We are a bit late with this because for once I have been busy.

Dawntreader is an old boat; it has polyester resin glass fibre decks which suffer a process called crazing, basically the glass fibre cracks, and no painting will ever work properly as water gets into cracks and lifts it off in the first winter.

For those with long memories, a few years ago I used DC fix all over the decks. Incredibly cheap and cheerful (I stuck it down with impact adhesive!) and much to my surprise it's still there today. However I wanted something more boat like, so I ordered (from a cheap internet direct from manufacturer) some of this new foam teak look-alike stuff which, after a bit of a wait and plenty of tracking updates as it made its way from Asia to Europe, eventually arrived.

The first and hardest job was to remove all the deck fittings. Here was the problem, Dawntreader has been owned by a series of owners, who, like me, have all been broke! So I doubt the fittings have ever been off since the boat was built. The fittings are a good quality aluminium which polished up with a wire wheel like new – also taking years of paint off which had been accidentally daubed on during “tart “ ups. However, the screws that held them were plain old steel, well rusted in and worse, much worse, about ¼ of their original size. Basically, one more good jerk and they would have given up. The only way to remove them though, is to centre punch the screw, drill a pilot hole and send in one same size as head. Once screw head is off you can prise it up and punch out anything left, then grind down any bits protruding through the deck.

With all fittings off deck, cleaned etc., I realised that the dc fix was so good it wasn’t worth removing. The decking cuts very easily with a sharp blade and the glue worked well (possibly because it was going over vinyl to start). However, my biggest fear was drainage, especially the fore deck and where the cabin top meets decks.

After much thought I used roofing gutter repair bitumen in a tube to seal all edges, this went off hard within 24 hours and even in heat hasn’t softened. The side decks being long, I laid in lengths with a gap to allow for some expansion and again shed water from the channels with foam.

The results! it looks like a boat. I did not do all the fore deck but left gaps between each section filled with bitumen because this is a boat's Achilles heel – the fore deck barely drains. Cost £2 rolls at £14 each if you prepared to wait and £5 of gutter fix and £6 of stainless-steel screws for deck fittings – that must be cheaper than paint. The whole job took a day although there are edges to finish.

The biggest issue I have had over years is the water pump. Open a tap, and water burst out under pressure, soaking everything nearby – usually the phone. What I needed was an accumulator like posh boats have to even pressure (basically a large rubber balloon stuck inside a tank you can pressure by pumping air in – the balloon fills with water, the air pressure in the tank pushes against it and even flows. Luckily work had one, or rather it was being replaced as part of a service. So I stripped it, cleaned, de-rusted the inside of the tank, checked bladder and more importantly changed valve rubber. £0.35 plus £7.99 for rust convertor – so for a tenner all in.

Now the clever bit, this must go near the pump and comes with 1¼ inch screw fittings. You can drive yourself nuts searching internet stores for fittings or you can use lateral thinking!!! A well-known garden watering system sells many fittings of the same size that allow you to do, guess what !! attach an approved drinking water clear plastic pipe to it. Cost of pipe per metre £12, fittings £8.

The hardest part was getting pressure right, remembering we have pumps and not mains pressure – and also remembering that 15 litres or so is going straight up the pressure vessel.  So top tips: 1) brim your water tank and 2) isolate the water heater – sending 45psi to shower so it behaves like a pressure washer is one thing , blowing the seals on a Paloma is another. The results are truly amazing it’s the one thing I am so pleased I did. The shower is even, and the taps work immediately without spluttering.

It still needs rubbing, strake sanding and painting and I still haven’t ever got around to finishing the shower room, but do you know, who cares? If I wanted perfection I could buy a new boat.

Excuse me please
I want to get past
You appear to be in my space
S'cuse me please
I need to get by
Your bottom is in my face

Excuse me please
I want to stand there
Your frame is in the way
S'cuse me please
Can you move over now?
I haven't got all day

Excuse me please
Your blocking the light
I can't see what I'm doing
S'cuse me please
Can you make way for me?
I can't stand all this queuing

Excuse me please
I'm feeling trapped
Can you take a step to the side?
S'cuse me please
Can you be somewhere else?
This boat's not very wide

Excuse me please
I'm struggling to breathe
You're taking all my air
S'cuse me please
You're cramping my style
Can you take yourself over there?

