire. One might also say, that with the firebox nearest the doors, the heat has got a shorter distance to travel before escaping altogether. I never found any lack of warmth while standing on the step when our 'Classic' was lit - toasty warm. In truth, I believe whichever end the firebox is, there should be sufficient heat from a stove in the small space that a back cabin is, not to make the position of the firebox an issue - other than personal convenience or preference, both of which may well be determined by availability. Whether a right hand oven is easier to use than a left hand, will surely depend on whether one is left handed or right? With the oven on the left, the open door does not impede the space near the knees - perhaps less chance of receiving a burn? It's certainly my personal preference to go for a firebox on the right hand side, it just feels more 'right'. The Larbert's is on the right, the Classic's on the right, the Premier? The Belle 'Portable' is a little large, but should fit a G.U. Butty, - also on the right - though there may have been options available when in production. With regard to the positioning of stoves and ranges in Romany Vardo's, or Vans, the layout was always the same. The stove was on the left as you entered, with the stove pipe exiting through that side on the van which was furthest away from overhanging trees (remembering that the 'entrance' is at the forward facing end of the van). Some examples HERE. Their living wagons were only developed from the mid nineteenth century, prior to that, they lived mostly under canvas. Did someone copy the boat layout I wonder? Derek

Thanks for that Steve, Rodger did a strong job! Teak sounds a good option. Belgium's long foredeck was decked in Ash, and it wasn't too long before it resembled the infamous British Railways buffet sandwiches. Should have known! Also Yarmouth's steel cants were capped with Ash 'steps', and despite regular scrubbing (lived aboard), they went blotchy, black, and within three years had crumbled at the edges. Lovely when it's new - but what isn't! Derek

An outing, on which you enjoy yourself. Sometimes associated with outings at the tax payers expense in which case it becomes a derogatory term. 'Jolly boat' was a small boat kept aboard ship that was often used to take off to the pub if not tied to a quay. They all came back pretty 'jolly'. Dangerous to swim in the Soar? You could drown swimming the Channel just as easily as in the Soar, but more chance of being impaled on a shipping trolley in the latter. Some kids see others jumping in where the swimmers may know it is deep and safe. Said kids then have a go elsewhere in shallow rubbish strewn waters thinking all is well. They cannot see what is underneath the surface. Perhaps they just want to get their names in the paper. Derek

Surprised they didn't call it 'Etilletas'

I'll do it tomorrow, take a picture, and PM it to you - see if it's the same one. Derek

Waddya wanna write a book for? There's loads in the library and they're free . . .

Oooh - I've got such a jig-saw puzzle. It's certainly Darley and Alperton looking smart in blue & yellow (yellow as the background, blue border), photographed by a Doug Smith from the bridge as the pair had entered Braunston bottom lock (dock on the left, shop on the right) going up-hill. Bright Sunny day - shorts only on the silver haired lock-wheeler accompanied by a brown dog, and white sleeveless vest on the motor steerer accompanied by another brown dog on the cabin roof. Motor chimney lay on the roof (arch of the bridge fouls them there), two inverted barrows in the hold lined up side by side, one rubber tyre in the middle on the shutts, butty clothed up. Fenders and brass tip-top. Puzzle produced by Lockmaster Crafts, 192 pieces, 10" x 13-3/4". Quite a good puzzle as they go. Seem to recall its purchase from Stoke B. museum shop. Derek

