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Sydney is fine. He enjoyed his holiday in Norfolk a few weeks back now. Still got an ongoing problem with the infected dew claw nail bed. He is currently on antibiotics again after the infection came back again. This time it is a much longer course of tablets and if the infection persists further it is time for more drastic action with possible surgery to remove the dew claws which in his case are quite firmly attached so not such a straight forward procedure. But otherwise he is in fine health, back up to his ideal weight and fighting fit.

This has been pointed out to me on the Drought FAQ section of their website: Why don’t you operate pounds brimming with water as the longer pounds could operate as a reservoir? The loss of water from a canal pound due to leakage and seepage is the largest component of water demand on a canal system. Loss rates are at their highest during the summer, when soil is dry and water tables are low. The leakiest part of the canal lining is the top 15 cm (6 inches), because it is continually wetted and dried. It is also subject to holes or cracks formed by burrowing animals and wave action from boat propellers. So by increasing the operational level of a pound, especially in a drought, would greatly increase loss rates. During a drought, we actually aim to run pounds as low as operationally possible to reduce losses. I am struggling with the logic here. The top 6 inches leaks because it is continually wetted and dried, so we will create a new top 6 inches lower down (which will be continuously wetted and dried and therefore develop leaks)?

One io the bottom paddles was broken for a long time, hence it was taking 20 mins or more to empty the lock. I believe CRT were expecting to need a crane to fix it which meant closing the road, hence the delay. However when they had a diver in the lock to clear an obstruction a month or so ago they were also able to fix the paddle, so I believe both are working now. The volenteers on this lock are unfortunately another example of where you would be much better off without them, and as has been said they like to throw their weight about in showing off to the people at the cafe. It is one to go through early or late in the day when they are not there, it is a very deep lock and I don't like people I don't trust messing with it.

I havn't done a lock on my own boat since May(quite a few nice lock free hours around here). I have done quite a few locks on other boats this year, and I am really trying to avoid locks with Vollockies after the last 5 years and new "rules" becoming apparent more and more. I object to be told how to boat, or when I should raise a paddle, or whether I should stay on my boat while a locky raises 1 paddle a few notches every few minutes,, object to be told to move a 70 footer backwards going uphill in a lock, I object to having had to rescue a hire boat going uphill at Foxton with the Head volunteer lockie sending water down and the boat deck being under an waterfall, I object to seeing volunteer lockies deciding to just do the boats that suit them.

supposing the cyclist undertaking a left indicating truck is a six year old on a little pink bike with stabiliser wheels. None of us would find that acceptable and would probably raise doubts about the quality of her parenting. A six year old cannot be expected to exercise sensible judgement. What's the difference between that scenario and an adult cyclist who can exercise sensible judgement but simply doesn't. I would suggest that we should all take responsibility for our own actions and that it is immoral to foist responsibility for the irresponsible upon whatever random citizens happen to be nearby.

Sorry, that I didn't follow up with an outcome. The locally recommended engineer suggested that a replacement pressure switch was the best starting point rather than having to lift the engine out to check the pump. The switch was replaced, with no other issues and the need for a replacement engine was avoided.

The contractors of cross rail knowing there would be a heavy number of large lorries, made all the drivers do awareness trainingfor cyclists . one of the simulations was meeting the family of someone they had killed i believe, the other was being cross examined by a barrister. The feedback from the drivers was by report very positive. having been cross examined in court several times over a death it is a life changing experience and best avoided

I don't think you get the point, vehicular traffic is dangerous, roads are not designed for mixed traffic, it is the responsibility of the driver to take care. Considerate driving is no faster or slower than hard driving in many situations. I have little respect for the so called professional driver after too many incidents which show that individual responsibility is something only some people accept or understand https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/31/glasgow-bin-lorry-death-crash-driver-avoids-jail-for-new-incident I can pretty much guarantee that when I am tootling along at 55-60 on an A road, and am overtaken by someone who immediately has to cut in front of me due to oncoming traffic that that driver will be male and under 30. It happened yesterday: I followed him for three miles, in light traffic, all within the speed limits and safely, we both came to a halt at the same traffic lights in congested urban traffic. So why did he feel the need to overtake me and cut in front, just stupid.

