Chris Davidson

Hi, there are plenty of moorings for the Rose & Crown, go through Zouch lock and you can moor anywhere along the towpath side. Alternatively if you go a little further on, there are some moorings outside the Plough at Normanton, which is a nicer pub. IMO.

Get her to to check the connection where the cable from the morse control joins the lever on the gear box. The lock nut on mine came loose a while ago, which allowed you to increase the engine RPM but not alter the direction of travel of the boat. Luckily was an easy fix, just had to adjust the the nut position on the threaded part of the cable and then do up the lock nut. I hope this makes sense, it's easier to do, than it is to write down.

The Basin is fine, no problems mooring there. Then again, as the others have said the moorings through the bridge are fine too, and by the old Albion as well.

Like I said earlier, it is a real shame you had a bad experience in Burton. That kind of thing, generally makes you want to avoid the area in the future. Stick with it and I'm sure you will find the good ones far out weigh any bad times.

I guess the OP was just a little unlucky, which is a shame as it can put someone off for life. We have moored in Burton many times and never had any problems at Shobnall Fields.

Take the plunge, I'm sure you will enjoy it. We did it last summer and had a great time, and absolutely no problems with anyone or anything.

The Albion is the first pub you come to as you arrive in Loughborough, just before the 90 degree lefthand turn that takes you under the bridge - (straight on would take you to the basin). As Richard has said the moorings there are fine, I would certainly have no problem in leaving my boat there.

As usual you have posted some great photo's. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip.

loose engine mount, had it happen on mine when we where down the Caldon last week.

Good luck with your journey up to Aston. Hope your boat is finished on time, and the weather is kind to you.

I use Jenolite, great stuff - very easy to use & effective.

I hope this turns out to be an easy fix for you. Good luck on your exciting new adventure, I'm sure you will love it.

The preferred way of jointing Domestic Oil Fittings is to use flared joints,- whilst a little fiddly and quite expensive to do, they are an excellent way to make oil tight joints in domestic oil lines. As you mention it is also acceptable to use compression fittings - as long as you use the correct pipe inserts, whilst it is possible to make the joints without the inserts they are much more susceptible to leaks - and frowned upon by OFTEC.

Glad you got off, and are under way again.