Steve has described the method of construction perfectly. When I took on Tycho in '99, the back deck, cants, and gunnels were all in wood, and in very poor shape. Water had ingressed into the grain and between each and every joint. Moss grew from the cracks, and the Oak cants were coming off in large chunks - one Dolly was waving around loose. Whether these were original timbers I cannot say, but I was keen (after previous experiences replacing wood with steel on Yarmouth) to retain what wood there was with new wood. For the time being, I used PVA as a sealant, mastic, paint, and reproduced missing bits of Oak cant with artistically formed mortar (complete with bungs and graining - fooled many!) As Steve implies, if you speak to those who work with wood, you may be encouraged to replace with wood. Similarly, speak to steelworkers, and you may be swayed that way. Longevity of work done is often a deciding factor in choosing one over the other bearing in mind the not inconsiderable cost. With back cabin and engine room, access to remove the gunnels necessitated major upheaval of the fitted cabin (precious little in the engine'ole). Along with much other necessary steelwork to uxter plates etc, Tycho's back cabin fitments were all stripped out - and what a job! This was I feel, not the original 1936 woodwork, but a later re-fit, possibly by the Wains but it was solid and had no intention of meeting my desires to be removed in pieces that I could replace later. (Many vital parts were saved, and where able, other bits were used as patterns and even repaired - still ongoing! Rodger Hatchard did the graining and decoration, all of which has survived.) Graeme at Stockton (a declared 'steel' man), warned me that behind the wooden gunnels lay an area that could prove to be in poor condition due to it's steel flanged construction to the metal gunnels. Being overlaid with the timber there was plenty of chance the steel work of the cabin where it turns onto the gunnel - to rust away. Fortunately, all was sound - had it been worked on before? Possibly. Graeme also pointed out to me, that this job may well be needed again in 20-25 years time as wood is not as durable as steel, and that he could replicate the angles and shapes perfectly; fit the feathergaurd, and make all appear like wood. This he did. So for the longevity of the boat, my pocket and future pockets (of owners!), this area will last longer without major problems. However, I was not convinced into replacing the back deck and Oak cants in steel. I had stood on steel with Yarmouth, and whilst an excellent job had been done, it didn't have the feel of wood. A compromise had been reached with the sealing off of the back deck in steel at a lower level to accommodate an Ash deck and Oak cants, screwed, bolted, and 'resin bonded' to the steel (Central Craftworks. The rear bulkhead was also replaced with thicker hardwood). The end result was stunning, but the Ash needs constant attention. Not living aboard - it doesn't get enough. The Oak is good ten years later, but the Ash has risen to resemble a humped back bridge at one seam. I have repeatedly smoothed the edges, ripped out and re-caulked with Sikaflex, and it's good for another couple of years. But I would not have Ash again! Wood where it's accessible for repair/replacement - yes, but not Ash. Boat builders working in wood will encourage you to use wood. We all know its appeal. So too do those yards who want repeat work orders. You makes your choice - and pays your money. It all comes down to how much you can afford. With old boats - any boats - costs can spiral exponentially if the wrong decision is taken, though with old boats there is much emotion involved. Will the wallet meet the hearts desire? Derek

On the gunnels of a hold I personally would opt for wood. Where access from beneath is restricted such as along the back cabin, it may be a different question. Removing the range, table cupboard, bed'ole lining (ditto though easier the other side) every score years to replace due to rot - perhaps just in one area - certainly tipped the scales for me. More on the 'Northwich Gunnels' thread. Derek

I can understand that, and there may also have been the fact that rolled up side cloths hold water, induce mould, and make nice places for wasps to nest. There's always a battle to keep a boat smart when living/working ashore, and when living aboard, finding space to move things around to get any work done! You need to be polishing four times a week at least with brass, not so easy when you are miles away. Derek

This begs a difficult question. If the bread oven was not clearly visible from the road, or an external feature of the building, what difference would removing it make? Who is to know if only the residents, bona fide visitors, or prospective buyers - who may not see it as a 'feature' - know of its existence? A tongue in cheek question perhaps, and I am personally all for keeping structures as they were constructed (provided they were designed and built with practicality of use and purpose to the fore, even purely decorative to a period), but if the item served no useful purpose - is bread to be baked in it? - unless the building is to be opened to the public as a museum/heritage piece, can it be explained why such features should remain? What purpose would all the blacksmith's forges be today, if all had been preserved as they stood - they might well end up as no more than vandalised bus shelters, much like the riverside wash house are in rural France - graffiti, smashed benches, and fired. On the other hand, we have seen decimation of sturdy architecture, and the bastardisation within structures such as St Pancras and Marylebone Stations - structures still in the public eye and in use. Acres of glass and plastic might suit some, but it is not what the designers either had available, nor I fancy would they have used if they had (though arguable of course) - but the style - no, they wouldn't have done it like that. Take your eyes from the roof in St Pancras, and you might as well be in a modern abattoir. Staples Inn, Holborn also comes to mind. This is the Old Tudor building depicted on the 'Old Holborn' tobacco tins and pouches. Step inside and you would not tell the difference from a sixties tower block. Rambling again. Yes, I am for keeping the internal fabric along with the external - and no flat screen TV's replacing family ancestors over the mantlepiece please! And who on Earth would want to bring a 'Privvy' inside the house???

On which we will have to differ. Derek

Ah! Then we should be waving our fists at someone.

