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Showing content with the highest reputation on 22/08/12 in all areas

  1. This post cannot be displayed because it is in a forum which requires at least 10 posts to view.
  2. This post cannot be displayed because it is in a forum which requires at least 10 posts to view.
  3. Reading lessons - many seem unable to comprehend the instruction "cyclists dismount".
    1 point
  4. OK, as promised, let me tell you of our first encounter with real life CRT volunteers. As many will recall, I have been somewhat forthright in expressing my view that (from my own personal POV, which is based upon our circumstances), they were likely to be (at best) an inconvenience, and at worst a hazard. Despite my very clear misgivings about the prospect (based on previous experiences with unwanted "helpers" of other sorts), I have done my utmost to approach this with as open a mind as possible. I also chose NOT to discuss the fact that there are volunteers marauding around the system with Mrs M, lest she be unduly influenced by my experience! We have just returned from a week out, during which we encountered two teams of volunteers. Naturally, I accept that our experience of such volunteers is statistically not a valid representation of the average, but it is a real experience. I suppose that many here will imagine that when I say that our experience of volunteers was not a positive one, I will be sitting smugly with that look that says "told you so". Nothing could be further from the truth, for it seems inevitable that we are to be stuck with these volunteers tinkering with the workings of the canal, and much as I don't want them I would rather be able to say that they are pointless but harmless than to have to say that they were a hazard. However, I have to say that they were a hazard. Our first encounter was last Monday morning, when we arrived at the top of Bosley Locks to be faced with no less than 3 volunteers and their minder (apparently a paid employee). The very INSTANT the top gates touched together, and long before we were safely clear of the cill, one of the volunteers, without so much as a glance at Bev, was winding a bottom paddle up. Bev shouted at him to stop (and as both of us were at the head of the lock, shouting was the only option), and I went down to the tail of the lock and asked him NOT to touch the paddles without the permission of the steerer. The response was to ask "what's her problem?" I explained that until the steerer was happy then the paddles shouldn't be drawn, and that in actual fact he had started to open a paddle before the boat was in a safe position to avoid being cilled, to which his response was "Anyone would think she was trying to berth the F***ing QEII, rather than have a bit of fun", at which point, I told him that as he viewed having a bit of fun as more important than safe operation of the lock his further assistance was distinctly unwelcome. At this point the minder came over and said that "we have to understand" that they are volunteers and that they aren't yet fully trained, and that if we don't want them to help we only have to ask. Sorry, but we don't "have to understand" anything. If they aren't trained, please don't assume that my boat is available for them to practice on. I shouldn't have to ask them not to help, they should be told that they must ask before helping, and I certainly don't think that it is at all acceptable for them to swear at boaters, when they have been told by the boater not to do something that is unsafe. I have made a formal complaint to C&RT about the conduct of the volunteers. Looking at it, why on EARTH would they put volunteers on the top lock at Bosley? It isn't a difficult lock, it has no major traffic management issues, and it isn't the first lock that rookies encounter on a regular basis. Had they been deployed at the BOTTOM lock, which is the first lock hirers encounter, then it might have made some sense (and on that day it would have made a lot of sense, because a broken paddle at lock 9 meant that uphill boats were bunching up 2 to a pound in the short pounds at the bottom, and somebody on the ground could have usefully controlled traffic coming up the flight). Had they been deployed at lock 4, they could have removed the padlock from the sidepond paddle, and shown those who don't know how it works how it works or watched on as those who do know how it works used it. But of course the brew room and toilets are at the top lock, so the volunteers are deployed where they can have a fun day out rather than where they might possibly be useful. The second encounter was on Friday at Bridge 48 on the Macc, which is the manual swing bridge (the one that has been permanently open for donkeys years but is now back in action) upstream of Oakgrove. Several boats were going through, and as we approached, we could see the volunteers standing around in their yellow hi-viz jackets. OK, I can see this as a marginally useful occupation, because that bridge is a bit of a PITA to get off and on to operate. As we approached, the bridge suddenly started to swing shut in front of us, and only a rapid application of reverse avoided us running into it. Apparently the volunteers have been trained that a maximum of 3 boats go through each time they open a bridge, so as to allow road traffic to pass. Now, that would indeed be sound operating practice at Oakgrove swing bridge, where even 3 boats can lead to a bit of reving from the waiting traffic, but this isn't a road bridge! It is a farm access bridge, and a bridge that sees almost ZERO use for crossing the canal. There was no traffic that needed to pass, and in any case if they needed to close the bridge wouldn't some kind of signal have been helpful? If they are opening bridges, and I have no idea whether they are going to keep it open or not, then I'd rather they shut it and let me work it myself. In the interests of balance, I should report that I did see a volunteer performing a valuable public service on a canal in Stone on Wednesday. He was usefully engaged in litter picking. Such a pity that he doesn't count on CaRT's scorecard, because he wasn't a CaRT volunteer, he was a member of Stone Lions Club .
