When we first brought boats to Portland Basin it was necessary to have someone on board every night to keep the boats safe from vandalism. This is the transcript of the log book that boatsitters kept. Some of it was almost illegible.
Lilith
Night Watch
This
is a kind of diary for what occurs on and around Lilith. Please
write something
For
each day you are on board. It’s good to be able to see what’s
taken place since your last visit.
Tuesday
17th September 1996 at Portland Basin.
Lynn
and Colin with Lilith & Forget Me Not at Macclesfield, en route
to drop off
Scrap.
Also moored Huddersfield Canal Society Trip Boat; Medana, with
Marion and family; an Anderson hire boat out of Middlewich, with an
adult group of four; also Two dredgers,
Poynton
( Q.E.2 ) and Pennine.
It’s
a mild evening, we’ve seen a pair of Swans and the family of Canada
Geese.
The
other Thirty Six in the group don’t always come to the Basin.
There are no problems,
Although
the gas bottle is empty, the range is firing up well and cooking a
curry. We didn’t know the gas was gone until we tried to use it
around 7.30 pm. Too late to get another and we’ll be away too
early tomorrow. The sky is clear, I’ve seen a young crescent moon
and there are plenty of stars in sight. The phone is charged up and
ready, should we need it. THANK YOU, whoever cleaned the lamp
glasses, It’s not a struggle to see to write this.
Wednesday
18th September Captain’s
Log ( Ooooheerrr! )
Arrived
at Lilith early with Glen, sat outside for a bit because I didn’t
have a key,
Then
I remembered that the museum had a spare, so I didn’t have to sit
outside anymore.
Chopped
wood for fire, filled lamps, brewed up, then Robin arrived in van (
with new Device ? Drum ), so I played my drum and felt happy.
Morning
arrives all too soon once again. We throw the bedding back into the
van and move it into the car park, ( a little late - It’s now 09.40
am. I black the stove, Paula washes up, the three dogs do their best
to get in the way. Now we have to leave. Vivienne has taken the gas
bottle to refill.
Thursday
19th September
New
gas bottle £11.30. I had Great difficulty manhandling it into gas
locker! Vivienne.
Thursday
19th September 1996
The
leaves are blown by the wind outside, Autumn says “Hello It’s me
again”, I light the lamps on arrival and realise how long it is
since I was last on Lilith, and that I love the dear old thing. This
evening I spoke to Chris and said I wouldn’t be doing the boat
anymore as I feel that gangs of armed rapists may arrive, ( one hears
such stories, or knows people who do ). Now I’m here though I’m
glad that I’ll still be able to stay on board with company.
Nowhere have I smelt anything quite like the interior of this boat, a
mixture of polish, paraffin, wood smoke etc. Love Jan
More
likely to be a lone cannibalistic psychopathic serial killer. M.S
Friday
20th September 1996
Thanks
Jan I was staying on Lilith on my own with Samuel tonight and started
to think of gangs of rapists, but it’s really hard not to just
chill out on this boat, and that’s exactly what I did. But anyway
Jan if you ever want company to stay on, just give me a ring, anyway
I didn’t hear anything going on round about except geese chatting,
so I will sign off now. Lilith stay warm and cosy. Sharon
Saturday
21st September 1996
Hello,
this is Chris. I think this log book is an excellent idea. I’ve
just dodged back from Bosley where I left ‘Forget Me Not’. I’ll
be going back in the morning to carry on to Longport where the scrap
will be unloaded on Monday.
‘Freya’
from Braunston and the icebreaker ‘Shackleton’ are staying in the
Basin overnight before going down the locks in the morning. I’ve
just heard that B.W. Are closing Lumb Lane bridge until further
notice. I don’t yet know why but it’s a bit of a problem as it
means that the recycling trip will have to be done by road until it
reopens.
Can
someone get some paraffin please, we’re nearly out. It’s about
£1.90 per gallon from Seymour Wilson on Old St, get a receipt for it
and Marilyn will reimburse you. There was no paper or cardboard in
the tin box of fire lighting stuff when I arrived. I found some when
I walked up to the Late shop in Dukinfield.
It
would be nice to use the Tilley lamp but I don’t know where the
Tilley lighter is. If you find a strange metal object in a jar
that’s probably it. Has anyone seen the flask? It’s really
useful for that first cup of coffee in the morning.
I
had a play on the Internet a few days ago, there were 264 entries
under “Lilith”, unfortunately I didn’t have time to explore
them. Enjoy Autumn Chris.
PS
up at 4 am I saw Mick who was out watching stars but disappointed
there were no meteorites. It’s a beautiful starry night.
PPS
Keep an eye on the lads camping across the river.
Monday
23rd September 1996
We
arrived sevenish ( Marilyn is our witness as we collected the keys
from her ), parked up, left stuff on board, then went to ASDA to do
some shopping, ( we trip on Antony next week ), Hours later (
! ) Realised we’d need the car to get everything back here, (
You’ve heard the story of the person who built a boat in his garage
! ), I came back to fetch the car, we loaded up and arrived back at
the Basin to find Chris looking for an “intruder”- Imagined He
now thinks - Whoops !. I felt I’d deserted my post, anyway it’s a
very nice evening and hopefully will be a peaceful night. It’s
been fun reading the other entries and making the acquaintance of the
other brave Lilithians. I feel less alone, though I have doughty
company tonight in the form of Sue. Sara from Stockport.
PS
Matches and paraffin needed now!
Dave
can you please, please, please take the stereo for Tony, ( in the
hold on left just past spare range )
Nick
Please take the vacuum Cleaner for your mum. Chris
I’ve
brought another box of fire lighting paper - Chris 23.9.96
Wednesday
25th September 1996
Arrived
sixish last night. “Midama” has gone since last week. Stayed in
the van, didn’t come into the boat except to write this on Thursday
morning at 9 am ish. We’ve done Wednesday nights for over a year
now every week, but now we must change to another - maybe Monday?
I’ll call Chris before next week to try to arrange it. ( The
drumming night at Tom Duks has changed from Monday to Wednesday ),
Robin, Paula, Roadie & Chakra.
Sunday
29th September 1996
Dal
& Karen came down to boat at 4 pm. Cleaned out larder cupboard
noticed a lot of water on shelves ( Chris check roof where I’ve put
the board, there is a slit and rain leaking in badly ). Back to
larder apologies to anyone who had food in there, we donated a lot of
it to museum facing, for posterity!
PS
found movie equipment in larder so anyone having “Hanky Panky” on
board it was recorded, tapes after watching, were sent to Walt
Disney! ( Joke ).
Heavy
rain all day not ceased even now 7 pm.
Monday
30th September 1996
Nothing
to report except we have “ Weeks to find another mooring ( Re
museum closure ), there is a Police dinghy moored alongside as I
leave 9.15 am Love R
Wednesday
2nd October 1996
Arrived
at 11.50 to find museum gates locked and small poster telling all who
care to read, that the museum is closed for refurbishment from Wed
2nd Oct. Went to back door and spoke friendly like to one of the
staff who allowed me to enter through the museum. Later they
decided to open the gates and said these would be open for the next
few days.
The
weather was really good, warm October sunshine, light breeze and the
smell of oak shavings as I planed and spoked the top panels.
Finished off the port rear panels which now need taking off and paint
& sealer applied to the rear of each piece. Left at 4.25 pm
quite pleased with the progress made. Joe Brindley
Wednesday
2nd October 1996
Don’t
Panic!!!
I
arrived this evening and was impressed by the way the boat was
looking.
Sorry
I’ve not been around much lately, I’m fully occupied in salvaging
what I can of the trust’s gear from what I now regard as a disaster
area in Runcorn. It’s Very distressing ( and stressful ). I don’t
know yet whether or not we have to move the boat. Eamon and his
colleagues do not necessarily have the full story. If we do have to
move, that is not a big problem. This situation has been expected
for the last 12 months. It’s a bit of a pain that it comes at a
time when I’m preoccupied elsewhere.
The
panelling looks excellent, as does the paint work. It’s good to be
able to delve into the food cupboard with confidence. I suggest
perishable food now goes in the stern cupboard at the very back of
the boat, ( The proper place ).
Important
- Always blow lamps out, lift the glass with lever provided and blow.
Never,
ever extinguish them by turning down the wick. We’re now down to
two lamps because one of the wicks has fallen into the fuel bowl,
because it was extinguished incorrectly. Another had been turned
right down but was still alight from the previous night when I
arrived. I got some paraffin last week, could someone please please
get some fire wood from C.P.S on Bentinck St. We all rely on each
other to keep things maintained and stocked up. I simply cannot make
good any shortfall. I’m struggling with my present work load. Keep
up the good work, sorry I’ve been whining a bit. I think an
excellent bunch of people involved with the boat now. We could do
with getting together more often, when I’ve got everything shifted
out of Runcorn. I should be able to find enough time for things in a
while.
Have
a good time. Chris.
Thursday
4th October 1996
Mid
afternoon - Called by, saw the note about the wood and got some -
there’s loads more. Anyone with transport should have no problem
filling boot / van space, Winter here soon get now while stocks last
!!
Friday
4th October 1996
Arrived
about 10.45 am, forward door of cabin had been forced. The bolt on
the top half had been bent, so I straightened it and made it secure.
I
am now leaving at 3 pm and I have locked up the top half. This door
will have to be made more secure, in someway.
Tom.
Saturday
5th October 1996
Morning.
I
had an unscheduled Stay last night. The thieves have had the phone
and some valuable tools. This shows how important it is that there’s
someone here each night.
‘ Raymond
‘ has mysteriously sunk, so I am trying to organise pump to raise
her. That’s why I’m here. The plan was to set out or bring her
to Braunston on Monday.
Thanks
for getting the wood Tom, I’ll get some more if C.P.S are open.
If everyone else who can do the same we’ll avoid the traditional
Christmas fire wood crisis! Chris.
Later
Saturday
I’ve
got another lock for the back end door. The key for this is hanging
over the work top. Please take great care not to leave any
inflammable liquids; ( paraffin, white spirit etc ) ;or breaking in
tools in the hold. Can someone have a go at working out the non
working lamps please, and polish the brass!
Have
a good day Chris.
