Derek R.

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.

Part of a new early warning system to celebrate our advancement in communications Load with straw and ignite with flint. (Sorry)

If I do, I'll explain carefully! Only a short way from tadger. Here's another one (never been there) Derek

A podger to me, is a tool with which to poke things to open up a hole (maybe ice) and to align two items for insertion of a third (no jokes you lot). Most are spanners of a sort with a pointy end such as scaffolders use. Though I dare say the term might well have been used to describe a tool that broke ice simply because you 'poked' the ice with it, to make a hole. I've not seen such an ice 'breaker/podger' as might have been used on the cut, and fancy they may have been part of the kit associated with breaking of ice with ice boats, rather than a standard bit of kit that most boat crews would carry, and likely kept at maintenance yards. Bet there's more boat shafts got used as a 'podger' than a proper one. I have a notion they were 'T' shaped, to make a bigger hole than a hook would do. Derek

If it was all cut back now there'd be an outcry from the 'greens' of 'destruction of our heritage!' Still a field in '70 with a proper little hedge. Thanks for that Pete - an either/or situation! I guess I'd be inclined to call the original open ice breaking boats as 'Ice Boats' even with an added cabin. Not an issue for me, but interesting to know. Derek

Yes, it was such an awful job I suffered it for a whole two weeks - sometime in '74 or '75, so it had just acquired the 'Spacevan' tag, but we all knew it as a Commer - most were yellow for you know who. Prior to that, I drove a PB very briefly on Enfield Borough Council with the sewer maintenance gang, but my regular chariot at that time was a Thames 10/12cwt - much more kudos (and wheelspin much to the disgust of my old mate Arthur, who's house had a roomful of cups and trophies for his racing pigeons. Good old boy was Arthur) on our regular Rat Catching tasks. (Moved in powerful circles back then). Sorry 'Ian', drifted a bit. Derek

Oh - go on . . . The above taken soon after Jill had sold. (Not sure if I've sent you that before). On the cut, I was quite firmly told many years ago, that an Ice breaker was a shaped piece of iron on the end of a shaft which was used to break ice, and that the likes of Baltic Pelican etc. were Ice boats. It may be that it's a piece of 'lore' that has been built up, rather like that surrounding narrow boats never being called barges. Then again, it might be a regional thing. Derek Nothing to do with the topic,but what the hell's a "Legacy Gender Feild"???? (Look left to the nonsense beneath the avatar)

Coo! I can smell the paint from here. Very nice - for a while. Derek

Alan wrote: - EDITED TO ADD: An obvious omission from the "beret" list was Rose Skinner, of course. Was it always red ? Hard to tell in black and white photos." I read it was maroon, and she was seldom without it. Let's not forget Laura also wore a beret, and I don't see a beret on the head of the steerer in the last shot. I know we have strayed off the Ian topic, but the question was asked! Hat styles varied, and of course generations changed their fancies. Berets became popular after the second world war - my Dad wore one often, it was a little emblem if you like, to others - that he served, and maybe a poignant reminder to himself and in memory of those who didn't come back. Like the woolie hat, any soft headgear gave some protection from cabin fittings, bridge masonry and Sun, whereas Trilbys gave the addition of running the rain from the neck, they also could take flight in a gale of wind. I worked on a production line at Rootes once, down in a pit fixing steering boxes, drag links and shock absorbers to Commer Spacevans. We were issued hard hats, as if you stood upright you got battered on the head. But the hard hats were so tall, you ended up in a half crouch, and they still got knocked off. The solution was the woolie hat. It's largely down to practicalities and personal choice. Being a 'proper' boater, is about handling a boat efficiently and safely, working or not. I'll leave the pedants to argue over 'proper'. Anyone got an up to date picture of Ian? Be nice to see what it looks like now. Derek Yes, we met Esme going down Napton in '83 - flushed us out of one lock using the bounce - didn't half fly! He wore a beret then - and cycle clips - can't be a proper lengthsman without cycle clips . . . Derek

Highly unlikely, as I think we know. The only photo I have ever found of a 'steerer' wearing a bowler, is on Lion tied alongside outside Walkers yard with a load. The picture credit says Lion may have stopped there for repairs. There is a gent leaning out the engine'ole, and another at the tiller and wearing a bowler. In all probability, the gent at the tiller may well have been a yard foreman in pose mode. All other shots of men in bowlers are of craftsmen, gangers, some lock keepers, superintendents, and directors. All boatmen are usually seen in the ubiquitous cloth cap. I do wonder if in fact it was a matter of practicality, as a bowler sits high on the head, and would be a discomfort as well as inconvenience when entering and moving within a cabin, and being hard, it would take up valuable space when not worn. Early engine drivers wore them as was befitting their station in life as important people. No less important were the No.1's, but not a bowler in sight. Derek

