monkeyhanger

Would that be Martin Kedian? He built a steel ellum for a friends boat and it was a work of art. You could also try Roger Farrington at Braunston bottom lock. Another artist in steelwork.

I've recently acquired this water can. On the bottom is a little sticker which says "Hand painted by Chris Ramsey" and has a defunct telephone number. This is a name I'm not familiar with. I don't know if Chris Ramsey is male or female. The roses have, to my eye, a slight touch of Phil Speight's influence. I'm certain that there are people on here who can give me more information about the can and its painter. I'd be grateful for anything you could give me.

That looks to be a good idea, especially if there's more than one of you. I just checked "Trainline" and tickets from Heathrow to Reading are over £47 per person. And that's only part of the way. Then you have to get from Reading to Napton

I can think of another boat moored on the Regent's Canal, which has been in the same prime spot for at least 3 years. No licence displayed, no sign of anyone having been aboard for some time. Of course, I know nothing about the situation, nor of the owner. I wonder, perhaps, if this is another one which has slipped through CaRT's net?

I've only just found this post, so a bit late in commenting. From the outset when I saw the boat I felt it to be familiar. Then it came to me. It was moored on the towpath outside "The Constitution" pub in Camden for quite a few years. Every time I passed by I was surprised it was still afloat.

Pump off, not sure if the taps were open. I left it a couple of days. I assume you are saying that with the taps closed, any leakage would be held in the system.

A friend wishes to rent out her narrowboat to another friend. The amount of rent to be charged is small, just enough to cover the general costs of the boat while she is not using it. The boat has passed the stricter Boat Safety scheme test, but my friend is struggling to find a company which will insure her boat for the duration of the rental period, which will be one year. I know there must be many rental boats around, especially in London. What do other owners do about insurance? If anyone can recommend an insurance company which deals with this sort of thing, I'd be grateful, and I can pass the info on. The boat is on a permanent mooring, which is not on CRT water by the way.

I don't need to replace the pressure vessel after all. It seems to have lost most of its air for some reason. I repressurised it and after a few days, it seems to holding its pressure. Problem sorted! Thank you everyone for your help. Now I just need to empty the champers bottle, so that I have a spare just in case.

I like that plan as far as drinking the champagne. After that , I don't think I'd really care about doing the rest!

Wow, that was quick! I felt sure that there would be a reason something like that. Thanks!

I need to replace the pressure vessel in my water system. I have a red expansion vessel and a white accumulator which appears to have failed. Do I have to replace like for like, or can I replace my white one with a red, which seem cheaper. I know the white ones are for potable water, but does it really make any difference?

That's great. I'll get some of that Mapei stuff. Thanks to everyone who helped.

I've found Mapei Mapeflex Firestop 1200 degree mastic at Screwfix. Do you have any experience of that product, please? I have a branch of Screwfix nearby.

I have a Kabola E5 diesel boiler, and where the flue joins the main body the fire cement fillet has cracked and is loose. Do I just replace the fire cement fillet, or is there a better substance I could use?

I think that you're overcomplicating matters. I've recently done mine by using some sacks of coal laid on the edge of the roof. Half a dozen was enough for a 70 foot boat.

I wonder how many of those tyres were "fenders" which have been ripped off as boats entered the lock?

Nice Godin. I have an identical one.

I seem to recall that the cabin went all the way forward when I knew it, with no imitation "clothed" section. Thanks, Tim. The photo at Marsworth looks about the same as I remember.

I remember Halifax from when it was at Bull's Bridge, but I would have said it was around 1990. I met the owner through a mutual friend a few times. Nice guy, who's name I cant remember. The one thing that does stick in my mind was that the cabin sides of Halifax seemed (to my eye) very low, and out of proportion to the high hull sides.

Thanks, Dave. I shared a lock going out onto the Thames with Ladybank (and about 40 other boats) in 1983 when they were just about to close the old Limehouse ship lock before rebuilding it to a much smaller scale, as it is now. I thought then what a good looking boat it was and was fascinated by the engine (RN or National as I recall), but have never seen it again on my travels. Mind you, I've yet to visit the Cannock extension. That was on the agenda for summer 2020. Thanks, Jack

Reading these H&H pages caused my mind to wander, and I remember the two boats in the title from almost 40 years ago. Does anyone know where they are now, or if they still exist? Just wondering.

I'm pretty sure that Rick doesn't normally go that far South. Apologies, someone posted a similar comment earlier.

Hello all, Does anyone know where I might be able to purchase one of the mugs in the photos. It has a picture of an FMC Steamer on it. I have had one for many years and it recently broke; I would love to replace it if possible.

Interesting that there appears to be a stove of some sort under the "crutch cover"

I had a widebeam pull out in front of me in Milton Keynes, and he set off EXTREMELY slowly. After following him for what seemed like an eternity, I pulled up close to his stern for a while, to indicate that I'd like to pass. He refused to acknowledge I was there. Not wishing to give him a blast on the horn, I waited for a straight section and ran up to the bow to ask "would you mind letting me past please?" Not too easy , single handed on a 70ft boat, but, as I said, we were going extremely slowly. He begrudgingly pulled over at a suitable spot and gave me a load of abuse as I passed. I never have figured out why, and it still rankles.