Saturday
evening
Spent
most of the P.M trying to organise another mobile phone. BT mobile
absolutely useless since their computers went down. We have to stay
with BT mobile at the moment, our contract requires us to give 3
months notice. Will phone them again tomorrow & hopefully arrange
another phone reconnection of our service. We’ll probably have a
phone in working order again by Wednesday or Thursday. Worried about
people staying on the boat so got my act together and bought a large
torch, a small torch and a panic alarm. ( boat sitters please make
yourselves familiar with the latter), ( Chris came home and said he
doesn’t want to move ‘Raymond’ to Braunston anymore. “It’s
sunk I don’t care anymore”. Actually he does but is overwhelmed
by work & worrying about this and that).
Now
- back to burgling - it was bound to happen at some point or another,
and at least they did little in the way of damage. If anyone fancies
keeping an eye out for the nicked phone on the Tuesday flea market or
at Cash Converters let me know- I have the said number.
Marilyn
Sunday
6th October 1996.
I’ve
arrived armed for trouble - mobile phone and ‘Big Boss’ self
defence gas! ( Yes I know It’s illegal, but personal safety comes
first! ). But as always peace reigns. Lilith’s looking good ( even
in the dark ).
I
think it would be a great idea if all us boat sitters could get to
meet each other, maybe then we could organise our own rota, making
Chris’ burden one job less, anyway I’d love to put faces to
names.
I
would like to wax lyrical about the canal scene but It’s dark,
there are no geese, It’s overcast and I’m surrounded by B.W boats
and digging machines! I’ll pick up a few bits of wood
tomorrow. Vivienne.
Monday
7th October 1996.
Arrived
sixish, took dogs for walk.
8.49
pm The kettle boils...
(
The cups sit, motionless, on the work surface.
Tea
for two ?
Ah
yes, yes please.
But
oh the sorrow
No
Barley cup today
And
doubtless none tomorrow. ).
Just
managed to fit van inside gate today by careful manoeuvre of the
gates. Wish the lights were brighter in here as the log book makes
great reading - I like the evolving style of poetic to factual in one
breath and have tried to continue this theme here. Next week I intend
to furnish the boat with another jar of barley cup- watch out Chris!
PS
this ‘log book’ is a con - I have yet to find a single log in it
- so have been using the bagged wood in the hold.
7.30
am Gates unlocked by J.C.B men. The van is in the way, so I get up
and move it before being asked. By 8.00 am the place sounds like a
building site - glad we weren’t hoping for a lie in.
Tuesday
8th October 1996.
I
arrived at 5.20 pm. (Wet, in fact soaking); cycles down from wet
Werneth (Oldham).
I
chopped wood ready for this eve, now sitting comfy having a drink, ‘
Oh by the way! Who is Captain S Log? “ I’ve yet to meet “
Inside
the cabin there’s more weapons than I’ve ever seen. A nifty torch
that screams, a pick handle ( without axe ), oh and a mouldy onion
which I’ve thrown away.
I
didn’t think it would scare anyone, well except me. It was hiding
and snarling at me from the veg rack - so with fork in one hand and a
large pick handle in the other - with one quick prod it was gone. (
Ah time to relax ).
The
eve went well, I awoke early with the sound of engines ( builders ).
Made myself a brew & went for a walk. Well It’s nearly time to
go. Oh this book is a fantastic idea. NICE ONE It’s a great
read. TONY
PS
Chris Thursday eves I’m busy with study, and Tues is Jans’ Yoga
class, if you don’t mind me nipping off for an hour ‘n’ half I
could commit myself to Tues, Mon or Sunday ( not all of them - you
know what I mean )
See
you soon
Or
if you’re stuck give us a buzz.
Wednesday
9th October 1996.
Arrived
10.55 expecting to meet Tom & met Tony, who was just about to
leave, another face to a name. Somebody had taken off the side panels
and painted the rear of them.
I
counter bored them the holes ready for screwing back and plugging.
Unfortunately
the weather was quite awful, drizzly wet, not really rain but welting
just the same, ( The Scots have an excellent onomatopoeic word for
such weather ‘ DREICH’ with a lot of catarrh at the end ), so I
didn’t put the panels back. I have taken some timber home &
will make up a side support for the ‘ settee, bed, couch ` on the
starboard side. Left about 2.00 pm. Still dreich !!
Joe
Brindley.
Wednesday
9th October 1996. ( Later )
I
must have just missed you Joe, as I got here about half two, led by
Tom who met us at the station ( exactly on time! ), and walked down
to show me the ropes, ( & keys, & lamps, & wood and wow.
), thanks Tom have an ace time in France.
I’ve
not stayed on ‘Lilith’ before, but tales from years before from
friends, and cross winds, brought me from Sheffield to stay and play,
and chill in a wooden boat stylee.
Stepping
in from the ‘dreich’ ( or the mizzle, as they say they say round
where I’m from ); the warmth of the cabin, the tarry breath of the
timbers and the sweet scent of wood smoke hit me round the back of
the neck, like an old friend at a family wedding - I’ve not spent a
night on my own in a boat for near on nine year, ‘ The Kreta’;
home for a season.
I
got here as a blob of stress, and an hour later I felt human again. I
love being on water, even locked behind large gates! Not even ASDA
could shake my calm, and when I got back, Andy from up the way who
was tied up on the corner, filled his water butts. A bunch of kids
were jumping around on the B.W.B boat opposite. They gave up and left
after twenty minutes or so. Evening fell, I cooked a casserole in the
oven, ( It’s such a good wee stove ! ), drank me ‘rusty rivet’
and played on the whistle. Nice one, whoever left it; I’m warm and
happy. I’ve read the ship’s twig and realise there’s quite a
community of you watching and working on ‘Lilith’, I hope I’ll
meet some of you sometime. With no watch, It’s only time as it
feels, and it feels like bedtime.
Conor
Thursday
10th October 1996.
Woke
up late (11.00), B.W.B Poynton tying up alongside. I spoke to the
fella on board, who said we could take the logs and wood he’d
picked up; so after lunch I did, and split them with that strange but
excellent axe - like thing behind the bin, ( is it an Adze or a
Mattock ?), and did a few bags of fire wood . Sorry too, I couldn’t
resist trying out the bilge pump, so I sat on the steps and read my
book and pumped for an half hour or so. An oldish couple from between
the bridges came along asking for Chris, and stopped for a chat,
telling horror stories of Rochdale kids steaming people going through
locks.
I’d
got the fire going and was starting dinner on dinner when Marilyn
came along with the new mobile, so we’d a brew and a natter, when
Jip and Dave ( friends from Bolton ), and their dogs turned up at the
gate - so the evening carried on, fried parsnip & broccoli &
spuds ( I’ve left some spuds & broccoli on top of veg rack -
should be OK for a few days).
We
never got to play any music, just revelled in the warmth & red
wine, a lovely evening. And six wild ducks flew past at dusk, five in
front and one behind. Mellow.
Friday
11th October 1996.
I
don’t believe I’ve got to go today, but It’s true. I was kind
of expecting Chris to appear , as Marilyn thought he’d be in by
last night, but It’s about 2.00 pm and I’m ready to head for
Shropshire. Thanks a lot for the restful holiday, I’d love to come
& stay again ( and do some work on the building side too).
Thanks to Lilith for beautiful dreams and making time vanish. The
winds are up again, time to do a Mary Poppins.
Conor
Monday
14th October 1996.
Just
the usual stuff going on down here. There’s a Funk Rock band
playing on the other wharf through about 8k complete with lighting
rig, smoke machine, flame throwers and film crew. We’ve been warned
that they’re going to explode a gas bottle under the water in the
basin and we can expect to see flames rising out of the canal. A
Viking burial for ‘Elton‘?
Tue.
am. Fell asleep to the gentle sounds of a metal distorted guitar and
rap vocals- no explosion maybe due to rain, they’re still here
though, so maybe later?
The
boat has taken on an interesting slanty pose, due to the removal of
concrete ballast on one side. Never a dull moment.
Wednesday
16th October 1996.
Lynne
with ‘Lilith’, Dougie with ‘Forget me not’, ‘Elton’ on
her own.
Also
moored Hudd’s canal boat ‘Greater Manchester’, B.W boats
‘Poynton’ & ‘Pennine’.
‘Midama’
is still on her travels and no doubt will be shocked by the sight of
‘Elton’ on her return. A pretty shocking sight is ‘Elton’,
although magically tidied up by Dougie, since being
Picked
up from Runcorn earlier this month. I can’t believe no one noted
‘Forget Me Nots’ absence. After the scrap trip, she was taken up
to Runcorn, aiming to bring ‘Raymond’ back down to Braunston, But
a late change of plan - ‘Raymond’ sank and so after discussion
was left for the moment and ‘Elton’ picked up instead. On that
trip, Chris, Dougie, Lynne and Colin followed the Bridgewater, Trent
and Mersey, Macclesfield and Lower peak Forest Canals to Portland
Basin, Monday 7th to Friday 11th. A slow and peaceful trip, with
‘Elton’ behaving pretty well, after all, It’s not her fault
she’s spread in the middle ( and bow ) and needs chains to pull her
shape in for locking. I began to find out how much I didn’t know
about boats on this trip and can now occasionally ask the right
questions. Arrived to stop over today, finding ‘Elton’ filling
up with water due to all pump batteries being flattened during the
night and Dougie concerned enough to have used a telephone to try and
find Chris, after noticing Chris’ car and trailer, but not finding
Chris!. The decision was made to use ‘Forget me nots’ engine to
charge it’s batteries, without her moving. This hadn’t been done
earlier as it’s not too good for the engine. The batteries began to
charge, the pump got ahead of the water, and I was left aboard after
a quiet refresher course on how to turn it’s engine off later.
Dougie and I spent a happy evening aboard ‘Forget me not’, after
chatting with Chris and Marylin who had returned to see how ‘Elton’
was doing. Also the railway sleeper ballast has now mostly been moved
from ‘Lilith’, ( it was only temporary ), and on Thursday morning
Joe arrived to begin fixing ‘Liliths’ side bed in place.
Lynne.
Friday
18th October 1996
Arrived
early Thursday eve. Lit stove, brewed up, ate, went to bed, fell
asleep. Woke up this morning, brewed up and left.
Paula
x
Saturday
19th October 1996
‘Lilith’s
hold is now getting fairly sorted,
my trailer is loaded with scrap iron. Had a cup of coffee with Alan
Castle from ‘Roland Bardsley’s
today. He will be in charge of the site while the building work is
underway, we can stay and will have a 4 metre width of wharf for
access. We can help by keeping an eye on the site for them. There may
be time when we have to move off temporarily but will just have to
play it by ear - especially when they’re pile driving!.
