Beautiful Lancashire

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by wanderering walter

he has written many books on the subject, I contacted the Duchy office who made referance to the book The Duchy of Lancaster, London, 1946, ( knew I was right ) I asked them for info on the book, the real one, and how I could see /buy a copy, will let you know the result.

PS bet you think that I AM BORING, WELL AT OUR AGE NOTHING MUCH EXCITES ME/US, SPEAK FOR YOURSELF, I AM, anyway that PNE/West Ham finished 3/2, a young Howard Kendal made his debut then

Not in the least Walter, anything but boring. You have good knowledge on highly interesting issues. I rather think some of the younger members on TD will be quite surprised and appreciative with some of the information and anecdotes you have supplied.

The case at Preston Magistrates court was a classic.

This issue you have now got your teeth into regarding the Duchy of Lancaster, {Author Sir Robert Somerville} is priceless.

I'm not just interested in the outcome of your search and general inquiries, them buggers in the Duchy office are going to be scratching their heads and wondering who the 'bloody hell' you are.

This is creative, it's ruffling feathers, its putting jam on the scones.

Keep at 'em Walter.

Are you in the UK at present Walter or over in LOS?

I really appreciate this input on the thread, and Flobo is reading your every word.

It's brilliant stuff.

I don't know how to send 'greens' but I'm going to find out and there will be one coming your way.

I rather think there will be one or two more at least on here of similar mind.

[Mathos]

wanderering walter

My dad played for P.N.E in the 30s, in the reserve team, he was at the end of his career by then, he played in goal for Dundee United back in the 20s, then Cowdenbeth, Luton Town and Chorley, finally in the reserves at Preston, He was one of a pair of 99% identical twins , his brother also played football, they would frequently swap positions and clubs just to annoy the ref etc until they got caught and got a real bollicking! his name was Chick McIntosh, I remember years ago my friend and I were at my parents house , we left the room were my dad was watching TV ,as we opened the front door there was my dad!!! my mate Colin was stunned, he said Chick how the hell did you get there? he went back to the room and there was Chick watching TV, Christ theres two of em, my uncle had a habit of visiting un-announced,
Wnen my dad died in 1981 he was cremated at Preston Crem, whilst waiting outsde my uncle arrived to the consternation of the gathering, he still looked like Chick with the result that a women fainted thinking he had returned from the dead,

Briiliant Walter and the info regarding your late dad's football career and antics is fantastic.

[wanderering walter]

Hi Mathos I live permanately in Chiang Mai now, went back to UK recently bought a Trials Bike, I am going to ride Trials in local events, at 65 I must be bloody mad!!
I just want to make a defining comment on the Duchy theme just in case the point has been missed

If it is true about the Duchy and the legalities the following applies

ANY LAW PASSED BY PARLIAMENT IS NOT RECOGNISED WITHIN THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER AND THAT INCLUDES CROWN LANDS ( they technically still belong to the monarch thats why they are called Crown Lands not Government lands) AND THE DUCHY OF CORNWALL ( part of Lancaster),
So you can understand the implication of all this!!! it would take a lot of money and effort to get a ruling on it, best not give out my address might get Special Branch kicking my door in one night!!

ps anyone else apart fron Mathos reading this, if so make a comment

[wanderering walter]

Hi again, the previous defining comment was aimed at others who might have read the Duchy thing, not you, do you think anyone else reads this??
I bought a 2 bed bungalow in Chiang Mai for 21,000 GBP ,its on a secure estate one of the Koolpuntville type, I think that there are 14 similar developments in the area,
I have just purchased 3 rai in Hang Dong (Chiang Mai) where I am going to build a house and lake and grow some fruit and veg (3 rai is 1,2 acres)
Plus 6 rai in Lamphun (15 mins from Hang Dong) were I hope to grow speciality veg such as Heirloom tomatoes, honeydew melons ,Yellow lemons, Brit Cucumbers etc, it was 4500 GBP for 2 acres, a lot cheaper than Hang Dong which is cheaper than Chiang Mai, Land in the sticks can be reasonable but in the cities can be expensive, however you can build on them (with permission) and do not attract the silly UK prices like 1.000.000 GBP per acre with building permission,
I like it here, keep your gob shut and ears open and be very wary of some Thais, you will do OK,
When I turned 65 in March I applied for my state pension, got a nice surprise, 150 quid a week, you can live well on that here even now!!

