Leaderboard

It is surprising how many times a photograph is studied there is always a new detail to spot - like the metal corner protectors on the cabin slide

Regarding the Tomlow range, yes, we are still producing them, but we decided to change foundries earlier in the year, and whilst I had expected to have a batch of castings by now (in fact, I had expected to have finished the ranges by now), I am still waiting. There aren’t as many foundries as there used to be, and the good ones seem to be very busy. I would have to admit that I haven’t pressed them as hard as I might have done because of all the other things going on, but rest assured that we fully intend to continue to produce them in both two and three door versions, supply Midland Chandlers, and retail them ourselves. In comparison with the Epping, the grate size and firebox capacity is the same, the body of the range is very similar, but the top has an overhang on the front and sides which means that they need a space a couple of inches wider than an Epping, so they are probably not suitable for the O P’s needs Steve

So, when the dipstick is covered in oil, it makes it hard for oil to stick to it?

Why would they invite boating groups at this stage? They haven't even set the terms of reference yet. Pamela Smith not happy? it's the piss-takers that have caused the government to look at the problem.

Good point mrsmelly. Donald the duck hasn't been heard of for some time. No photoshopary either Dr Bob,as we Will know!

How is Duck? havnt heard about him of late. Any recent pics so we know you havnt killed and eaten him? preferably reading a daily somett or other so we can date the foto ?

Two good ways to reduce the worry: (1) get a back cover (2) keep the drainage holes clear. (I do both).

If the water doesn't sink the boat when it's in the water tank, it won't sink it when it's in the bilge. MP.

Had a quick look at the site this evening - some pics follow, work obviously progressing - I guess the pile alongside the collapse is to be made into the platform for any equipment to excavate the culvert, we also now have a 4" pump alongside the 6", but they are now feeding in the wolverhampton direction, fortunately there's plenty coming from chasewater. springy

It's so good to know that the public-spirited Rex is acting so altruistically. I feared just for one brief moment that his real interest might actually be feathering his own nest from unenforceable mooring fees. Perhaps though, in his fine public-spirited endeavours on behalf of boaters he would merit a little more credibility and respect if he made sure the information given on his pretty website and signs was factually correct. A good start would be to make it clear to Thames boaters that NO CHARGE is payable for mooring at any site owned by the Environment Agency OVERNIGHT or for a reasonable time by virtue of Section 136 of the Thames Conservancy Act 1932. For genuine overnight mooring or for staying for a reasonable time (generally considered purely by tradition to be 24-hours but not specifically defined in legislation) no charges are payable and thus there can be no obligation to register for such entirely lawful free use. Sadly, not a lot of pennies in that to help top-up Rex's pension.

Is Rex expecting to earn a good Crust from this Enterprise and how does this new system stop improper mooring on EA sites? Overstayers will just Pitch up and ignore the TVM signs and Rule abiding Boaters will be put off using them. How does this system Promote 'Fairness' for Mooring?

Obviously, your engine realises you're not happy with the first result (or why would you do it again?) so, like a faithful Labrador, it trys to please you with something it thinks you might like better the next time. You should be pleased and give it a biscuit.

And, assuming they're not ornamental cupboard fillers, where do they stack when full?

Blimey, how much?! Do you also make windlasses? At that price it had better have a ratchet! (Anyway, I'm sticking with the goat thing, but I won't bleat on about it).

No you weren’t. You were referring to someone who wants to avoid paying for a mooring and thereby declaring himself to be a continuous cruiser when in fact he wishes to remain in one particular area and not cruise at all.

No it doesn’t. It means that you’ll have to pay for a mooring.

Standing on the towpath washing means YOU are the wildlife.

Hence my long term project to design a piling hook that doesn't fall out with loose lines, and can simply be dropped into place without kneeling in the mud.

Yes, I agree. And if you can get a reconditioned Paloma, people generally seem to think they work better than a Morco. Morcos are OK, but far from spectacular in my experience.

Why do you want to replace it? I've not noticed the reason. As others have said, Paloma Bob fixes these on an 'exhange' basis. You send him yours, he sends you an identical one back in full working order. Why not do that? FAR easier than swapping to a Morco.

