beardshave

Been chatting with a neighbour and mentioned my Dorman 3LB before installation in my boat in '83 had been the standby generator at the laundry of the John Ratcliffe Hospital, Oxford. He tells me his JP3 was a generator on an army truck used for powering searchlights. I expect most of the marinised engines have had a previous life. Did yours? Just wondering.👍

I can understand if they said wait half hour or more to share a double lock and regulate 2 way traffic on flights but don't know why locking gates conserves water.

Me again. I just checked a website on the Lost pubs of Cambridgeshire where I see the Lazy Otter used to be called the Royal Oak and I'm fairly certain that was it back in the day. Thanks everyone for your help. Mike

The pub I'm thinking of was accessible by road. About 30 years ago I went by car and there was a large gathering of Hell's Angel-all v friendly and jolly. I don't know if that jogs any memories. As I said in my OP back in the 70s it was " pub which had moorings , a campsite and used to open early morning for papers, bread , eggs etc plus the odd pint if one was so inclined" I also recall the landlord liked a large rum in his breakfast Guiness.

Back in the 70s I had a cruiser at Huntingdon and my favourite part of the Gt Ouse was the Old West. I'm trying to remember the name of a pub which had moorings , a campsite and used to open early morning for papers, bread , eggs etc plus the odd pint if one was so inclined. I think it was nr Stretham. There weren't that many pubs then and looks like they are all gone now.

Good point but here at Cowroast a twitch of the head nowadays would be seen as an invitation to some sexual proclivity. Anyway waving is the most vigorous exercise I get.🤪

I'm afraid it's a sign of these changing times. I have boated for 70 out of my 75 years and the acknowledgement of and by fellow boaters was once a given. Now, even though being amply proportioned, I feel on occasions I must be invisible. I always wave( assuming I get eye contact) but the majority look at you as though you're half daft. Shame

Well we made it. Thanks to Susan and Nigel at Shire Cruisers and the CRT team we competed the trip arriving a tad late back at Sowerby bridge on Sat morn. Despite losing a day and a bit out of our schedule due to stoppages and other inconveniences we left Brighouse 7 am and made it home. I'm afraid many of the recommended pubs were missed either because of the delays or because we were too knackered to bother. We suffered a few bloody awful pubs which I'm too polite to mention. Huddersfield canals and Stanedge all great experiences and also enjoyed C and H. The boat loved some deep water. Well any water really. A trip to remember. Thanks everyone. Mike

No. Missed a trick there. Been told to turn round and go back to Slathwaite. Might get some then.Shame. One if the last canals I have yet to complete. That's life.

In regular contact with CRT of course but no positive news as yet and time is running out AND crew are revolting. But then they always have been🤪

OP here. Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated. Currently stuck at Milnsbridge with stoppages between 7e and 1e. Could well be scuppered as far as getting boat back to Sowerby Br by Saturday. Waiting on CRT to let us know if and when. Pubs in Milnsbridge all seem shut so prob cabbing to The Sands House for libation and dinner. Might have to do the same tomorrow. And Friday. Hey ho.

All very welcome though and gratefully received. I have noted them all but will, of course,wirth the discipline and self conrol for which boaters generally and our mob in particular are reknowned expect to be back on time but in disarray.

Thank you all v much..very helpful. I shall toast your health on Sat night. Cheers. M

For a change rather than cruising on our own boats throught the eternal delights of Milton Keynes (yet again) we've hired a boat for a one way trip from Portland Basin on the Ashton to Sowerby Bridge. Apart from the fact that we're a pretty ancient crew and 97 locks will probably give the local A and E some unwanted business my main concern is where do we stop first night. A pub is essential for the avoidance of mutiny. We hope to leave Portland Basin by 2p.m. What's our best option? Any suggestions greatly appreciated as I can't stand the sight of grown men sobbing uncontrollably. Mike Cowroast

Thanks. That's useful. I've found their website and will enquire.

I need a replacement 12" diameter porthole glass but none of the usual chandlers etc seem to stock them. Any ideas or will I have to have one specially made,?

Why don't they send a bloke up to the next lock to run some water through?

One of the Rolling Stones?

Has Ivinghoe reopened today?

Another one of Punch Taverns. just like the Crystal Palace and countless others.

Another one bites the dust-courtesy of the iniquitous Punch organisation. Apologies if this is old news

Like many on this forum my boating started years ago on the Norfolk Broads. I am trying to recall the name of a pub that had a landscaped map of the Broads in its garden. I think it was on the southern Broads but as it was 50 years ago can't be certain and of course it's possible the pub no longer exists. Any ideas?