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by wanderering walter

Hi again, the previous defining comment was aimed at others who might have read the Duchy thing, not you, do you think anyone else reads this??
I bought a 2 bed bungalow in Chiang Mai for 21,000 GBP ,its on a secure estate one of the Koolpuntville type, I think that there are 14 similar developments in the area,
I have just purchased 3 rai in Hang Dong (Chiang Mai) where I am going to build a house and lake and grow some fruit and veg (3 rai is 1,2 acres)
Plus 6 rai in Lamphun (15 mins from Hang Dong) were I hope to grow speciality veg such as Heirloom tomatoes, honeydew melons ,Yellow lemons, Brit Cucumbers etc, it was 4500 GBP for 2 acres, a lot cheaper than Hang Dong which is cheaper than Chiang Mai, Land in the sticks can be reasonable but in the cities can be expensive, however you can build on them (with permission) and do not attract the silly UK prices like 1.000.000 GBP per acre with building permission,
I like it here, keep your gob shut and ears open and be very wary of some Thais, you will do OK,
When I turned 65 in March I applied for my state pension, got a nice surprise, 150 quid a week, you can live well on that here even now!!

Walter, you are priceless mate. Brilliant stuff every time you put a post on.
Thanks for the information, and I can see you have got a real bargain with a two bedroomed bungalow for £21,000..00.

It's amazing, a holiday caravan in the UK would cost you more than that.

There are residential caravans on site around here at present price tagged up at £149,000..00.

The land deals in Hang Dong and Lamphun sound spectacular deals.

Every credit to you Walter.

Your £150..00 pension each week is a brilliant bonus too. I'm chuffed for you mate and Flobo is as well.

We were in Chiang Mai in the earlier part of the year, we like it there. We mainly used it as a base for a great deal of our northern travelling. It saved dragging every bit of luggage round with us, and we were certain of a bed if we were in decent proximity to town.

Viangbua Mansions, you can Google it. We had a nice little apartment for Baht12,000. for a full month. There was a small additional charge for electricity but we used very little.

Sponsored Link

Viangbua Mansion
www.viangbua.chiangmai-online.com Newest Top Quality Serviced Rooms in Chiangmai. Wireless Internet.



They have a decent range of apartments but only the small ones available for when we required the same. Excellent place, highly recommended by ourselves.

There is a really good market at Chang Phuak too. Photograph below.

A brilliant young lass on the newspaper and magazine stall too, she saved me the Bangkok Post or Nation every day without fail, even when I didn't go for it, due to being out of town. I enjoy reading those newspapers when I'm in LOS, so does Flobo.

The juice makers, they were great, superb juice. Everything was good.

I have a decent watch, Flobo and myself have a matching his and hers, we celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary with them in 1991.

I broke the glass on it and damaged the same about November last year,
They quoted me over £200..00 to put it right at the local agents here in the UK.

I had it repaired at one of the watch booths on Sukhumvit in Bangkok. Had Flobo's serviced and new battery at same time. It cost me Baht1500 for that, including new batteries for both watches.

Then Flobo's packed in while we were in Chiang Mai. This guy in the market, repaired it, put a new part in it and gave me a bill for 70baht. I gave him a hundred, he followed me with the change.








They were certainly spending some money on the moats in Chiang Mai, we hope they look as good as they intend them too when all the work is completed. They should do.

Rather unique, moats of this nature. 10/10 to the Town Council for caring about them.



We first visited the town of Chiang Mai in 1988. It seemed so small in those days.

It wasn't like it is now, more sleepy and everybody went to bed at nine o'clock.