Excuse me please
You make my head spin
With all this 'do-Si-do'-ing
S'cuse me please
Can you please sit down
And stop your to and fro-ing

Excuse me please
I know it sounds harsh
And it's not that I've stopped caring
Perhaps Excuse yourself
And buy your own boat
I'm no good at this boat sharing

After a fabulous Spring, we might think that Summer is here one day and gone the next, but the days are long and the evenings enjoyable. Hopefully the canals are benefitting from the recent rain and we will have plenty more sunshine to come.

It’s great to take the opportunity wherever we can to sit outside. We enjoyed simple nachos the other evening, sharing with our neighbouring boaters, just chatting, munching and sipping a glass of choice. A packet of plain tortilla crisps, topped with tomato salsa, grated cheese and sliced chillies. For the salsa, finely chop a few tomatoes, add salt and pepper, finely chopped onion and garlic, with a splash of olive oil and lemon juice, add a few chilli flakes for heat.

This is my 4th Summer “Cooking on the Cut” article for Canals Online Magazine, which means that there are a whole lot more recipes to look back on through previous years.

Saving on the gas, I have a few recipes for barbecue cooking with some salads, sides and a fridge cake.

We are lucky to have our Cobb cooker/barbecue for outdoor cooking and we have a pan/wok dish which fits over the hot coals, which is also brilliant over the gas flame on the cooker inside, so I have no need for a wok or large frying pan, this does the job. I used the Cobb pan for my Shakshuka and Vegan Paella recipes, but of course they can be made in any large pan or skillet over the hob or coals.

As always I’m spoilt for choice as to which recipes I’m going to share, so I hope you like the ones I have picked this time. More can be found on my “canal cuisine” facebook page.

Shakshuka

This recipe is slightly different as I’ve added tinned white beans and kept it quite saucy to mop up with chunky sourdough bread. The secret is to slowly sweat the onions down with the spices and garlic to add depth of flavour, then add the tomatoes and beans towards the end along with the eggs.

2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, chopped into small pieces
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chilli flakes
1 tin tomatoes
1 tin cannellini beans
Salt and pepper to taste
4 eggs
Freshly chopped parsley or coriander to finish

Choose a large frying pan or skillet and start by gently frying the onion in the oil until soft. Then add the peppers, garlic, fennel, paprika and cumin, stir round the pan for a few minutes, add a little water to prevent the spices from burning and becoming bitter. Then add the chilli flakes and tomatoes, continue to cook with the lid on for about ten minutes, then add the beans and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Finally, make four wells with the back of a spoon and add the eggs, put the lid back on for a few minutes until the eggs are poached to your liking. Finally add the chopped herbs to finish.

HOT WINGS

The marinade can also be used for vegetable skewers.

½ tsp cayenne pepper
½ tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp tomato puree
2 tbsp oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tsp sugar or 1 tbsp honey

Mix everything together for the marinade and rub into the chicken wings or vegetables, cover and refrigerate for half an hour or more until ready to cook.

Cook over the barbecue coals or in a hot oven or griddle pan. Serve with cumin butter new potatoes and a homemade coleslaw or flat-breads and white bean hummus.

CUMIN BUTTER NEW POTATOES

Par boil the new potatoes, then drain well. Toss in ½ tsp cumin seeds and a generous amount of butter. Cook over the hot barbecue or in the oven until browned and crispy on the edges.

AVOCADO SLAW

Very finely shred or chop cabbage, carrots and onions. Blitz or mash the avocado, ½ will do, with a generous dash of cider vinegar or lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper

WHITE BEAN HUMMUS

This is an easy store cupboard dip to make, especially when fridge space is sparce. Drain a tin of butter beans, reserving a little of the liquid. Blitz together with 2 cloves of garlic, a pinch of salt and pepper, and a few fresh mint leaves and a generous squeeze of lemon juice. Add some of the liquid to loosen to consistency.

CHIPOTLE MAYONNAISE

Simply add 1 tsp chipotle paste to mayonnaise or natural yoghurt.

VEGAN PAELLA with Tofu.