Kastaway is (was) a one owner boat that has been well used and it screams quality. Yes it is a Colecraft and any narrowboater would be proud to own it - who are Wessex Narrowboats? The interior is top quality and looks pretty much original unlike the London boat where they have painted over the linings - why would they do that? Forget about engine hours, with diesel engines servicing is all, and you can bet the Kastaway has had oil/filter changes on the nail. There will be Beta engines around with 20,000 hours and more. I would buy a well used boat over one that has sat stagnant in the cut any day. Low engine hours on an older boat is not a good selling point, unless it's a new engine. Kastaway has no solar because she's obviously been on the move continuously. But Solar is so cheap these days it really isn't a consideration. However, probably the most important factor with a boat such as Kastaway is that for a first time buy there is virtually no risk. If you bought it and it didn't suit, or you found you just didn't take to canal boating, this sort of boat will sell for a decent price all day long - you can't say the same about the London boat. It's vital as a first time buyer that you get something you know for certain will sell easily.

I often don't feel safe on a bike these days; with so many cars, so many uneducated drivers, air pollution, theft of bikes, and so few cycle friendly roads. My Tipperary Driving Helmet will protect my head from impact with tarmac at speed, but nothing will save me from severe injury when some idiot turns left in front of me, overtakes with a caravan, or opens a car door as I drive past a line of parked cars, I have to cycle defensively, which often means I have to stay well in to the road instead of hugging the gutter, it does not go down well with car drivers. Banning street parking would allow the provision of cycle lanes, it is a radical idea, but if we allow more and more vehicles on streets designed for the horse and cart, radical ideas are needed. The time has come to discourage cycling on public roads unless they have a well maintained cycle lane.

Yep - Lucky - one of the easier fixes - just move the engine a couple of inches nearer the wiring.

Well auntie i kinda like that abba song "sewing me, sewing you, ah ha!" I've been hunting high and low for it.

What genre of song is it you prefer?

It’s W&T on this forum

But why grit blasting and epoxy? Its the Rolls Royce form of hull protection and is only bettered by adding in zinc spraying. The vast majority of boats on the waterways use a tar or bitumen based blacking and they last man, many years. Some Springers that start life with thin plates must be getting on for 50 years old now and are still in usable condition so unless its a new boat or you have money to burn why recommend anything other than normal blacking. Tar based if you can get it or if not a modified bitumen. I just can't see what the vendor was thinking so am suspicious of is motives..

I've purchased a copy of Bradshaw's Canals and Navigable Rivers of England and Wales which gives maximum craft dimensions for each waterway listed, hopefully Mr Bradshaw is more accurate than current listings. I'll gradually update canalmaponline with these dimensions. Chris

I think you misunderstood my post that you quoted, it was not directed to you but at Joh87 who is not willing to subject her/his advice to discussion and prefers to keep it secret. I am concerned that such "secret" advice may not be as informed or as independent as one may wish. Sorry to raise the toilet question but I would hate you to spend money now and later find it all has to be junked and something more conventional fitted at extra cost.

Its the chemical dye used in its manufacture. Cows chew things for entertainment and there are newborn calves to consider too. But what would I know, don't shoot the messenger please.

Thank you for that. Let's hope some of our members take due notice.

I'd have thought the water you were sailing in was of your depth anyway! ?

Sorry, but you still haven't said you would be happy about it. Would you be as forthright if you had to tell his wife in person? And another killer on the loose in his car? I'm not saying that, but I am suggesting we should all take some responsibility for the safety of others. Your right to drive your car comes with concomitant responsibilities, whether you like it or not. .

Does the picture keep freezing?

It’s a load of bull

Come on, this is a serious incident and you're all just milking it.