Amazing how places change.

The Chiang Mai sausages have grown in popularity, thats for sure.



There are modern buildings now with service standards second to none.

In the old days, The Pornping was probably the most modern place in town. It used to advertise as being the tallest building in Chiang Mai.

It was posh then as well. Bubbles Disco was a brilliant night but you had to keep the noise down when they let you out.

The streets were deserted at nine o'clock or so.

The moats didn't look anything like they do now either.





They sell some good fruit in town as well.

After being used to prices in The UK it's unreal.




There will be several people reading the posts you enter on here too Walter.

The thread has created a bit of interest. I'm glad about that, in fact I'm quite chuffed. It's nice to know folk are reading what is entered and enjoying the photographs.

I'll keep it going as long as I can, it's obviously appreciated.

I should have been back out to Thailand and Burma end of July and August but the murderous Cyclone which hit Burma has put the shutters on that.

That was an awful event, a disastrous event on people who did not deserve to suffer like that and loose so many loved ones, they have enough problems.

Life can be so cruel at times.

I have quite a bit on with the boxing club for next season too. I made some heavy personal commitments and won't be able to get out to The Orient for the normal period of at least three months.

Maybe it will be down to a month, which is better than not at all, and if you can't change the things in life you would like to, then accept the alternatives with a smile, is my motto.


I'd better get back on Lancashire now Walter, Marmite will be going barmy when he sees this lot.

Have you ever been up Blackpool Tower?





The Windmill at Lytham St Annes has been a wonderful landmark for as long as I can recall.




Somebody wanted to convert it to a house many many years ago, they wouldn't let them.

I'm glad about that.

Some are converted which aren't in such prominent positions and that is fair enough.

[Mathos]

We made our way to the small but nice coastal town of Knott End On Sea.

The idea being to cross via The ferry to Fleetwood if there was a car Ferry available.


As it was, the tide was far too low for the ferry to operate.



Not much of a swim really, Flobo wasn't having that though.

This particular photograph looking north is the best I could do due to the cloud and mist in the locality.

It's pointing towards Scotland eventually, but the land mass you can just about make out in the photograph is Barrow In Furness.



Another view across the Wyre Estuary towards Fleetwood. (I think it's The Wyre) If I'm wrong Walter will be sorting me out, that is for sure.





Pleasant little place is Knot End there are some really nice small bungalows and senior citizens apartments overlooking the bay.

It appears to be catering for the more senior generation.

I should have taken some photographs of the actual town,
but didn't! Sorry, next time though.



There's a decent looking pub on the wharf, I rather think the last few remaining trawlermen in the vicinity probably keep it busy.

It' a few years I had a drink in there, it was a 'real man's pub'

You'd to bite the head off a conger eel before they'd serve you.




And eat it raw.

[Mathos]

Identification:
There are eight distinct species of Conger found in the Atlantic, but Conger oceanicus is the largest and most common. Specimens up to 250lbs have been taken by commercial fisherman although any fish caught on rod and line over 70lbs would be considered a specimen. The Conger has a scaleless skin and its upper jaw extends beyond its lower. Colouring very much depends on the type of seabed it inhabits. On rocks, the back is charcoal grey and the underparts are pale, but over sand the back is a light-grey brown. The margins of the dorsal and anal fins are black. The conger can normally be differentiated from another eel merely by its size. However, small fish can be identified by the dorsal fin beginning at the pectoral fins and running the length of its body. The dorsal fin on a silver eel begins well back from its pectoral fins.

