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Bottle of Laphroig

This day in 2013, Yangzhou, China. The first photo is of restaurant/trip boats, the second is a flood lock between the various waterways in the city, the third is coal being delivered to a local power station, and finally, do we need these lads to clear weed on our canals?

If you have a laptop you can buy a 'snake' camera with a USB plug on one end for about a tenner.

Popcorn anyone? ?

If it is controlled by a morse lever, then spare cable(s) of the right length. If you are lucky, then the same spare can be used for gearbox and throttle.

I think that the dates will change in line with cars, I fully expect 2030 to be the cutoff for ICE in cars and boats.

Heck Road bridge has reduced air draft because of a subsidence due to mining. The legal air draft (1968 Act) is 3.8 metres and the maximum recommended now is 3.6 metres. British Waterways tried to get the Coal Authority to pay to have the bridge raised but the Coal Authority resisted legally (successfully) owing to the fact that empty barges were still passing underneath without difficulty by ballasting and pleasure craft didn't have a problem. As part of the study into the carriage of containers the bridges, Goole to Stourton, were all measured some years ago and Heck and Stubbs (3.76 m) are the only ones below 3.8 metres at normal water level. Seven are between 3.6 m and 4 m (albeit one is 3.99 m!)) - 4 m being considered the minimum air draft for containers at the time. The bridges (heck in particular) are monitored by a qualified CRT surveyor following comments from users but the surveyor tells me that Heck bridge has settled down and doesn't seem to be moving. Of course the water levels can fluctuate slightly and that was also discussed in the report. I recall the 500 tonners when tankers doing exactly as has been described when passing under the lowest bridges - very occasionally it didn't work! The comment about lifting bridges is interesting as the rail industry has being using simple techniques to achieve this quite successfully for electrification. Regarding the new traffic to Leeds Andy Collins (AC Marine Aggregates Ltd) reminded me the other day that it's actually 14 years since we first met to discuss his vision for getting sea dredged material into Leeds. This was based on his (correct) belief that as local quarry sources dwindled and new quarries would not get planning permission, marine material, which is more expensive than land-won would eventually be competitive in West Yorkshire. CBOA and ACMA have worked together on this since then, firstly with the Crown Estate (owners of the material) who have been most helpful, then many meetings with dredger operators in the UK and abroad (Van Oord provides the dredger). About five years ago we were at the stage when it would be economic to bring a dredger into the Humber and again there were numerous meetings with wharf and port operators. At John Branford's suggestion Hardings in Albert Dock were approached and could provide the facility needed. Inland terminals and wharves were then looked at including two in Knottingley, and two or three sites in Leeds, including Knostrop which was then available but the time wasn't right in terms of local material availability etc. By mid last year it was beginning to stack up. Knostrop's open space was fully let (apart from the wharf itself which is protected) but one of the occupiers agreed to give up enough space for storage next to the wharf and while agreeing terms and changing leases took longer than any of us would have wished we are now delighted that the traffic has started up and will hopefully increase. The vision of Andy Collins and his family and colleagues has been justified! regards David L

They should use the electricity from some of the wind turbines to power other turbines as fans and blow away some of the clouds that obscure our solar panels and cause flooding when they rain. A virtuous circle. ?

I too was interested in the answer to Matty's question because I felt the statement he queried was somewhat misleading to say the least. It seemed to imply that @Aegidian held a license/approval from CaRT to be a boat mover. I also felt he was trying to imply other boat users may not be so licensed. In other words typical marketeers near lies and distortion to gain an advantage. I think the sentence @matty40s should be rewritten so it says exactly what is offered along these lines: "I have CaRT trade plates so am able to move an unlicensed boat on CaRT waters.

The elephant in the room when it comes to Gov.UK's Marine 2050 Plan is in the underlined word above. It can't be sustained. When I worked in industry if were to put any proposal before a board with such a woolly, unmeasurable objective I'd have been ordered out of the room immediately, my esteem in tatters. Likewise any board or executive would be delighted to accept any objective using the word "expect" as they may ignore it and not fail. "Well you expected and we did our best" In many languages the words "Wait" "Hope" and "Expect" are the same word. In fact in English they are often interchangeable. The dictionary says - Anticipate, hope for, look forward to, presume, suppose. None of these verbs are what they call Action Verbs, they are suggestions only, or at best what is likely to be preferred. (Definition of an Action Verb - Action verbs, also called dynamic verbs, express an action whether it be physical or mental. An action verb explains what the subject of the sentence is doing , has done, or must do. Expect, Hope and Wait are not dynamic, can not be demonstrated nor observed.) So, when it doesn't happen, the explanation will be. "Although we signed up to this 5, 15 or 30 years ago, we always knew new technology and immense capital investment would be required. Sadly it was not forthcoming, however progress in different areas have assisted us to reduce blah blah blah anyway." None of what I am saying reflects my personal preferences regarding Gov.UK's Marine 2050 Plan. However I fully expect, hope and wait for your assurance that I do eagerly await the opportunity to discard my 50 year old boat because of its treacherous diesel engine.