Another version which I have made is with Chicken and Chorizo, simply marinade the chicken in a little smoked paprika, garlic and oil and combine with the chorizo to fry, lift out the chicken and chorizo and use the same oil to start the onions off.

For the tofu (extra firm is best), drain, squeeze out excess water or dry over kitchen paper, cut into large chunks and sprinkle with a little smoked paprika, garlic and salt. It’s better to batch fry the tofu first, then keep to one side and then add to the paella at the end, this way it keeps shape better.

Paella rice can be bought in some supermarkets, but arborio rice or pearl barley can also be used.

These quantities would serve 2 to 4 portions, can be reheated:

300g tofu
1 ½ cups pearl barley
3 cups vegetable stock
2 tbsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
½ each red and yellow peppers, finely diced
Large handful mushrooms, about 150g, cut into large pieces
2 tbsp tomato purée
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp turmeric
1 tsp oregano
Handful green beans or peas (optional)
Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt to taste
Freshly chopped parsley
Squeeze of lemon juice to finish

Heat the oil in a large pan or skillet. Add the onions and fry for a few minutes until translucent, add the garlic and fry for a couple more minutes. Add the peppers, paprika, turmeric, pearl barley, oregano and tomato puree. Stir everything round the pan to evenly coat the grains, then add the mushrooms and gradually add the vegetable stock. Place a lid over the top and simmer for at least 30 minutes or until the barley is tender and cooked through. Check for liquid, adding more and stirring half way through, cooking, add the green beans and fried tofu towards the end. Finish with the seasoning, fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.

LAMB KOFTAS

400g lamb mince
2 cloves garlic
¼ onion finely chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp mint
½ tsp oregano

Work all the ingredients together with your hands and then divide into portions and mould round the skewers (pre-soaked in water for 20 mins if using wooden). Refrigerate for an hour or so before cooking, this helps them keep their shape. Cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, each side, turning as you go. Enjoy with salad, flat-breads and tzatziki or white bean hummus.

PORK RIBS WITH NOODLE SALAD

RIBS are best cooked low and slow, but if your barbecue is right they will be perfect. For the marinade use 2 tbsp oil, 1tsp Dijon mustard, 1 finely minced garlic clove, 2 tbsp Worcester sauce, 1 tbsp honey, pinch black pepper.

NOODLE SALAD

Finely peel strips of courgette with a vegetable peeler and toss in a dressing of 2 tbsp white wine or rice vinegar, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp honey (maple syrup or agave syrup is fine), 1 tsp chilli flakes. Add pre-cooked noodles and serve.

FRIDGE CAKE WITH NUTS, SEEDS AND COCONUT

This is a healthy sweet treat, using store cupboard ingredients, it’s also non-dairy and gluten-free. Most dried fruit would work, although dates tend to help keep the ingredients together, any seeds of choice could be added.

1 ½ cups oats
2/3 cup desiccated coconut
½ cup walnuts
1/3 cup chia seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp coco powder
350g combined dates and sultanas
1 tsp almond essence
2 tbsp honey or agave syrup
1/3 cup water

Line a 20cm round tin or bowl with cling film.
Blitz the oats and coconut in a mini chopper or food processor until fine like breadcrumbs.
Tip into the bowl and stir in the chia seeds, cinnamon and coco powder.
Finely chop the dried fruit and add to the mixture along with the almond essence, sweet syrup and water.
Combine well and then press down firmly into the tin. Refrigerate for at least two hours until firm.
Cut into segments to serve.

The Inter-tidal article effort this month has had to be wrenched out of me, writers block, tiredness or just old age has been dogging me for ages now. I’ve wanted to share some bits and bats with you, but struggled putting anything down, without boring everyone!

So the inter-tidal connection is history and heritage, again on the banks of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal within the Wigan environs. Actually, around the township of Ince, to be more specific. Not the most obvious tit-bits of information and learning, as we have a bomb dropped by a zeppelin and one of the largest companies in Europe in earlier days, putting Wigan on the map and as a target for our old foes, the Germans! (bless em) Incidentally and maybe topically, I’ve had some help with the article through Artificial Intelligence or ‘AI’. Not to write my article for me, but to assist me with structure and grammar as a poorly educated Lancashire lad. I will probably write an article for the next edition on AI, as it may be of value to some of my/our readers to know what that is all about and to see if it can help folks out with some of their chores… I digress, sorry.

