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Firstly, many thanks for the many PM's and Emails, I've only just gone 'back onto the computer and seen them. It has been a weird couple of weeks with all sorts of 'ailments' rolled into one - I'm still very short of breath just walking 50yards, but it is getting better - so - stand by for the old 'me'. You'll all be boating soon.

All charges dropped. Which was the fair and right result. thanks for all the comments. Its always a right mix bag on here! ??

Morning All. Dr Bob here, well actually it's Dr Bob Jnr, Jnr, Jnr. My great grandad Bob, left instructions in his will to turn up on this forum mid May 2020 and use his login email and password to get access to this thread. He wrote it all out in detail in a sealed letter only to be opened in May 2020. I opened it yesterday so here I am. Looks like I am a week late. Apologies! Quite amazing. It really is. I am really surprised what I found, I am really surprised. In his letter, he talks about his time on the canals in 1918 and how he got there after being forced to walk the plank during some sort of future canal boat challenge (via a strange time travel machine), but because he had taken a load of dosh with him, he decided to stay and made a fortune investing in shares and making a packet off gambling – he bet on all the winners of the FA Cup and the Grand National for the 10 years after he arrived. He remarried and had four girls with now quite an extended family. He wrote a will in 1932 and sealed it in a letter but then in June 1932 disappeared, never to be seen again. The family searched and searched but no joy. He did however give good direction to the family and we have all done very well. Uncle Elon was told to start building electric cars in 2008 when that seemed the last thing anyone wanted. Wow, that was a good call. It really was. Uncle Don was set up in business but told to get into politics. The business side was very successful but his golf seemed to deflect him and it all started to go off the rails – but we all love him. Uncle Bill was told to focus on silicon chips but at the time, we were all thinking that was something to do with fish and chips. He's not done too bad since. Anywho, Great Grandad told me to come on hear and thank Auntie Waitrose and Cpt Ahab for all their great efforts in organising the BCN challenge (at least that is what I think he called it – his writing was awful). He said it was a wonderful week to break the monotony of the 'lock down' (not a clue what that referred to) and despite being told it would only be 2 hours a day, it turned out to be all of the day. It really was a great idea to do it, it really was. He recalls he emailed Auntie Waitrose at least 20 times during the week yet never bought anything from her. That seemed to be one his most treasured memories of the time. He said he longed to do another challenge like it but never got the chance. Great Grandad also thanked the team for their efforts during the week in making it so much fun. He gave me a long list of names but I haven't a clue what or who they are. He listed the names as @mrsmelly @Jennifer McM @peterboat @roland elsdon @Alan de Enfield @rusty69@Laurie.Booth He did say that Rusty remained in 1918 along with him but they lost contact after a while. He hoped that Alan recovered as he seemed to be laid low for the whole week with the virus (we thought he was a goner, we really did) and was likely the person who spread it back to 1918. We shouldn't have laughed when he infected those cyclists. His only disappointment of the week was that we didn't win the challenge. We had such a good boat and such a great team but we didn't seem to put it all together. He wasn't sure why we didn't get more points as he estimated we would be around the 400 mark. How on earth did we get a -ve score? So thanks to Auntie Waitrose and team for such a great, great event and all the other teams for putting together some really interesting ….but not very funny ….logs. His final request in the letter was to say to @TheBiscuits...We thrashed you and where are the noodles! Not a clue what that is all about. So thank you all for letting me in.....I think I may stick around for a while. Dr Bob Jnr, Jnr, Jnr

The rule is designed to deter long distance travel which in itself offers opportunities for virus transmission eg calling at service stations. If people can't sensibly make the two way journey in a day they should stay at home. If people are allowed to stay overnight on boats then staying overnight in holiday homes or caravans etc should be allowed too. Staying in holiday homes etc also may involve long distance travel and potentially brings the virus into area that are otherwise relatively free of it. Staying overnight on a boat may involve a need to use communal toilet facilities which is another means of spreading the virus . People need to be given simple rules - they may appear illogical in some circumstances .

You know, I think I might have been really stupid and reinstalled it the wrong way around. It's not bolted down so It's easy to rotate through 180 degrees. It's definitely pumping healthily. I wondered if there was a switch to make it reverse pump but from the tech document apparently not. I think it's idiot owner syndrome. Oh well, hopefully a free fix. I'll refit it tomorrow.

Help - I'm at a loss to understand how staying overnight on a boat you can visit two days running is any more a threat than the two visits?

