The canal / narrowboat thread
Discussion
As I don't think we have a narrowboat thread I thought it was time there was one so please add thoughts, comment, experiences on the canal.
Normally when I'm on the cut it's on a hireboat or a friends boat, but this week was a bit different.
I've just spent a few days on the Narrowboat Trust's working pair.
Lister -
Reading, on the Thames near Tesco
Reading, on the K&A, town centre
https://youtu.be/Jc8tEq-F-3I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eedK6W613o&fe...
Normally when I'm on the cut it's on a hireboat or a friends boat, but this week was a bit different.
I've just spent a few days on the Narrowboat Trust's working pair.
Lister -
Reading, on the Thames near Tesco
Reading, on the K&A, town centre
https://youtu.be/Jc8tEq-F-3I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eedK6W613o&fe...
Our boat
2015-09-20 10.32.39 by Ian, on Flickr
And the ones I get to play with occasionally
Nutfield and Raymond by Ian, on Flickr
Have loved the canals for years and it is a great way to see the countryside and the cities for that matter.
Nutfield and Raymond by Ian, on Flickr
2015-09-20 10.32.39 by Ian, on Flickr
And the ones I get to play with occasionally
Nutfield and Raymond by Ian, on Flickr
Have loved the canals for years and it is a great way to see the countryside and the cities for that matter.
Nutfield and Raymond by Ian, on Flickr
At the helm of a mate's 60' Dutch barge on the Thames. Probably one of the most relaxing weekends we've had in years. He's just had the barge built so he and his wife can cross the Channel and potter about the French canal system for a few years - lucky swine... We met some really friendly (everyone waves and shouts a greeting) and interesting people (the owner of a company that runs pleasure flights in classic aircraft) and I could happily spend a few years exploring the waterways of Britain though I'd go for something much smaller, the barge is too large for many UK canals.
BBC2 8pm Saturday - Britain Afloat.
Last nights (14 Oct) was about narrowboats, esp old working boats.
The chap with Perch had rebuilt it in his back garden - in two pieces - over 5 years.
Fairly accurate for the enthusiast but still interesting for the casual viewer.
My ex-BWB tug in the background at one point :-)
Last nights (14 Oct) was about narrowboats, esp old working boats.
The chap with Perch had rebuilt it in his back garden - in two pieces - over 5 years.
Fairly accurate for the enthusiast but still interesting for the casual viewer.
My ex-BWB tug in the background at one point :-)
woodypup59 said:
BBC2 8pm Saturday - Britain Afloat.
Last nights (14 Oct) was about narrowboats, esp old working boats.
The chap with Perch had rebuilt it in his back garden - in two pieces - over 5 years.
Fairly accurate for the enthusiast but still interesting for the casual viewer.
My ex-BWB tug in the background at one point :-)
Haven't watched it yet, but I built the president model shown Last nights (14 Oct) was about narrowboats, esp old working boats.
The chap with Perch had rebuilt it in his back garden - in two pieces - over 5 years.
Fairly accurate for the enthusiast but still interesting for the casual viewer.
My ex-BWB tug in the background at one point :-)
I finally got to go on this earlier this year, the Anderton boat lift, built in 1875, that lifts boats from the river Weaver up onto the Trent and Mersey canal. Unfortunately it's plagued with mechanical issues and parts availability so is often out of action for maintenance. Only one lift was working when we went up and we had to wait a while for that to be repaired. It was great though, there's some really interesting old engineering we get to play with as boaters
2thumbs said:
I finally got to go on this earlier this year, the Anderton boat lift, built in 1875, that lifts boats from the river Weaver up onto the Trent and Mersey canal. Unfortunately it's plagued with mechanical issues and parts availability so is often out of action for maintenance. Only one lift was working when we went up and we had to wait a while for that to be repaired. It was great though, there's some really interesting old engineering we get to play with as boaters
I had a very enjoyable week on the water around there a couple of years back. It was my dad and I (and quite a few pubs) and I could see why the way of life captures people. I've wanted to take the wife and kids back since but they've resisted!The boat lift was ace. Proper engineering.
2thumbs said:
I finally got to go on this earlier this year, the Anderton boat lift, built in 1875, that lifts boats from the river Weaver up onto the Trent and Mersey canal. Unfortunately it's plagued with mechanical issues and parts availability so is often out of action for maintenance. Only one lift was working when we went up and we had to wait a while for that to be repaired. It was great though, there's some really interesting old engineering we get to play with as boaters
One of the seven wonders of the canal world. But I thought it needed both sides to work, as they counterbalance... Simpo Two said:
One of the seven wonders of the canal world. But I thought it needed both sides to work, as they counterbalance...
I thought so too, but apparently not. On the way down the other lift didn't move at all, on the way back up it moved but couldn't carry a boat for some reason. robm3 said:
Great thread.
When our 'Grey Nomad' phase of life kicks in, spending a July and August travelling the canals of the UK (and possibly France) are definitely on the list.
Love to hear more from PH'ers who've done this or have a boat.
France on a narrow boat??? Serious question but how do you get it there? Surely you don't sail it across the channel??When our 'Grey Nomad' phase of life kicks in, spending a July and August travelling the canals of the UK (and possibly France) are definitely on the list.
Love to hear more from PH'ers who've done this or have a boat.
Shotgun Jon said:
France on a narrow boat??? Serious question but how do you get it there? Surely you don't sail it across the channel??
It has been done http://www.narrowdog.com/frenchpictures.htm
Most chose a lorry ride though.
Edited by 2thumbs on Wednesday 18th October 17:44
Shotgun Jon said:
robm3 said:
Great thread.
When our 'Grey Nomad' phase of life kicks in, spending a July and August travelling the canals of the UK (and possibly France) are definitely on the list.
Love to hear more from PH'ers who've done this or have a boat.
France on a narrow boat??? Serious question but how do you get it there? Surely you don't sail it across the channel??When our 'Grey Nomad' phase of life kicks in, spending a July and August travelling the canals of the UK (and possibly France) are definitely on the list.
Love to hear more from PH'ers who've done this or have a boat.
http://www.narrowdog.com
Narrow dog to Carcassonne, story of Stone in Staffordshire , across the channel to Carcassonne.
Narrow dog to Indian River, same culprits down the East Coast USA Intracoastal waterway.
Narrow dog to Carcassonne, story of Stone in Staffordshire , across the channel to Carcassonne.
Narrow dog to Indian River, same culprits down the East Coast USA Intracoastal waterway.
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