Geography:   I’m on the ‘Wigan Flight’. The Wigan Flight is a renowned flight of 21 locks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. It raises the canal over 200 feet (61 meters) across a distance of two and a half miles (4 kilometres). Built in 1816, the flight marked the completion of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, linking the cities of Leeds and Liverpool. At the bottom of the flight you can turn off to go down the Leigh Branch, which in turn brings you to the Bridgewater Canal or Worsley fame and Barton Aqueduct over the Manchester Ship Canal. A series of 21 locks which are numbered from 65 at the top to 86 at the bottom. The locks were numbered chronologically as they were constructed.
The milestone gives you a first class datum point of where we are. Leeds 90mls, Liverpool 37mls.

The Kirkless Iron & Steel Works, later known as the Wigan Coal and Iron Company, was established in 1858 on the banks of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Higher Ince. It was once one of the largest iron works in Europe, starting with five blast furnaces and expanding to ten by 1886. The canal played a crucial role in transporting raw materials and finished products, making it an essential part of the industrial landscape.

Over time, demand for steel declined, and production was curtailed in 1930. Today, much of the site has been repurposed into Kirkless industrial estate, while other areas have been reclaimed by nature, forming a unique habitat. The Friends of Kirkless group has been working to preserve the site's environmental and historical significance. The whole reclaimed habitat and green spaces are now part of the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, along with other nearby nature reserves.

*In a modern context, these historic waterways have taken on an additional role as community assets. Initiatives like the Pennine Lancashire Linear Park project are actively seeking to repurpose sections of the canal as green corridors and recreational spaces. Such projects aim to harness the historic legacy of the canal while simultaneously addressing contemporary community needs—providing safe, traffic-free routes for pedestrians and cyclists, preserving local heritage, and stimulating economic revitalisation through tourism and leisure activities. This adaptive reuse not only fosters a sense of pride in the industrial past but also builds a bridge toward a greener and more sustainable future.* I am sure there will be others, but this area of the tow path contains the very first designated picnic area, with 2 benches and fruit trees, that I have seen.

The Wigan Coal and Iron Company, later known as the Wigan Coal Corporation, (see Kirkless Industrial Estate on map), was a major force in the Wigan Coalfield, and a key area in the Lancashire Coalfield. The company formed in 1865 by merging collieries, including those of Lord Crawford, with others like Kirkless Hall and Standish. This merger led to the creation of a significant enterprise, eventually becoming the largest joint stock company in Britain. The company built and maintained its own locomotives at its Kirkless workshops, with some locomotives also being built by other contractors. Many of the administration buildings can still be seen, in use, from the gates of the industrial estate on the eastern side of the canal and over the road bridge.

Further south on the eastern banks you will find paths and trails throughout the now reclaimed slag heaps and oven waste, known locally as rabbit hills. A truly amazing green space ideal for stretching your legs or walking the dog whilst moored close by, waiting for pound water or a ‘buddy’ to traverse the locks with.

Finally, an extract from https://www.iancastlezeppelin.co.uk/12/13-april-1918

(1918) Continuing to the north, Ehrlich now must have seen the glare from the furnaces at the Wigan Coal & Iron Company about 10 miles ahead, which Ehrlich concluded was Sheffield. The area had not received an air raid warning.
At about 11.30pm L 61 reached Ince on the southern edge of Wigan and Ehrlich commenced his bombing run. An incendiary smashed through the roof of 12 Preston Street setting the house on fire and destroying all the furniture. At the same time another incendiary crashed through the roof of 7 Frederick Street, just 25 yards away, but it failed to ignite. More bombs followed by the railway. An incendiary smashed into a signal box 400 yards west of Ince station and an HE bomb landed 200 yards west of the station, damaging a section of track and destroying two trucks of a stationary goods train loaded with coal. 

The Kirkless Hall Inn should also be on the list of things to do and see when enjoying the history and heritage of this stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool.

It's a good local pub with excellent Sunday lunches and beers to suit. Friendly clientele and excellent surrounds, be it winter or summer.

Did she jump?
Or was she pushed?
That, dear reader, is the question.

