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A small town in Italy twinned with a similar town in Greece. The Mayor of the Greek town visited the Italian town. When he saw the palatial mansion belonging to the Italian mayor he wondered how he could afford such a house. The Italian said; "You see that bridge over there? The EU gave us a grant to build a two-lane bridge, but by building a single lane bridge with traffic lights at either end this house could be built". Soon after, the Italian visited the Greek town. He was simply amazed at the Greek Mayor's house, gold taps, marble floors, it was marvellous. When he asked how this could be afforded the Greek said; "You see that bridge over there?" The Italian replied; "No."

How did you find the 5 litre beast? One great thing about Admirals. No matter how hard you stove in the bow against obstructions you cannot ruin the lines.

Indeed, let's get real. We, the citizens of this country, did not choose to be part of this organisation. We chose to be part of its predecessor, which did not have law making powers. We also voted to leave this organisation, but we now appear to be denied the outcome we chose.

Laws are blunt instruments. They are catch-all and cannot be nuanced, except by precedent. The law about used rebated fuel oil (red diesel) for propulsion has been discussed for at least 10 years. Whether you have a yacht or a narrow-boat, or more significantly for some, a private plane (even if you are using the plane to transport staff) it has been illegal to use red diesel for some time. The UK secured, what could be described as an implementation period, which ran out in 2008. Since then the UK has tried to argue the case, and has now failed. If you propel your boat with petrol you already pay the full amount of fuel tax. The issue is that the use of red-diesel has been one of the factors which has artificially kept down the costs of owning a boat - which in all except the cases of live-aboards, is considered a luxury. A luxury which is used for leisure purposes. For a few thousand folk the boat is home. Take out those who legitimately reside on a residential mooring and the hardship will be felt most by those who live on their boats but claim the entitlement not to have a home mooring and actually cruise hundreds of miles every year. Not those who claim the entitlement and do not cruise. We should get real - this is a law - made by an organisation we chose to be part of. Laws made by the EU are proposed by the European Commission, and they can only even be proposed if all 28 member States agree to the proposal. Then they have to be decided, and the decision is taken after full discussion in the European Parliament. This is nothing to do with something being imposed on us by others - its something we signed up for. As is so often the case with us UK citizens we agree to something before we really understand the implications - I'm thinking Iraq war and Brexit as two recent examples.

Many things weren't taxed in the old days which are taxed now. Things change. I really hope you didn't think voting brexit would involve any sort of return to the old days, or you're going to be very very dissappointed.

So very true but you only needed to say it once lol. Degrees now come in lucky bags ( remember those? ) 3 of our 5 kids have degrees and the only reason the other 2 havnt is simply because they didnt want one. A degree used to mean something but in many cases now it simply means donking it off at uni for 3 years rather than getting a job.

Luckily those that voted in ignorance two years ago were in the minority and those of us who fully understood what was at stake, the majority, voted out.

Surely not a realistic option.

Hey, don't shoot the messenger. I was just trying to help people that might like a nice simple way of getting someone to their boat, I for one quite like it. If you can't remember three words that's fine. Stick with google, it was just an option. My thinking was I could just print the words with the job sheet, so the lads can just type it in off the paper work. That's what I meant. Easier than typing in an internet address like you'd get with google maps. Anyway the choice is there if anyone wants to use it and we are quite happy to find people using it, or google or still with basic directions.. But the more choices the better for all involved.

Its a bureaucratic rule brought in by people with no real knowledge of how diesel is used and no respect for a country which has at least tried to "officialise" the process by self declaration and HMRC retailer checks. The EU don't accept that small vessels MAY have a separate tank for domestic(boiler, stove, cooker, heating etc) usage, they don't accept that a percentage split may be used from a single tank for heating/electric generation, they don't accept that the UK/HMRC are trying to play fair against a very ill thought out ruling. No, lets stick the boot in, lets fine them and add to the Brexit fee....... Out means out, Tusk, Merkel and others will suffer more when we've gone.

Whose afraid of another vote. Perhaps its the stitch up question we fear. If it is accepted by remainers that we voted to leave the eu, then the question should not have a remain option, it should be between leave with the deal as negotiated, or leave with no deal. Would that be ok with you, if so, bring it on.

Why don't folks on here realise that the bulk of income to run the canals comes from Government. If CaRT can make a good job of persuading Authority that the canals are for the public benefit (not just boaters) - then these extra funds will dry up??

I suppose you are right, Grand Union boats are good enough as they are whereas an old fashioned Josher will always need a bit of tarting up

Agreed. One reason of course being it kept them off the unemployed register thus making it look like youth unemployment had fallen!! A simple way to massage the figures.

Gave up on the self pump-out I guess:-) N

Damned mobile signal! (x 4)

Don't forget that younger people are more likely to have a degree because more of them were encouraged to go to University than was the case in their parents or grandparents generations. It used to be only the top 5% academically that studied for a degree, but the current target is 50%. It does not mean the younger generations are any cleverer! Don't forget that younger people are more likely to have a degree because more of them were encouraged to go to University than was the case in their parents or grandparents generations. It used to be only the top 5% academically that studied for a degree, but the current target is 50%. It does not mean the younger generations are any cleverer! Don't forget that younger people are more likely to have a degree because more of them were encouraged to go to University than was the case in their parents or grandparents generations. It used to be only the top 5% academically that studied for a degree, but the current target is 50%. It does not mean the younger generations are any cleverer! Don't forget that younger people are more likely to have a degree because more of them were encouraged to go to University than was the case in their parents or grandparents generations. It used to be only the top 5% academically that studied for a degree, but the current target is 50%. It does not mean the younger generations are any cleverer!