Breeding:
The breeding cycle of the Conger is still something of a mystery due to the enormous distances that they will travel to spawn. It is thought that the Conger migrate to the Sargasso Sea in the sub-tropical Atlantic to breed, spawning at depths of 10,000 to 12,000 ft. The larvae are transparent and flattened, and drift at the surface for up to 2 years before reaching the shoreline where they become cylindrical. At this stage they are still transparent and about 3 inches long. The full colouring appears by the time the eel is 12 inches long.
Habitat:
Conger Eels favour very rough ground and inhabit deepwater wrecks, reefs and broken ground. In shallow waters Conger are mostly nocturnal feeders, but in depths of 60ft or more they feed at any time.
Food:
Conger are bottom feeders more than capable of catching live food. They will hole up in a wreck or rough ground and ambush lesser species. They will take fish baits, crab, cuttlefish and squid. The most popular bait is a mackerel 'flapper' produced by taking the whole fish and removing the backbone and tail, allowing the flanks and innards to flutter in the tide. If it is available, a whole live pout can prove deadly.
Range:
English Channel, North Sea, Irish Sea Additional Notes:
Conger eels have extremely sharp teeth and strong jaws. Hook lengths should be constructed of wire or heavy duty monofilament to avoid being bitten through. Conger stay alive for long periods out of water and great caution should be exercised when unhooking. Conger flesh is relatively tough but eating quality is fair if cooked properly, often as Conger steaks.


I thought the above information was quite interesting off The Internet.

Thinking today, this is one of those threads which could go on for a long time, if the interest is there from the readers of course.

Seasons alone change the photographic scenes tremendously, and there is so much to write on the county, it's unreal when you think about it realistically.

Tomorrow I have to travel to Whalley, Flobo suggested we carry on to Skipton. Now that is really in Yorkshire.

Beautiful place and well worth some photographs and a write up, especially if the market is on.? (Not on Tuesdays, Flobo just checked.. Monday, Wed. Thurs & Friday.. But we go tomorrow, )

Not really sad it will be a good day I'm sure.



So hopefully I can have another weeks posts on here from tomorrow, hope you don't mind a bit on the thread from different counties.


I still have plenty to put on from last weeks day out. Shard Bridge and more.

Then I thought of doing different towns in Lancashire and some photographs and write ups on the same.

I'm apparently turning this into a hobby and it's very interesting for me, hope you guys and gal's are enjoying the same too.

OK I've finished talking;.

Or whatever.

Shard Bridge and more to come through the week.





They get carried away around here on those Jet Skis at times. It can be quite a hive of activity at this point on a nice hot Saturday or Sunday or both.




You can see how high the water reaches by the marks on the bridge supports.

[Propagator]

Originally Posted by Mathos

Cheers Propagator, Flobo agrees with you. It's a nice looking tree in any event. Thanks Pal.

Tried to narrow that tree down a bit. The maples common latin name is aceraceae, and with the light foliage could be the acer rubrum or acer glabrum. However to be sure would have to see colour of foliage in Autumn and also flower and seeding.

It may confuse you to know that the sycamore tree is known as the European Maple, and the Plane tree in Scotland. The sycamore is acer pseudoplatanus.

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by Propagator

Tried to narrow that tree down a bit. The maples common latin name is aceraceae, and with the light foliage could be the acer rubrum or acer glabrum. However to be sure would have to see colour of foliage in Autumn and also flower and seeding.

It may confuse you to know that the sycamore tree is known as the European Maple, and the Plane tree in Scotland. The sycamore is acer pseudoplatanus.

Cheer again Propagator, yes, your right as well, I am getting more confused. Appreciate your concern and assistance though.

[sunsetter]

good stuff mate, cool pics

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by sunsetter

good stuff mate, cool pics

Thanks sunsetter, appreciated.

Nice day today in Lancashire and surrounding areas. Hottest day of the year so far. Then a right heavy downpour to follow it about 6.30pm.

I had to go into Chorley first thing this morning, so I took the camera it was really nice and sunny.

Nice photograph here of Botany bay. A little area on the canal, or it was a little area on the canal, it appears that everything doing business or building at times has associated itself with the name.

There's a Botany bay Shopping Mill, it's colossal. People have stalls inside on several floors. Somewhat akin to a giant indoor market. You have to pay a fee just to go in. Fancy that, paying an entrance fee to see if you will spend your money.

Actually people do, it's like a day out for them.