Dunno 'bout you fellers wi"t big canals oop North but us down yer dozzent go fast enough for a scoop. ( On the alternator. Beer is altogether a different thing). N

More on tunnels. This one is at Mauvages on the Marne-Rhine Canal, 4.9 kilometres in length. When we went, long ago, in the Arthur, there was haulage by chain tug, with electric locos taking over at the ends. As we waited, the family on the barge ahead chatted with those on the 11 vessels travelling in the other direction - switching with total ease from French to German and back. Re the Riqueval tunnel Tam and di described, the tow when we were therewent onwards through the second, shorter, tunnel of Tronquoy. Our barge being considered a "yacht" we were last in the 17 vessel tow (The record is said to be 74). A lovely waterway this, with enduring memories of that potion between the two tunnels, silently in the sunlight, just drifting along.

It was all as true as the current official pandemic government statistics. Absolutely true, honest so honest. You can trust us completely at all times. We are following the science, its just the scientists are confused too. Blame them.

" Eccentricity "...............is that a posh word for " Nutcase "?

Absolutely brilliant. What a great way to thank Jan for not only having, but implementing quite the whackyest idea of the lockdown. It did turn out to be more work than we expected but was fun and a huge distraction in these difficult times. Made us enthusiastic to give the real thing a go too. Thank goodness for the great tradition of eccentricity. It certainly lives here. Not only that, but Jan managed to persuade a great team to help. I'm still missing Captain Ahab's measured tones as he gave us our daily updates.

Quite disappointed that a moderator is continuing the non fun arguments on this thread.

‘The thought of the kids not going back to school on June 1st tipped her over the edge’

Would it be possible to have a forum where if people take over a thread with gripes at each other they can move onto? It's getting difficult to get info as I subscribe to lots of useful threads, or started off useful but they degenerated into 'mines bigger than yours' threads and I don't really want to get notifications about when they post their next rant? I love these forums to bits as they are so useful but some conversations at the moment are of no interest to anyone other than those having a go at each other, losing the thread entirely? Hope that makes sense?? failing that can mods lock threads that go waaaay off topic?

Hello. I have been lurking on this forum for a long time, long enough to remember Moley, Maffi and even John Orentas. I thought it was about time I posted something, especially as posts I have been reading keep disappearing into the Politics forum which I currently can't read Anyway, I wondered if anyone on the forum went on the Coal and Cotton Rally. This was a cruise from Leeds to Liverpool organised by BW. It was to be the last time boats would be able to use the commercial docks to access Salthouse dock via the Mersey. The link was supposed to open in 2008 for access, but it was delayed a year. Some of our friends did the whole trip, but we joined at Wigan, via the Leigh Branch We moored at Wigan pier, which was open then. In the Orwell pub we meet to ex-working boaters, Henry and Phyllis. They we taking their boss's boat to Liverpool so that he could cruise it on the Mersey

I, and many others, worry about what the police are not doing, such as investigating burglaries and prosecuting shoplifters. Not so long ago we were being told that the constabulary was dangerously under resourced, now they seem to have the time to drive up and down quiet mountain roads and deserted streets at night. Ever been on the receiving end of police harassment? If you ever are, you will change your view.

Sticks covered in diesel? What do you do with it after? How careful are you not transfer COV19 into your diesel tank?

I agree. A stick is cheaper and will work for 20 years plus.

Can't see how it would be possible for staff to check the overnight properly. Torchlight through the windows at midnight? Now people can get to their boats guess some are going to take the proverbial. At the end of the day though, staying out at second home is against the law so the police could prosecute if irrefutable proof. Marina, just like other businesses, should have stated distancing and sanitation policies/guidance in place before reopening, eg one off - one on the jetty, Not dismissing the Q; someone staying over on their leisure boat at the moment is simply claiming to be more important, more privileged and more entitled to put everyone else at greater risk than the rest of us.

Picky ...

As lock 1E is listed as closed due to lack of water,it's not surprising. I must be weird then! Went for a cruise from lock1E (closed) on the HNC to lock 9 on the HBC.Couldn't go any further because of the leakage from the bottom gates,it wouldn't fill enough to be able to open the top gates. Had I wanted to get somewhere I would have resorted to a "Spanish Windlass"but as I was just out for a "jolly"I didn't bother.So turned around and had lunch in the peace and quiet,apart from the sound of rushing water from the very leaky lock gates. Told others about the leaky lock gates and after sharp intakes of breath,was told that yes I could cruise but mustn't use the locks. Anyway,I enjoyed my little trip,it was a lovely day,and it was nice to get out on the cut albeit a short one.At least it gave the engine a bit of a blow out and got some water flowing around the hull.

