#399

Now Sold

NB Birchills Oak and Chrome Ballpoint Twist Pen

(25% of the profits will be gifted to the Black Country Living Museum, the custodians of NB Birchills)

EUROPEAN OAK - Quercus robur

Usually straight-grained, the heartwood of European Oak varies in colour from light tan to brown. Quarter-sawn pieces show attractive flame figuring. The wood is fairly hard, heavy and dense, clean but with the occasional knot. European Oak is a beautiful timber and with an oil finish, the grain will turn a deep golden brown.

This particular piece of oak (probably English rather than European) is just a little bit special though. It comes from the rear cabin side gunwales and roof hatch of Narrowboat Birchills. I was given a few off cuts by the superb craftsmen who were carrying out a little light refurbishment to this historic boat, in fact the guys had cut the whole back cabin off!

Birchills is an historic, ‘Joey’ boat with a small day cabin, built in 1953 by Ernest Thomas of Walsall, ‘Birchills’ it is one of the last wooden day boats made and was used to carry coal to Wolverhampton Power Station. This boat is double-ended and the mast and rudder could be changed from one end to the other. This enabled its use in narrow canals or basins where there was no room to turn the boat around.

The rotten parts of these rebuilt boats are usually used to stoke the fires that steam the new planks for bending to the hulls shape so half a day later this flaky gunwale would have been burned. I wasn't sure how deep the rot would have gone and how deep I would have to delve into this piece to find stable wood. The pens I make from historic boat materials have been thoroughly tested by me to make sure that they will give pleasurable daily use.

That old flaky gunwale went on to make a few very nice pens and I was lucky enough to be given some more wood by Ade at A P Boat Building in Alvecote. This time a piece that appears to be from the old red cabin hatch surround.

It was only a short cruise north from one of our favourite moorings at the bottom of Audlem to one of our favourite towns, Nantwich. Although it's only a little over two hours journey it was the stillest most foggy trip we have ever had. Luckily the Shroppie is fairly straight but trees and bridges still leapt out of the murk. I even missed all the massive canal side signs giving directions to Hack Green 'Secret' Nuclear Bunker!

The trip to Nantwich was predominantly to have our rear end measured up for a pram cover that will enclose the open rear deck from the elements and give me some shelter from the summer sun (yeah right!) and the rest of the weather from our unpredictable seasons. Unfortunately the weather was so bad on the appointed day that Hazel and Tim from Cratch covers and Canopies were unable to carry out the pattern making and measuring so after waiting for a couple of days we decided to head up to Chester and arranged that the guys would drice up to us in dryer and less windy weather.

We were lucky enough to spend a few hours en-route in the company of Martin on fuel boat Halsall, a proper working boat. Martin delivers coal and diesel in a continuous loop around the four counties ring getting up as far as Ellesmere Port on the banks of the Mersey. The plan was to end our day a few hours south of Chester but in the warm afternoon sunshine we decided to stop early away from houses and roads with the backdrop of Beeston Castle, which dates back to the Bronze age but more recently has the ruins of Ranaulf de Blondeville's castle dating from 1220. What a magic place to make some special pens!

#398

NOW SOLD

NB Dane and 24ct Gold Plated Rollerball Pen

(25% of the profit will be gifted to the Narrowboat Heritage Foundation, the custodians of NB Dane)

EUROPEAN ELM - Ulmus procera

European Elm has is a light to medium brown, sometimes with a hint of red. With an oil finish, it can turn a beautiful golden brown colour. Unless, of course, it's been kept at the bottom of a canal for an awfully long time.

The rotten parts of these rebuilt boats are usually used to stoke the fires that steam the new planks for bending to the hull's shape.Luckily these pieces of elm were too important to burn and have been properly stored. I wasn't sure how deep the rot would have gone and how deep I would have to delve into this piece to find stable wood. The pens I make from historic boat materials have been thoroughly tested by me to make sure that they will give pleasurable daily use.

Narrowboat Dane was built by the Mersey Weaver and Ship Canal Carrying Company and used as part of their fleet. She was built in November 1946 and first registered on January the first 1947. Ade from A P Boatbuilding is currently restoring her on behalf of The Narrowboat Heritage Foundation, the work being done is re-bottomed with new chine planks, kelson, stem post and soon to receive two new bow planks, gunwales, decks, new back cabin and engine room. The pens that I will be making from Dane are all from a heavy lump of Elm bottom plate.

It was only a short cruise north from one of our favourite moorings at the bottom of Audlem to one of our favourite towns, Nantwich. Although it's only a little over two hours journey it was the stillest most foggy trip we have ever had. Luckily the Shroppie is fairly straight but trees and bridges still leapt out of the murk. I even missed all the massive canal side signs giving directions to Hack Green 'Secret' Nuclear Bunker!

The trip to Nantwich was predominantly to have our rear end measured up for a pram cover that will enclose the open rear deck from the elements and give me some shelter from the summer sun (yeah right!) and the rest of the weather from our unpredictable seasons. Unfortunately the weather was so bad on the appointed day that Hazel and Tim from Cratch Covers and Canopies were unable to carry out the pattern making and measuring so after waiting for a couple of days we decided to head up to Chester and arranged that the guys would drive up to us in dryer and less windy weather.

We were lucky enough to spend a few hours en-route in the company of Martin on fuel boat Halsall, a proper working boat. Martin delivers coal and diesel in a continuous loop around the four counties ring getting up as far as Ellesmere Port on the banks of the Mersey. The plan was to end our day a few hours south of Chester but in the warm afternoon sunshine we decided to stop early away from houses and roads with the backdrop of Beeston Castle, which dates back to the Bronze age but more recently has the ruins of Ranaulf de Blondeville's castle dating from 1220. What a magic place to make some special pens!

