Monday, 27 May 2013

I'm not making this up...

...but I haven't found anything on the internet about it, although not a thorough look.

On Blackbird the other week, a guy came past, checking BW reg numbers & writing them down. I said hello and asked if he was the local warden, volunteer or otherwise - and no. He wasn't anything to do with BW/C&RT/This Week's Name, but had a printed spiral bound book listing boat numbers and names (none of the more interesting stuff that you largely get on Jim Shead's listing). I don't remember the title, but there was something on it about being 'published by spotters for spotters' - very much like to old ABC train spotters guides (I used to buy from jumble sales when a young boy, honest).

Now, I can't find any traces on the internet - must be a very select group of canal boat spotters. Anyone else heard of these books?

Whilst I'm on the subject, I did think it would be good to have John Else down as builder of Tortoise, so just over a year ago I wrote it on the renewal form, despite there being no slot for it. Checking today, it seems to have gone in as 'John Elf'. It's a start, I suppose.

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