Went from Carr's Farm Lift Bridge (Furness Vale) to Whaley Bridge basin this afternoon.
Filled with water and washed Granny, while chatting to the fellow who operates coal boat Anne He has 'Hoopers Haul' on the side, so I presume his name is Mr Hooper. I matily said hullo, gosh, I remember coming here in 2001 and Alton was here at that time. Where is it nowadays?
'Mr Hooper' said (in effect) huh, Whaley Bridge to Macclesfield has always been his patch, and Alton was a usurper. I wonder if BW could have some sort of licensing system for fuelling boats so they don't fight over particular sections.
The irony is that I 'bunkered up' at Braidbar a couple of weeks ago, and the guy there complained about the fuelling boats taking their business. Ho hum, no one's happy.
Except me :-) Tonight I'm at the Navigation Inn, Bugsworth Basin, and they've got free wifi! Recommended, really boater-friendly. Lisa and Jo are really friendly and actually listened when I suggested stocking particular types of cider. I think that's really good attitude.
I note the comments by Stuart Hooper about me and ALTON being "usurpers" so I will set the record straight.
Stuart started to carry coal 6 months before I started. BEFORE I started, I asked him if he had any objection to me carrying also. He said he had no problem with it. I rapidly made a successful business of it and expanded to sell diesel, fenders etc., and finally included pump out in the offer to customers. I did not take any of Stuart's customers. Most of my customers would rather buy coal from a garage if I was not about. I will not even go into the situation of diesel sales or I may say things to the detriment of others.
Brian McGuigan has taken over ALTON and is doing a sterling job in a professional and legal manner.
George
Posted by: George | Sunday, 28 October 2007 at 09:22 PM
Ooh, more ciders. Jolly good.
You could point them towards the "Real cider factsheet for publicans" page on the ukcider wiki...
Posted by: Richard Fairhurst | Sunday, 28 October 2007 at 03:09 PM
Hi Andrew, we were interested to see your post today, nice to hear you have met a couple of our competitors, Stuart on Anne and Kev at the Trading Post. Alton has been based on the Upper Peak Forest since the mid 90's operated by George Boyle. BW local office have to approve all trading licences and to be honest we relish the competition from other suppliers, this keeps prices competitive and gives customer choice. We have now been operating Alton for a year and throughly enjoy it, the customers, the scenery and the boat all combine to make it a very special way of earning a living.
We passed Granny Buttons at Marple on Sunday 14th October. We now have Alton on the Dock at Dutton with Tim Leech (having a new bottom below the back cabin and other work). We hope to be back up on the Macc and Peak Forest next weekend (3&4/11/07) Hopefully we may see you then if you are still about. Cheers Brian & Ann Marie
Posted by: Brian McGuigan | Sunday, 28 October 2007 at 01:42 PM
Forgot to mention that George Boyle who previously owned 'Alton' keeps his 'hand in' by frequently driving(?) the Whaley Bridge based restaurant boat.
Posted by: Raymond Harvey | Sunday, 28 October 2007 at 10:34 AM
Don't know the truth of the matter, but...http://furnessvale.blogspot.com/
Alton crew very helpful and friendly also!
Posted by: Raymond Harvey | Sunday, 28 October 2007 at 10:29 AM
I was made aware of your blog by old pumkin head a few years ago i rented a small narrow boat from Furness vale (The Grasshopper) and we managed too do up Bosworth basin a thourghly chillin an relaxing few days so near to hussle an bussle yet so far away lövely little strech of canal
Posted by: John Roberts | Sunday, 28 October 2007 at 09:01 AM