Audlem Annual Gathering of Historic Narrowboats

[alan_fincher]

Have got photos, but not really the technology to post much now we only have the facilities on "Sickle".

 

In particular my main laptop is refusing to charge off its 12v adaptor, and we don't have 230v available, except by a lash up involving crocodile clips straight off the starter battery, (we have no "domestics").

 

We need to get a lot of miles in, but I'll see what I can do, if at all later.

 

(Now enjoying breakfast on a "patio" that is in so much sunshine I can't see the screen on this tablet!)

[Guest]

Have got photos, but not really the technology to post much now we only have the facilities on "Sickle".

 

In particular my main laptop is refusing to charge off its 12v adaptor, and we don't have 230v available, except by a lash up involving crocodile clips straight off the starter battery, (we have no "domestics").

 

We need to get a lot of miles in, but I'll see what I can do, if at all later.

 

(Now enjoying breakfast on a "patio" that is in so much sunshine I can't see the screen on this tablet!)

I did look on your blog to see if any had appeared there, but that explains why they haven't!

[IanM]

(Now enjoying breakfast on a "patio" that is in so much sunshine I can't see the screen on this tablet!)

It's a hard life

 

Have a good journey

[dor]

Sorry to have a moan but there is a distinct lack of photo's in this thread!

OK, I've added some more. Sorry they are general views rather than specific boats, but should give you a bit of an idea of what it was like...

 

Click to enlarge or look in my gallery.

 

Edited July 29, 2014 by dor

[Guest]

Thanks

[alan_fincher]

OK a random selection of photos, largely taken by my son David.

 

Apologies if any are poorly focussed, I'm struggling to see the detail against the sun on our "patio"!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[nicknorman]

Well we had a great time, but are now heading back away from Audlem.

 

It seems quite amazing that despite Mr Norman's worst fears, not one single riveted rust-bucket sank the whole weekend. In fact even with all wood, or wood bottomed composite historic craft present, I didn't even spot a pump running.

 

I guess we must all have got incredibly lucky!

I only just looked at this thread because I preferred to keep the moral high ground and not introduce a sour note into a thread about a pleasant get-together, unlike certain other people! However I just wanted to say that it is not too surprising that nothing sank, since they are all on the bottom anyway (and I should know, having a fairly deep drafted, though waterproof, boat myself).

 

Anyway, I am delighted to see that there is at least one Hudson in your photos - it would almost have made it worth a visit.

Edited July 29, 2014 by nicknorman

[nicknorman]

The highlight of the event occurred at 9.20am on the sunday morning.

 

Having heard that a large number of those rusty, rivet infested monstrosities had gathered at Audlem, a well known member of this forum decided to pay a visit by helicopter, self piloted of course.

 

He flew up and down the site looking for mooring infringements, especially near the water points. Sadly, for him, only one horse boat was present and it was properly tied, well away from any liquid dispensing points.

 

He then went and landed on the nearby field where all the land based rivet infested historic monstrosities gather during the day.

 

Sadly, the secondary reason for the "flying" visit, that is to wake up all those rust bucket owners, was not achieved as the majority had consumed far too much beer the night before to be bothered by an overgrown gnat.

 

George ex nb Alton retired

Sadly not me, but I did hear the machine was going to land nearer but thought better of it since the vibration might have caused rivets to fall out and excited the woodworm to much.

[Guest]

Nice pics. Alan cheers...

[jam]

A cracking day on Saturday, a few piccys from my collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More to follow

Edited July 29, 2014 by jam

[Laurence Hogg]

Pity there was even one there! It was a historic boat gathering, sadly theres nothing "historic" about "Hudson", fine craft but based on what? Charrington Gardner & Locket West London tug peraphs?

 

I only just looked at this thread because I preferred to keep the moral high ground and not introduce a sour note into a thread about a pleasant get-together, unlike certain other people! However I just wanted to say that it is not too surprising that nothing sank, since they are all on the bottom anyway (and I should know, having a fairly deep drafted, though waterproof, boat myself).

Anyway, I am delighted to see that there is at least one Hudson in your photos - it would almost have made it worth a visit.

[nicknorman]

Pity there was even one there! It was a historic boat gathering, sadly theres nothing "historic" about "Hudson", fine craft but based on what? Charrington Gardner & Locket West London tug peraphs?

I was there because it lives there. Unless you were incredibly stupid you would know that there is nothing historic either claimed or in actuality, about a Hudson - thank god! It is based on .... a Hudson (surprise surprise!). Anyway, fortunately for you it was tolerant of its aged interlopers.

