Doorman

Sadly, what a waste of such an iconic pub, but then again, Punch & Judy Taverns are so adept at doing this. It was envisaged when the new tenant received the keys, that the old traditions of a 'boater's pub' would be long lost in the mist of corporate image and stereotypical gourmet pub identity. Having spent so many memorable days and nights at this once inviting place, it does sadden me to see how it has been ruined.

I shall probably spend more time contributing to the web site 'Anglo Info' as ultimately I intend on living in Britanny, France. As a form of compensation for losing our lovely canal style life, I have invested in properties across the channel at what can only be described as stunning value for money. I might even chance one of those plastic boats that amble along the Canal du Midi, along with our retained Buckby cans and decorated barrel and instead of the famed red neckerchief and flat cap, I'll opt for a string of onions and a beret. The poor French won't know what's hit them!

Thanks Machpoint005, When selling our first boat, it was presented as you describe and indeed Dominic Miles remarked; "I'll bet you you could eat your dinner off the engine room floor!" when he viewed the immaculate cabin space. But sadly on this occasion, due to our circumstances, I didn't have the time to prepare the boat for the handover and felt quite ashamed of its condition when the very understanding new owners came on board. I have little doubt that the main selling point apart from the well presented advertisement, was that the boat was a five year old Hudson boat and the new owners whom have previously owned two other Hudsons, had witnessed ours being built at Glascote Basin. We had commisioned her with a high specification in the belief that it would be our home for many years. I truly hope that the couple enjoy the boat as much as we did, but get the opportunity to cruise the system which sadly we never could due to hospital visits. The boat only had 2000 engine hours and most of them where used in reversing down two locks to use the facilities at Overwater Marina. Mike

Thanks John, It's the likes of you and the infamous Nick Norman (who really is a great guy to know personally) whom we'll miss from our lives without the boat. The canals are full of interesting people with tremendous life stories to listen to and a far cry from urban life on dry land! Mike

A cautionary tale exists within my post. We are fortunate that we had a house to return to, as all too often we had met similar liveaboards whom had sold homes in order to fund their life on the water. Nothing wrong with that decision whilst you are in good health and in our particuar case, I truly believe that the calm serenity of canal living has indeed helped prolong my wife's life. But, should your health falter and you find that living within the confines of a narrow boat is bo longer comfortable nor practical, then without a house to fall back on leaves you somewhat stranded in an unenviable situation. More prudent if possible, to fund the purchase of your boat with the release of any equity in the property and then rent it out on a short term tenancy basis. The latter is exactly what we have done. And yes, as you quite rightly state, there are other Brokers. One of which belongs to Dominic Miles of Rugby Boats, who did a sterling job in selling our first boat within three days of its listing. I have taken the time to post on here in this instance, out of sheer gratitude towards the staff of both the brokerage and the marina, whom went beyond the call of duty to effect the sale of our boat in as short a time as possible, with the least amount of disruption to our day to day lives. They were all so very helpful.

After owning our narrowboat Elouise for five years and enjoying every aspect of a life living aboard, due to my little wife's further deterioration in her health, we decided that it was time sell the boat and return to a house on the bank. A decision made with much deliberation. Finding a suitable broker was made easy with the knowledge that the Boatfinder Brokerage had an office close by and situated within the Overwater Marina complex that was just a couple of locks down from our linear mooring in Audlem. Given also, that we'd heard good reports about their professional approach, this decision was agreed upon without much hesitation. From the outset, we were impressed with the courtesy and consideration afforded to us not only by the friendly Brokerage staff, but also the marina personnel whom assist in accompanied viewings. An excellent working partnership is clearly in evidence here. Within a week of advertising, a suitable buyer was sourced and the sales proceeds promptly deposited into our bank account. We could not have wished for a more seamless process and apart from the arduous task of removing our possessions from the boat, the whole transition was effortless. The age old addage of; "No sentiment in business" does not apply with the staff at Boatfinder Brokerage, nor Overwater Marina for that matter. We were shown utmost respect, politeness and boundless compassion throughout the very short time that our boat was listed on the books of this fine establishment. They indeed set a very high standard for others to follow! Mike & Chrissie (Formerly nb Elouise)

I've no doubt that will be the case Mike, but a suitably long period would be respectful as you never know whether any of Steve's family might have the inclination to visit the forum on occasion. As a fine exponant of the art of 'taking the piss' - something that was comically overlooked by certain 'self important individuals' on here when I was a regular contributor - I appreciate well meant humour and it was quite often only that element of the forum discussions that retained my interest, until I eventually called time due to family commitments. The humour I miss, the bitching and pontificating are something that I sincerely believe deters other, more valid contributors, from participating in what's otherwise a great forum.

It is with some cruel irony, that only after his death, will Steve Hudson reap the due respect that he so deservedly merited in life!

My goodness, there have been occasions when I have missed the banter on this forum, but then again, I have never missed the typical bitching that ensues shortly after the beginning of a subject matter. Here, of all places, where the disclosure of Steve Hudson's passing was meant as a sign of respect for a revered member of our boating community, you still insist on degrading what's meant to be a discussion between like minded people. Try and sort yourselves out for a refreshing change!

I don't wonder, I know what he would have said. But I'm certain that the mods would censor my version of Steve's reply so we'll just have to guess. Both Chrissie and myself are shocked at this sad news, as Steve Hudson appeared to be one of life's indestructable characters!

