Derek R.
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Posts posted by Derek R.
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Looks like it's been painted with a lot of love. Treasure it (as I'm sure you do).
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This may be just a personal point of view, but to be associated with a particular boat, I would take as a compliment. Though not something I would be consciously seeking. Most of us are just temporary custodians of a small bit of canal history. Some became 'legends' due to their working the boats for what they were built for over several decades, both famous and infamous. Even more may have been forgotten, save for their offspring.
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When looking for, and making a bid for an unconverted Motor, just what is the desired use of same?
1) The buyer wants to start trading with fuels. Why fuels? Because there is a market in all the live-aboards, and a few canalside homes fixed on the bank.
2) The buyer want to enter the parade and rally scene to display their vessel in as near working trim as much as possible. Fair play.
The above may seem obvious. Then we have to look at cost.
Type 1 will, all things being in order and a market place is available, make a few bob, give a service, and hopefully supply a community need. The drawbacks could be lack of access due to closures for maintenance. Will a profit be made? Several variables to consider. Those who have done it will likely be able to tell some tales. It's also hard graft, and requires a degree of fitness that some historic boaters (in both senses; age of boat, age of steerer) will at some time reach a point of no return. More likely the steerer than the boat.
Type 2 will, like many, enjoy boating and hopefully be able to copy and continue the boating practices as best they can, learning from those who have gone before. The general public will be engaged in learning more about the canal system, its history and that of the boats. But it is an expensive hobby - big boys toys cost lots to run and maintain.
Both of the above 'Types' are subject to market whims in terms of cost of buying, but also face the prospect of what future direction does the CRT intend to go in respect of licencing and moorings. Are they able to make sufficient income to maintain the system efficiently? The 64million 'dollar' question, part of which is determined by the 'enthusiasm' factor. Are there enough younger, fitter enthusiasts to carry the 'flag' forward?
I don't know the answer to that one.
The bottom line is: If the money is there, and the enthusaism is there, some sort of future is available for the boats - provided the CRT makes the system usable. Ultimately, it's always about the money.
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Sketches envisaging beneath the Blue Tops on TYCHO.
The best laid plans of mice and men . . .
Camp bed, chair, table, Primus, Tilley, tea & cake.
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Persistence and perseverance pays.
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Speaking of the River Trent, nice video by Les Reed on YT:
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Wood Lane & White City:
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Heartlands' image is interesting. There's a straining chain beneath the bridge, seemingly to prevent the abuttments moving apart. It does not appear to be 'under construction', more like under repair or possibly demolition? Or did something crash through the bridge parapet? The attending boat looks like a spoon dredger. Clearly an important moment with 'officials' present.
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Who determines the value of an item? Someone with deep pockets and an unreasonable view of; a) why they want it. And b) a desire to have something they probably will never use as originally intended (becoming ornament/garage 'queen'). And of course, there is 'auction fever' to take account of.
We have a 3 gallon water can painted by a deceased painter. It cost us £28 from an 'antique' emporium less than 8yrs ago and is complete with signs of heavy wear to the paintwork, and that is how it will stay. For us, it's a nostalgic 'thing'. Sits beside the stove along with some windlasses and ribbon plates. Been there - done that. Loved it back then, good memories.
As to values, these pieces of a famous make of motorcycle were auctioned off some years ago, and fetched £91,000. It makes no sense what some folk will place on 'wanting' something that badly. It's an illness.
These are parts of a Vincent 'Black Knight' (the 'dustbin' fairing is non-standard), the touring version of a model available today through private sales, and examples of which in pristine working order with asking prices of between £40,000 and £50,000
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Mortar is the bonding agent between bricks and blocks. It also allows a degree of alignment to be corrected when certain bricks or blocks are not uniform in their casting. As such, the mortar becomes an integral part of the overall strength of a structure.
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The document is shown to have been printed in June of 2007. Whether it is a true representation of former 'instructions' is open to conjecture, but overall it would seem to 'fit the bill' so to speak. Would individual yards and painters stuck to it diligently? Quite possibly not. And if an individual boatman or boatwoman decided to change something from personal preference?
