Monthly Archives: March 2019

bratch locks

old no. 38

bratch locks on the staffs & worcs canal near wombourne

How about that for a February then folks? Did you break out the flip flops and the sun tan lotion? A lot better than last year don’t you think? The ‘Beast from the East’ was about to come roaring through if you remember. Mind you, I think we brought that upon ourselves to a great extent and that we ought to pay better attention to our use of rhyming couplets. Naming it 'The Least from the East’ might have lessened its impact. Or better still, reducing it to a fungal infection, ‘The Yeast from the East,’  would surely have resulted in warmer weather - albeit a little itchy.

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bubble screens, who would have thought?

science, technology and a curious mind

bubble screens, who would have thought?

I met up with an old colleague of mine Gavin Beat, who has moved on from the Canal & River Trust to join Frog Environmental as a Senior Technical Specialist. This role involves delivering innovative environmental management, pollution control and sustainable water quality solutions. This month, he has taken the time to share his knowledge and use of using bubble screens in waterbodies.

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care-less cruising

simply linda - telling tales on the towpath

care - less cruising

As the weather begins to warm and more boaters get their ‘babies’ out of hibernation ready to cruise the cut, I thought I’d share with you a little snippet of ‘Breaking News’ I’ve come across.

Many of you ‘old hands’ at the tiller (hopefully all of you!) will be familiar with the Considerate Boater on Willow Wren Training’s website. If you’re not, or are new to cruising the canals, please take a look.

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summer of love

summer of love

a canal tale

In mid July 1967, the Nye family set off on their summer holidays which, since 1964 had been a trip up the Thames to Lechlade by boat, and then a return trip. The first two of these holidays were in a hired boat from T.W. Allen and Sons of Molesey. In the spring of 1966 a small windfall allowed us to get a 16 foot “Rutland” cabin cruiser which we again took up the Thames and back. I remember hearing the winning goal of the World Cup on a Ferguson transistor radio outside of Sunbury lock.

summer of 67

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beef in beer sauce

cookery chat with David & Sandra Biddle

8: beef in beer sauce

Well how lucky are you who are living on your boats throughout the winter months? You will be enjoying a warm cosy boat and I bet some of you will even being opening the windows to let some of the heat out. Not only that, you will be enjoying the changing scenery of our lovely waterways as the winter sets in.

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nosh for nowt

nosh for nowt

wild food on the waterways

My love of foraging for wild food began in 2013 when my husband Phil and I were ‘locking down’ on the beautiful  Basingstoke Canal.  It was Autumn and we were alone on the cut surrounded by a stunning palette of burnt orange, yellow ochre and every variety of brown that you can imagine. A visual feast!

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boathorse

tales from the old cut 1

boathorse

Boathorse - photo courtesy Canal JunctionAs long as there has been inland waterway navigation, there has been equine motive power. It makes sense; by water, the weight of the load is significantly reduced. In 1810 someone did the calculations and came to the conclusion that one horse and three men could move as much by water as sixty horses and ten men could by road. 

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how safe is your boat?

how safe is your boat?

a false sense of security

Boats are often seen as easy targets for theft, and break-ins can happen during off peak times when the canals are quiet, or at high season when they are at their busiest.

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brian greaves – the blacksmith’s craft

roving canal traders

brian greaves - the blacksmith's craft

Brian & Jane's narrowboat is warm and welcoming compared to the chilly weather outside, smoke curling from its chimney, and frost sparkling on the ground.

It's an unusual life, to say the least, that began when the couple borrowed a canal boat from one of Jane's colleagues for their honeymoon. They fell in love with the canal life and it wasn't long before they were living on the water more permanently.

Brian did his apprenticeship as an engineer in Skipton in Yorkshire, then went on courses to learn blacksmithing - something that would give his creativity a freer rein.

Brian and Jane were already living on board narrowboat Emily, when Brian started to build tugboat 'Bronte'. It took him over three years. Bronte has an engine in the aft section to push the engine-less narrowboat Emily along.

It also has a fully working smithy's forge.

This year marks their 30th year living on board Emily. In that time they have had two children, Lewis 26 and Frances 24, who spent their lives aboard until leaving for university.

Jane & Brian have been roving canal traders for the last 6 years, travelling the whole canal system at a gentle pace, Brian producing a large range of hand forged iron work beautifully combining form and function. His work is mainly self designed, with a small range of traditional designs.

Brian also undertakes commissions to your own design or can design for you.

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brian greaves

Brian Greaves has a fully operational forge on his narrowboat tug 'Bronte'. His wonderful pieces of ironwork, from pokers to delightful sculptures, are created on board, and it is always a special privilege to be able to watch him at work.
You can find out where he is by following him on Facebook "the Blacksmith's craft"

Call:  07968 019 203  Follow: Facebook    Visit: Website Link