Then there's Puddletown Pirates at Botany Bay. A large entertainment and play centre for kids. They have birthday party venues and all sorts there.

Botany Bay Garden Centre..

There was a Botany Bay TV repair and second hand sales once upon a time.

Botany Bay Pubs, Wine Bars and Clubs.

Then there is the original canal attraction. They used to do cruises down the canal, many years back. Perhaps they still do, there are plenty of houseboats and other types on this particular stretch of water.

I think it was in the 60's they were going to do Canal Weddings, it didn't take off.

It looked good this morning though.



The Temple you can see in the next photograph is The Mormon Temple.

It is the second largest Mormon Temple in the world.

It has an accommodation centre, training facilities for missionaries, there are genealogy features (information regarding family history), and a Temple clothing distribution Centre.



I only learned a few years ago that this particular area of Lancashire had a very strong connection to the Mormon fraternity (Church of Latter Day Saints)

It appears that in excess of one hundred thousand converts emigrated to America from the locality during the period 1837 to the turn of the century.

At one time nearly half the population of Utah was British.

It also seems that The UK has the largest concentration of Mormons anywhere, outside of the United States.

This growth therefore provides compelling reasons for the large investment in the area by The Mormons.




Rumour has it, that one of the Osmond family is going to move into the area, they are big into the Mormon faith it seems.

Must be how they get the big smiles.

I thought it was because they could have several wives.

I took the following from the Reachout trust on The Internet, it amused me somewhat.


MORMONS ARE CHRISTIAN THOUGH.

Given the world's definition of 'Christian', people might be forgiven for thinking so. Certainly, the Mormon Church wants people to think so, but they are not. When he began the church, Joseph Smith said that Jesus had told him that all the churches were wrong and "that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight" (Joseph Smith - History 1:19). Christendom was perceived as "a perfect pack of nonsense" and Joseph was God's instrument in restoring the pure gospel corrupted by the churches. Today, the Mormon Church is trying to become accepted as another Christian denomination.
An article in The Times, 26 May 1995 was headlined "Mormons cry foul at ban by Christian soccer league." The Mormon football team from Gillingham, Kent was appealing to local soccer authorities against being refused entry to a church league. The organisers of the league claimed that Mormon beliefs were incompatible with Christianity, but the Mormon team claimed to be Christian. Which is interesting in the light of the comment by the team manager, "We were willing to take the chance that they might convert us." How could they be converted if they were already Christian?
Mormonism is counterfeit Christianity. They use Christian terminology, but this disguises the fact that their beliefs are really "another gospel", which Paul warned the Galatians about (Gal.1: 6-9).

[Mathos]

There's a nice few pubs in the area as well. This one is by the canal, a popular pub, especially in the summer.




I'll give you more of a write up on the areas we visited today, when I have completed last weeks little lot, but I thought it apt to let you have an insight as to our day.


This is the absolutely gorgeous little town of Clitheroe in Lancashire.

We climbed the castle to have a look around and took this photograph and several others, which I will show over the coming days.



Some of the country roads were special, they really looked magnificent and represented what England is all about, especially in summer-time.



A nice photograph here, you can see what a beautiful day it was



The old girl didn't seem up to taking her coat off though.

You can see the Castle in the background. It's not very big at all. Served it's purpose though.




I don't think it's possible to equal the general history of Britain anywhere on the planet.

Absolutely amazing.

Whilst there today, I was looking out to the fields around, it has a very commanding view over the land. I could just imagine Knights in armour carrying all that weaponry.

They must have rode Shire horses.?

[Mathos]

They are presently re-furbishing the museum section of the castle, it will not re-open until 2009.

They appear to be spending a fortune on the same.



You can get an idea from the photographs taken from the Castle how superb the view is.

The streets themselves are really quaint as well. All in all it's a gorgeous town.



There were several really nice pubs and small cafés or bistro's. I'll show more of the town at a later date.

[Mathos]

This was great as well.