When I got TYCHO sign written, I first approached the then BW curator at Gloucester Museum, Azure blue and Golden yellow were the recommendations for colour in the main (this was for a maintenance boat), with lettering at six inches for the first letters of B & W, five inches for the remaining letters, and four inches for the boat name on the cabin sides. Also four inches for the fleet number. The width and shading was down to the painter, and Nick Hardy seemed to have got it right.
But how many boats have ever had their dollys and T studs painted blue? I don't recall seeing one. They seem to be mostly black, or some dollys / hooks - red.
If it looks right, if it's full and balanced - it must be right.
Now, what size and length should the petals and leaves be on those 'traditional' roses . . .
(Worth noting the last paragraph on that printed document).
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That bridges of any kind are subject to cold winds both from above - and below, it is natural that care need be taken when negotiating same. Likewise with a road lined with hedges or walls, where a gateway is present in the hedge or wall more cooling/freezing wind will reduce the road temperature by the gateway.
I think the roof over American bridges is more intended to increase longevity of the bridge deck. An umbrella reduces the chance of a soaking. Snow, not so much. Snow on a bridge roof will bring the same amount of weight applied to the roof, thereby the bridge as a whole.
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The fore end seems to have been extended at some point in time.
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Coking coal, or 'cooking' coal is not something that is mined as a resource. It is conventional coal - thermal coal or 'steam' coal that is mined and cooked to produce coke and as such used in steel making. The qualities of thermal coal vary, and Welsh steam coal highly prized. Coke was, and is still available in sealed bags from many garage forecourts. The volumes needed for steel production would inevitably come from plants that also produced coal gas for domestic and industrial applications, long since replaced by North Sea gas. Anyone living near a gas works for any lengthy period of time would get so accustomed to the smell, they would declare they cannot smell it.
https://powerplantgyan.com/understanding-the-differences-cooking-coal-vs-non-coking-coal/
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Just had a trip on the Fairbourne Railway, including a Ferry boat ride to get to the station!
A joy to smell coal smoke again - just now and again . . .
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It has a certain charm. Must be the fifties fit-out.
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It's a very pleasant painting, but the couple are going to be waiting a long time if they don't lift the bottom paddles! And - where's the horse?
The arch on the right seems to descend within. A bit unlikely, so maybe painted from a recollection of a visit to a canal.
Sephtons, opposite the Greyhound in 1988. The former house was still there, and an attempt by IONA being maded to 'climb the bank' . . .
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Lol! Not quite the same, but different and interesting - SPIDER, another 1980's shot.
I recall the lady owner (her son on the foredeck) moved to NZ?
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Jim's fruit wines . . . . "Try this one, it's pear . . ." - Bloody 'ell.
I too recall a Christmas where RENOWN took us all for dinner. And on one occasion when I went up Buckby in the dark single handed (well, the bottom lock was empty on arrival . . ) and at the top was Sue with RENOWN - "You hungry? I got chilli concarne on the go - want some?" Did I ever!
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Another of its ilk. This was tucked away on the lower section of the River Wey, below Coxes Mill. Circa early 1980's.
GERARDA ELIZABETH, 44tons. It's not apparent, but the wheelhouse was offset to the starboard side. Some years later I saw it being used on London River collecting rubbish from the various piers. It was looking a lot better being painted up quite smartly, and making a sound very distictive of a single cylinder hot bulb. Very tasty.
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One at a time Celine!
Dutch boats are very attractive, but best on the wider waterways. We lived aboard a Tjalk for two years, unconverted, living in the accommodation that was part 1889, and part 1939. She was a huge undertaking and movement on the Thames restrictive. I recall our first movement clearly; Cast off from a backwater never having commanded a large vessel before, reversed, and across into the main stream up to Boulters. Turned below the lock, back down with the current and shoot Maidenhead road bridge. Down and turned above Bray lock, then back up to the mooring without incident. Euphoria!
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1 minute ago, MrsM said:
These are lovely photos! How great that you kept this record.
Thank you. Good times always stick in the memory.
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Where I am
in History & Heritage
Posted
The second reminds me of the 'Regent's' through East London, but probably isn't.