#397

Now Sold

NB Saturn Oak, Chrome and 24ct Gold Plated Ballpoint Twist Pen

(25% of the profit will be gifted to The Shropshire Union Fly-Boat Restoration Society , the custodians of NB Saturn)

EUROPEAN OAK - Quercus robur

Usually straight-grained, the heartwood of European Oak varies in colour from light tan to brown. Quarter-sawn pieces show attractive flame figuring. The wood is fairly hard, heavy and dense, clean but with the occasional knot. European Oak is a beautiful timber and with an oil finish, the grain will turn a deep golden brown.

This particular piece of oak (probably English rather than European) is just a little bit special though. It is one of the large bow mainframes from the Shropshire Fly Boat Saturn. The days of the fly-boats began with the success of the Bridgewater and Trent & Mersey canals in the 1770’s. Up until the heyday of the fly boats cargos had sedately plodded up the towing paths (Haling Way’s in them thar days) at three miles per hour or so but the new Fly Boats with teams of four men and two horses regularly galloped their loads of perishable goods at ten miles per hour. 

Built in 1906 for the Shropshire Union Canal Carrying Co. at Tower Wharf, Chester, Saturn was used for the fast carriage of cheese from the producing towns of Cheshire and Shropshire to the major markets such as Manchester. 

Saturn is the last horse-drawn Shropshire Union Canal Fly-boat in the World – originally built to travel non-stop, day and night. Over 100 years old, she has been fully restored to her former glory; not only to preserve her for posterity but to educate present and future generations about our waterways, narrowboats and horse-boating.

It was only a short cruise north from one of our favourite moorings at the bottom of Audlem to one of our favourite towns, Nantwich. Although it's only a little over two hours journey it was the stillest most foggy trip we have ever had. Luckily the Shroppie is fairly straight but trees and bridges still leapt out of the murk. I even missed all the massive canal side signs giving directions to Hack Green 'Secret' Nuclear Bunker!

The trip to Nantwich was predominantly to have our rear end measured up for a pram cover that will enclose the open rear deck from the elements and give me some shelter from the summer sun (yeah right!) and the rest of the weather from our unpredictable seasons. Unfortunately the weather was so bad on the appointed day that Hazel and Tim from Cratch Covers and Canopies were unable to carry out the pattern making and measuring so after waiting for a couple of days we decided to head up to Chester and arranged that the guys would drive up to us in dryer and less windy weather.

We were lucky enough to spend a few hours en-route in the company of Martin on fuel boat Halsall, a proper working boat. Martin delivers coal and diesel in a continuous loop around the four counties ring getting up as far as Ellesmere Port on the banks of the Mersey. The plan was to end our day a few hours south of Chester but in the warm afternoon sunshine we decided to stop early away from houses and roads with the backdrop of Beeston Castle, which dates back to the Bronze age but more recently has the ruins of Ranaulf de Blondeville's castle dating from 1220. What a magic place to make some special pens!

#396 Now Sold

NB Saturn Oak and Chrome Ballpoint Twist Pen

(25% of the profit will be gifted to The Shropshire Union Fly-Boat Restoration Society , the custodians of NB Saturn)

EUROPEAN OAK - Quercus robur

Usually straight-grained, the heartwood of European Oak varies in colour from light tan to brown. Quarter-sawn pieces show attractive flame figuring. The wood is fairly hard, heavy and dense, clean but with the occasional knot. European Oak is a beautiful timber and with an oil finish, the grain will turn a deep golden brown.

This particular piece of oak (probably English rather than European) is just a little bit special though. It is one of the large bow mainframes from the Shropshire Fly Boat Saturn. The days of the fly-boats began with the success of the Bridgewater and Trent & Mersey canals in the 1770’s. Up until the heyday of the fly boats cargos had sedately plodded up the towing paths (Haling Way’s in them thar days) at three miles per hour or so but the new Fly Boats with teams of four men and two horses regularly galloped their loads of perishable goods at ten miles per hour. 

Built in 1906 for the Shropshire Union Canal Carrying Co. at Tower Wharf, Chester, Saturn was used for the fast carriage of cheese from the producing towns of Cheshire and Shropshire to the major markets such as Manchester. 

Saturn is the last horse-drawn Shropshire Union Canal Fly-boat in the World – originally built to travel non-stop, day and night. Over 100 years old, she has been fully restored to her former glory; not only to preserve her for posterity but to educate present and future generations about our waterways, narrowboats and horse-boating.

It was only a short cruise north from one of our favourite moorings at the bottom of Audlem to one of our favourite towns, Nantwich. Although it's only a little over two hours journey it was the stillest most foggy trip we have ever had. Luckily the Shroppie is fairly straight but trees and bridges still leapt out of the murk. I even missed all the massive canal side signs giving directions to Hack Green 'Secret' Nuclear Bunker!

The trip to Nantwich was predominantly to have our rear end measured up for a pram cover that will enclose the open rear deck from the elements and give me some shelter from the summer sun (yeah right!) and the rest of the weather from our unpredictable seasons. Unfortunately the weather was so bad on the appointed day that Hazel and Tim from Cratch Covers and Canopies were unable to carry out the pattern making and measuring so after waiting for a couple of days we decided to head up to Chester and arranged that the guys would drive up to us in dryer and less windy weather.

We were lucky enough to spend a few hours en-route in the company of Martin on fuel boat Halsall, a proper working boat. Martin delivers coal and diesel in a continuous loop around the four counties ring getting up as far as Ellesmere Port on the banks of the Mersey. The plan was to end our day a few hours south of Chester but in the warm afternoon sunshine we decided to stop early away from houses and roads with the backdrop of Beeston Castle, which dates back to the Bronze age but more recently has the ruins of Ranaulf de Blondeville's castle dating from 1220. What a magic place to make some special pens!