Ray T

A while ago Alan produced a calendar, a couple of prints. April, Stoke Bruerne July Cropredy Another artist worthy of note, Trevor Bolt.

@brassman A few wise words in hindsight there! Up until he passed away last year, I used to visit a retired NarrowBoat Captain who came from six generations of Oxford boat people. The history he had in his head was incredible. I recorded much of his story so it is not lost. My research will go to an archive in due course.

From Canal Plan: Goldberry Built by Shrops Union Bt Bldr - Length : 13.41 metres ( 44 feet ) - Beam : 2.07 metres ( 6 feet 9 inches ) - Draft : 0.01 metres ( 0 feet ). Metal hull N/A power of 19 HP. Registered with Canal & River Trust number 62453 as a Powered Motor Boat. ( Last updated on Sunday 29th May 2011 )

Semi trad Traditional stern Cruiser stern

I appear to have been posting under a misnomer, common sense: The Sad Passing of Common Sense Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children He declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Panadol, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student; but, could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Tracy, Mr. Helpful trespassed over my property. The dog was kept within the confines of the boat. He was warned and decided to ignore that warning. The dog was on a restraining lead. I cannot be responsible for that man’s action.

Our previous dog a Parsons Jack had a few health issues, one she was deaf since birth. One on occasion coming through the bottom lock at Hillmorton Millie had puked up some grass, she had eaten earlier, on the boat's counter. Apart from in the house or in the boat with the doors shut Millie was always on a lead as we had no recall. A "helpful" man appeared and suggested I cleared up the sick in case I slipped on it. I informed him I was going to pull over to the side and clear it up after negotiating the lock. Mr.Helpful was adamant; I cleared the mess up there and then. As I went below to get some wipes I clearly said to Mr. Helpful, "Do not touch the dog." On returning to the back of the boat I heard a lot of barking and a yelp. Mr. Helpful was waving a blood stained couple of fingers and said "Your dog's just bit me." I reminded him of the warning and he agreed he had disobeyed my advice. Sometimes people have to take responsibility for their actions. We did as much as we could to stop strangers from touching Millie, even putting these notices on the side of the boat. Millie bit me on one occasion as I was not working within the limitations of the dog and I had surprised her. Totally my fault. No, we were not going to have her "put to sleep." PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE DOG2.docx

Choose one with a USB port and / or an auxiliary jack, you are not limited to just what is on the radio then. e.g. Click to open expanded view Car Radio Bluetooth

Don’t cross one of those named dogs with a bull dog! 😁

From the Guardian: Ban on wood burners threatens British boat-dwellers with winter freeze (msn.com)

Further to this a fellow Moorer has informed me said dog and owner have been ejected from the marina due to the owner's refusal to put the dog on a lead and the problems thus caused. Justice is served. 😀 I do feel sorry for the dog though.

Between jobs Judith, my wife, voluntered at the local Citizens Advice Bureau. She occasionally had people who had sold up and bought a boat or motor home. Things had gone pear-shaped and they were looking for a "council flat." First off, Coventry City Council sold off all its housing to a housing association or "right to buy" and the association's view was that anyone who had done this had "Intentionally made themselves homeless" and went to the bottom of the list for rehousing. We are in the fortunate position to have a house and boat. Old age and some issues which go with that have begun to rear its ugly head and I am glad to have bricks and mortar.

Although the marina where we moor has a "all dogs on lead" policy there are one or two owners who appear to think the rule does not apply to them. Earlier this year an out of control spaniel bit our dog on the back. Fortunately, our dog was wearing a coat so her skin was not damaged. All I got was "Oh - he's usually friendly." Yes right! No apology. I reported this incident to the office.

Best photo I could find to illustrate why a butty may strike a motors stern.

A semi trad leisure boat which belonged to retired working boaters, has all the ingredients of above.

@arhesusnegative further to this for the OP, our findings when tracing a family tree for the Humphri(e)s boaters. Many of the boat people were unable to read or write as the working life never gave the children much, if any, opportunity for schooling. They also spoke with a mixture of accents picked up from the towns and villages on their way. However, they have the most wonderful memories of events. When births, deaths and marriages were recorded the recorder wrote down what he / she heard. In various records I have 5 different spellings of "my" narrow boat Captain's surname, yet they are all the same family. Also, some of the boat people had many children and often used family names. It is quite probable to find cousins with the same name and similar birth dates so it is easy to go off on the wrong track. I have seen some sloppy family trees on genealogy sites where in one case it had a girl getting married at eight years old! Back up records in the form of census, boat health registrations, birth, marriage, death, certificates etc., are essential. Don't be mislead by TV programmes like "Who do you think you are." Tracing families is a very time consuming and can be an expensive business, taking approximately 200 hours to get back 5 generations. I'm afraid if you are really serious about tracing your boating ancestors you have much work ahead of you. Even then it never really ends...... Never assume anything, get solid evidence as indicated above. Another lead is cemeteries where boat people are buried, these often give quite accurate dates of births and deaths. Boaters tended to bring their loved to what was considered "home port" for funerals and burial. One example being Braunston in Northamptonshire. This site may be of help? A Waterways Heritage - Family History | Groups | Facebook

There is a relative on this forum, I’m sure he will be along shortly.

Built as a replica of Tunnel Steam Tug Hasty by Brinklow Boat Services. Facebook

I often wonder how the boat people managed. 😁 Mrs. Sid McDonald and Mrs. Mabel Wilson with their families.

The word "Butty" was thought to be derived from the word "Buddy." From Wiki. A butty boat is an unpowered boat traditionally with a larger rudder with (usually) a wooden tiller (known as an elum, a corruption of helm[17]) as the steering does not benefit from the force of water generated by the propeller so the rudder must be of a larger area. The tiller is usually removed and reversed in the rudder-post socket to get it out of the way when moored. A few butty boats have been converted into powered narrowboats like NB Sirius. The term butty is derived from the dialect word buddy, meaning companion.[18]