This is probably a truism. Person X voted for apples, Person C voted for pears sadly what is available is mixed fruit and only mixed fruit - that is the reason no agreement can be reached.

The absolute veto has been abolished in many areas meaning that an individual country cannot stop many of these proposals. Witness the ports directive. Passed despite UK objections, and guess what, it has a disproportionate bad effect on UK ports because we a different way of doing things in the UK. George

That is certainly my impression also. I think many people who voted to leave did so as a protest about illegal immigration and are now regretting their vote . Immediately after the referendum people who had voted to leave were shocked by the outcome . The referendum should hopefully teach the British people that their vote must be given due and serious consideration. Hopefully in elections fewer people will make protest votes. I think the idea of keeping close to our European neighbours and meeting with them regularly at a high level can only be a good thing . even if we disagree on various topics it is better to debate those differences. I another couple of decades the older group who voted to leave will be gone an the present younger generation may well vote us back into the EU.

At the end of the day it doesn't really matter. The establishment will block any meaningful Brexit. It will be business as usual apart from Britain being poorer, both financially and perhaps more importantly, in spirit. It's not all doom and gloom though. The United States of Europe project surely can't go ahead now. There's too much opposition, growing opposition. All around the world the kind of politics that are the very ethos of the EU's philosophy are being rejected. It may be a fire fight for the EU, just to keep what it has.

I actually agree with this. Not because it was democratically necessary but because by then many people were distinctly uncomfortable with what was going on and had realised their lack of understanding of the consequences of their vote in 1975. Not getting a referendum in 1992(?) led to a deep resentment that the older generation have held onto for 25 years. Then in 2016 they all marched out to the polling stations and registered their protest.

Sorry, no. Political union with Europe was already a very well established ambition of the UK Government by 1975. The referrendum was clearly understood by those who had done their homework, to be a stepping stone to far closer political integration. In fact, 1975 was the culmination of a process which had been in motion since the end of the war. If those who voted to join in 1975 did not understand this, then they were voting in ignorance. Similar to those who voted in ignorance 2 years ago. I know an awful lot of remainers, and I've yet to hear this argument put forward. Is it really a common view?

Well have a word with your brother Tanglewood from further up the page. He followed up his previous long and seemingly pretty well thought out post by stating that we had a referendum whether to leave or remain in the EU in 1973 I see. The elite can convince vast swathes of the voting population that their opinion isn't needed, trust us, the elite, we know what's best for you. Just add a few negative words, job done.

And an important part of democracy is to refer important decision to the populace by way of referendum. You might have thought that the passing of law making powers from a national base to an overseas base with ambitions of federalism might be seen to be a pretty important matter. But no, it suited the elite of the time, as it appears to suit them today. And so we have it.

Yes, the government chose to incorporate Britain within the EU without referring to it's citizens. Sorry, subjects. This differs from a common remainer view that we voted to join the EU which of course we didn't, not at any stage.

Being a democracy which works by representation he had no need to ask the people for their consent.

Which nicely skips over the fact it would never have happened if our government hadn't agreed to the proposal. So it is our government to blame but that doesn't suit the Brexit view.

Ideally, gas instantaneous hot water heaters need to go on the bulkhead between kitchen and bathroom to keep the hot water supply pipes as short as possible. Personally I prefer a calorifier inside the boat not in the engine space of a cruiser stern boat for fear of it freezing in winter. A vertical one just inside and to one side at the back, still near the engine, and a nice airing cupboard can be made around it.

We shouldn't worry that this might cost us £50, £100 or £500 a year extra. Just imagine: a bleak barren landscape in Latvia where previously only cabbages and potatoes were grown which you could buy for 10c for a large bag at the local market. This can now be transformed into a brand new 4 lane highway. Not that this is needed, there are few cars around in this wilderness but let's not let negativity get in the way of progress eh? This is great news for the area. Workers on the road go from lifting cabbages at 2 Euros an hour to a proper wage. The contractor, working closely with his commissioner buddies transforms himself into a millionaire virtually overnight. Quite remarkable, a real success story. 2 years on a top team from the EU arrives all suited and booted for the ceremonial opening of the road. It's smiles and handshakes all around, with a few high fives to the locals, just to show that guys in suits are there with you, we speak your language. A year on the odd car and truck thunders past the potato and cabbage fields. They don't bother stopping, there's nothing to stop for. The fields are smaller now but jobs are still available picking cabbages, 2 Euros an hour. Everything is more expensive now. Well that's obvious, given that everyone was paid good money, but just for a while.... The locals feel they've been duped somehow, but can't quite put their finger on it. Meanwhile In Marbella the contactor sips his early morning coffee on his yacht, chatting with his mates from Lisbon, Athens, Dublin and the like. They were all smart enough to cut and run when the going was good. So let's be proud that we're contributing to the EU 'social fund', eh?

We might all be guilty of that nervous feeling on seeing 'the high bow of Nuneaton approaching'

My whispergen is 24 volt and used for hot water central heating and domestic power. The drive motor is 60 volt and charged by solar only so no it won't effect me at all. I as I have said will use kero for it's correct purpose ?

As you say Europe leans more to Rail /Water Transport & in the part of France I live even the most rural lines of SNCF are "Leccie"rather than diesel

We never voted to join the EU and use it’s laws, we voted to join a common market to stop export duty on our goods going to the EU. The rest was forced upon us,

I agree with Mr Grumpy, with those lights they are more than likely blinding especially if they anywhere near the rating you linked to. Point them upwards, it will be better for you to navigate tunnels anyhow.