Edited July 30, 2014 by nicknorman

[dor]

It was there because it lives there.

 

Indeed, and owned by one of the forum's long standing members (Hi Mike, hope all is well with youy).

[mark99]

Lovely set of images. I like the non GU bows.

[Rusty Rivet]

Here's a fantastic video of Aquarius and Ilford long lining up the Audlem flight after they left the gathering.

 

Great to see techniques like this being kept alive.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=e4TjsROGOYM

[dave moore]

Absolutely wonderful! Almost lost for words! Had an email from an old friend, Roger Wickson, today, who also saw the real thing at Audlem. His last view of the practice was the Whitlocks in action in the late 60s. So much has been lost. A pity.

 

Nostalgic Dave

[nicknorman]

Nice video. I suppose my only question is "what happened to the boat waiting to go down"? Were they informed that the line prevented them entering the lock until the butty had passed through (thus delaying them and wasting water) or did they just decide to wait? If the former, I can't see that happening in the days of yore so in order to get full marks, we need to see two such pairs transmitting in opposite directions - motor up - motor down - butty up - butty down.

[roland elsdon]

Are we late? Bit slow up staffs and worcs , still should be room. Planning on getting stuck on welsh .. Got stuck everywhere else this year.

[dave moore]

Nick

 

I was there on Saturday, all bywashes gurgling happily.....a lockful of water would have been neither here nor there in the scheme of things. If you are unable to appreciate a recreation of working practice without niggling caveats, then I almost despair....time I hung up my windlass and leave the cut to others, I'm sick of the way things have developed...petty point scoring among folk who have little, if any knowledge of how things used to be. The cut is my workshop as well as my playground, though for how much longer is a debateable question. Your pontifications, probably tongue in cheek, do little to help..you appear technically knowledgeable, but that seems to be as far as it goes.

 

Dave

[Laurence Hogg]

Nick

 

I was there on Saturday, all bywashes gurgling happily.....a lockful of water would have been neither here nor there in the scheme of things. If you are unable to appreciate a recreation of working practice without niggling caveats, then I almost despair....time I hung up my windlass and leave the cut to others, I'm sick of the way things have developed...petty point scoring among folk who have little, if any knowledge of how things used to be. The cut is my workshop as well as my playground, though for how much longer is a debateable question. Your pontifications, probably tongue in cheek, do little to help..you appear technically knowledgeable, but that seems to be as far as it goes.

 

Dave

 

Well quoted Dave, I agree with all your sentiments, too many shiny boats too little real knowledge.

[nicknorman]

Clearly this is the old fogies thread "things were so much better in the past" etc so I was careful not to be disparaging and felt I had made a valid point about how things would have been done in the real "good old days". In fact I had no desire to be disparaging because the video was enjoyable and was glad to see the locks being operated in a sympathetic yet efficient way etc. Unfortunately you don't seem to care about that, only being interested in your Disney version of how things were done with the rose tinted glasses on.

 

Unfortunately for you (fortunately for the rest of us) things can't be frozen in time, and you have a choice either to move with the times (which doesn't mean abandoning old skills and ways, merely learning new ones as well), or to become unhappy. It is a pity you seem to be choosing the latter.

 

Do you really imagine that there were not arguments and petty point scoring in your sorely missed olden days. Fisticuffs at the locks more like! At least we only do it virtually!

 

Anyway, I'm sorry you felt a preference for insulting me over answering my point about opposite direction traffic. It would have been interesting to know how it was done without entanglement.

Edited July 30, 2014 by nicknorman

[nicknorman]

... too many shiny boats too little real knowledge.

At least they have sufficient knowledge to know their shiny boats are not some sort of replica something. Unlike some!

[Rob-M]

I was talking to Glyn on Sunday, it's great to see the loaded pair being worked and to know they have not had any problems with depth on any of the canals they have travelled on during this trip. I think you can safely say they are pretty deep draughted.

[Guest]

Well quoted Dave, I agree with all your sentiments, too many shiny boats too little real knowledge.

What utter rubbish.

 

Our, and I use that word purposefully waterways are not just a playground for old boats, with old farts at the tillers......there is room for us all.

 

 

 

 

ed. to add an important word.

Edited July 31, 2014 by The Dog House

[Tuscan]

They came past me last month travelling north up the Coventry just north of the Ashby turn. Fantastic sight to see a well loaded pair.