Summer Trip August 2005

We cruised an extended Leicester Ring. In addition to the standard ring we included the Market Harbourough Arm, the Staffs and Worcester to Tixall Wide (our favourite mooring), and the Ashby Canal. A great trip!

Albert at Stowe Hill, Grand Union Canal, August 2005. The updated signwriting is by Colin Dundas of Roade. The scumbling is Dulux Brushwood - Oak. The Bertie can was decorated by Ron Hough and was a present from Maggie for Steve's 50th birthday.

All Oak Wood, North Oxford Canal, August 2005

Balloon, boats and anglers on Tixall Wide, Staffs & Worecester Canal, August 2005

Shardlow Clock Warehouse, Trent & Mersey Canal, August 2005

Going down Foxton flight, GU Leicester Arm, August 2005

Morning Mist, Winwick, GU Leicester Arm, August 2005

Market Harborough (not Venice!), August 2005

Canal Symmetry, GU Leicester Arm

Ascending Watford Flight, GU Leicester Arm, August 2005

Albert ascending Watford Flight, GU Leicester Arm, August 2005

Blisworth Tunnel Bicentenary

On June 17-19th we took Albert up to Stoke Bruerne to join in the celebrations. Great event well organised by the Northampton IWA. It was blessed by good weather and large crowds. There were over 50 working boats on show and they were joined by over 160 private boats. A weekend to remember, especially as we invited our friends from Norfolk and Yorkshire to join us for a Watling Way First School Staff Reunion.

A busy Sunday in Stoke Bruerne! Blisworth Tunnel Bi-Centenary Celebrations, June 19th, 2005

Working boats moored up near the Southern Portal of Blisworth Tunnel, June 18th 2005

President & Kildare passing Albert in the Long Pound Stoke Bruerne, June 18th, 2005

Ex FMC steam narrowboat President and its butty Kildare arriving at Stoke Bruerne Long Pound from London on their fly run June 18, 2005.

Albert - the basics


Albert at Stoke Bruerne January, 2005

Albert is a 61ft tradional narrow boat; built by Kennet & Avon Boatbuilders in 1994 and fitted out by her first owner in cottage-style; mostly in iroko. Albert is Steve & Maggie's second boat; their first being a 41ft Peter Nicholls traditional narrow boat.

She is powered by a Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM diesel controlled by speedwheel and has a short version of the traditional working boat back cabin. The base colour is mid-coach green but the stern section has black panels with oak scumbling. There is also a "pigeon box" ventilator and an exhaust stack mounted on the roof above the engine room.

Our home mooring is Kingfisher Marina at Yardley Gobion on the Grand Union Canal.

Back cabin


Traditional style back cabin (6' 6") with a Premier solid fuel range, oil lamp, brass knobs, ticket drawer and lace.

Back cabin and engine room


Back cabin with drop-down table decorated by Maggie. The engine room is beyond. The engine control rods can be seen.

Ruston & Hornsby 2YWM (Mk V)


The Ruston is a 2 cylinder 2 litre direct injection diesel with twin alternators and Adverc battery management system. It has electric & hand starts (very hard work!) and is rated as 15 hp at 1,000 rpm. The engine drives a three-bladed Crowther 22"x16"propeller via a PRM 160 gearbox. The engine room (5' 10") also houses a Victron Combi invertor/battery charger and small brass wash basin.

Bedroom


The main bedroom has a four poster style bed. Heating is by Alde gas boiler and radiators.

Saloon & Galley


Saloon has free standing furniture and is heated by Brunel solid fuel stove. Cooking is by gas and there is an electric (12v) fridge. The boat has 12 v dc and 240 volt ac throughout.