Of course it is. Surely the driver could have swerved to avoid him? ? George

This is a bone of contention. The road traffic act and the highway code are there for all. I am aware cyclists are more vulnerable but that does not absolve them of the obligation to drive within the rules of the road. It is astonishing to me that some cyclists ride as if they are immortal and seem to believe that their safely is everyone's responsibility but their own. Anyone undertaking a vehicle with a left indicator flashing is best killed before they have a chance to breed. Relying for your life upon the existence of mirrors and an assumption that the driver expects idiots to be attempting suicide on their left is not a good idea. Best idea is to put the ns tyres against the kerb and block anything coming up the inside. Not of course that a cycle would overtake without the required 1.5 metre clearance.

I am not familiar with the Varta but I suspect a set of Trojans will likely last 3 or even 4 times as long so are much more cost effective. It all comes down to the difficulty of fitting the Trojans into the available space and the ability to charge them at a decent voltage. Accepted wisdom is either to get Trojans (or similar), or get cheapos. It might turn out that the Varta are just cheapos at a premium price, the worse of both worlds? Can you give me a link to a data sheet???? In my opinion all this stuff about 50% discharge is all a bit of a giant Red Herring. I suspect that all batteries can be discharged to whatever level you choose (well down to 80%) and you are just trading depth of discharge against cycle life, though with better batteries the penalty for going lower might be less severe. .................Dave

It is a weird feeling to be driving along the 20mph sections of the Embankment in London and being overtaken on both sides simultaneously by streams of cyclists breaking the speed limit.

It was probably the stress of knowing that the evil empire volunteers were around that caused him to fall in Joking aside, I hope the person makes a speedy recovery. A timely reminder of the dangers of working locks alone. Rog

IRONIC REALLY While this forum carries on having a go at volunteer lock-keepers, I can report that a few minutes ago, a boater who insisted on working the locks at Hillmorton himself, slipped and fell into the lock and went under his boat but thankfully was pulled out by the lady volunteer lock-keeper whom, I assume was the target of the OP in this thread. The boater survived and has been taken to hospital with a broken collar bone. Police praised her actions. The other volunteer lock-keepers who are at the locks raising money for MacMillan Nurses, took care of his boat and moored it safely. Perhaps the OP would like to make a donation.

That was a 'low' comment...

Someone's gotta say it "What a mooooving story."

Did that include tea and Jammy Dodgers?

Excellent. Can I have one of your new strakes as my prize please

I think that's a bit of a sweeping generalisation - hire boats usually have central heating, many have decent inverters (punters bring hair driers etc and expect to use them), modern cooking facilities and mains fridges etc etc. Layouts can be versatile - second beds are often daytime dinettes anyway and a bunk room is very easily turned into an office. Above all, they are solidly built, well maintained and durable.

Vollies 'helping' is not that big a deal to me as it might appear on here, but it's the general and overall presumption that I 'need help' to squirt me through the lock that I dislike. I LIKE working the locks and they take away that pleasure from me and expect to be thanked for it. Having to tell them to not to help also spoils the unhurried and unhassled leisurely operation of a lock and introduces a degree of stress.

Take some decent photos of all the connections on what ever you can see, you may find em handy one day if something like this happens again.

In my short time on this forum I've noticed that whenever a boat for sale is discussed, its generally in negative terms. Especially if it's in London. The exception is when it's a forum member who's selling, when general nods of approval come from all around. I actually think the price isn't far off for this boat, and will likely sell for close to the asking price in London. The spec level looks pretty good and I'd expect to pay substantially more for anything noticeably better. The test is to go and see it in person and look closely. Even under paint you should be able to tell if the wood is knackered. Look properly, down in the bilges, under the shower tray. Look for condensation around windows, doors and hatches or anywhere where insulation may be lacking. Are there signs of rot? From 2002 a bit would be fairly normal. A lot wouldn't be. Look for evidence of repairs and servicing. Looks for external signs of rust around windows and the chimbley collar. A close inspection by someone with common sense will usually show up if it's a dud.

Gotcha. So it is possible that she's been recently whitewashed for the sale, which is actually hiding some problems?

Its amazing how good the level of maths is at our local School- the kids can all do their 12x table just by using their fingers !