narrowboatworld

I CLOSED my last article with the feeling that a very troubled boat would come back to haunt me. It has!

THE first of these two ‘Oh dear' stories relates to the experience suffered recently by one of the permanent moorers here at Oxley.

THIS February we accepted a job of replacing a 'dead' Lister air-cooled twin with another 'cheap' (smile please) engine.

WE ARE often asked to give new life to the older, but much loved, used and abused craft that you see on the cut.

WOW! Having read the revelation in narrowboatworld (Monday 12th March 2012) by Allan Richards it would seem that I have been propagating confusion, going on about charity status, funding allocation issues and voting for councillors within the 'proposed' charity! So I apologise to anyone who has followed my ignorance.

RALPH'S interesting and topical article in narrowboatworld (Investment Nonsense—Wednesday 29th February) had a line 'Heritage seems to be the 'in' thing, not progress or innovation'. That triggered a somewhat topsy-turvy thinking towards a similar hobby-horse of mine. Narrowboat engineering!

LATE February saw the first really hectic day in the yard this year and, although the schedule had been planned to perfection by myself (I would say that—wouldn't I?), it was still nerve stretching at times.

NOT TOO long ago we were passed a problem by a well known canal rescue company. A single-handed boater in a Dutch barge style narrowboat had fouled his prop and they were unable to clear it.

A WORRIED boater contacted us recently about an engine that was 'uncontrollable when warm'!

TWO things have been to the fore just lately that in themselves should be of major interest to everyone with an interest in the future Canal & River Trust!

THE article in narrowboatworld (Thursday 9th February) has set me thinking about this apparent millstone around the neck of British Waterways, which does not generate income but as an edifice on the books, keeps growing.

WITH the first snow of winter slowly disappearing and dismal weather forecast for the week or so I thought that I should try and brighten the time with a few snippets from our goings on here in the boatyard.