Ray T

These are in Rugby: http://www.willowwrentraining.co.uk/

A "tool" thread already here: http://www.canalworl...1 What sort of instructor are you looking for, engine maintenance or boat handling?

I was not comparing you or him indoors to Harold Shipman, sorry of that was the impression given. I was attempting to make the point that sometimes having professional qualifications does not make you good at the job. I have met many professional managers in my career, whilst they may have impressive "tickets" to their name they were rubbish at what they did and managing their staff. All they were interested in was "me on-wards and up-wards" not caring about the chaos they left behind. I have also met many in the staff grades, with few or no qualifications, who would have made brilliant managers but had no desire to do so. Many years ago when my Mum taught 11+ children she had a boy in her class who was one mark below the pass grade. The Education Committee decided to interview him to see whether he should be allowed to pass. All was well until he was asked "What would you like to do for a Job"? His reply, "I want to do something with my hands". For that comment he was failed. This was in 1959. Unfortunately the unseen educational powers that be do not seem to be able to have the foresight to see that we need craftsmen / women as well as academics. This is written by a soul who himself failed the 11+ and was educationally condemned to the Secondary Modern system of schooling. Which in the school I went to in Coventry was crap! Incidentally I went on to achieve City & Guilds Final in Telecommunications.

In some cases professional training can mean little, look at Dr H. Shipman - what did he train in?

Mrs T writes: I would in no way attempt to do any welding than I would dismantling an engine using just a Haynes manual but I don't recall basic gardening or house cleaning becoming a degree. As for decorating, if we all put that out to professionals then B&Q would disappear overnight. Lady Muck's OH was lucky he blagged his way through an interview - you should be questioning the capability of the interviewer for not having sussed him out ! Re your reference to Tree and lickle saplings, after what Tree has gone through recently, I for one don't think it is necessary to question her maturity. PB - you started out with some valid points - then you went off the rails. Mrs T

A decent first aid kit.

She needs one of these:

You are free to wear what ever you choose. I wear a flat cap whilst Mrs T wears a Tilly hat. I have also seen folks wearing Indiana Jones style as well. I also have a very battered Musto baseball hat that has a security clip attached. It has accompanied me on many a cross Channel trip. When cruising in cold / foul weather however I don't care what I look like as long as I am warm and dry. I use my offshore foul weather gear. There is no "Uniform" on the cut.

When beefing up the security of our house a few years ago after an attempted, unsuccessful burglary I was struck by the thought " If I loose my house keys when I am out, how do I get in"? Previously I knew a few weak spots that would allow entry without too much damage. These are now rectified. The answer is fairly simple however, leave a set with a trusted neighbour, relative etc. This of course may not be so easy on a narrowboat. No I don't recommend a secret key beneath a flower pot or anywhere else for that matter. My aim has always been to deter the opportunist, I know I will never stop a professional burglar. It is worth considering, If I lost my keys how would I get in?

A Walsh alloy windlass, Calcutt Botton Lock, A port navigation light in the marina and the wife at Braunston. Fortunately managed to retrieve her. ETA a corporate BT golf umbrella on the GU at Milton Keynes.

Glad it's back, got fed up of going to the dark side

As far as I am aware 2 on the main system. Large for the GU eg Calcutt, small for others eg Hillmorton on the Oxford. However, I stand to be corrected. The larger one has had inserts fitted since the photo was taken so it fits the GU lock mechanisms.

What "throw" will they have please?

For sale on eBay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Narrowboat-butty-tiller-stearing-arm-/251240417856?_trksid=p3984.m2206&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D129%26meid%3D6193506870904988413%26pid%3D100052%26prg%3D1108%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D190809223270%26

You were alive in the 19th century WOW. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawkesbury_Junction

Going but in a similar vein Hawksbury Junction = Sutton Stop. Named after a lock keeper.

Depends whether there is a decent pub at the end of the 8 hours

Hopefully this should help The fore stud in this picture is also known as a T stud. If any purists have any issues with any of the terms used please discuss with Mr E Paget-Tomlinson