Skipton. It's an absolutely beautiful town.

The Canal is really well managed and has quite a large community of;-

'Boat Residents'

I don't think living on a house boat would suit me, but there are many who find it a great way of life.



I have a photograph I took today of a new boat for sale. It amazed me. £58,000..00 and the chap I spoke to about the same when I was being nosy, said it was cheap.

I'll load it and show it next week or so.

{Don't tell anyone, but Skipton is in Yorkshire}

Another beautiful and interesting little spot.

Hebden Bridge.



It's known as the centre of The Pennines or The Pennine Centre.

It takes the name from the packhorse type bridge which crosses Hebden Water.

The town itself is steeped in history from the late medieval times especially.

It was a popular crossing and meeting point for the packhorse's and coaches which used the various routes from Halifax to Heponstall, Rochdale and Burnley.

The Calder Valley (Upper) has flourished with the textile trade for centuries. However, it was when steam power and advanced machinery came into being that Hebden Bridge grew, and it grew significantly.

Canals and Railways enhanced the business trade for the town (all the towns concerned of course).

The construction of buildings in these valleys is amazing, the have stood the tests of time on the valley sides for so many years, it is remarkable.

Manpower was needed, and need is the mother of all we need to prosper.
The Rochdale Canal has been restored, the town along with many others has been superbly cleaned and revitalised.

Hebden Bridge is a desirable place to live.
It also attracts many tourists.

[Happyman]

Obviously, mooring charges, insurance, is there a certificate of safety or good order required, you know, like an MOT or similar?

What about rates?

I notice fuel on sale by the canal was red diesel which doesn't attract the same levels of taxation.

Do they use a lot of fuel?


I'm assuming electricty is from a generator, or do they hook up to a supply?

Bottled gas for cooking ?

They all appear to have chimney's on as well, am I right in assuming they have a small log burner or coal burning fire inside?

I bet they are right cosy especially in winter, snow on the ground, ice on the water, and a nice log burning fire roaring away. I would assume they don't take a great deal to heat up as well.

Anything else which might be of interest or benefit if you would care to comment would be interesting too.

OK Here we go !

Gotta bear in mind that I have been "off the cut" for a while !
My daughter has sort of updated me but a bit vague as phone connection was crap !!!d

Boat MOT !
All boats on inland waterways have to be licensed
To get a license you must have an inspection approval cert MOT This covers safety ,gas, diesel, petrol stored on the boat . Electrical wiring must be correctly installed and earthed - dual systems especially ( 12 or 240 volt ) etc etc

Then you have to get the license from British waterways - cost is calculated in sq ft at the waterline - my 45 ft X 11 ft boat cost about 600 GBP a year then.

That done the next thing is moorings
Can be private ( at the end of someones garden) commercial ( in a marina ) towpath ( permanent BW mooring) or roving !
Private costs whatever the owner of the house wants
Commercial can be as much as 25 GBP a week
Towpath mine was 550 a year
Roving - free!- but you can only stay for 14 days - then you must move at least 2 lock pounds - so you can do that and come back in a fortnight !!
Rates are included in your BWB license fee.
Cooking is indeed bottled gas - (bottle stored outside the cabin)
Red diesel was 50% of garage price
Mine burnt 40 Gal a month- 1 Gal a day for the stove and some to run the engine
heating - wood ,coal or diesel stoves are the norm most with a back boiler for the hot water tank !!
Electricity - on a private or commercial mooring you can usually hook up to a 240 volt supply.
Otherwise you are on your own.
Have a couple of heavy duty batteries in the engine room and fully charged they will do the lights , TV etc for a few days.
Then you either take the boat for a run and recharge the batteries ( have to fit a high out put alternator as you have the domestic and the engine starter battery to charge up.Or have a generator- those 1Kw Honda things that you get at HomePro !!
Toilet can be an Elsan thing or a septic tank that you can get pumped out at most diesel stations .
Water ? usually have a 100 gallon tank in the bows that is ok for showers etc but otherwise bottled - same as here !