    1 point
  5. Or you could VERY nicely explain to them your reasons for not wanting to use ropes , you can then feel good about giving good advice to someone who is only trying to be helpful to boaters , but that would be out of character for you.
    1 point
  6. I hate to see slavering and bad behaviour when i'm eating out. The dogs are fine. Its some of the humans that need left behind lol oops. I mucked up the quote sorry
    1 point
  7. In my view this would not work. The already law abiding and sensible ones might go for it, but I can't see those less responsible and "couldn't give a toss" ones suddenly buying in to it. I'd say its more or less the same likelihood of success as those who say dog licenses should be reintroduced, and for similar reasons. Responsible owners geneally used to license their dogs, when it was a requirement, but numb-skulls who want something to look aggressive with are hardly likely to go down to the Post Office and do the the same. It may sound a good idea, but if it isn't actually enforceable, (and I can't see what resources would be enforcing it very often), then it surely achieves nothing, and simply sends the wrong message. You shouldn't in my view pass legislation that has little, and often no, chance of being enforced, even if the actual thing you are trying to enforce may seem a good idea. And in every case the ones who are unlikely to go along with any legislation that attempts to improve their behaviours ???
    1 point
  8. *head desk* The 14 day rule has been waived for boats who registered with Cart prior to the Olympic mooring restrictions so this is legitimised overstaying you are referring to. The independent mooring 'wardens', you are referring to are the IWA volunteers I assume? Their job isn't any such thing like 'warden'. There is one boat ticketed at Little Venice and no others between there and Ladbroke Grove. The boat was ticketed prior to the Olympic exclusion zone being enforced and it remains there now. I'm sure that once Cart have the Olympic moorings off their plate, they will be back to enforcing with whatever limited resources they have.
    1 point
  9. Well I've not found that to be the case, and my dog is so well-behaved that it's quite disconcerting to others, but I still wouldn't presume to take her with me when eating out.
    1 point
  10. We have a life ring and anchor on our roof
    1 point
  11. Laying some white towels on the rooftop and keeping them wet should help. It should work on the same principle of the old fasioned earthenware milk cooler. The water needs heat to evaporate and so takes it from the surrounding materials ie. the rooftop. Harnser.
    1 point
  12. Dave has just suggested to me that if he were to do a risk assesment on what he has to do after he gets out of bed in the morning he would probably stay in bed ......... I just reminded him he actually managed to fall out of bed last night!
    1 point
  13. What's wrong with breaking the egg into your hand and letting the white run through your fingers leaving the yolk in your hand? Quick, less chance of breaking the yolk and no need for a bottle.
    1 point
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  15. This post cannot be displayed because it is in a forum which requires at least 10 posts to view.
  16. When I go for a cruise I am too busy enjoying the scenery, wildlife and good conversation to be bothered counting how many boats I pass don't have a licence, or noting just where they are moored so I can check up next time I am passing.... ... maybe I should pay more attention as I go around cos obviously I am missing one of the most important aspects of boating
    1 point
  17. Diesel free anything would be good, but key word being dream! You'd think all these illegal wars to extract oil would lessen the price, but obviously not. Talking of which, how thirsty are most boats. Say for example a 5 mile trip in the boat I mentioned above, how much would I be looking...?
    1 point
  18. I had this myself. There was a big fog...and suddenly Glenn Miller appeared...
    1 point
  19. Get a pump-out........
    1 point
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