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Hmmm that might be difficult bizzard I have an odd shaped nut.

You'd change your mind if your batteries were flat Richard

To all who have contributed to this thread thank you so much. Keith & I met when we were both 15. Our families lived in Hathersage in the Hope Valley, Derbyshire. After leaving school Keith spent five years at Sheffield College of Art. Boat building, especially the restoration of old classic narrowboats was the perfect way for him to express his artistic ability some years later. He had a real "eye" for detail & lines and couldn't stand any imperfections. We discovered the canals in the early 1970's while working for Sheffield local authority as social workers. Keith ran an art therapy unit & I started keeping goats helped by children who were classed as emotionally disturbed. Most were wonderful kids but from disturbed or dysfunctional families. We took them on several canal holidays which they loved. And we discovered that we loved it too. Our first narrowboat purchased in 1981 was a 1912 70' Stewarts & Lloyds called "Gerald". Keith built a separate fore-cabin so that I could house two Golden Guernsey goats. We soon became known around the system as the "goat boat". People may have forgotten our names but they didn't forget the goats! We spent 8 wonderful years afloat by which time Keith had acquired other boats too. The butty Malvern was one of the first. I recall us filling that with a load of lucerne hay for the goats! Over the years many others followed. Some are still waiting patiently for restoration. But sadly the boss is now gone. He fought a long battle against multiple myeloma for over 5 years. He had two stem cell transplants (using his own cells) and the latest drugs. He was one of 40 patients in the country on a research project. He was due for a donor transplant in 2014 but his myeloma flared up just prior to being admitted to QE and it never took place. He picked up an infection in late January and his immune system just couldn't cope. His liver and kidneys let him down but he wasn't in pain and the end was peaceful. His last wish was for us or organise a wake with the first round on him. With much help from our three sons & their girls that is what we did. The Hartley Arms at Wheaton Aston was full to bursting, It was a joyous celebration of his life & a very memorable afternoon. Our close friend Iain McTavish gave a wonderful speech which had us all laughing. Keith would have been delighted I know. The water can from nb "Hampstead" (beautifully painted by Mavis Blunn) was available for any donations to the Stafford Chemo Unit. I am delighted to say to any of you that were present or contributed that I will shortly be writing a cheque for £600. A magnificent effort. Keith was well known for his stories. He really should have written a book but I'm sure they will not be forgotten. Anyway the boss is gone but his boatyard carries on. We'll be doing our best to offer services as usual at Stretton Wharf on the Shroppie but we have big boots to fill. Love to all, Christine. x

My rule of thumb - anybody with a windlass in a belt is not to be trusted!

Beautiful day in Cheshire sunny and relaxing on a smashing mooring when some idiot turns up and leaves his bloody engine running, as I write this rant its been running for 2.50 hours.

Having just got through the 11 th March winter stoppages for maintenance, happy to be on our way ,pointing in the right direction. I have noticed today Sunday wow a massive increase in traffic from the last few weeks, it must be the start of boating ,although all owned boats etc so far. Going along the Trent and Mersey this aft it was a boat meeting at every blind bend and bridge, seen more moving boats today than in the last month, and all heading towards me, but turned off on to staffs and Worcester never saw a boat move again, must be something going on ? When we queued up at the lock stoppage, we noticed as there was a queue, people only seemed to be approaching the lock windlass in hand when it was there turn, I thought it is quicker for all concerned on both sides that we help each other through, so g/f went up about an hour before we would of got through, and locked about eight boats through before us, when it was our turn to go through, we had to do it alone, how sad.as all had there own boats so must know the score. Spread the word all help each other.

Many years ago I did an RCR diesel engine course at Reading with the excellent Mr Tony Brookes of this forum. At that time he suggested that Fuel Set as a routine additive to the diesel tank was his recommendation. He suggested this additive minimised water in the tank on a routine basis. If problems were encountered with the dreaded bug, one could then apply an anti-bug agent (Marine 16 etc). He likened it to routinely taking antibiotics. By the time you actually NEEDED antibiotics, you may have reached a form of immunity. His reasoning made sense to me, and for 11years I have stuck with his advice. Last year I splashed out £100 and had my tank cleaned (the boat is 23 years old and never been done) and the diesel 'polished' too. Belt and braces I suppose. I still use Fuel set everytime I fill up. Rog Should have said, you're absolutely correct with regular servicing etc. Enjoy your boating

Oh! that's no problem, just screw a large caster wheel onto the top of it..

2.5 hours, wow! When I'm moored for any length of time I normally run my generator or engine for at least 5 hours a couple of times per week. I'm sorry but I'm tempted to say, get used to sharing your space with others or get off the waterways. What we don't need is ever stricter rules or codes of conduct to accommodate the delicate sensibilities of people who aren't able to handle other boaters moored near them.

Tricky isn't it? So you support the refusal of a safety certificate for things that might only prevent a 'mistake'? Bureaucrat's dream, you! Common sense says look in all of them, in case the labeling is missing from one or more. Or wrong.

Buy an old fashioned string head mop. Buy an old fashioned galvanised mop bucket. Fill bucket with water from the Cut. Wet the mop in the bucket. Rub the boat with the mop, every so often you will need to rinse the mop in the bucket. When the water is dirtier than the canal throw it back in the canal and get some more. Continue until boat is cleaner than it was. Canal water contains very fine silt, this is very mildy abrasive...

I like Banjo music me boy... Pleeeese can I run my engine until I have some hot water? Always a good thread the engine running one. :0) Is that a euphemism or euphoniumsm?

I have only just had a chance to drag these off my phone. This was the scene on the Soar during the floods at Redhill. I might be being dim, however how the does the flood lock there work? The flow just seems to go round it where the moorings are, and doesn't seem to restrict the level the other side. Bostin.

Forget the gennie your lifestyle doesnt need it. If you realy want to spend 400 squid spend it on solar. Tim

Based on the quality of the editing in the first series, he should be cruising through Stoke Bruerne by tomorrow morning.