PeterScott

On this day in 2016 Salaire L&L

On this day in 2018 King's Norton Stop Lock Northern Stratford

On this day in 2019 Weedon Military Dock, GU South

On this day in 2007 (... from #2128) S&SYN above Ickles Lock The Sheffield Keel, which had been tethered to the side by one rope in the Sheffield Flood, had come down at a crazy andle resting on the towingpath. It had now been winched back into the canal, leaving some damage to the piling (picture). Looking towards Ickles Lock (below). Having moved the boat to the other side of the canal - on the lock landing (below) - we walked around to retrieve the mooring stake which had held all night. ... ... It's by Elaine's feet in the picture, and just lifted out of the mud without any twisting or kicking. Since the flood, continuing discussions with various parts of BW had been completely unfruitful. They wouldn't say what the damage to the navigation was, or give any predictions for repairs. Promised call-returns did not materialise. There were conflicting stories about the pumps that support the water level above Tinsley Locks - where we continued to lobby to be, mainly on the grounds of safety and ease of access while awaiting canal-repairs.

On this day in 2005 Well Creek, Middle Level, by Downham Road Farm Bridge There was an email the previous evening to say that Odyssey had suffered a fire just before the planned journey continued through Salters Lode and on to Denver Sluice along the tidal part of the Great Ouse. Of the crew-of-four none had been injured By good fortune they had the door from the main accommodation to the engine room closed. This contained the fire and the photo shows the remains of the engine room. The hull was undamaged. When we had commissioned the building ten years before, one of our number was keen on long evenings of TV viewing after about five hours' cruising, and with that specification, we chose a very expensive power system based on gel batteries, designed for backup for remote telephone exchanges. They met the specifiations for those ten years, but nobody on the waterways understood what they were about, so there was never any expertise to check them. That was, essentially, the cause of the fire. The fire brigade attended with two tenders, one on each side of the canal (confused notification) and they doused the flames. Once a boat has lost its engine, particlarly in the middle-of-nowhere, it becomes difficult to support a crew, and in any case they were all in-shock by the incident. They had gone home and this was a reconnaisance visit to assess damage, recovery and repairs. The other pictures are the floor of the rear four-berth cabin, now filled with firefighters' water, and a light fitting above. The intensity of the fire was such that if, in the picture, Elaine had stretched her left hand she would be touching a spare hank of rope hanging from the gunwales (white just visible) which was only gently singed despite being within two metres of the seat of the fire. Mirror Brasso Odyssey was eventually refitted from the engine-room backwards and is still doing its job these fifteen years later.

On this day 2015 (... from #2170) Sowerby Bridge Rochdale Canal. The TV-team at the end of two days' filming. Between these days, and as part of the need for authenticity, the presenter stayed on the boat overnight. Lest notoriety or enthusiasm for autographs brought too may visitors while moored, at least one of the filmcrew would also be on the boat overnight. They could film the morning dressing-gowned wave to the outside world and the cooking of breakfast. All the boat's supporters had arrived from home, and we were all waiting-for-the-off, but preparation for this morning's filming, had hit a glitch. The boat's provisions did not include a tomato, an essential element for the breakfast fryingpan. The presenter looked to the producer, and he asked the first of the supporter who was walking by the boat. Now, it is no part of the duties of a volunteer lockkeeper to have a tomato about his person, and it was with great presence-of-mind he thought to enquire of the occupant of a house by which we were moored, whether they had such essential breakfast fare to hand. Which was duly provided, and the said tomato passed to the volunteer lockkeeper, to the producer, to the presenter, to the fryingpan. A pound coin passed much of the way in the opposite direction, and everyone seemed happy with the outcome. Breakfast duly fried, the volunteer lockkeeper had been letting water down the flight to keep the boat floating and advised that we needed to use the water before we were grounded at the mooring, so breakfast was stored in the oven, and off-we-went, after filming a short sequence of fryingpan banged at the feet of the steerer, and some inconsequential conversation which didn't make the (editor's) cut. The TV crew eat their breakfast somewhat later. We brought sandwiches and chatted to the volunteer lockkeeper. It was a most enjoyable couple of days, and I did have about three of my words broadcast. And I now know better how to maintain authenticity in television entertainment.

