abloadescort

If you still need a hand, I should be able to help. I run a three vehicles that escort wide loads all over the country. I live in Paignton, one of my drivers lives in Kingsbridge and my other driver lives in Napton. It would be fairly easy for either my guy in Kingsbridge or myself to pick it up and within the next week or two pass it over to my other guy who lives in Napton. PM if intrested. Cheers, Rob

My company arranges and assists in the movement of abnormal loads, and im regulary involved in the transport of large boats. Couple of pics if anyones intrested: We often are involved in moving wide beams/dutch barges from variuos destinations in Europe and take them to the Thames & Kennett Marina at Reading. If you need any info or help just PM me. Rob

You could try either: Hainsworth' from Bradford - www.boattransporter.co.uk although ive never seen them with a hiab but you could ask. A.Rhodes from York - www.a-rhodes.co.uk There not actully a boat haulage company but ive worked with them on many occasions and they carry a wide variety of stuff, and they have truck-mounted hiabs. Ask for John Rhodes. Rob

Does anybody know if its possible to get the 'Code Breakers' CD by the late Buz Collins? I have his 'Water And Rain' CD (some very good canal songs on that, if thats what your after). I remember seeing him on the TV programme 'Water World' and he was singing quite a catchy tune about the cow that went thru Foulridge tunnel. Any idears??? Rob

And mine (in a couple of weeks). Ill me moored 3 spaces in front of Ray & Lizz in the same spot where Benjee was moored. Rob

Thanks for the answears guys. What was the main trade of the Andover Canal? I presume it was general cargo unloaded in Southampton Docks? or was it more specific. Rob

Sorry that this has nothing to do with the Andover Canal, but does anybody know if there was a canal in Milford on Sea?? I have passed over, what looks like the remains of an old canal passing under High Street. Any idear what this canal was for or where it went? I have been looking up the remains of the Dorset & Somerset canal, although I understand that this canal never really took off so proberly no remains! Rob

Does anybody know if the Andover Canal ever joined onto the Basinstoke Canal in Basinstoke? Rob

That should't be a problem as they kip in the van. The only time I had to sleep in the truck was when my night heater broke in the van..... it was a very cold night. Rob

Its been a while since I was involved in a abnormal load transport in France (as i mainly specialise in the UK & Ireland). The last time I went the catorgorys were as follows: CAT 1 Permit - >20.00m long x >3.00m wide x >48,000kg. A pilot car isn't necesarry (normally). A Cat 1 permit is required but these come in two types, either a one off permit or a roaming permit. A company like CPL or Interboat from Reading will proberly already have a roaming CAT 1 permit. CAT 2 Permit - 20.00m> long x 3.00m> wide x 48,000kg>. Normally a pilot car is needed for this catorgory. CAT 3 Permit - 25.00m> long x 4.00m> wide x 72,000kg>. Normally a pilot car (or two) and the police. As I said, these rules may have changed, I know the french system has been made some changes recently. However the transport company will be able to tell you the up to date rules and also sort it all out for you. Of course, you may be able to put the boat in the canal at Calais without needing to drive out of the dock(not sure if this is still possible), thus, not needing any of the above. Rob.

http://www.cpltrans.com/ - Give these guys an e-mail/phone for a quote. Rob

I was speaking to the chap at Whilton marina yesteday about this boat. He said that the married couple who had the boat built for them were getting a divorse and needed the cash quite urgenty, hence the dramatic slash. Rob

I was there yesteday, looks like they were removing the timber shuttering. Some pics on my flickr site Rob.

Very impressed.

Now theres an idear. Maybe I should give up my day job of escorting wide loads on the road and take up escorting wide beams on the canals! .....ok maybe not!

Most abnormal load transport companies have the means to move narrowboats, however you would be better off to stick with the 'narrowboat specialists' rather than the general abnormal load companies (hope they dont read this). One company I work with alot is CPL Transport, their no strangers to narrowboats. Chap to speak to is Colin - 01233 758126 . Others you could try are: AB Tuckey - 01926 812134 Sealand boat deliveries - 01254 705225 Rob

Looks like a Class 37. Great pics everyone. Rob