Yes, that sounds like a better solution. The great thing about this mod of course is that there's no twisting moment to the force you apply; it's all centred on the element.

Good to hear you are on the mend must be all the good news on the brexit world

I know, but a pint of Old Peculiar is always welcome. Growing up in North Yorkshire, I was able to sample some of the fine ales out of Masham. Ps, a pint of OP at lunchtime virtually guarantees an afternoon nap!

If your step-son thinks that he might venture back into central London in the next year a good licence to buy would be an Explorer one on top of the rivers only one. An Explorer licence allows you to boat on canals for 30 days in the year after buying it. Again there is a 50% discount as you already have a rivers licence. We only buy an annual rivers licence as we moor on the Soar and then buy Explorer ones when we boat on the canals.

I agree entirely, and having had experience of 12v fridges, I'm pleased that my fridge/freezer is 240v. I also agree that a gas fridge is better than a 12v item, except that gas can leak into the bilges, from whence it is hard to eradicate. I'm glad my boat is entirely gas free, which has the added benefit of my not having to lug gas bottles about, nor waste space on a gas locker.

Memory and gene.

.. as follow up to Dav and Pen, this is us as part of the train of loaded and empty péniches assembled for towage by similar electric tug at the 5670m Riqueval tunnel on the St Quentin canal in N. France, and then Di at the fore end ready to cast off the 30m tow line from the empty boat at the exit. Tam

I think it's important to separate the lithium overcharge problem from the alternator overheat problem, even though they might have the same solution (shutting down the alternator field). I feel that the overcharge problem is mostly catered for with the manual eyekeeping + BMS, but this does nothing for alternator temperature. Perhaps an idrea is to permanently mount a digital probe type thermometer to the alternator, with a display next to all other instruments, so the temperature can at least be monitored without having to go into the engine bay. A simple buzzer could be added that sounds at a set temperature - maybe this should be my first arduino project to wet my feet on the DIY controller thing.

Last time we came down the Rochdale Nine was about midday. On one of the pontoons attached to a bar was a group of young ladies in town for a Robbie Williams concert. There were a few saucy remarks aimed at us, and one of the chaps on the other boat asked "are you going to throw your knickers at him?". "We're not wearing any" came the reply. Not quick enough to say "prove it" we carried on. I dread to think what state they would be in by the evening ...

A meme derives from Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. It's a group memory or received wisdom which is self perpetuating in social consciousness in much the same way as a successful gene is perpetuated in the genome. In internet terms it's a vessel for an idea. Sometimes it's a non verbal comment such as or Sometimes it's a comment such as, More recently it seems to have encompassed any picture posted online

One good reason to buy the genuine article is to support guys like TW Marine who are experts in their field, hard working and give a lot of their time for free. It's the same reason I buy my dog food in bulk from our local post office even though it is much cheaper from Pets at Home. When folk moan about the lack of real shops on the high street or the demise of independent traders, this is where it starts. In any case what you get from an Aquadrive is out of proportion to the initial outlay, I simply don't understand why all boats don't have them.

It looks as if you buy a river only licence you can get your 7 day Canal and river licence half price so a years riverlicence and a weeks river and canal licence looks the way to go

blomin eck................now I know why I use a stick!!

And despite this they still manage to leave pawprints all over our hearts ?

Whilst the political threads will almost invariably develop into 'spats', the solution is not to go there. The 'spats' I find a bit more irritating are those that often develop when some newby is asking for some simple advice on a subject and then is taken to task for not knowing more technical stuff. As a hypothetical example, someone with little knowledge on the subject may ask for advice regarding their batteries, it wont be too long before someone starts telling them to get a multimeter/clamp meter and get to know their 'tail current'. I have none of this equipment and wouldn't know a tail current if I tripped over one and fell in the cut, but have managed to get by perfectly adequately for the past few years, enjoying my ignorance on the subject. For some people it is obviously a fascinating subject, but not for those asking for simple advice.

Anyone (like me) who wants to know which noisy little b*gger is waking them up at dawn, there's an excellent app called BirdNET from the bioacoustics lab at the University of Chemnitz -- it records birdsong, you can then select a section from the recording and submit it to their database which tries to match it against a couple of million recordings. Seems to work very well, knows which birds are likely to be in your area. Of course anybody wearing a tinfoil hat won't want to give away data like this ? Fascinating to sit in the garden for half an hour and figure out what is what. Wrens certainly make a disproportionate racket for their size... Oh yes, the wakey-wakey bird was a great tit ?