Chris
Wednesday
23rd October 1996
At
Portland Basin
Lynne
& Colin with ‘Lilith’, ‘Elton’, ‘Forget me not’. Also
Hudds boat, 2 * B.W boats and ‘Midama’ has returned with Marion
and Pete ( ? ). When ? - since Saturday I guess.
A
quiet night at the basin, no groups of lads on the bridge or gate,
climbing for the hell of it, only one passing soul, a woman with a
cat and stormed off friend called Stephen. She didn’t call him for
long. Stayed on ‘Forget me not’, as the range was fired up and
the ‘temporary cross bed arrangement’ on ‘Lilith’ looked a
right pain to me. Swept the range and washed up on ‘Lilith’
however. Has someone had incriminating documents to burn? Loads of
paper ash. The ‘Lilith’ head was peaceful again so as I left, she
seemed to frown before; taking a bit of care of les cabin etc.,
settled les down. Shopping. We need bin bags & washing
up liquid on ‘Lilith’, I’ll try to remember. Colin has
chopped firewood, there’s plenty more to get to size tho. The
museum is being stripped out - there’s sisal
matting upstairs going for a song, altho’ come on only let Chris
sing about two lines for his trailer full. Viv - we should
help sort out this rota for the nightwatch, yes. See you on the next
recycling trip. BFN.
Friday
25th October 1996
I’ve
decided to keep ‘Elton’ company tonight. The old gas bottle stove
is roaring away cooking my tea/supper, It’s been ( probably ) the
final day of stripping the museum today. Tomorrow the site is handed
over to ‘Sanctuary Housing’. I anticipate that there may be some
complications regarding key’s etc in the next few weeks, until
everyone gets to know everyone.
Me
& Tom had a very encouraging meeting with ‘John Vare’,
the Tameside National Lottery officer, today. He’s very
enthusiastic about a ‘Heritage boatyard project’.
There’s
a beautiful full moon shining tonight. I feel quite energised, my
tilley lamp is chuffing away and
outside it sounds like the afghan army is approaching as fireworks
Explode around and about.
‘Elton’
has been a bit of an unloved boat, someone used her for carrying
retail Coal until about 10 yrs ago, when she finally
refused to stay afloat, loaded he put her on dock and filled all the
holes with fibrocem ( Cement mixed with
glass Fibres ), did a cosmetic job and sold her. The
cosmetics soon wore off and she went into the cheap boat syndrome -
changing hands at more and more frequent intervals for
less and less money.
She
was abandoned at Southall in 1994 and we moved her in 1995. The idea
is not to include her in the long term collection as we already have
‘Southam’ ‘Elton’s sister..
Hopefully
someone with the enthusiasm and cash to take her on will be found
before too long.
Adrian
arrived on his bike today. He set out for Alderley Edge but came here
to find that one of the doors
Recovered from the museum is exactly the sort he needs. Funny how
things happen.
Important
If
you’re staying on ‘Lilith’ or ‘Forget me not’ can you check
that ‘Elton’ pump is working strongly and that the filter is not
blocked by leaves. I Hope to have a back up
pump fitted soon.
Chris.
Saturday
26th October 1996.
Came
to see Chris & had a wonderful dinner; ( very impressed with all
the work that’s going on ); feeling ill and run down when I
arrived; ( apparently I have anaemia ); but I soon improved, good
food, nice atmosphere etc. Kids; ( adults? ); in distance setting off
bangers - we’re in the silly season again. All the kids have all
the holidays mixed up at the moment. They’re trick or treating,
penny for the guying & carolling all at once. I’m not really
bothered so long as they keep their fireworks away from the boats.
Which
reminds me - DO YOU ALL KNOW WHERE THE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARE AND HOW
TO FIND THEM?
Marylin
( in her role as miserable old sod ).
PS
Chris has given me Indian Ocean Tea which he says will be a bit salty
? Ms
PPS
I recently bought a corkscrew for use on the boats ( on FMN ), what
else do we need? Ms
I’ve
just found two bin bags and put them in the covered cupboard opposite
the bin. I Don’t like to moan ( but I do anyway ), but why can I
never find a funnel when I want to top up the lamps on ‘Lilith’,
luckily there is a spare one on ‘Elton’ so I’ll go and get
that. I’ll leave it with the paraffin as usual, please note that
allowing the lamps to run out of paraffin damages the wicks
Chris.
Sunday
27th October 1996.
It’s
8.30 am and I’ve just about surfaced after a rather disturbed
night. It was very windy and I kept being woken by things Being
blown over. Then at 3.39 am; ( I know the time because I switched the
phone on ); a couple of young burglars decided to check if there was
anyone in by clanging on the bridge and firing what sounded like an
air pistol.
They
buggered off when I came out but their uniform of dark clothes,
rolled up balaclava's and discreet little flashlights were a dead
give away for their trade.
It’s
a miserable rainy morning. I’ve just lit ‘Liliths’ range as I’m
expecting Vivienne and Marilyn at 10 O’clock and I expect they’ll
appreciate cups of tea. We’re going for a walk down Amra street to
see if we could turn it into a canal again. Roads into canals, that’s
the thing of the future. Today Alma St, tomorrow the M6.
PS
They’ve changed the clocks so my times are an hour out.
Chris
Sunday
27th October 1996.
Dal
& Karn came down about 4.00 pm spoke with Chris and a new
recruit, Wasyl,. About 5.30 cleaned another cupboard and generally
tidied around. Very windy and also raining tonight. Hope we have no
trouble tonight. Went for a Chinese meal to cheer up the night.
Monday
28th October 1996.
Chris
already hear when we arrived so the place seemed very warm and
welcoming. Rain was quite heavy last night also very windy,
discovered the roof had leaked a little during the night. Left
Tuesday morning, weather fine.
Paula,
Robin, Roadie & Chakra
Monday
4th November 1996.
Has
no one stayed on ‘Lilith’ since last Monday, or maybe nobody
could be bothered to write anything? Chris if you’re reading this I
think the axe could do with sharpening. Needless to say; ( with it
being the night before bonfire night ); it sounds like there’s a
bloody war going on here. Roadie ( dog ) is extremely unhappy.
Wednesday
6th November 1996.
No
probably no - one did stay on ‘Lilith’ in that period as Dougie
was on FMN.. I’m now here on ‘Elton’ cooking my tea and
wondering where Tanya has got to. I’ve been trying to sort out
‘Liliths’ hold most of the day, with limited success. Dougie has
gone home now having done some excellent work in the engine room.
The fireworks have stopped at last, yesterday we helped a pair of
wandering homeless junkies who Sue ( who lives on the ‘Ark’ )
sent down here under the impression that we ran a night shelter !.
Letting them stay on the boat would have been inviting trouble but we
sorted them out with food, got their bags dry and found them a better
dossing place than the towpath bridge where they stayed Monday night.
It’s
been wild wild weather all day and looks like being much the same all
night. I must have a walk down to Asda soon
to make some phone calls.
Chris.
PS
Sold the ex-museum chairs today.
Thursday
7th November 1996.
Came
down to check ‘Elton’ was pumping out about 10.30 pm, no - one
here, stayed on ‘Forget me not’. Please if you can’t come for
any reason please ring up to let us know.
Chris.
Friday
8th November 1996.
A
Quiet, clear, slightly chilly night. I’m staying on ‘Forget me
not’. It’s nice to have such a choice of boat. I feel like a bit
of comfort tonight. This morning Vivienne and
I had another meeting with Yvonne Cartey in the council office, I
can’t believe the help we’re getting toward setting up a base
here.
‘Midana’
is over the other side of the arm,
I took ‘Forget me not for a trip up to Eli
Whalley’s earlier to charge
the batteries and collect an Asda
trolley. No trouble with rubbish in Bridgehole this time but I picked
up a nasty bladeful Which won’t
entirely come off yet.
Chris.
Saturday
9th November 1996. Wasyl Strutinskys.
Expected
to share night watch but was on my own, and drunk a whole bottle of
wine!.
Went
to bed early on ‘Forget me not’; by early I mean before 7.30!
Awoke a few times, Chris came to check. Colder than I anticipated,
bumped my head a few times and cut my index finger on the wood.
I
look forward to the scenery tomorrow morning, and to sample once more
the delight of Chris' cooking.
Sunday
10th November 1996.
I
arrived at about 6 pm boy it’s chilly! So before anything else I
lit the fire it’s now beginning to warm up yummy a night for
resting.
The
batteries seem a little flat on the FMN I’ll try and recharge them
in the morning when it’s daylight; ( I foresee disaster if I
stumble around in the engine room at night! )
Bugger
- I forgot my bottle of ‘Baileys’- Oh well I’ll save it for
next time.
Monday
11th November 1996.
Engine
running, things are looking good in there with the batteries on the
new switch and new levers and pulls. Somebody’s done a good job.
Well
my sister’s just come for a cup of tea so bye for now.
Vivienne
Tuesday
11th November 1996.
Here
I am again on ‘Elton’. My tea is cooking, the tilley is roaring.
I’ve just ripped some of that horrible tongue and groove off the
shearing so that I can see what’s what behind it. Mostly lots of
Fibrocem. Well food’s ready. Bye.
Chris.
Wednesday
13th November 1996.
A
nice sunny cold chill day today, I’ve tinkered about with various
little jobs. This evening I took ‘Forget me not’ for a trip up to
Eli Whalleys and collected an Asda?
trolley on the way, that's three ready for
taking back. Bedtime I think, Goodnight.
Chris.
Friday
15th November 1996. Alex, James & Frodo
Quiet
night not much to report at all really, except to say this is Alex's'
and my first night together on a boat and It’s lovely.
Saturday
16th November 1996. Alex, Frodo & me
We;
( Nick, Rick, Alex & me ); started this evening with good food
and plenty of Nick’s home made wine. It all started well, but
almost turned into a boat sinking party when ‘Elton’ decided to
get a closer look at the bottom of the canal. Help was only a handful
of clay away when Chris turned up with Marilyn. I am going to get
some sleep now, it is late and the police and their hounds wouldn't
let me out to walk Frodo.
There’s
trouble at mill, with that I look forward to entering my next log,
sleep easy.
James
& Alex & Frodo.
Oh
Chris, we are off to view a boat early on the morrow so won’t see
you, thank you for everything we’ll be in touch very soon bye.
PS
please let us know of any scrap trips on the canal.
Monday
18th November 1996.
