sarahavfc

It looks like a genuine Ron Hough stool to me, although the style of the actual stool to me eye is not overly pleasing. The painting is however very nice.

I actually put together the Spuyten Duyvel advert, although the £190k bit was something that Dominic added afterwards. He was tying to say that a boat to the equivalent spec would cost something that region today. I have no idea how much the boat cost to build at the time, but it was no where near that figure. In terms of the shell there was nothing too remarkable about the boat, there was a modern engine installation which is far cheaper than having something such as a Gardner 2LW fitted. The shell didn't have features such as recessed panelling which is a popular extra. The customer didn't have the boat gritblasted either, this was something that was done about 2 years ago when the boat returned to Norton Canes for a repaint. The price tag came about simply due to the amount of kit that was on the boat. The fit out was to a very high quality and the boat had a very high specification. If you started to work out what it would cost to fit a boat out to the same standard today it would soon start to add up. The boat has always been immaculately maintained by the previous owners and there was very much a 'no expense spared' approach to the maintenance of the boat. We certainly didn't get rich overnight building the boat, or any other boat for that matter...

A guy called Steve who writes all the South Midlands boats. I can't remember his surname.

Mark, There's a photo on Emu here in de-converted state prior to restoration. Michael and I are currently working on the website having only published it last week and are hoping to get a few more photos up soon. http://www.southislandmarina.co.uk/home/index.php/restorations/emu Sarah

I used International Bilge paint over owatrol. Brilliant stuff that's sticks to anything!

I've got a bit of old rail that I'm going to take out of the boat, I was planning to weigh it in.

Here's our route starting at the Birchills Junction, we did about 70 miles and 65 locks.

You need to take that one up with Daniel.

We have the full length historic boat factor of 80, and also a few extra points for having a crew of just 3.

We covered about 70 miles and 65 locks in just over 23 hours, taking 20 minutes break to avoid the thunderstorm whilst going up Rushall and mooring up for 3 hours sleep at 5:30am at the top of Factory. We started from the Birchills at 8:00am having moored overnight alongside Lamprey in Pelsall. Our route took us down the Walsall flight, having to run a bit of water down as we went. We then quickly went up the town arm. We managed to complete the rest of the Walsall canal in about 2 hours and only picked up one blade full right at the end, which turned out to be a rather large fleece jacket. We met a couple of boats coming out of the Ryders Green flight and made good progress up the locks, though this is where we had our worst blade full, which was a lot of thin sheet metal, this was cleared and we completed the flight with no problems. We then set off towards Farmers Bridge completing the two loops on our way. We were quickly down Farmers with not another boat in sight. The weather looked to improve after Farmers, but then worsened as we reached the Ashted and Garrison flights. We had no problems on these flights and were soon on our way towards Perry Barr. We were pleased to see ‘Resolute’ coming out the bottom of Perry Barr. There were a couple of paddles out on the flight and the odd low pound, but we didn’t have too much trouble. The cans we’re filled up whilst in the top and we were on our way again. A black cloud seemed to be following us all the way to Rushall and as we entered the bottom lock the weather took a turn for the worst, after clearing Iona we decided to take a short break, whilst the worst of the storm cleared. The Rushall flight is probably one of my favourite stretches of canal so I was pleased that we decided to take the break at this point so that I could enjoy the rest of the flight without getting too soaked. Once the Rushall was completed we set off up the Daw End, recent dredging has improved navigation in most places which was pleasing. At this point we were about 2 hours ahead of schedule so we decided to head off to Anglesey Basin where we met Dove and Hampstead. By this point it was about 11pm, we quickly caught Hampstead and overtook them at Brownhills. This was the most enjoyable part of the challenge for me, a nice deep canal, late at night and the rain had given up. We then headed for the Cannock Extension, waving to my parent as we passed their house and said a quick hello to Lamprey. We turned into the Cannock Extension, winding at the grove and met Hampstead again as we headed back to the junction. The Cannock Extension took longer than anticipated as we spent time looking for the clue with a torch, I’m still not sure if we got it or not. We turned back on to the Wyrley and headed towards Wolverhampton, at this point I went to bed to get a few hours’ sleep, with Michael and Daniel taking shifts on steering. We decided to tie up at the top of Factory at about 5:30am, by this time I was wide awake, just as the boys turned in for a couple of hours sleep. Hampstead came past us at about 7:30am, I must thank Tiggers for waking us all up by shouting “Morning” at the top of her voice! After around a 3 hour break we set off for the run into Hawne Basin, we encountered something stuck behind the gates in the middle lock at Factory, but this did not set us back too much. We reached Hawne Basin at around 11:20am; we then winded and tied near to the entrance. The first thing to do was make the boys a big hearty breakfast before heading off to meet friends. Despite the rain we had a cracking weekend, the Challenge is my favourite event of the year and I’m already looking forward to next year.

Pop round the yard and I'll whack a coat of claret on it with a nice blue border.

Can you add Daniel to our crew please?

It's surprisingly easy to sleep inside the boat whilst the bolinder is running...

Very easy to do and I know of a boat which is registered as being built by us, but is very defenitly not one of ours.

It was hand painted by Richard Corbett who used to work at Norton Canes.

Great, thanks Rob. I'm always taking photos of NC boats when I'm out on the cut too

You've given me the kick up the backside that I needed to get the list re-instated. Now for the Photos.... Lamprey is alright, I just like taking stuff to bits.

Hi all, I've redeveloped the website from scratch after a pretty fatal error. I still have the register and all the photographs, but I've not decided how I want to present the information yet. The website is work in progress and I've learnt as I've gone along in terms of building it so there are still things to go on, I've just not worked out how to do half of it yet. I'm also trying to fit it all in between work / boating / Aston Villa games / taking Lamprey to bits, etc. If anyone has any photos then I'd love to have them to put on the website (eventually). Sarah

The only place I would recommend staying on this day, before Pelsall Junction is the Sneyd if there are moorings available outside the canoe club, otherwise I'd just carry on to Pelsall. You wouldn't really want to moor up in Goscote for the night. The stretch from the top of the 21 to Pelsall should only take you around 5 hours, probably less if you don't fowl the prop. Slacking off for bridge 'oles is the key.

Chasewater is at the end of the Anglesey Branch of the Wyrley and Essington. Moor at Anglesey Basin, walk up the hill and take a short walk around the reservoir to Brownhills West Station, they have a nice little museum their too and a good cafe.

Chasewater Railway.

Not sure what it's current use is (possibly bathroom or galley), but it's not original.

Unfortunately not, it's owned by Michael Pinnock (M589).

I've just received the entry forms from John Carrington. M589 and I will be the 23rd entrant on Clover.