[Mathos]

Happyman.

Thanks very much for the excellent response.

I'm just turning in now. 10.37pm and I'm up early tomorrow.

That information is really appreciated though and I'll answer you before weekend.

Cheers.

[Happyman]

No problem I'm not going anywhere !

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by Happyman

No problem I'm not going anywhere !

Tomorrow Happyman, I got busy on The Kanchanaburi thread.

Best regards though and thanks again for the information, it's extremely interesting and thorough.

[Mathos]

Happyman,

I liked the bit about the wiring and storage of gas, petrol and diesel.

One thing about about doing it in the UK I like is the fact that legislation go’s a hell of a long way to ensuring personal safety, and the well being of others in a general manner so to speak.

It’s coming on quite strong with regard to selling a home now the legislation is about to be re-written and the Home Information Pack presently in it’s infantile days is going to go a long way in ensuring more detail and safety aspects are endorsed.

The Home Information Pack or HIP strictly came into force from December last year (2007). Every home on the market must have one, regardless of size. It brings together valuable information with regards to the property, eg A sales statement, local searches, evidence of title, planning application and approval or refusals. It has to include an Energy Performance Certificate giving advice on how best to reduce CO2 emissions and fuel bills.

The general feeling is that as time progresses it will list every single aspect of the home, and certificates will be required for Wiring, Gas, Garden Storage etc.

There are times of course when you might want to consider just how far legislation of this sort should go.

Is Britain too much of a ‘Nanny State’

Sometimes I think it is, other times, I respect the value of such laws for the general good and well being of mankind.

There are occasions though when some things I see are quite pathetic.

Presently I feel annoyed that there are so many of these murderous knife crimes in the UK and the Police appear to be doing sweet FA about the same.

You didn’t mention how much it might cost for one of these certificates of safety or if they ran for a twelve month period like an MOT Certificate.

Your costing of the various fees seems pretty accurate when thought about, I suppose one might be looking at an overall cost per annum of £5,000..00 to cover all the necessary bits and pieces.

I had a quick scan earlier on at some of these living boats for sale on The Internet.

There was some cheap stuff about, requiring engines or full refurbishments or they looked to have been cocked up for sale and roughly painted etc.

The real genuine sort appear to start at around the £20,000..00 mark for the older type and climbing up to a converted lighter barge at £250,000...00 .

The original steel barge was extremely old, about 1932.

That’s a big chunk of money for a boat.





One certain issue though, this particular stretch of canal in Skipton, along with the boats and built in character homes looked exceptionally beautiful.


This surprised me as well. Whenever I have noticed the name on any boat it is usually that of a woman.



The exceptions being Navy Warships etc. You wouldn't exactly name an Air Craft
Carrier Susan, would you?

Some of course are named after towns, which is fine, but I cannot think of any other houseboat or small sailing or motor boat I've seen named after a bloke, or given a blokes name.



Daft thing now is, I am looking for names on these boats, just my luck to find, Tom, Dick and Harry in the photographs I have taken.

[Mathos]

It crossed my mind, there might be a really good business opportunity to ship some of these older converted barges out to Thailand.

There's certainly enough in the way of Klongs to create decent mooring spots etc.

The Thai people also have a certain flair for making things look attractive as well.

I'd be a little worried regarding their electrical wiring capabilities, Christ, I once got a hell of an electric shock whilst taking a shower, lucky I am still here to be honest.

This was a nice section to walk along.



We were quite glad it wasn't a Market Day as well, it was busy in town, Market days in Skipton are total bedlam.



I'll put some more on of these particular localities at a later date.

I hope to do some on the Kanchanaburi and Bridge thread later on this evening.

Then when I get back onto this one, I was going to do a bit of a write up on the Fleetwood Fishing Trawlers.

It's really a question of stopping myself meandering.

Then there are those other threads to catch up on.

Mae Sot

Khao Lak

Cambodia

Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai and all that...

It's Marmites fault, he split them all up.