Aaah! Thanks Chris. Is he still about, do we know? Derek

From what I can remember (now there's a challenge!) Ian was resident down in Aylesbury during the Early eighties (and maybe before) when it was in the ownership of a mature gent who kept it very proper. There was a part conversion of the hold, mostly glazed, with a lengthy open front end. I recall watching him turn in the basin on just little more than tickover, effortlessly. He sold, sometime during the eighties, and had a new build called Ion. For the life of me I cannot remember his name. Derek

Just the difference between the thickness of steel plate - quarter inch say - and three inches of Elm: two and three quarter inches (for the same water line depth). Nice little tribute, and thanks for showing it. Just a personal thing, but the only sounds I like to hear are the sounds of the boats and the cut, so the mute button was in use. The jerky effects don't go with what were still shots either, I think it would have been better if it had been kept 'clean'. Sepia and B&W are fine but not the reproduced scratchy and jumpy stuff. Nice set of shots nonetheless, thanks. Never knew Mr Jinks, but must have seen him sometime, he looks familiar. Got a picture of Hercules somewhere, tied up at Middlewich. Derek Not much of shot really. I think this was 1988:

Some people just like to re-enact the past for their own pleasure because it takes them far away from the day job, others because at public events it displays a costume relative to the period associated with the boat. A few think they are the dogs wotsits because they like a bit of play acting, and they generally make themselves look silly by wearing quite irrelevant garb and acting like snobs. On occasions I get back into my bus drivers uniform from the late sixties when I get the opportunity to drive a classic bus of the type I once drove in service, not because I want to 'feel' important, but because it is authentic to the vehicle and part of supplying a service as it used to be supplied. Of course there was no 'uniform' as such for boaters, they wore whatever was available - with a leaning to what was comfortable and practical - or if you were young, different, like 'Kiss me Quick' cowboy hats. Personally I have a great liking for waistcoats. The more worn out, the better. Derek

Well, it's veered off topic a bit, but there's an awesome collection of radio/TV stuff in this museum in Virginia USA. Watch the slide show by clicking the internal link just below the horizontal bar - fabulous. Derek

I'd be inclined to contact some of the people in those links, they may just have such a solution. The inverter problem may be a case of sufficient shielding. Derek

You'll love this one - I do!! http://www.vintage-radio.com/recent-repairs/philco-a1.html There's a nice set sitting on the shelf behind Ronnie Barker in 'The Bargee'. Can't see what make, but someone will recognise it.

Nice little Roberts Carl, I have an RT7 but it needs a transformer. Some views of period sets here: http://www.vintage-radio.com/ click on Manufacturers and Sets on the left. More here: http://www.pasttimesradio.co.uk/index.html Many pics here: http://www.vintageradio.me.uk/valve/valve1.htm I fancy a working period radio from the thirties will set you back a tidy sum. The early transistor sets were very popular - late fifties on, and from the size aspect easier to position. Roberts were quality pieces, though most will remember the 200 & 300 series, which are now available new in DAB version retro styled - but £150! R200's still come up on ebay and usually go for around £30. There are waves of interest there, so bide your time if they seem overpriced, better still, seek the enthusiasts websites. There is also a possible issue with digital broadcasting and the phasing out of analogue. Not sure how this will affect vintage radio buffs. Be a great pity if it does. A Roberts RT7

Ahaah! The polish for Brass Monkeys! An old saying adopted by a polish manufacturer - excellent marketing (maybe). Another diversion for 'Monkey Boat' - boats with polished brass?

We had bilge monsters in Yarmouths bottoms , growing nicely at one point. Not enough water sloshing about, and insufficient ventilation methinks. I think Mr Rolt would confirm the latter if he could. Derek Tesco sponsoring you - what happened to the CA?

Were Associated Canal Carriers ever two tone green as shown on 'Prince' - the the last image in Paylers splendid collection? (You will have to scroll all the way down). Derek

Some fabulous pictures amongst those archives. Could spend a few hours looking.

Curses! I'd give my bottom plate for one of them . . . cornflakes and all.

I spy a Flavel Courier? What are you going to do with it? Treat it carefully if it's in working order. Best cooker we ever had! If it's still around in mid August (we're off to France tomorrow), I'll ask again. Derek.