Bialaddin Mk III bowl fire

Fantastic man-cave, Derek!

 

That does look cosy. I especially like the Guzzi. I can't quite make out which model, but it looks like an SP1000. I've been looking for one of those (in good condition) for a few years now.

 

....Really nice!...Although I think 'Shed' is a slight understatement ther.... ...
....Ah! Yes! Great Cabin!!...Nice control wheel and reversin lever .. ..(what eng u got????)
...Is She on the G.U. Mr. D..?
..St. Albans, another Herts lad ?

 

Great shed Derek sure would be difficult to leave at the end of the evening

 

Ah well, apologies for the off topic; the shed was a scratch built 12' x 12' square, shiplap clad on a 4" x 2" framework lined and insulated on a concrete slab I laid, with two inches of underfloor insulation topped with 18mm ply. Wood framed sliding windows all hand made. The Pechenard stood on slabs laid direct onto the concrete base for solidity. Fabricated the external flue and cowl too. I had my daughter help with steadying the first roof panel while I fixed it in situ, the rest was a one man job.



The Guzzi was a V50 III, with 308,000miles on the clock. It was my despatch bike for the last seven years of despatch riding before chucking it in (the job).



The boat, Middle Northwich TYCHO 1936. Shortened in 1942 by the Ministry of War (Transport) and fitted with ice breaking ram. Petter PD3M installed 1958. Owned that one for 13yrs, now resides at Brewood, Staffs. with its current owner.

I took this shot after I had the signwriting done, moored opposite where Dickinson's paper mill used to stand (now a housing estate).



All are gone now, as the shed was built as an escape from the F-in-Law with whom we lived. We have since moved.
The bike was sold five years ago, and the boat was too expensive to keep. Spent many happy hours with all of them.
PS - A Herts. lad, not quite. Middlesex, Wood Green N22, but lived in Herts. for decades - drove buses and Green Line out of Tring garage.

 

...Do like the lines on that Boat...Great history!..and love the Icebreaker!...
...Bet everyone moved over when they saw you bearing down on them ........Did you ever use it in anger?.....
...Have heard tales of woe regarding ice on hulls..

 

TYCHO's fore end was strengthened and overplated within. At work C1961/2:



. . . and with some enthusiastic rocking!
"We got her down to the engine room portholes!" A quote from one ex-Waterways man.

 

That is a rare photo Derek!..Great to have one of her working!!!.... I've heard tales of that winter....Brr!....
...ah. that must have been sad to let her go, but you had her for a good while though!....Great times. ..
...Did you ever get up to Chester?.....
....Middle Northwich?...(Middlewich?)..... do you know which yard?....wouldn't be Yarwoods?...

 

Yes, TYCHO was built by Yarwoods at Northwich. Got to Chester in '89, but not with TYCHO.

'Middle' Northwich refers to the size of the boat. Small, Middle & Large - not in width or length, but depth of hold from the base plate to gunnel. Those boats built by Harland & Wolff at their Woolwich yard for the GUCCC were always called 'Woolwich' (large & small), the Yarwoods boats 'Northwich'. There were only eight pairs built of the Middle variety, and only by Yarwoods, all of the 'motors' are extant, and most of the butties. TYCHO is the only one of the four motors to have kept the blade on the front, all the others were cut off, so she is quite unique in that respect.

http://hnbc.org.uk/boats/tycho

 

Oh boy have you got some stories to tell

Your good at writing about your experiences too Derek, similar in tone to your despatching blogs

 

I have a despatching blog? Ooo-er . .

Better not waffle on about the Zoo keeper period or tower crane driving then!

Sometimes I wonder how I managed to do all this stuff, as my current and long time expertise is just gazing out the window. If I don't write somewhere it'll be lost. Not that anyone's looking for it!!

 

Wah