Sabs

Tim is right. Its below the Village hall on the offside, opposite the permit moorings. 100 boats, 30 car spaces and road access down a narrow single track road. Lot of nimbyism in the village but they have some very valid antagonism as well. Interesting point for w/end boaters is that current winding holes are at Preston Bagot and Kingswood both 2 miles away + 7 and 10 locks!

Front half. Peter and I were running from Hatton

If they're at the side of of a bridge they are for storing stop planks. (Look out for the grooves in the bridge/towpath wall and facing). If they are on the top they are probably access points for the Fire Brigade!!!!

Good advice, higher end cameras are good for 100-200000 pix, but in each case its a return to a service centre for a new shutter (expensive!!!!!!) All good 2nd hand retailers will tell you how many pix a shutter has taken. If a camera looks 'tired', scuffed or dented leave it alone. Most dealers have a regular clientele of customers who trade cameras regularly. They know who looks after them and who doesn't. Best buys are recent trade ups by regular amateurs. Pro cameras usually have a lot of surface wear as well as high shutter use. Its better to pay a bit more for a clean one, even if you have to extend the budget.

David, I forgot to mention that DSLRs have a smaller 'film plane' than film cameras, so if you do a lot of wide angle stuff then you have to have a much wider lens. ( On Nikons the factor is 1.5, so a 28mm lens becomes a 42mm on a digital!) Beware of cameras on ebay, you may be lucky but there are some real horrors out there. Unless you know what you are looking for then stick with a reputable source - PM me if you want detailed advice.

David, as an ex-pro snapper I suggest that you stay with Nikon. Almost any Nikon (or independant) bits you have will continue to work for you, but sometimes with minor limitations. If you are looking to s/hand and a tight budget try London Camera Exchange - lcegroup.co.uk - they have branches in Bristol, Gloucester & Cheltenham etc. They are about the only reputable high st store that still does s/hand and may p/x your F.

I know this subject was covered heavily a couple of years ago, but Dave Moore and I were wondering if anyone has more info on GA Cooke. Dates, etc. These windlasses must have been fairly common, but are now like hens teeth to find. And how many 'types' did they produce? Most seem to be the T&M type or 'Cheshire Lockers', bur I have heard of them making GU pattern large heads as well. Is this true?

I've used Pete Askey before. Nice guy, boat owner, no problems to report!

I know this is the wrong place to post but I see the full stoppage list is now available on Waterscape. Didn't it used to be available in August! That's progress for you.

The full listing is now on Waterscape - at long last!!

Update Saturday pm (posted Sun am) True, You can now get to Shebdon Wharf to wind. Breach is secured by coffer dam at Cadbury Wharf. They have been pumping past this all night, so there should be enough water to reopen Tyrley flight later today, then Adderley and Audlem. There are worries about the state of the embankment. Specialists will be on site Monday to assess. If they think its safe then work will continue and they hope to open Thursday. If the bank is bad then the stoppage is indefinite and at worst could last til winter. If you have to go North or South then T & M is the safe bet. There are a lot of boats hovering below Norbury so mooring is limited. I'm now off the Shroppie so cant update, but David Ray (Hyperion) at Norbury will post info as he can.

Update Saturday 14/08/09 Dam is being erected, they hope to pump water to Tyrley this afternoon. This may allow lockage through to Audlem etc for those who wish to turn and head North. Once they have cleared the boats that are stranded at Shebdon they will start on the leak. If it is simple then the work should be completed Weds/Thursday. There is a big build up of boats at Norbury and Drayton, and will take time to clear. If they find more problems, then who knows? All boats are still being advised to stay away until there is 'hard news'. If this is bad then folk are in for a long wait.

Update 1830hrs 14/08/09 Cofferdam will not be ready til tomorrow am. So no pumping the lower levels til at least midday. They are still hoping to have traffic moving later next week. Apologies to all for dyslexia when I typed Sheldon instead of Shebdon - grovel, grovel Will update again Sat am.

Update 1620 hrs : Cofferdam is being built, 100 tons of puddleclay are being delivered and they hope to start pumping water to the lower level (Tyrley etc) tonight. Stoppage expected to last until Weds am at least. Rest of Shroppie (except Norbury to Tyrley top) should be back in action Saturday am. (tomorrow!)

BW has shut Sheldon embankment to inspect a leak which may be serious. For practical purposes there is no way through from Norbury to M. Drayton. Dewatering section today, Fri. and may decide to reopen by Monday for traffic but could declare a full breach by late today. As of 9.30am Friday BW are advising that no boats come on to the Shroppie from Autherley to Hurlesdon as they have shut Audlem, Tyrley and Adderley flights to save water! If this is a real nasty then they dont want extra boats to handle and winding holes are limited!

The point is that these people are looking for an easy life, we want our declared split. If you want 60/40 then fair enough but as a liveaboard my use is different. So if I cant get the split I want, on I go. When the sales are badly down, diesel bug is in their tanks and other trade is suffering, they may change, but I doubt it. Braunston Marina has the same system, or did til recently. Can someone confirm?

Its a bit like learning to drive. The more practice/experience you have the better you get, even if you never stop learning. Most of the 'exhibition boats', community boats and the like are operated by amateurs who only get to play every few weeks/months. Many have no other contact with boats, yet they think they know more than folk who boat everyday for years. And Charlie must have realised that there are advantages to being a bit more 'cautious'.

I dont think anyone has too much problem with raising extra money, the problem is how you apportion it. We all want to claim ourselves as 'the exception to the rule'. Marina boats want one thing, CC's want another. And I resent the idea of paying for a mooring that I cant use/get into. Theres one thing when a popular mooring is full, but when its too shallow or obstructed - well! And us bigger boats tend to keep the channel open for others.

Another pop at CCs? And no reflection on facilities available. And what about us deeper boats that cant moor in most places without causing an obstruction.

Part of their problem is that they think they know it all. They pick up ideas for 'old' techniques from old boatmen and better boaters without fully understanding what's involved. Pass that on to amateurs and a disaster looms. And what about the 'professionals' who are running around the midlands 'running the blocks'. Fine for them but causing problems for folk who dont know what is going on.

There is a nasty rumour starting that ALL BW front offices will be closed/ put on short time. Some FOH staff may be losing their jobs, others will be offered admin posts. If FOH offices are shut then a lot of people will have problems

Well Dan, If BW can't give you these figures, then it calls many of their arguments about boat usage into question. And if there are 15000 res. users then no wonder there's mooring problems. 2175 CC's is now rubbish. Almost every other boat on the main lines are CC. Will discuss in detail in Brum.