Oh don't be so obtuse!

Here's hoping that, after waiting so long, you've wasted your time!

Yes imI'm lucky enough to have family that lives in a house with river access and mooring that they've never used

Plenty of space in those areas to cruise, flippin great. All the marinas do winter moorings so you could easily do that. Your boat is ideal on the Trent etc ? If you fancy Nottingham for instance pm me I can give you sound advice re ducking and diving............er I mean ccing!!

Yep I used that chart that you have posted before to translate relative to flood that CRT quote, to relative high water which I wanted to know so i understood what I was doing relative to punching/going with the tide. I found the Hull tide table online, and was happy that what the lock keepers were telling me seemed to tie in with them for Cromwell to Torksey on 26 June, and Torksey to Keadby on 27 June. I will of course be talking to them both again the day before to make the booking, and get up to date times, and will talk to the keeper at Torksey when we get there (not planning to go through the lock at Torksey though).

we were going to go on the Sunday by car but not anymore!

I heard that it became a cult, and then imploded...

But surely any continuous cruiser who is genuinely continuously cruising and not bridge hopping would comfortably exceed that?

I shan't be, I am however entitled to have an opinion. Incidentally tio is Uncle in Spanish and I am neither.

I wouldn't. I think that's an obscene amount of money regardless of where it ends up. At that rate it won't be long before inspecting the cars in the car park will be as popular as gazing at the boats, if only to observe who is rich enough to pay that much and what sort of 'jam jar' they drive. There are many with walking difficulties and small youngsters they wish to educate who won't be able to perambulate from the next nearest car parking area (which incidentally is where? Busy main road, Unhappy pub landlord's car park, Swindler's customers, parking ??????) I give to charity regularly and I volunteer ….. as and when I want, and not because I'm held to ransom. I'm not coughing up for Tim's OBE. It's become a point to shame people with in this country now. "Ah, but it's for charity!" So what? It's coming out of my depleted pockets, don't try and shame me until you've walked 5 miles in my underpants!

It's not usually this bad.This was when the pound was drained to clear the silt in lock 26E. Don't use the lock landings,but go straight to the lock gates as advised in other posts on this subject. You will collect some scratches going through Standedge,so you will need to remove roof clutter and possibly the cratch cover,and nav lights too if they stick out too far. If the water level is low,then ring CRT,they usually turn the tap on fairly quickly. I have been stuck recently coming out of a lock right in the middle of the canal.I proddled around the boat with the pole and found plenty of depth,so there must have been some obstruction underneath.I intended to send another lockfull down,but I was too far from the side to disembark. As I was deciding weather to ring CRT or wade ashore,five strapping Yorkshire lasses in spray on jogging suits [oggle oggle] appeared and stopped to look. "Is tha' stuck lad" one asked. "Ay lass, 'appen I am" I answered. "Chuck us 'rope an we'll give yer a pull"said one. Five strong girls heaving on the bowline managed to pull the bow close enough for me to jump off and send a lockful down to refloat,but not before five mobile phones appeared to photograph the event.I suppose me and my boat are going to appear on Facebook or Twitter with the caption, "some silly old git stuck on the cut".I am grateful to these girls. The HNC is a challenging canal but well worth the effort because of the wonderful scenery,the excellent pubs,and the friendliness of the people.I agree with other contributors that the more it is used,the better it might be maintained.

DO GO THERE!!! Don't be like post above, it's well worth all of the (very) hard work, and it certainly isn't easy. It's always short of water, there are loads of locks and they are all as deep as bear pits, the lock gear can be a bit cranky, the moorings are always shallow, and the Standedge tunnel will scratch the paint on your boat - and the weather is often crap. So I'm not really selling it? But it's FANTASTIC! You'll probably hardly see another boat, but use it or lose it - if boats don't use it the bean counters at CRT will allow it to slide into disrepair again

There is also a home security issue here. If CRT or the EA provide this company with the home address of the owners of a boat moving around the system, they are also providing the information that the house is likely to be unoccupied at the time.