Cold,
cold, cold! Very cold indeed. Lit fire straight away and the place
soon warmed up. Nick called round to see if Chris was about, only
visitor so far. Went to make mug of coffee with 'Co-op' instant, only
to find it wasn’t very instant. Robin has gone to pick up stuff &
Roadie from house, hopefully he wont be very long. Oh and by the way,
I think Alex, James & Frodo might like to know that canal is
spelt with one ‘N’ and not two as they seem to write. Please feel
free to point out any spelling mistakes I may have made.
Friday
22nd November 1996. At Picnic Bench
Quite
cold night, lots of horrible white stuff about midnight, but
fortunately gone by morning. Chatted last night to two lads skidding
up & down car park on bicycles and trying to ride down steps from
bridge - must be masochistic; ( tell me if I spelt it wrong Paula!!!
); they seemed quite harmless if not a little mad. Was a pile of
dirty dishes on ‘Forget me not’ when I arrived - they are still
there - I have left the boat as I found it!
Lynne
stayed Weds night but couldn’t get into ‘Lilith’ as doors
frozen up, so she couldn’t get to log book. Anyway clouds
threatening more snow or rain so I’m off home for a nice soak in a
hot bath!
Bye
for now Nick
PS
Key for middle door on ‘Lilith’ is on ‘Forget me not’ keys.
Mick
Friday
22nd November 1996.
1)
Please can we stop the picky remarks NOW.
2)
If everyone leaves the boats slightly worse than they found them,
then they will soon be a complete sty. I am constantly doing other
peoples washing up, but sometimes leave some if I have to leave in a
hurry. Please leave the boats better than you found them, if
possible. The alternative is to descend into nasty petty arguments.
3)
In ‘Lilith’ there is plenty of firewood and bags of empty bags.
Please, when you empty a bag DON’T stuff it in a corner of
the cabin but put it in a bag of empty bags. If you get a chance on a
weekday go to C.P.S on Bentinck St and get a wheelbarrow full of wood
from their off cuts, IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP STOCKS UP AT THIS TIME
OF YEAR.
Sorry
to be so ratty, Chris.
PS
4) Things are usually where you find them for a good reason, If you
put them back where you find them the next person can find them too.
Monday
25th November 1996.
Turned
up at the boat around 4.30 pm. Robin was already here, the stove was
going and the place felt cosy. We have acquired some squatters,
moored on the offside of ‘Elton’.
Can’t
think of anything witty to write so I think I’ll go to bed. Robin
feels like burning the log book. Paula.
Tuesday
26th November 1996.
Well,
having moaned about other people leaving things all over the place I
left a complete treasure hunt for Paula & Robin yesterday. Just
goes to show that even I’m not perfect sorry.
It’s
been a beautiful sunny day here today and I’ve actually got some
work done, I made another section for the engine hole floor on
‘Forget me not’. Tom was here too , painting and decorating, and
Andy returned from his Pennine house building adventure.
It
was good to be able to get swiftly on with work as I’ve been
feeling a bit drained lately.
Wednesday
27th November 1996.
Arrived
10.30 nobody around, lit the fire in ‘Forget me not’ & then
set to finishing the starboard side bed. Had a good day, well half a
day, Chris arrived for about half an hour at lunchtime. Weather was
cold but dry, ‘Lilith’ has about 1” of water in the bilge's, I
did some pumping but after half an hour I decided to carry on the
wood work. Tom arrived & he did half an hour on the pump &
various good husbandry jobs, then left about 2.30 pm. Nick arrived
about 3.00 and then we went off at about 4.00 pm. Not much happened,
nothing sank, nobody drowned - just like “Albert & t’ lion”.
Joe
Brindley.
Thursday
28th November 1996.
A
quiet frosty night last night. Lovely sunny day today. Pity I can’t
stay around, ran the engine for a bit to charge the batteries.
Fetched fire wood & saw dust. Washed up, cleaned up, 10/10 Time
to go.
Chris.
PS
Vivienne if you run the engine, ( good idea ), switch master switch
to battery 2 for starting. If battery light does not come on before
engine, then stop engine again and restart. Keep doing this until the
light comes on, ( then rev engine to turn it off again! ) And turn
master switch to battery 1 to charge cabin battery.
Thursday
28th November 1996.
A
lovely clear cold evening. The canal has frozen - about three
quarters of an inch thick, I felt a little like an Eskimo breaking
the ice for water!.
I
broke down three times on my way here. Each time on a main road;
holding up loads of traffic; all in all very embarrassing. I may call
the AA before heading back tomorrow; so I could be here a while.
I
triggered the pump on ‘Elton’, at least that water doesn’t seem
frozen yet; I haven’t checked the bilge's on ‘Lilith’, best
done in daylight ( all the gunwales and steps are extremely slippy ).
I think I understand what you’re saying Chris, did I not do that
last time? I think I charged on ( 1 + 2 ), oh well whatever, I’ll
get it right next time.
Well
I’m off to read my book now, I look forward to a frosty morning.
See
you soon Vivienne
Friday
29th November 1996.
Brought
a friend; ( Anthony ); down to stay over with me as he was really
stressed out. A night on the boat really did the trick, I think he is
addicted & wants to join the trust; ( I think we can get him
therapy for it!! ), It’s difficult having to explain everything to
someone who hasn’t been on a boat before; ( I wish he’d stop
calling them barges! ). Anyway it’s now Sat am and I’m off to
take him home. Am staying again tonight & Alex, James, Frodo and
possibly Rick are coming down. See you later
Nick
Sunday
1st December 1996.
9.30
am Too tired to write much in book, lots of excitement last night,
will have to wait to hear of my adventures with the Fire brigade!
Nick
Monday
2nd December 1996.
05.30
am Up early this morning, at least it’s my own choice this time
Nick ( Grrr ).
A
wet & windy night, I enjoyed staying on ‘Forget me not’ , the
battery master switch has broken, so we may have problem with flat
batteries soon. I’ll get a new one A.S.A.P. The use of paraffin
lamps in F.M.N are causing singe marks on the woodwork, I’ll get
something to hang them from but in the meantime don’t hang lamps on
what they are leaning against wood.
We
had a good recycling collection yesterday. It took a long time though
because there was only Wasyl and me doing it, with a bit of help from
Evelyn,. Lumb lane bridge will be opening soon, we need a
jumble sale, ‘Liliths’ fore end is getting very full.
Thursday
5th December 1996.
Firstly,
Chris - could you please read your comment No 1 of 22/11/96 enough
said!!
Back
to last Saturday, Anthony joined me at 8 p.m., had a quiet peaceful
evening. A beautiful swan has been hanging around, hand feeding him
bread off back of boat at about midnight.
Got
up about 3.30 am to water the canal and noticed large ball of flames
coming from mill, dashed to the gate & snapped my key in the
padlock! ran back to boat. Woke Anthony while undigging da mobile
phone, Anthony kindly told me to sod off and went back to
sleep. Phoned fire brigade & explained where fire was and asked
if they could call here after the fire out, I was told I would have
to ring the police. In the event they sent me a fire engine & 6
firemen just to cut the chain. Rang Chris who came down & was a
bit miffed that the fire wasn’t a little more spectacular!!
Have
scrubbed some of the cabin today & have made a casserole as
Anthony is coming after school for his tea, ( He’s a teacher ), Am
here till Sunday, looking forward to the peace & quiet.
Semi-
sub B.W.B boat ( 89512 ) moored next to Gtr Manchester, ( Hopefully
it will sink! ). A lot of kids shouting outside, went to investigate
- ‘Maria’ trip boat moored under bridge; covered in fairy lights
& full of kids. Father Christmas stood on bridge, by the time I
got there with my list - he’d gone!.
Friday
6th December 1996.
Everything
quiet and peaceful last night, Chris & Tom came down today &
worked on boats. Chris says someone has been over the wall in the
night because there’s a slate loose on the roof and they’d
crapped behind the wall - as by way of a “ Calling card “, I
would have thought it was easier to get one printed! Less effort.
Scrubbed
back deck on ‘Forget me not’ & pottered about, Anthony didn’t
turn up last night, so more stew for tea tonight. Went to ASDA for
some shopping, the place was choc a block with plastic people buying
plastic present with plastic money. A geriatric, alcoholic,
psychopathic father Christmas graced the entrance, looks like he
could be a mass child murderer; ( given half a chance ). Well it
reminds me , only 19 days to Christmas- it’s depressing- be glad
when it’s over. Only 14 days to my birthday ( Hint! Hint! ).
Well
all's quiet, Chris is coming at about 5.30 am to pick his trailer up,
to go away for the weekend. I wonder whether he’ll get his own back
and wake me up!! ( OOPS! Sorry Chris I forgot, no picky remarks! ),
well I’m off to bed now - goodnight
Nick
PS
swan has been 4 or 5 times today for bread, I’ve named him George,
if you see him please give him a piece of bread.
Nick
Saturday
7th December 1996.
Had
an extremely early start this morning. Someone; ( who shall remain
nameless to save being picky ); called to pick their trailer up at
6.00 am and also wanted a pan of stew off ‘Forget me not’. Geese
started fighting about 7.00 am so I gave up and got up. Went home
about 11.30 am, had a shower & came back about 1.00 pm. Filled
the water tanks on ‘Forget me not’. While I had hose out I hosed
down the land to get rid of bits and geese shit, ( OOPS! Are we
allowed to swear in this book? If not I’m sorry and I’ll wash the
pen out with soap. ).
Changed
the mattress cover on the bed, great fun kneeling outside wrestling
with a cover and pieces of board on the floor outside. Polished brass
rings on chimney outside, even though it’s against my religion to
clean beds! The swan Goerge hasn’t been round today- hope I’ve
not given him too much bread & has sunk!!
Well
it’s just going dark now, I’ve lit the fire & am going to
ASDA in a bit - it will make me realise how nice the boat is!
‘Maria’
( Trip boat ); has been up & down all day, doing trips with kids
& father Christmas, people have been wandering around asking me
where to get on the boat. I know I’m the same build as father
Christmas & we share the same name, but do I really look like him
?
Nick
My
mother and Dudley came for a cup of tea about 9.30 p.m. I invited
mother to dispel some of the myths she had, before she thought I was
staying on a floating garden shed!
Well
you know what mothers are like. George has turned up, he’s probably
been looking for a mate, I’ve explained to him there’s one or two
good night clubs in Ashton.
I
soppose swans are a bit like humans, they’ll come home when they’re
hungry.
