Drew's Joshers Info

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Hey, its my site, so heres about me!
	It's 1984 and i'm 4 years old steering 'Olympian', our cabin boat on which we spent every weekend. I was picked up from school on a friday afternoon and driven, along with my sister Alison and of course Mum and Dad to wherever the boat was left the week before and then dropped off back at school straight from the boat on Monday morning, often late! The teachers became quite used to this!
I think this was taken in 1985 when I was 5. The boat is the ex josher steamer Colonel and is the earliest picture I have of me steering a Bolinder, and a josher for that matter. The boat was then, and still is in 2007 owned by Peter Thompson of Marine Engine Services.
	I think this is 1991. I was 11 and watching Ken Ward raise a paddle at the bottom of Braunston. On the right hand side sitting on the cabin top of Greyhound with Dad you can just see a very young brother Matthew. The butty is Fazeley

	1997 Alfred Ritchie Challenge Cockerel for best turned out working boat - Clover and Fazeley at 17 years old
In 1998 Matt and I won the Robert Aickman Memorial Trophy for most meritorious journey to the national on a loaded Greyhound. The trip involved us loading at Nether Heyford (which dad and Matt did as I was in Spain!) then travelling down the Oxford, down the Thames, up the Kennet to Newbury, back down the Thames to Brentford and up the G.U. then north to Salford Quays Manchester. The picture was taken while heading down the Thames at speed.
	1999 Volvo Penta Bolinder Trophy - Greyhound 2000 Volvo Penta Bolinder Trophy - Greyhound
Became first chairman of Commercial Boat Operators Association after name change from Commercial Narrowboat Operators Association in 1999. Stood down to vice-chairman in Oct 2006.

In 2001 I won the Westminster Trophy for Boat Handling on Lupin at Little Venice, not knowing I was taking part until it started as Dave Wright conned me!
	2001 National at Milton Keynes
Jam 'Ole 2006 was a mad dash for me, mainly of my own doing as I took a night off to go to wolverhampton to watch "Keane" play live! This picture was taken just as I arrived at Bull's Bridge on Wednesday afternoon, 25th October having left Braunston on monday morning and had single handed all the way down. That explains the look of exhaustion! This was the last trip we did with Clover as the very next day I dropped her off at Cassiobury Wharf and took out the engine ready for new owners Michael and Michael Pinnock.	Picture courtesy of Michael Askin
Picture courtesy of Sam Alsop	Taking Jaguar and Sunny Valley to the Shackerstone Festival 2007, the first trip Jaguar had done since having a new cabin fitted and painted. The engine had been sat for a while but the clear exhaust smoke shows she is running well.
Back full circle, my son and first born, David Burge. Born 9th August 2001. The story continues... Although he did this at only 2, years ahead of me! That's my boy. I love you David, now and always. Best we teach Isobel to Steer!
	Although from this picture taken on the 28th June 2008 it appears that Isobel is content to let David and I do the steering while she poses for the cameras!