Andy Blundell Restoration & Antiques

Andy Blundell Restoration & Antiques BAFRA accredited furniture restorer and interiors conservator based in Cumbria. No job is too big or too small.

Along with my small team of highly trained and passionate antiques and interiors restorers, I carry out a variety of restoration work across the north of England and Scotland.

21/06/2026

How far out we?

21/06/2026

Leaving Rufford sea lock

21/06/2026

Big lock in reverse

I tried making this post a few days ago but FB wouldn't let me, so here are some photos of the Ribble Link passage I did...
21/06/2026

I tried making this post a few days ago but FB wouldn't let me, so here are some photos of the Ribble Link passage I did last Sunday....videos will pop up as reels somewhere, so I apologise for video and photos dump.
My brother Tim asked me if he could come along for the ride, it must be the first thing in nearly 40 years we have done together and fortunately he took loads of photos and vids. You may notice that my brothers face is smiling as he was having a jolly and mine is concentrated and serious as I was quite concerned about sinking or running a ground my floating home.
Going through the sea lock at Rufford in to the River Douglas which was flowing the wrong way, up stream due to the tidal surge, with the engine at full throttle and the Black Knight not going anywhere did feel a bit disconcerting.......but after five minutes the river widened and it was a bit easier for Blackie.
Entering the Ribble Estuary and looking back at the Isle of Man was also not normal, as was the strangness of cruising up Savick Brook, a tidal stream which had already dropped a meter as we entered it.
Next up was to reverse into the massive three lock flight of the Millennium locks, which was also odd......
Well, I have finally got Blackie on to the Lancaster canal, it has taken two and a half years, one new engine, two gearboxs, new solar and electrics, new central heating and multifuel stove, the water tank completely stripped, recleaned and painted, now with an on board water purification system, the diesel tank polished which meant taking out 40lt of s**t, deisel bug and water, basically a general refit to the interior and then, decorated, plus two broken fingers.
Some may ask, was it worth it?...... You bet it was.....my only gripe is the gearbox.......I should of done some research on that one first as that leason cost me £2.5K, but now I can take a gearbox out and line up an engine to the prop, never to old to learn something new as they say.
I am on the Lanky canal heading to the most northern reach of the canals of England and Wales to moor up so I am within easy access to my workshop to do some restoration work and to close my workshop down over the next few months, as I said a few months ago, anything could happen.
PS, I don't do politics on my business page so I am sorry by the choice of my T shirt on the day of the crossing, I hope it doesn't offend anyone but if so, I am deeply sorry.

I have bumped into a couple of people and it may be time for an update...... I am officially back at work in the worksho...
10/06/2026

I have bumped into a couple of people and it may be time for an update...... I am officially back at work in the workshop taking on work while at the same time still moving the Black Knight.
Due to the Ribble link being nearly fully booked for this year, I luckily, in the first week in May, got one of the last 5 passages left this year.
The journey out of Manchester city centre to Burscough was beautiful, Orrell, Leigh, before and after Wigan...... actually one of the most beautiful moorings I've been on was in Wigan...... l know the words beautiful and Wigan seem to be a contradiction, but I'd could quite happily just move between Leigh and Rufford all year long.
I moored Blackie at Burscough as its a safe place and handy for the railway station so Dude and I could get back to the workshop for last week.
Today I had to move Blackie, due to the CRT 14 day mooring rule and cruised up the Rufford branch to Rufford, ..... it was stunning.
I will say the Rufford branch of the Leeds Liverpool canal is the best kept stretch I have been on. The water is clean and clear, the locks are well kept, if not new, the banks are solid, and the wild life and fauna and flora are wonderful...... I enjoyed following a Kingfisher up the locks and the looking at the variety of flowers.
I did six locks and three swing bridges today, the last bridge being one of those that is on the p**s, where you moor on the cut then open it on the opposite side from your boat......Dude looked way more confused than myself.
Now at Rufford, moving up to Tarleton on Friday for the Ribble Crossing on Sunday..... Blackie goes in to tidal and salt water..... sorry for the photo dump, things to note, Signets by a lock and I enjoyed seeing all the stone mason marks on the lock walls at Burscough.....if you don't recognise the dog, it's Dude, he's just had the first clip out in over four months.......I'll keep you posted on the Ribble Link, fingers crossed we get across first attempt and don't end up in Preston dock for the night.

Tonights view from the duck hatch...... prime real estate Manchester.......I did fancy getting a couple of more locks do...
19/05/2026

Tonights view from the duck hatch...... prime real estate Manchester.......I did fancy getting a couple of more locks done today but the heavens opened after doing 9 problematic locks and Dude was p**sed off with doing locks.......so now moored next to the massive Coop Live building and on the otherside of the the canal the Etihad Stadium....... looking forward to breakie in the Coop Canalside cafe........ also, the Coop lights are changing my solar panels at night and total cloud cover😄😄😄😄

Still like my business post, I need the algorithms......thingie
18/05/2026

Still like my business post, I need the algorithms......thingie

Today was cool, I went from green natural beauty to industrialisation, and tonight the Black Knight.....Blackie, is moor...
18/05/2026

Today was cool, I went from green natural beauty to industrialisation, and tonight the Black Knight.....Blackie, is moored insight of the urban core of Manchester. I'll have my barge pole ready if any incomers fancy a jousting match with a Knight.

It has been a hard day doing the Marple flight, I expect it to be shut by the end of the month due to the evil water com...
17/05/2026

It has been a hard day doing the Marple flight, I expect it to be shut by the end of the month due to the evil water companies who like to empty sewage in to our rivers and lakes, and also then stop water entering the canals from the reservoirs which they were made to provide water for the canals and mills.
13 locks assisted by Dude, I love the history and architecture, check out Dude walking down a tunnel made for horses to pass through and then the natural habitat the canals provide.........onwards tomorrow to central Manchester.

So we are nearing a big city and the bang bang pop pops of fireworks can be heard and this fluffy bu**er is freaked out.
16/05/2026

So we are nearing a big city and the bang bang pop pops of fireworks can be heard and this fluffy bu**er is freaked out.

Address

The Workshop
Penrith
CA119AF

Telephone

+447730520264

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Andy Blundell Restoration & Antiques posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Andy Blundell Restoration & Antiques:

Shortcuts

Share

Category