A
freezing fog seems to have enveloped the world; ( Well, this bit of
it anyway ), everything is quiet and white and misty - a bit spooky
and eerie. Just read on the board outside about people who drowned
themselves in basin in the depression. Perhaps I shall see some
shadowy figures floating across the icy, glossy misty water - who
knows ?
Well
I better change the subject, I don’t want to scare the more faint
hearted who might be reading this; whilst staying on the boat alone.
Off for a little walk and then to bed. Sweet dreams. Nick
Sunday
8th December 1996.
Just
spoke to Marilyn off 'Midama'; apparently police & ambulance
turned up at
7
p.m looking for a baby in the canal; I was having a doze & I must
have slept through it.
Well,
cleaned up, blacked the range & I laid a fire for Vivienne,
please use rest of my coal in ash can, must pup down to say hello
later Viv.
Well
5 pages of waffling later I’ll sign off for now.
Nick
Sunday
8th December 1996.
I
came down early today so that I could have some daylight to charge
the batteries over on ‘Elton’. Thank you Nick, the boat was
lovely - all clean and the fire set.
Nick
popped down in the late afternoon - but was called over by ? On
‘Midama’ to jump start the boat. I’ve just eaten 2 wonderful
bacon butties; ( sorry if I offend those vegetarians amongst us ), so
I feel ready for anything.
I
hope that my evening here will be event free, as I have an early
start tomorrow.
Bye
for now.
Vivienne
Monday
9th December 1996.
Robin,
Paula, Roadie, Chakra. Kate called, Nick called,pen too big.
This
ones a bit better. Checked ‘Eltons’ pump - Humming, Singing &
Pumping away - sounded like a happy pump to me. Collected some wood
from CPS - I was the 4th person today - it must be winter. I’ve
just eaten a wonderful bean roast ( sorry if I offend those meat
eaters amongst us! ); so I feel ready for anything ( especially a
trip to the toilet !)
T.T.F.N P.R.R.C
Tuesday
10th December 1996.
Colin
& Lynne.
Usual
suspects around ‘Forget me not’, ‘Lilith’, ‘Elton’, Gtr
Manchester Midama and B.W hulks, ( plus George the swan ).
11.15
p.m Just about ready to settle down for the night; sleeping on
‘Forget me not’; as Nick had a roaring range going when we
arrived and construction work still carrying on apace on ‘Lilith’.
Very
quiet evening up until now - still and frosty; but no chance of
skating ducks just yet. Nick stayed with us until about 7 p.m and
entertained us with stories of planes, trains, automobiles and the
back seats of double decker buses!. Great meal prepared by lynne of
‘Libyan braised shark’ followed by triple chocolate layer cake; (
£1 off at ASDA at moment ).
Tried
some bottled ales; ( Bishops finger, Fuggles, Fargo and Waggle dance,
the latter made with real honey ); and briefly entertained Chris, who
dropped his trailer off, and Nick who returned to pick up a book -
something about a ‘Boddies’ pub in Derbyshire, I think.
Lynne
wishes to thank Nick for bringing along a cafetiere, knowing her as I
do, this will get a lot of use.!
We
have also brought along a can of de-icer for those tricky moments in
the morning when the padlocks are frozen solid. We have decided to
leave it in the forecabin of ‘Lilith’ on or nearby the loo; so
that it can’t be locked in, on one of the boats ( and in case of
emergencies when going for a dump in the early hours, I suppose )
Time
for bed, I think, especially with the promise of freshly laundered
pillow cases and mattress cover etc - Cheers Nick
Probably
all for this visit as we have to leave early tomorrow.
Colin.
PS
(8.50 am Weds); This coals handy stuff isn’t it? Warm all night, no
waking up by 4 with odd bits, enough coke left in to get a boil on
for the coffee, ace!. One problem tho’ - where’s the poker? You
can manage a wood fire without a poker, as I did on Wed 20th, but not
coal. This is not being picky - WHO’S REMOVED THE POKER FOR THE
FIRE? And more to the point RETURN IT PLEASE. Lynne
Friday
13th December 1996.
Chris,
Tom, Doug & myself. Doug playing in engine room, Tom playing on
‘Lilith’ & Chris playing on the roof of ‘Elton’. Came
down to clean fore cabin of ‘Lilith’ ( toilet ). Got to cleaning
the floor and found you needed a floor to be able to clean it.
The
floor seems to have gone rather brittle and crumbly when you walk on
it, ( a bit like the ice on puddles ).
Ripped
old floor out and created a new one with some old steps, fire wood,
sheets of ply, our old door, some sticky back plastic and 2 washing
up liquid bottles!! ( Only joking about last 2 items!! ). Lit a fire
in there, it’s now lovely & warm and clean. Better not make it
too nice or people will want to use it!. Brought a rag rug down which
will make 2 rugs for floor of F.M.N Lynne to kindly sew these (
thanks ). Clear blue sky & warm sun.( something wrong with
weather I think )
Bye
for now Nick.
Monday
16th December 1996.
Came
down & cleaned ‘Lilith’, Work being done is much appreciated
but could people possibly clean up after themselves -
sawdust-tools-paint tins etc. Sorry to winge! Well kettle boiling &
boat warm, just waiting for Robin & Paula.
Nick.
Tuesday
17th December 1996.
Lynne
& Colin; ‘Lilith’ - ‘Elton’ - ‘Forget me not’ -
‘Midama’ - ‘Pennine’ - ‘Termite’; ( B.W ) Gtr Mcr. The
boats have swapped position once more, we’re back to the original
arrangement of ‘Elton’ in the middle and F.M.N, where as last
week; ( I’ve been here eight nights consecutively ); F.M.N was
against the bank, with ‘Elton’ on the outside. I’m now used to
this arrangement again and it’s a lot easier to put slops
in the cut from the outside position. It’s also easier to keep an
eye on ‘Elton’ , moored against you, than with ‘ Lilith’
between. I kept wondering how ‘Elton’ would be each morning, as I
looked out, instead of knowing. I would notice during the night if
anything went wrong. On Friday Termite was raised from the water at
the stern and by one of the machines by the mill, to clear the
propshaft of something major I think. I now understand why they think
the depth of the canals is inadequate - the boats have a pretty
shallow draught, not more than 1.5 - 2 feet under water, maybe less.
I don’t know where Poynton, Its dredger QE2 has gone, in fact I did
not notice when. I’ve gone off coal for the range now - it covers
everything in muck, Its smoke is horrible and it slows the kettle
down.
Sunday
22nd December ( 1996 just ) ( Dave and Ree )
We
came , we saw, we conquered. We survived the near freezing
temperatures by lighting the stove and making a meal. Twas good. Nick
dropped in and tried desperately to put us off it, ( the food ), to
no avail. Now my cheeks are rosy, and so are my toes, I’ve just
noticed the clocks stuck at 25 minutes past seven, which suits me.
Love the swans.
Ree
Wednesday
25th December, Christmas Day
After
a day of helping Marilyn entertain her parents, I left them all
falling asleep in front of World War II video and walked down to
check everything ok.
No
one about, no geese either, but It’s a favourite time for burglars
so I’ll stay until Nick arrives or Marilyn calls me to take her
folks home, whichever is the sooner. Listening to radio 4 and eating
Nicks peanuts. The range is very slow burning because the chimney
needs cleaning. I’m not doing it now though as I’m not dressed
as a chimney sweep - just for a change.
The
engine is drained at the moment to prevent it freezing, so please
don’t try starting it. I’ve re-sealed the part of the slide
which was leaking, I hope it won’t next time it rains, I’ve
also planed the slide runner on ‘Lilith’ so that should work
easier. I’ve spoken to Dave & Nigel about the battery charging
problem. I’ve had a look at the control panel but I can’t get to
the bits I need to. I’ll have to unscrew it and take it off.
Ps
Forgot to say, I moved ‘Midama’ over for safe keeping.
19/12
> Nick
20/12
> Nick
24/12
> Robin, Paula, Nick & Dogs
25/12
> Nick >
Sorry
I’m not in a writing mood at the moment.
NICK’
Saturday
28th December
Visited
Chris who was staying, working on ‘Elton’, ( brave person ).
Stripped dirty mattress covers etc from F.M.N to take home to wash -
could everyone remember to let me know when this needs doing - I’m
happy to wash mucky covers/linen etc.
All
the best
Marilyn
!!!
Sunday
29th December
Came
down & topped fire up so smoke coming out of chimney. Looks like
someone’s on boats. Checked on ‘Elton’ , ( had rather a spurt
in front yesterday, but now all is fine ). Boat should be warm &
fire still going for whoever is on next. Took both kettles home and
gave them a good ‘ doing’, with Mr Muscle & bleach. Green
kettle is fine to use - just looks a bit tatty. Bleached inside of it
to dispel myths of it being filled with canal water. Off to
manchester now to pick up people for meeting. Will call later to
check Elton
NICK.
Friday
3rd January 1997
Live
Long and Float Free
Adrian
and Thai
Saturday
4th January
Well,
I tried to get F.M.N floating free this morning but without success.
I
broke some ice and got the bow under the bridge, but that’s about
it. It’s 2 inches thick in the middle, ( 50 mm for anyone under 35
).
Monday
6th January
6.30
ish The snowball six are here being sad for a while, I ignore them,
Pavla outwits them and they go away with the “We’ll be back”
routine - we are terrified and are going to hide in the food cupboard
behind our handbags.
Tuesday
7th January
The
snowball six didn’t return as threatened, SURPRISE SURPRISE!
R.P.R.C
Tuesday
7th January Lynne & Colin
F.M.N,
Lilith & Elton. Midama back in position. G.M as ever, The 2 B.W
boats with graffiti seemingly painted out.
Arrived
about 3.30 pm to find Chris ploughing up and down in F.M.N to break
up the ice so Midama could get home. Mission was accomplished without
mishap and Lynn and I stoked up the fire and settled in for a cosy
evening. The best bit about staying on the boats in winter is thawing
out, getting warm, getting hot and ending up in T-shirts whilst
listening to the sounds of brass monkeys in trouble outside.
Sampled
the rest of the ASDA bottled beers with some decent food. And chatted
‘til’ far too late for an early start on Wednesday morning. As it
was so cold, we put some coal in the stove to see us through the
night - still just faintly glowing at 7.45 am. Thanx to whoever
provided the freshly laundered duvet. Shear luxury’
Colin
Managed
to ask Chris with a straight face the whereabouts of the milk, the
blue kettle and all the torches.