There is a reason for this story which is just over a year old. I’ll let you know what that is after I’ve recounted this rather soggy tale (or should that be tail? – sorry, I digress already).

It begins on a rather overcast and distinctly chilly February morning. Not the sort of day that you’d want to fall into the canal.

Watch this space 🙄

Being the responsible pet owner that I am, I decided to take the dogs out for their early doors constitutional.

I wrapped up warmly, and, aware of her advancing years, wrapped terrier Milly in her smart red jacket for the jaunt.

Border Collie, Blue, mad as ever and eager to go, needed no such covering. He leapt the gate as usual, leapt back and repeated the process until he’d obviously built up enough of a sweat to keep himself warm for the duration of the trip.

We set off, up the road, turn right at the end, up to old bridge number 38 and down onto the towpath.

I cried ‘Havoc’ and let loose the dogs of war, much to the consternation of a resident fisherman, a passing mountain biker and the local heron.

Blue, unleashed, shot off up the grass verge at just under the speed of sound – I could tell that because his bark had a certain booming resonance. That seemed to concern the cyclist even more as he wobbled disconcertingly.

Milly was already lagging behind, determined as ever to piddle on every blade of grass.
I walked on, only a few yards (apologies dear reader, I refuse to go metric). Blue sped past in the opposite direction toward Milly.

I strode on.
There was a splash.
Blue hurtled by again.
I turned, expecting to see a duck launched into the cold, grey water.
If only!
It was Milly, frantically dog paddling (well what else would she do?) like crazy alongside the canal bank. Had she stumbled in? Or, more likely, had Blue knocked her overboard?
I tutted.
I raised my eyes to the heavens to show my annoyance.
I retraced my steps toward the elderly, part submerged canine and knelt on the damp grass verge as I reached to retrieve her.
Perhaps sensing that the knees of my trousers were nowhere as wet as she was and seeking to level the playing field, she struck out for the opposite bank like an Olympic swimmer on speed.
What the..!
Decision time.
Run up and over the bridge and through the jungle which infests the other side of the waterway?
Not an option. I wasn’t sure she’d stay afloat that long.
Throw Blue in to rescue her?
I wasn’t sure he could swim.
Jump in myself?
You must be bloody joking!
But I wasn’t sure about that either.
I took a deep breath and took a leap of shear stupidity (I was going to say ‘faith’, but perhaps that’s overdoing it a bit).
Bloody Nora, it was cold!🥶
Blame that on February I suppose.
I was stood in the silt with water up to my midriff.
Milly by now was midstream. I struck out in pursuit, wading purposefully in her wake.
By now up to my chin (and I’m not a short person let me tell you) I lunged, arms outstretched to grab her.
Bad move.
I knocked her under the surface and promptly followed her myself.
Did I mention it was cold! 🥶
Blindly flailing about I managed to grab hold of her coat and pull her up – which sent me under again.
I struggled manfully, holding her aloft, praying that I wouldn’t have to give her mouth to mouth when we got to dry land (she’d had a rather smelly breakfast!)
Inching back, with one last reserve of strength I hurled her ashore, where she stood on the bank and regarded me balefully before shaking herself dry and resuming her routine of sniffing and peeing as if nothing had happened.
Have you ever tried to haul yourself out of the cut in walking boots, waterproof trousers over your jeans, tee shirt, thick woolen jumper, a fleece and heavy waterproof jacket?
No, I didn’t think so!
After what seemed like hours, but was probably a bit less, I collapsed onto the canal side like a beached whale and lay there gasping – yes gasping I tell you – for breath as I tried to take in the enormity of what had just happened.
Needless to say I will not be applying to join the RNLI anytime soon.
Blue seemed mildly annoyed and Milly blissfully oblivious as I soggily lead us home and hurled myself into the shower, praying that I had not somehow contracted cholera, typhus or some other water borne disease.
It was at this point that I realised my phone had been in my trouser pocket during the whole sorry adventure.
Bugger!

And the reason for this rather soggy story?

Unfortunately, a few months ago Milly left us.
Cancer is a real bastard!

I miss her.

On some level I’m sure Blue does too.

What I wouldn’t give to hurl myself into the icy waters of the cut again and to have her treat me with total indifference for my heroic lifesaving attempt.

Sleep well little girl x