I've a general interest in steam engines, and today I received a lovely little toy "steam boat". This is the first time I've bothered to look for or purchase something water-related. I figure there are ponds and lakes nearby, but if I got a steam-boat it would most likely stop running in the middle of a lake far from me!

Sure I can swim, but I think paddling to recover a dead engine - hoping that it doesn't boil dry and explode as I get close to it is just asking for trouble!

Anyway this new boat came all the way from India, via E-bay. It isn't strictly speaking a steam engine at all, just a "put put boat". I've never seen nor heard of these until recently but from what I could read I thought they looked like fun, and at only £10 it was impossible for me to resist!

I've updated my mini steam page with a picture & tiny youtube video.

If anything this has whetted my appetite for a real steam-powered boat..