Saturday
11th January
Oh
dear, I’ve spent a quiet night nursing a hangover. We’ve had no
visitors tonight, a little bit of howling at 10pm from across the
water, but the perpatrator does not have Jesus qualities and as such
cannot reach me, good!
The
broken ice in the cut is reminisent of the antarctic ( albeit not so
dear ) maybe it will not look so romantic by day.
I
didn’t get a chance to check the pump on Elton tonight si I’ll
see tomorrow , well nothings sunk yet tonight.
I
have organised a jumble sale to get rid of some of our clothes and
bric a brac. Collected on the recycling trips. So as much help on the
night and in collecting before as possible is needed.
If
you can collect jumble in your street(s) in the next few weeks give
me a call after 6pm and I will send you some small notices to post
through doors. Your help and support is needed.
Sunday
12th January
Everything
more or less running smoothly, two hours into the evening. Just
waiting for my pizza to cook. I find I eat a lot on F.M.N, the
evenings fly by here, must try and arrive earlier next time. Think
I’ll hit the sack.
Monday
13th January
Robin,
Paula, Roadie & Chakra hereby announce that they will not be
staying on Lilith until either (a) The weather is better, or (b) The
stove is better. Another smokey, sleepless night despite cleaning out
chimney yesterday. As nobody else stays on Lilith, this will
presumably help with work on cabin and the ‘stove’ ( for want of
a better word ) can be removed. One or two of us will stay on F.M.N
next Monday.
I
have been in touch with Arlene at Westend Centre re opening up /
clothing on Feb 7th and giving Arlene a lift which will cut our costs
of hiring the place.
Tuesday
14th January
F.M.N,
Lilith, Elton, Gtr. M/cr, 2*B.W, Midama, Lynne to stay. You’ll be
glad to know I can now find the pumo switch, just beyond the engine
bulkhead in its’hold on the portside. A quiet night no worries
about batteries or toches now, though a torch with a long beam would
be useful for shining on potential vandals across the cut,.residents
With headlights were out last night, doing their version of ice
breaking and having fun. Beautiful sunshine on Weds am, plus
birdsong. Glad to be alive.
Monday
20th January
Have
removed blockage from Lilith’s range. Has someone been dropping
coal down the chimney?
Monday
20th January
Robin,
Chakra & Roadie on F.M.N ( no room for Paula ). Nothing to
report.
Tuesday
21st January
F.M.N,
Lilith, Elton, Midama, Gtr M/cr, usual 2 B.W + 1 guest bw watcher up
alongside Gtr M/cr.
Pshaw!
As they used to say, Chris and I decided totake F.M.N up to Ely
Whalley, ( up past/under ASDA ) to charge up. All went well on the
way there even with me steering.
Tuesday
28th January
Lynne
+ Colin on Forget Me Not, all other usual suspects in basin.
We
came, we saw, we stayed, we left. Oh and Lynne did a lot of cleaning
and tidying
Colin
I’ll
try and work out which of this boats visitors ( since Jan 20th ),
left the lurking knives as a joke. HO HO HO. In fetching cutlery out
of the drawers, firstly I ended up with what seemed to be orange
marmalade or apricot jam up my arm. I wasn’t going to lick it to
see, and yes lurking knife number 2 got me as well. The large one
covered in engine oil or something. More unacceptable than expected,
had to be binned because of that one. Well done. My turn to get you
next.
Lynne
Tuesday
11th February
F.M.N,
Lilith, Elton, Midama, Gtr M/cr, 2 * B.W
Rain,
rain, rain,. Luckily Chris has completely solved the problem of the
leak on the chimney/ cabin roof # not a drop of water. Spent the
early evening doing some cleaning and polishing whilst listening to
the Estonia v Scotland football match on the radio~ the cleaning was
by far the more interesting occupation.
A
quiet night. No one would have been mad enough to be out on a night
like this~ ok, Chris came round at about 10pm to clock the boats!
The
only winged beasty in the piles treatment was that f*****g alarm at
the mill, which went off twice. Surely we should be provided with ear
protection or else the WCBT will be sued for loss of hearing!
The
rain seems even heavyer this morning and there is much lapping and
gurgling of water under the counter, so the wind must be up as well.
Ok well, must get moving as I have a bus ticket relay to perform.
See
you all Saturday Colin
Thursday
13th February
Well
I got here late and missed Chris ( who was here at 6 o’clock to
meet me sorry!), so I guess It’s pretty much my own fault, but I
had a right time of it tonight - last night by now, but here it is
for amusement of seasoned boaties.
I
picked the keys up from Midama about half past eight, ( childcare -
don’t you love it ), and was thinking of stopping on Lilith, as I’d
not been on Forget Me Not before, and didn’t know if I was up to
sussing the whole thing out. It would have been easy if I’d noticed
the ‘Guide to staying on Forget Me Not ‘, in the big envelope
with ‘Connor’ written on it, that was on the side bench in
Lilith, but no, I was too busy hunting for a light, and two or three
trips between the boats I finally got a torch and a bit later the
matches. So after getting the lights going, ( and then getting
paraffin to fill up F.M.Ns’ hurricane lamp ) I had time to admire
the beauty and neatness of the cabin. I guess Lilith is on her way to
this but for me it’s a joy to check mout all the little cupboards
and hatches and playing spot the wasted space.
So
then everything was sound!, got the fire going, brewed up and
listened to the end of the last of Mark Radcliffe Thursday night (
with the wonderful divine comedy). Not a lot else to do but de-stress
and read the exploits of Captain Slog (I did decide to keep entries
shorter though, so I’ll stop here. A lovely night ), Late though
and whats the siren about ?
Friday
14th February
Straight
outta dreamsville! Hello + knock on the door from Tom. Him, Chris and
Bill were down to start work and I was still abed. When I finally got
my act together I got round to trying to make a brew , but the gas
rings in Lilith are now inspectored out, so Chris advised us to try
the paraffin - double wick - thingy; I did, and it eventually got the
kettle to boil, by which point I’d had enough to make sandwiches
and grapes to wake up. Sat and had a brew with Tom, who was fitting
wood, gunge and red sedant/ paint in Lilith.
Then
a trip with the barrow to C.P.S and back, and a quick emptying out of
half sacks of wood to clear the back of the hold. There’s lots of
matches now on Forget Me Not; ( from Tom ); and when Chris came back
with some trees to plant, we went for a quick brew ( which entailed
getting the primus out and going, I’d never used one before and sad
trainspotter that I am was quite excited to be doing so. And we also
found where the missing Tilley starter was - in the biscuit tin, ( I
think it’s now on Elton ).
Planting
the trees ( mostly Elder ); was excellent, sun still out and warm,
the easiest soil to dig in and finished in time to walk back in the
light. Beats chocolate hearts any Valentines day of the week.
Then
it was a quick lesson on starting the engine:( and a quicker one on
how to stop it ), to change the battery, and Chris was away. So I’ve
been at my own devices for the last 4 hours; ( time flies here, I’ve
had leek and bean casserole with baked potato, Black sheep ale (
gorgeous! , and I’m now halfway through a waggle dance. So if the
boats rocking.....
It’s
environmentally aware radio clockwork tonight, which is brilliant!, I
do love it, but when you’re in the middle of something and it goes
off in the most dramatic point of ‘The Archers’, I’ll tell you
It’s skin your knuckles time.
Now
though It’s the essential selection and the essential contradiction
of why Techno and Housey groups sound best in an almost electric free
zone, with paraffin lamps and a woodstove! I’m not bothered, I’m
happy to enjoy and probably crash soon . No hassle to report, all the
kids’ll be off at the local clubs tonight, no doubt, It’s a
clear, starry half mooned night, I’m glad to be here. Goodnight
Conor
Sunday
16th February
Help!
I’ve got 10 minutes to get to the station - and I want to write it
all down. But Saturday was good, a mellow walk by the canal, Gtr Mc/r
being parked up and Chris and Marilyn brought round some tea aah!.
And then today I got to take F.M.N up to the first lock and back.
Brilliant! I’ve had an ace time, love and thanks to all concerned,
and I promise to empty that compost toilet next time - swear
Monday
17th February
Eltons’
pump not working , back in a bit!
Chris
arrived as I was working out what to do and tried F.M.Ns’ batteries
to pump Elton out - It’s a good job he did actually, I didn’t
realise Elton took on water so fast. Another leak revealed Itself
near the stern during the process, which Chris plugged with clay.
Well
so much for the excitement.... Back to tidying the cabin!
Tuesday
18th February Lynne and Colin.
Boats
in basin: F.M.N, Elton, Lilith, Midama, Gtr M/cr and 2*B.W
A
pleasant but breezy evening. Didn’t see a soul about - they breed
‘em nesh in Ashton. We looked for the comet with no luck. F.M.N was
quite bad shape. Most things were in their places, including a pile
of washing up which Colin says was also there when he stayed a week
ago. So I’ve embarked on a rationalisation plan ( again ). All bar
4 large plates, 4 small plates, 4 small bowls and 5 mugs ( with
handles ), have been removed to Lilith. There are not usually more
than 4 people to use crockery at once. Wash up after yourself, rather
than bringing in extra from another boat. If extra has appeared
remove it to another boat. This leaves room in the cupboard for food.
Also, if you check that the bowls etc, stack together well, then they
won’t lurch all over the cupboard when the boat is moving. Thanks
for the amber incense beneficent one.
Awoke
to storm force winds and damp wood for stove lighting. However,
mission finally accomplished and coffee for Lynne at last. Sounds of
honking geese in the early morning - and I mean serious honking.
Something must have been worrying them but too cold and wet to check
it out. Unbelievably Lynne appears to have slept through this.
Have
changed the covers on the mattress on the double and side beds, off
for a wash in hulme for the old ones, same with pillow cases.
Would
whoever borrowed all the little torches, lease bring them back. One
should always be hanging just inside the door of Lilith so that it is
possible to find the keys for F.M.N without the barking of shins,
bumps on the head, and general foul language that results.
Colin
Who
are you calling an old one? Bumps to you too. This P.s is to point
out that the much vaunted free curry powder ( see Chris’ entry
29/01/97 ), has been in Liliths’ larder cupboard since before that
date, as it was silly having it take up room in F.M.Ns’ bijou
table cupboard.
Note
on torches.
Sorry
there were no working torches that night. One of the wall ones has
broken. I replaced the batteries in the other but some clever clogs
left it turned on and flattened the new batteries. I bought re-char
gables which were getting their ritual charge yesterday. This should
be back in It’s proper place tonight, as long as I remember to take
it out of my coat pocket, I probably will as I’ve just remembered
I’m staying here tonight.