That huge chip on your shoulder is clearly weighing you down. You make the assertion and then ask everyone else 'why'. You are the only one one here who has suggested that it is 'racist' so answer your own assertion if you can. The purpose of calling it Chinese Flu, Wuhan Flu,etc.etc isn't racism it is straightforward Trump propaganda that you have clearly bought into. He has royally cocked-up in the US and is in dire need of a scapegoat (as most people of his political persuasion are in need of). In January/February he was praising the actions on his 'friend' Xi, lauding how well they were doing really well with the infection (despite evidence to the contrary, even I remember the news clips of a deserted Wuhan, perhaps Fox News didn't show it),then when it all went tits up in the US suddenly he (and apparently you) forgot all about what a splendid job his 'friend' Xi was supposedly doing and oddly enough he isn't a 'friend' any more. If Trump listened to anyone, other than himself, he would have got a better picture of what was happening in China, but since he has no brains, he doesn't like to approach his intelligence services for any advice since he already 'knows' everything.

There's a lot of NHS workers who should have had many more years of life if they hadn't been killed by the virus. It doesn't only kill off the elderly and those who wouldn't expect many more months or years. The one that touched me most, probably because it's very close to home and my daughter in law was working at Margate hospital until she went on maternity leave just before the virus struck was Aimee O'Rourke. She was 39, no health problems, three young daughters. Those daughters have to live their lives without their mum. That broke my heart - I'm 54 and I still need my mum when I hit a low point. I can't imagine how many times in their lives those girls will wish their mum was with them. It's a fallacy that the virus if let loose will only kill off folks that had little time left anyway. I still can't believe that someone would be callous enough to even think that, let alone say it. Internet anonymity allows that though doesn't it. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-kent-52151231

The issue really is limiting activity and as been pointed out keeping the infection rate low (R number) this means restricting people doing things. It is natural for people looking to get out and about whenever they see a new rule relaxing those restrictions to want to add on and find a way to do what they wish to do. Canoeing may seem very like boating in a narrowboat but there are subtle differences and if you allow both that mean more people milling about travelling etc. If every argument of "if they can do that then I an do this" is allowed pretty soon it means everyone can do anything. We need to keep the spread of the virus to a minimum level or a lot of people will die through our own selfishness. I live only a couple of miles from Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) a very nice place to go sailing. I have my boat at home I could just hitch up and go sailing and with little chance of meeting up with anyone and I cold even tag it onto a shopping trip into the town. That is not permitted at the moment and so I do not do it not because I could not do this reasonably safely but because we need to be good citizens and follow the rules and guidelines and do our bit not just to keep me safe but to keep everyone around us safe. The advice and guidance from CRT and other navigation authorities is clear, just follow it. I do not think it will be long (assuming we do not start to get a 2nd spike in cases) before things are more open and navigation possible. In the meantime lines have to be drawn and some things not permitted there will be things that fall one side of that line or the other.

As one of the few (maybe only) people here who has done significant boating during the lockdown, can I second this? You're not just sitting, fat and happy, in the middle of the canal, and surface transmission at locks is the least of your worries. Much more of the problem is when you're standing on the back of the boat in the bottom of a lock and someone's ugly mug appears above you whilst they gawp at this new sight: there are a LOT of people taking their Boris exercise on towpaths who have never been near a canal before lockdown and have not seen boats moving. Two metres safe distance is two metres HORIZONTALLY, if someone is standing above you, you're much more vulnerable. To be safe, expect to have to shout at people to get them to clear lock areas before you use the lock, and expect to get very strange looks when you shout at people standing on bridges as you approach to ask them to move off the bridge whilst you pass under. Now that everyone has been let out again, somewhere like Foxton will be hell to boat through; it'll be heaving, as will Buckby top lock; the pub may be closed but people will be using the tables on the lockside. Add similar places in you locale to taste. Also expect the towpaths to be busier than you're used to: there will be a lot more people walking past your boat, and a lot more people cycling. Judging by the prevalence of groups of young males travelling fast on bikes during the lockdown period, gay, poly, marriage is a lot more common than I thought. MP.

How mean spirited that a conversation on a boating forum in the middle of the working day about when we can enjoy our leisure activity with greater freedoms descends into criticism of crucial and dedicated keyworkers. I know plenty of teachers of different age groups and they work like troopers, do not get the recognition they deserve. Anyone who thinks they are overpaid, currently sitting idle or do the same when the kids aren't in school in normal times is deluded.

Well I hope that people will continue to question politicians who have a track record of being liars.