Observations, 3. Service stations.

Firstly I want to talk about water points. A few years ago C&RT realised that some of their water stand pipes did not meet new requirements. Something to do with a possible back flow or similar, that meant there was a possibility of contamination of the supply. They uprooted some of the old cast iron water points and replaced them with tin plate ones that did meet the new regulations. They were not popular mainly because they were pretty ugly, had very sharp edges, they were installed so that they were only easily accessible to folk of restricted height, and never mind the extreme difficulty of the padlocks that were fitted. I dread to think how much money was spent on those padlocks, and then replacing them when upset customers just chucked them away. It is a couple of years now since I have actually seen a padlock on any of them. As loads of them a now unlocked I now wonder how much water is taken by people who have not paid anything towards the up keep of the canals, such as a licence!

This service area look a little like the entrance to a prison camp but is actually quite a clean and tidy place. But then again it is on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal above Stalybridge.

Whilst we are on water points; why do people moor up on them and pretend they are taking water? Do they think we are stupid or some thing. We have all done it I'm sure, pull up at a tap and start filling up. The pressure is slow so you sit down to lunch with it still filling. Then half way through it over flows, so you stop the tap and quickly finish your lunch. I have even had this in a lock! Having their lunch in the lock, not even on the lock landing! Why!! Personally I would now be on edge, and any boat that passed I would be popping up to ask if the wanted to use the tap, and if they did we would set off immediately. I really dislike those that just brazen it out, as if they have a right to deny anybody else the use of the water point, even to the point where they have turned the tap off but leave the hose connected, even when they have a flat hose so you can see there is no water going through it!!? Oh, and once finished with the tap can we start shutting the flap on the old cast iron points so that they are not abused by none licence payers.

The service station at the round house in Birmingham didn't last very long. It was all in the process of being redeveloped from the Fiddle and Bone pub when we last passed this way.

Close by to the Fiddle and Bone at the Round House is the services at Cambrian Wharf at the top of the Farmers Bridge flight of locks. 

The water point is near the lock at Tewkesbury on the Avon, just ahead of the boats on the right. However the bins are quite a bit further away on the other side of the river and over the bridge by the mill. Not a bad spot to moor up on a nice day though.

Then we come to the more unsavory part of the services, the Elsan. I have been in to some where I have been 'gipping' (vernacular for nearly throwing up) with the mess that some have left it in. I can't understand why folk feel able to do that. We all make a splash at times, but  shouldn't you have as part of your kit when doing the essential task, something like a washing up brush to scrub down after yourselves, a couple of old 'J' clothes to mop up and dry up, and a pair of rubber gloves if you feel the need. Shouldn't it be the 'rule' that you leave it as clean as you can each time you use it, and not rely on a paid cleaner to clear up after you. I would love to see what these peoples houses, or boats, look like; or maybe not.

The water point at Fenny Compton. I bit close to the bridge hole

As far as I remember there was water laid on to the pontoons at this nice little berth in the middle of the Floating Harbour at Bristol. Opposite is the SS Great Britain to look out at too.

Bins are another area that leave a lot to be desired. I understand that C&RT are rolling out more bins for recycling, and not before time I think. I expect there is a cost to this but C&RT, and most of the folk that use the canals, will actually be quite environmentally aware and would probably think it is a price worth paying. Having said that, where there has been a recycling bin many is the time that it is obvious people haven't looked to see if there is an option, and just flung it in. That then basically that bin full can not be recycled. If every waste point on the canal had a recycle bin people would get used to it, and look for it, especially if it was well highlighted or even a different colour. Why, oh why, do people just put their waste next to the bins if the bins appear full. Often I have looked and the bins at the back are not full be folk haven't bothered looking. If they are full why not keep it with you until the next services, or until the bins are emptied if you moor nearby? To make this easier might I make a plea to ensure that you make your waste as small as possible, not just by buying stuff with less packaging, but by physically flattening boxes, tins, plastic bottles if you use them etc etc. Space is limited on a boat so it just seems a natural thing, but when you look in the bins this is not something that is done by some. That way there would be more room in the bins so as not to mean you have to leave it for the rats, dogs and seagulls to scatter to the four winds.

Just a small example of the state in which bin areas a left. Clearly there is recycling laying about, so a bin would have been useful, but why not pick up the stuff that you drop when putting it in. I should have taken an afterwards photo too.

I have never used a shower in a service station, but generally when I have looked they seem pretty clean. Maybe that is because only a limited number of folk actually use them. Same goes for the toilets, however with the much increased use of tow paths by walkers and cyclists where the facilities are no locked up after use they go down hill. Lock up after yourselves.

The yard at the top of the Aylesbury Arm at Marsworth has been redeveloped but they have retained the water point and service point. However it is right in front of ground floor flats to the right of the development. I wonder if there have been complaints yet?

I like the mini book exchanges that have built up around the system in the the service points, and have swapped a few books in passing. I wonder if there is anything else these points could be usefully employed as? Are there enough of them around the system? We have a 'compost' loo so can go weeks without needing to do the necessary, but how many cassettes do people have, and what range do they have?  I don't really hear of new service stations only some closing, like Peel Wharf at Fazeley Junction.

Helen keeping an eye on the water at Fazeley Junction. I have never bothered with those hoses on a reel as if you coil them up the same way each time they naturally fall into the loop. and it is easy to drain the water out, rather than it sitting in the hose until the next time.

The service area near Stanley Ferry on the Aire and Calder. It is quite a nice stone built facility as where the toll and workshop house by the aqueduct.

This blog sounds a bit of a moan, but it is like everything else in life if everybody just thought about the effect that our actions may have on others, before doing them,  life would be much easier.