The
batteries were also flat on the large torch yesterday. They’re now
being recharged. Several weeks ago I bought a good old fashioned
rubber cased torch on Oldham flea market. I left it at Marilyns house
and she hid it in the proper place for torches, I eventually found it
whilst looking for something else that she’d hidden. When I’ve
bought some batteries for that it will help solve the torch shortage.
Please,
everyone. Take jar of curry powder home with you wherever it is.
Thanks
for changing the covers Lynne. They needed it, wonderful tea towels
too. Has anyone seen my clockwork radio?
Found
it! And Nicks binoculars.
I’m
working on new operation manual for Forget Me Not, Which should make
things easier for new people, except those who don’t read
instructions on principle
Friday
21st February
Arrived
at about 6.30 great to be down on the boats - haven’t been down for
ages.
Chris
seems to be a bit ‘Pissed’ at people poking fun at Elton, so I’ve
stuck a Comic relief nose on it to cheer it up a bit. Also thinking
of starting an ‘I love Elton’ campaign!!! Have enclosed leaflet
telling you about Red nose as apparently it can be dangerous if used
wrongly!
Well
I’m going to finish the last of the membership mail as I have an
early night
Got
to sleep about 10pm. Bloody alarm at mill woke me in night. My alarm
went off at 6.45, looks like it’s going to be a nice day. New pump
on Elton seems to be working a lot?
Well
must finish cleaning up - off to look at office furniture at 9am. The
boat is really clean and tidy and everything is in its’ place -
thanks to whoever is working hard to keep it like this - a pleasure
to stay on the boat. Bye for now
Nick
Forgot
to mention, engine ok again, but water intake moved. Can you all
start taking the piss out of ‘ Elton’. I don’t think I could
afford an ‘I love Elton campaign.
Chris
Tuesday
25th February
Boats
in basin: F.M.N, Lilith, Elton, Midama, Gtr Mcr, 2 * B.W
It’s
somewhere between 10.30 and 11.30 pm and I’ve just seen a man
dancing in the car park outside the gates. An amazing site -
something between a ‘Pas de deux’ and a clog dance.
Of
course the singing was unintelligible. His friend, quickly tired of
the event, got back into the red car. They are still there as I
write.
I
have the hatch wide open, the stars are looking in on me. I believe
winter to now be over early, as my arms are bare in my silk camisole
and my feet over - warm in my wool M & S Wellington boot Arran
socks.
From
chopping wind and lashing rain earlier this evening, that chimney
drip has restarted and presently serves to stop rice getting over dry
in the pan - a tantalising breeze now brings the sound of the Tame to
my ears, as Orion stands tall behind the Junction Mill.
Another
sign of spring perhaps - earlier this evening I was doing the washing
up, using the bowl on the back step. Mesmerised by the sound of water
lapping under the counter as I worked, I began to sense a series of
words as I brushed the steel scourer round and round the bottom of
the saucepan. What could they be? Fascinated, I moved the steel
scourer more meaningfully and soon, I repeated the words to myself
and found the meaning clear - there in the centre ‘ SWAN ’, writ
twice. Perhaps George will soon return with a new mate.
The
mattress in the cross bed had a big wet patch - perhaps your special
heater leaks VW? . Oh where, oh where, is the cafetierre and the
poker.
Friday
28th February
A
wonderfully peaceful night, with more stars than you could paint, and
the first I hope of many. I write too soon of a quiet night. That I
assume is the factory alarm . Sounded shortly about midnight.
Sunday
2nd March
Recycling
trip - Lynne, Dave, Chris, Wassyl, Alan and myself. Clear but cold
and windy, A good trip down with no major problems, left Lilith with
Elton. Just getting lunch underway while everyone off foraging.
Monday
3rd March
After
the above was written, ‘ Forget Me Not ’s prop shaft coupling
came apart and she had to be bow hauled back. Bill took the battery
box off to get proper access to the problem.
So
please don’t start the engine as everything a bit barearsed, I
don’t know how long it will take to get fixed.
Chris.
Tuesday
4th March
Boats
in basin, F.M.N, Lilith, Elton, Midama, Gtr M/cr, Termite and
Pennine.
I’d
forgotten how peaceful it could be here. For the last few months my
visits have coincided with either storm force winds or rain which has
fallen in such volume that small dogs have been afeared to leave
their kennels. Tonight, however , I have rediscovered the mirror like
quality of the cut when not a ripple mars it’s surface. The
reflection of the stone bridge is truly remarkable - hence my remark
upon it.
It
seems that I am also safe from the shattering scream of the Junction
Mill alarm. Now that most of the outbuildings have been demolished,
it seems that they are not bothering to set the outside sensor which
covers the immediate surroundings. Thus the cat can wander in peace
and the earplugs can be consigned to the back of the cupboard.
Tut
tut Chris. You must Challenge this tendency to accept the stereotype.
It was I , not Lynne, who washed the bedding and towels, and if a
battery needed changing in the night, or a pump primed, - it would be
more likely Lynne than I who rose to the challenge.
Thanks
to Nick for the Comic Relief warnings, although if Elton were tested
to 80 mph, the loss of a red nose would probably be the least of my
worries. The bit about taking care when hand washing the vehicle was
, however, valuable advice indeed.
Live
long and prosper
Colin
Wednesday
5th March
If
you believe like
That
you are what you eat
Then
why on this earth
Do
you eat meat.
It’s
a modern misconception
You
need it to live
And
that’s true of the milk
And
the eggs and the fish
Think
for one moment
What’s
contained in that flesh
It’s
not wholesome, nor healthy
Especially
when not fresh
For
when an animal is killed
Be
it sheep, pig or cow
It
dies screaming and frightened
But
we don’t think of that now
We
just eat up our meat
Sometimes
leave all the meat
And
our parents approve
And
of course they know
See,
some people say
Meats
a protein thing
And
you can’t get nowt
From
carrots or greens
But
with me that don’t
It
Just another excuse
To
avoid mans own
His
guilt and the truth
For
then comes the illness(?)
The
illness, beware
That
spreads through
Like
bacteria in cheer
Salmonella,
Lysteria a cholesterol heart
When
you over indulge in beans
You
just fart
So
after all the debate
And
scientific report
I’m
left feeling hungry
For
the real food for thought
Fruit
and veg, beans and pulses
I’ll
eat off the land
And
the animals can return
To
what nature had planned
Just
remember man’s big enough
To
stand on his own feet
But
that’s not for all creatures
So
please don’t eat meat
One
very important point my poem doesn’t mention is poor land
management. Rearing animals for human food and use ( ABUSE ) is far
far less efficient than growing food for humans. I know some people
enjoy eating animals but then some people enjoy weird sexual
practices. ? Upon consenting victims and some really enjoy shooting
guns at others but I don’t believe any of us would accept the
argument ? Pleasure as justification for that worst of ?. So why
then for this? Why allow millions go hungry and many die, while ? And
waste the land growing unwanted food.
Some
of you are probably wondering why I chose to / / on the boats log,
well I’ve noticed more and more animal products working their way
onto the boats, ( eggs, milk, Campbell's meat balls etc ), and
periodically for quite some time now. The sight and smell of cows
milk offends me severely as the dairy industry is particularly
disgusting and barbaric and it was in fact this that caused me to
adopt a vegetarian ( pure vegetarian not lactose vegetarian ), diet
and not the meat.
Some
will now think I’m trying to tell everybody what to do and how to
be, well I am, you don’t need it to live on and just because you
like it , really really enjoy it even, that’s not sufficient reason
for contributing towards the mass suffering and sometimes
horrifically painful death of millions of animals, ( that includes
humans ).
This is 1997 it’s nearly the 21st century for crying out loud and
we claim to be civilised and intelligent and environmentally
conscious and yet we behave as we have for thousands of years and for
the right of world greed we allow the world around us to suffer.
To
end on boats!
If
you float on a boat
Then
please take note
There’s
a saying that you might want to hear
It
wont take very long
It’s
not right and It’s not wrong
It’s
just my way of wishing you good cheer
Be
it a working boat or paddy
Gleaming
bright or dull and shoddy
Or
the type that you can even take to sea.
Stop
and listen for a while
As
I tell you with a smile
To
remember to live long and float free.
Adrian
Friday
7th March
MEAT
EATERS RULE OK
I
thought the log book was to report incidents, etc on the boat, not to
act as a soap box at speakers corner!. Personally I have nothing
against vegetarians and I do not pass comment on what they do or do
not eat.
I
get really annoyed when people ( as you state ) try to tell people
what to do. I do not complain when I come down to the boat and have
to dig my way through beans & lentils and jars of strange
concoctions to find my tin of corned beef, I wade through gallons of
milk free milk to find my real milk. I thought we were all meant to
live and work together, and surely that means a little give and take,
not forcing any opinions and views on other people .
On
the whole, the meat eaters within the group tend to buy & cater
for the vegetarians / Vegans e.g. stews for meetings trips etc, we
are not forcing the veggies / vegans to eat meat etc, so please do
try to force your views on us. This is not a personal have a go at
you Adrian, but at what you have you have written. Can I suggest that
we all think before writing in the book, and if we think it will
offend and upset DON’T WRITE IT IN.
This
is meant to be a ‘nice’ book, I enjoy reading it I’d hate to
see it turn into a slanging match.
Anyway
off my soap box, nuff said
A
nice quiet evening, ( so far ), Gtr Mcr, F.M.N, Elton, Lilith,
Midama, B.W, lots of fencing, 3 Picnic benches, Chris’ trailer &
museum still here. Chilling out after a hectic couple of weeks It’s
great to arrive stressed up and half an hour later relaxed again.
Thanx to whoever for leaving fire in & kettle boiled. Well I’m
going to settle down with a good book and a few G & T’s. Bye
for now.
Chris
called at 11.15 pm to check on Elton. Apparently she’s been rather
ill this week, drinking too much water and threatening to sink
herself.
Tongue
in cheek:- I think we should all have same sex relationships to cut
down the population and stop world suffering! ( and perhaps I might
get a few more offers !!!) ( any offers )
Nick
Saturday
8th March
An
absolutely gorgeous morning, a clear blue sky, The canal like glass,
the birds are slimming & the sun is shining. Well I feel brill,
off home to do some spring cleaning.
Nick
8th
March ( cont. )
Arrived
around 8.45, met Chris and learnt a bit about the project. Fine night
on Forget Me Not, Lucy missed out on a pleasant evening, plenty of
food and a relaxed time enjoyed both by passengers and passer bye's.