I do not know to which vessels the Dutch system applies, it may be working boats. In which case, such a system does in fact operate here. If you are a commercial concern, cargo or fishing fleet, there is a reduced rate. Other than that, one is classified as 'pleasure' craft - ex-working or otherwise. It is possible to declare that a percentage is for power generation or heating, in which case that percentage can be claimed for and the reduced rate charged. It's up to you to be honest with the boatyard at which you purchase from, and they have to record the delivery to you at those declared rates. HMRC can then take you to task over possible frauds if they suspect. That's the system as it has evolved since the introduction of more rip-off, and to the best of my own knowledge. This system removes the necessity of both boatyard - and boat owner - having to install two lots of fuel tanks, for storage and delivery to boats, and for the boat owner to switch from one tank to the second when running the engine for anything other than propulsion. This really was one of the options that was proposed. Derek Edit to add: It might be noted, that HMRC were not the instigators of this demand for the derogation of Red diesel, indeed, the mountain of paperwork some of the options demanded would have done them no favours. No, look to the European Commission.

Splendid - got one of the front end? Loved the story of the MF (Zenataomm's Blog August)

Although not connected to any BR action (as far as I know) that is precisely what happened to the Firestone building on the Great Western Avenue near Brentford. With moveable chattels such as boats, it is quite literally up to the owners what they do with them. Education is the only defence against bastardisation or eradication. Any program for retention in as near original form as possible is fraught with problems, not least would be a narrowing of the market for such a vessel - its value would decrease substantially if a prospective owner had to fill out forms to make changes. Having said that, I'd be somewhat reticent about selling my tub to a hatched artist. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder - and if his wallet is big enough . . . ? Well, what would you do? Trusts? We have the situation of too many wanting a cheap 'jolly', leaving a few to clean up, get flak for not performing to historic practices, or presenting a vessel as it would wish to be seen in the eyes of another. Not taking sides here - I'd opt for quiet efficiency every time. Others like to 'show off', or watch and pick holes in anything. I know nothing of Spitfire, never seen it. But if I had, and was up for buying it, I'd have done some research into its history and had a go at keeping it in tact. Sadly not everyone is of the same opinion, and some have very deep pockets - their comment after jacuzzi, bowthrusters, gold anodised windows and 6.5kva genny are fitted might be "Yes, It used to be a Black Country Tug - built by Harris you know" - and very proud of their handywork too I'm sure. Very sad. Bit like making a 'Chopper' out of a Gold Star. Derek

Kiss of death?

Interesting - well spotted.

Speaking of radios, before I package my Roberts RT7 with naff transformer off to a repair shop, does anyone have any suggestions for a good 'ol boy living local in Herts. for a fix? Derek

This rings a bell. I'm sure I've read quite recently some memoirs which included the re-charging of a radio battery at Bulls Bridge, and the most recent memoir I read was that of Mrs. Jean Peters. It would be interesting to know what her Maiden name was, but on re-reading it the only mention of batteries is that which are kept in a partitioned section beneath the side bed (on the butty) and charged off the motors engine. Clearly these (this) would be for headlight and cabin light. So maybe I read it somewhere else or am dreaming it up! I would have thought (perhaps with the exception of early engines like Bolinders) that dynamos would have been de rigeur for most engines. Prior to that, would radio really have been in vogue? Music Hall and the pub, with live music would have survived strongly through the twenties and well into the thirties. I think I may have mentioned it before, but 'The Bargee' has a scene in a 'back cabin' with a bakelite set on the shelf. 'Painted Boats' show a clip of Ma Stonehouse tuning in some music on the butty. Clearly these scenes are reproduced for authenticity, even though the continuity has something to be desired! Where are the links to the past when you want them? Six feet under.

As they do Morris Marina's and Austin Allegro's. Nostalgia's a wicked thief.

Ta, seem to recall it was early eighties. You'll like THESE then, Mr. Fincher's. Derek

Ah - yes! Come close to that on rare occasions. I had in mind a shaft of some thickness with an 'Ice podger' head. I'm with you.

A 'bodged' job is one made poor by poor workmanship, a Bodger is an itinerant wood turner, although it appears to be used as the word used to describe a 'podger' around the Black Country. More here. A long shaft would be most useful for breaking up ice behind lock gates. I have a picture of a good ice 'podger' now! Derek That's a big jump Carl - Tesco's to 'arrods. Fortinumasons for me.