Very sad news indeed. We met Steve for the first time at Crick where he had two fine boats on display. He woud not budge an inch on his specification in order to gain a sale. But my most enduring memory of him will be when we were firmly iced in at Glascote Basin during the winter of 2010/2011 and he decided to take his cross country motorbike for a spin along the frozen canal, up to the road bridge next to The Anchor pub and back to the basin before his wife Diane noticed he'd gone! No matter what some people thought of Steve and his 'grumpy' demeanour, he called a spade a spade and didn't try to baffle you with science. I admired him then and shall miss his presence amongst the other quality boat builders in this country. Our thoughts go to his family at this very sad time. Mike

I am very glad to take all credit for persuading Terence to continue with his fine artwork on the basis that if he didn't, Mrs Doorman was going to pay him a visit and give him a proper ear bashing! Not to be taken very lightly. Meeting Terence and his wife once again recently and failing to initially recognise them both (another senior moment), gave me a further understanding of the sorry situation regarding the loss of his stock and subsequent moral. I would imagine that any other person unfortunate to suffer such a demise would also share his feelings of despair. Well done for getting on with your talented work, your canal network needs people like you to colour its boats. Mr & Mrs Doorman

My old German mate Hans Datdodishes used to frown upon the use of washing up liquid when cleaning his car!

So that's the reason he didn't hear me at the weekend in Audlem as when he passed our moored boat on Sickle. I jokingly shouted that he should have bought a Hudson and Alan appeared to cringe at the thought. Obviously, had he have heard my remark he would have nodded in agreement!

Ah, glad to see you've arrived there ok. It must have been difficult boating all that way from your previous location as I know you two don't move about too much! Watch out for that Scouser bloke, he'll have the hub caps from off the boat before you know it. I'll bet that he's a miserable sod aswell. Take stock from the fact that you're in a tempory place and before you know it you'll be out and about once more. There's many a land based soul that would give their right wotsit to live the life that both of you enjoy! :-) ETA. Be thankful that you were able to hide inside Iona when that Nick Norman bloke whizzed past. He'd only lead you two astray and tempt you inside the pub with an invitation to drink dirty beer all day. We met him once, along with the long suffering Jeff. He even had two Geordies with him as reinforcements to force us into another round of ale. Terrible man.

There have been several serious incidents in the village where we moor our boat and nothing appears to get done to prevent these particular events from being repeated, or the perpetrators being arrested. When questioned about this, the local police officer simply commented that her remit was to keep crime figures down, what? By not recording criminal activities is this how governments seek to gain favour by pretending crime doesn't exist. I just hope that Terence gets his goods back and the thief gets his just rewards.

How on earth will Terence be able to persuade this low life to walk into a police station with two broken legs?

To avoid this terrible experience, I have one of those devices on our key ring that sounds an audible alarm when you whistle a particular tune, that way, you'll never be without these vital accessories again. Before anyone asks, "Where do you buy one from?", I do not know, as I found it by chance on the towpath! P.S. The magic whistling tune is 'We'll Meet Again', by Vera Lynn

Seconded!

Hi Ange, During the winter of 2010/2011 we took refuge in that marina for about a week until the ice age conditions yielded. Not being frequent beer drinkers, we did feel compelled, but reluctant to enter the pub next to the marina. At that time you could have a lovely carvery meal for a fiver and to be honest I've never seen Yorkshire puddings as big in my life, they were like inverted 'ten gallon hats'. As has been mentioned, the folks in these parts are very friendly and helpful too. Since that experience, I've managed to stay on the wagon and resist the sordid temptation of water, by only drinking Guinness. So, in short, it's a decent place to moor your well travelled boat and Dave might find somewhere to express his skills nearby. Go for it. :-) Mike

We still have several fine items painted by you and would always return for more if the need arose. Don't even think about retiring from painting, otherwise Mrs Doorman will be dispatched on the next train to Braunston and you won't want to see her appearing at your door in a temper! Mike

Just to reiterate in case it was missed, the only way the forum will ever learn the full extent of this issue is if the traders involved with the Tea Boat incident are willing to return and furnish us with possibly a more detailed account of events, together with others whom have witnessed the discouragement that fell upon the floating market organisers. In between visits up North to our home, we spend as much time as possible here (and this is the ironic bit) due to the tranquility of the place it acts as a form of therapy to Chrissie, Stronbow cider notwithstanding. Whilst here, we get to speak to quite a few roving traders whom tend to moor in our pound, rather than the one adjacent to The Mill and The Shroppie Fly. One trader in particular, recently enquired about the possibility of winter moorings here in Audlem, his answer was less than encouraging and not from CRT shall I say. Being that his boat is of a historic nature, he also enquired about a berth during the Festival of Transport, to which the stock answer was "anywhere but 'The Mill' pound". This particular trader is one of the most likeable blokes on the system along with his very talented wife who paints their stock of canal ware items. I am at risk of alienating these people in publishing this information, but am doing so due to the desire for a more accurate account of what is transpiring along this way. The infamous Tea Boat incident served not only to expose the naïvety of The Shroppie Fly landlady, in allowing herself to be coerced into haranguing the proprietors of the trading boat like a Grimsby fish wife, but what has been happening here for a long time, in a more underhand fashion. The rant from the Troll was symptomatic of how things are done, not in a direct method, but by others who are gullible enough to action the desires of an interested party. Being married to a Tyke, I'd much rather prefer the 'full on, in your face' approach, where you know exactly whom you're dealing with and can deal with their issues directly with them, not some subservient foot soldier who appears to lack the ability to judge between right or wrong. A tidy dose of transparency is all that's required in resolving this problem once and for all, together with a balanced encouragement of roving traders, whom after all, are only trying to earn an honest living, rather than being treated like some sort of social outcast. I hope that my 'diplomacy' does not mask too much of the reality here, but in order to prevent the onslaught of litigation I believe that this is the most prudent way forward. Mike