No hassle, range lit first time, although the boiling of the kettle
left a lot to be desired, “ Oh Caffeine at last ”, well I’m
sure we will be back, hope to meet others in the future. It’s a dry
calm day in Ashton.
Chris
and Mike
Ps
Where’s the bog....
Tuesday
11th March
Boats
present, usual suspects minus Pennine, Midama slightly round the
bend.
I
usually start with the well worn phrase ‘ A peaceful evening’,
and last night was no exception. However at 2.45am we were awoken by
two youths coming in through the cabin doors of F.M.N . A quick roar
from me and the back one took fright and made for a rapid escape over
the gate. The other one was slower to leave but finally made it over
the gate also.
Lynne
observed this from the open hatch - no attempt was made to stop them
leaving as we were a little underdressed for a winters night. We
decided to give ourselves the hassle of phoning the police, when they
went on the other side of the towpath and started lobbing bricks at
us. Lynne kept shining the torch at them which made them duck and
managed to get a better look at them, one had dark trousers, a
tricolour jacket including yellow and purple and sandy hair with fair
skin. He was solidly built with a roundish face and swaggered. The
other one had light trousers with a dark jacket and had dark hair and
fair skin, he had a narrower face and build and, when they finally
moved off , seemed to have developed a limp!
Following
a second call to the police and a moment or two to get the stove
going, the police arrived about 10 to 12 minutes after the youths had
given up and walked off to Guide Bridge. The police took down the
details whilst we reattached F.M.Ns box line which had been undone.
What
was most worrying was that they had managed to scale the fence, climb
over the bow ends of Lilith, Elton, and F.M.N, undo the line, come to
the stern of F.M.N all without us hearing anything. Also, we had to
wait 25 minutes for the police to arrive, if they had come sooner
they would have a chance of catching them as they were throwing rocks
for a good 10 minutes - and the Guide Bridge exit is over half a mile
down the towpath.
We
then saw a fox, running on the towpath behind the aqueduct bridge and
the wall between the two bridges. It went into the wood on the bank
of the Tame and seconds later came the cry of another creature . Next
day I slept again, after we returned to bed between 4.30 and 5 am,
Colin got up at first light and I saw him sitting on the fire box,
reading the new boat building file, in sunlight.
About
a previous entry - I strongly object to people interfering with what
others have written - it amounts to an invasion of private space, a
kind of harassment, as tho ‘ someone had broken into your home and
shat in the room - log entries should be left as finally composed by
the writer, not interfered with by others. There’s plenty of room
and usually time to refer back to previous entries and make rely in
your page / s of the book.
Have
rationalised the bijou food cupboard once again - unopened and ‘use
once’ type packages are in Liliths larder cupboard, together with a
range of pulses and spices. Open packages , spreads and sauces are in
F.M.N, veg is in F.M.Ns stern cupboard. It is now once again possible
to reach / use both the breadboard and the mobile phone. There is
only room in F.M.N for stuff that will be used, not stored.
Thanks
Lynne
Ps
I sent some very small children up the chimney of F.M.N on Tues
evening and so it is the proverbial whistle. Hope this makes fire
lighting easier.
Colin
Thursday
13th March
At
2 am, I was woken by unidentifiable noise outside. I leapt out of bed
and emerged from the hatch armed with a pickaxe handle, to find only
waking ducks.
Chris
Ps
Lilith going on dock at Guide Bridge this evening.
15th March
Filled
coal box with wood and moved toilet and m into Eltons’ back cabin.
Plenty more firewood in F.M.Ns hold, Can’t find any bog roll - ? ?
?
Usually
crowded with the stuff.
Room
Service.
Monday
17th March
Quiet
Night
Nick
X
Please
note from 1st April there will be a work book with log book.
Please
log any work/sleep overs etc, you do also work for the society off
the boat, if we get grant we can ?? With voluntary hours also time
counts as working parties - no time in book = no parties
Cheers
Nick
Ps
called back to pick something up and have lit range for whoever is on
tonight.
Tuesday
18th March Lynne and Colin
F.M.N,
Elton, Gtr Mcr ( breasted to ours ), Midama, Termite
With
refurbishment to the mill gathering pace, the Hudd’s Canal Soc boat
has been moved to our side of the fence. If rock throwing burglars -
vandals re-aim we’ll hear the steal boat ring a warning! Found the
torch batteries were run down, so have put the rechargeable in the
little top cupboard, across the stern from the ticket drawers. Have
bought a set of Duracell, as there was no way we were going to do
without a beam of light, after last week.
I
am very thankful that Colin has come here too, as I was due to stay
on my own, and have not generally got a spare fiver to loan stuff.
Also bought wash - up liquid, sponges and pan cleaners. These are in
the monkey box. Found that someone had left their washing up here -
were astounded to discover that one item was a polystyrene shrink -
wrapped ( empty ), rump steak container! Not only is someone with
access to the boats taking no account of other boat - sitters wholly
sensible views, they are being actively offensive by leaving meat
containers here and causing health risks to themselves and others by
not cleaning and clearing after themselves. Words now fail me.
A
peaceful night. No burglars or even towpath walkers. It was on the
way to nasty weather, perhaps I’ll be happy to stay here alone
again soon.
Oh-
I’ve lost an ear ring - it might be here - It’s a green plastic
drop earring with gold rim. Quite nice, please put in the electric
store cupboard if found TA.
Wednesday
19th March
Lynne
looked for your earring didn’t see it, having read through the log
we are terribly boring. Nothing happened, only peace, quiet and more
peace with visits from ducks, swans, and cheerful birds singing all
night.
Thursday
20th March ALL PLEASE
READ
Firstly
can I ask, when and where was it agreed that time spent minding the
boat counts towards work parties?
As
far as I was last aware, before any idea or condition became
effective, it has to be agreed on, at an official meeting and as I
was at the last meeting I can confirm that this suggestion was not
even talked about, let alone agreed upon. So I must correct a
previous entry and state that at the moment, time spent boat sitting
does not count towards works parties until agreed on at the
appropriate meeting. I’m not saying here that it should or
shouldn’t, all I’m saying is that the society is an organisation
, which has defined codes of practice, one of them being that
proposed motions are passed by a majority at official meetings and
not by a few individuals discussing it amongst themselves.
So
time spent on boats does
not
count towards voluntary work ( yet! )
This
will be discussed at the next meeting.
Sunday
23rd March Marilyn
Oh
dear! I haven’t been here for a while. Hasn’t this book got
controversial.
There’s
veggie / non veggie and don’t interfere with my entries (ENTRIES
not ENTRAILS ),
And
Vivienne wants some land ( see 23.2.97
) . Also I certainly hope it wasn’t Viviennes’ special heater
which wet the bed. ( If it is we’ll have to get him an alarm ).
Now
perhaps I can shed some light - the cafetiere which was commented
upon.
I’ve
made some discreet enquiries and apparently this belongs ( personally
) to Nick. He’d just left it on the boat for a bit.
The
issue of working parties and sleep overs. This was discussed at the
last WCBS Management meeting. I Haven’t had the minutes yet, but
there was some sort of decision made at this time, can’t ?? the
details. We must remember that the WCBS has an interim
council of management which is meeting on a monthly basis to
make decisions on our behalf.
Anyway
it will be important to record your sleepovers and the hours worked
after 01/04/97.
When
we apply for grants etc, some bodies will want to know no’s and
voluntary hours put in. Also, hours have a monetary value and can
count as a donation and some bodies will / may give money based on
this.
Next
- Can’t help noticing that the personal alarm/torch which, I put on
the boat is missing.
Anyone
seen it?
As
for weird sexual practices - I’m intrigued - answers on a postcard
please. 1st prize is a rubber suit.
Seriously
- I don’t think that wading through kidney beans is shocking to a
meat eater as sausages are to veggie, ( although sitting next to
someone who’s been eating the beans can be somewhat distressing ).
I
think we need to look calmly and compassionately at the veggie / non
veggie issue and try to be objective .
Anyway
- I’m off now. The boats still floating and all’s well.
Marilyn
Ps
sorry if I’ve offended someone/everyone ..The cat still loves me.
Monday
24th March
I’ve
been working on the dock at Guide Bridge all week. The boats change
over and Forget Me Not goes on, Lilith will return.
Apologies
in advance for the ? By primitive ?
We
seem to be slipping into a period of ‘chaos’ ( See “The
Different Drum” on the bookshelf. This is OK and inevitable, my
concern is that people might leave because they feel that they don’t
fit in, please stick it out everyone we’re all human, we’re all
valuable and we’re all irritating to somebody.
Chris
Tuesday
25th March
About
7.15 on Tuesday morning, I have to leave to start work on ‘Lilith’
soon.
Lots
of tips on health on the radio. Please note, eating Watermelon
regularly will stop you getting Lung Cancer, 5 portions of fruit or
veg a day keeps the rest of us health, they didn’t mention meat !
Last
night was beautiful. A clear starry night, the comet Halle Bp hung
like a frozen firework in the Northern sky. I’m the south east a
full moon rose to illuminate the night.
I
hot up at 6am to buy the right soil, I’d just gone over to the
towpath side with my spade when that bloody police helicopter came
over and circled me! I stood still , innocently whistling to myself
until it buggered off to circle Dukinfield.
The
engine starting key room to be ?. You can turn the switch by
inserting the end of the engine room key or a pointy pair of
scissors.
Chris
Tuesday
25th March Lynne and Colin
Peaceful.
Water level dropped, moved F.M.N to Ashton CC on Weds. A struggle
see you later..
Sunday
6th April
7am
slipped Forget Me Not yesterday; now preparing for ? Recycling trip.
Important.
1)
Meths is now in bottom of food cupboard along with tilley lighters
and red meths squirter can, ( they could fall if left on shelf ).
2)
The only tilley currently working properly is the green army surplus
one. This MUST ONLY be primed by lifting the glass and
using meths squirter can to fill bong, DO NOT Rearrange
glass with broken part at bottom.
3)
Would whoever extinguished a hurricane lamp by turning down wick
please fish the wick out of the fuel bowl and re thread it ( An hour
or twos’ really frustrating work.
Please,
please only extinguish these lamps by blowing.
4) Some
kids got on Elton on Wednesday, the axe had been left out so they
used that and a caulking mallet to try to break in to Lilith. They
didn’t get in but we lost these tools. Please take care not to
leave such tools where they are accessible.
Chris
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