The call went out across FoP land that Ian Kemp had finished work on Kildare and that he needed to swap it for President, so that he could finish the work on her in time for her vital centenary year.

On a cold and increasingly windy morning the above stalwarts assembled at the BCLM and at Dadford’s respectively for this, the first outing of the boats in 2009.
The Northern team kicked off first at around 07.30 with the pleasures of the lift bridge and hauled by the tug Coventry (Thanks Guys) made their way via Factory three, Netherton tunnel and Blowers Green to top o’Delph locks with the only sustenance on board being provided by that erstwhile ship’s biscuit – HobNobs !!
The lock tail bridge on the first lock of the three proved how high President was riding, with very little coal and no boiler water, as the mast had to come out. Other than that and the tug picking up a few bladefuls south of the tunnel all went well. The headgear of the three FoP members was memorable and worthy of both the Russian and Confederate armies but then it was b****y cold!
Meanwhile at around 09.15 the Southern team kicked off by bow hauling Kildare up the top 12 locks of the Stourbridge sixteen, a cup of tea at the top and then the 2 mile pull to the bottom of the Delph 8 (It used to be 9 but they lost one somewhere !). Up the 8 and then a short wait for the Northern crew to arrive, while bacon sandwiches were conjured up in the galley, including some for the Northern and Tug crews.
More tea, HobNobs, a quick chat, a transfer of bags and chattels and away went the Northern crew with a resplendent Kildare behind Coventry and stern warnings” not to put your bl***y great boots on’t cabin tops as paint wo’re still a bit soft”. Back again to the BCLM arriving a little after 19.00 hours, having of course, had the benefit of the gas cooker as well as the range in the back cabin.
Martin managed to stowaway on Kildare from the top of the Delph (allegedly doing the washing up) and had to be put ashore to walk back to President which by now had started off down the flight !!
The weary backs, legs and arms of the Southern crew were bent again to the somewhat heavier task of bow hauling President down to Dadfords, the task being quickly made significantly harder by stemming up in 4 bridge holes, one of them being particularly dramatic – the boat stopped dead.
Lots of work with ropes and poles got us under way again and to the top of the sixteen in fading daylight. Down the top twelve of the sixteen including two abortive attempts to wind the boat above lock 10 in the dark, frustrated by a shallow winding hole and into Ian Kemp’s at around 19.15. A quick empty of the cabin, locking up of the boats and away to our respective abodes.
All in all, long days for all concerned, but a great result with some really good team work. Although the Southern team were a bit mob handed going up, the value of “pairs of hands” was amply demonstrated at the bridge holes on the way down.
My personal thanks to all concerned with the hope that shoulders, hands and legs soon recover.

Bob Crompton