On this day in 2018 Lapworth locks, Northern Stratford. Well, if you've an abundance of old yellow tape ... Or maybe they have been aware for six years ...

On this day in 2014 Thwaite Mills A&C. Leeds Waterfront Festival. C&RT digger entertaining visitors with driving lessons.

On this day in 2003 Coventry C Public art by Atherstone lock 2

On this day 2015. Todmorden, Rochdale C Start of a day filming for TV. Interesting discussion with the producer about authenticity: it's different from presenting everything in the order it is shot, or indeed presenting anything like a representative selection of what happened during the day: it's an entertainment programme and it needs to be entertaining. For example, moving around the inside of the boat, it's important to keep out of where the cameras might be pointing. Best not to bang into anything or go aground: that would be sure to make the cut (the editor's kind) and be broadcast. Miked-up and on camera, there is a remote chance of saying something interesting and broadcastable. Could I just say that again? And not look at the camera, but look to the left. At the presenter. Who, as it happens, isn't there. Having done this before, we have fewer illusions on how it all works. Compare with #2094

On this day in 2018 Knowle Locks GU(Braun-Bham) Between sideponds

On this day in 2019 Braunston Historic Boat Show

On this day in 2019 Braunston Historic Boat Rally. 29 June 1974. No canalling photos for that day.

On this day in 2007 (... from yesterday's #2128) S&SYN above Ickles Lock. Sheffield Keel at crazy angle where it settled after the flood. This is after being in the eye-of-the-storm in the Sheffield Floods, and a night many-feet above the towingpath on our canal-turned-river. Yesterday's morning update on Radio Sheffield had been replayed as their first item on the luchtime news after which they moved on to other ittems, starting with it being TonyBlair's last day as Prime Minister. Information from BW was inconsistent and unhelpful: those offering some hope of moving Copperkins to a safer position up Tinsley flight, were outnumbered by those who thought it impossible anytime-soon. Whatever I said on the phone, they just wanted me to not-be-doing-that. We left the boat on t'other side of the canal, and as as part of shuffling cars to go home, I called into Fearns Wharf (BW Regional HQ) to cry at them in person. But it didn't do any good. It was an evening at home, with a start on a Waterways World article about our experiences. Pictures is Granary Wharf L&L from Leeds station platform

On this day in 2008 Braunston Historic Boats Rally. Legging Angel through Braunston Tunnel. Sue Day (wearing the hat in the picture) of the Horseboating Society had arranged this. The tunnel was closed in the morning by BW. There were glitches. Sue's horse that was intended to pull Angel from the tunnel mouth to the marina was not available. Then Aldgate which was to take Angel through the tunnel the previous afternoon in preparation for the morning was also not available. Fulbourne was invited to do both these tasks which were good fun.

On this day in 2013 Thwaite Mills, Leeds A&C - Leeds Waterfront Festival

On this day in 1999 Tivdale Aqueduct over Netherton Tunnel Branch, BCN Old Main Line Tat Bank Branch, Titford Canal, BCN. Chemical works beyond the stopplanks

On this day in 1999 Broad Street Tunnel BCN Main Line Useful sign at Deepfields Junction

On this day in 2019 Braunston Locks heading for the Braunston Historic Boat Show the next day Braunston turn footbridges

May 2004 From 6 March 2020 The accursed Virus hadn't quite caught up with us that week. Presumably VIC32 hasn't done any puffering this season. Website says "All of our cruises up to June 21 have had to be cancelled or postponed until 2021. We sincerely hope to resume our cruising schedule on June 21"

On this day in 1975 Braunston Church from Oxford Canal. Also see #1380 this day (Braunston Turn)

In June 1989 Scarborough Harbour

On this day in 2006 Caen Hill flight K&A Footbridge

On this day in 2011 towards Ripon Basin Oxclose lock, Ripon Canal

On this day in 2009 Braunston Historic Boat Show