Adge Cutler wore a smock late into the 20th century. It can't have been a poor person thing, because he had a brand new combine harvester and 23 acres, and I'm not sure he didn't go on to marry a woman with 43 acres.

In the end these self entitled types are doing their best to make life harder for liveaboards that understand that discretion, and occasionally going without is part of the gentlemen's agreement at the core of our lifestyle. Demanding 'rights' in the manner of a petulant child after more sweets, when it has already got away with eating 20 doughnuts comes to mind when looking at the situation they have engineered for themselves.

Therein lies part of the problem, I suggest. You are focussing too much on negativity, death and disaster. I call it catastrophising - dwelling on the worst possible scenario. Which is a very powerful way to descend into misery and depression. Try to have some happy thoughts, dwell on nice things instead.

They had already done three quarters of the network, and are experienced in media production. I have met them, and they are both very intelligent and sensible and not prone to hysteria or making snap judgements. They do a lot of boating, work as a team and keep the boat well maintained. You may have missed the point, the idiot CRT employee was pushing boats through, not advising of risks, and was totally unaware of the danger of sinking the boat.

Changed the blue string holding the black fenders to black string.

Something like this is a good tool to have for those small repairs https://www.toolstation.com/bauker-300w-multi-cutter/p54984

I always carry one of those when hiking & camping. I also have a heavy duty WW1 military version but its weighs about 1kg so too heavy for hiking with.

I have one of the wire saws with a ring at each end. Great for cutting branches, tyres off the prop, scrotes.

Yes, water pump, alternator, starter motor, one injector, a fuel solenoid, and a gasket set for the injection pump and a head set.

I suggested that and he said he had tried it. Keep up at the back !

My goodness that sounds dramatic. We are on B Pontoon. Really enjoying it so far although we've been out boating more than we've been in the marina. Currently in Shardlow and hope to get to Birmingham. We have very limited experience but a chunk of the boating world seems fairly lawless. I'm sure we've passed the same boats on 48 hour moorings that were there a month or two ago. No idea how CRT have the resources to police, let alone maintain, the waterways.

Spare filters and belts, set of spanners all to suit the model of engine Oil, grease, antifreeze. Water proofs, boiler suit. Calor spanner. Decent rechargeable LED torch. Infra red thermometer. Multimeter, preferably a DC clamp ammeter.

As aircraft already use a sort of container system for loading freight, catering etc., I would imagine they would use batteries in a similar format and swap them over during turnaround.

https://www.french-waterways.com/electric-hire-boat/ The 3-cabin SIXTO Green is a brand new electric powered boat joining the Nicols fleet for 2018. Non-polluting and with a silent motor, feel at one with nature amidst the lush French countryside. Launching from their bases in Alsace, what a serene and mindful way to have a waterways holiday. The joy of hire boating is that you can jump aboard, be shown around and then off you go. And now you can do it with the peace of mind of zero emissions and an overall reduce carbon footprint for your holiday in France. The Sixto Green Nicols’ newest hire boat can sleep up to 8 guests. There are three cabins sleeping 6 guests then the extra bed spaces come thanks to the convertible double bed in the living room. This makes the boat ideal for crews of three couples or two couples and two, or more, children. Outside there are two deck areas for relaxing as well as a second steering position. The addition of the second steering position is such a treat for whomever pilots the boat . On the most gorgeous of day, they don’t miss out on the best of the weather nor scenery. Then off the back there is a sun awning over tables and chairs for sheltered al fresco dining. Self drive hire boats are easy to steer and roomy enough for guests without taking up too much room on the waterways. The added extras on the Sixto Green enable you to take a dip via the swimming ladder and really enjoy river life then rinse off under the deck shower. This is more than just a boat – it’s home for a week or two. The reality of an electric hire boat Naturally, piloting an electrically charged boat requires some thinking about power levels and regular recharging. Nicols has thought this through too. In a unique partnership with the Voie navigables de France (VNF), together they have installed staggered charging terminals to support the cruisers. These charging points on the Saar and Marne-Rhine canals appear roughly every 11km. In terms of planning recharging into your day, it takes just two hours of charging time to fully restore the battery charge.That’s plenty of time for lunch and a wander around your newest mooring spot.

Do what we did on our 26 year old house - replace them with maintenance-free UPVC. Also, like other posters, we have replaced our windows, doors front and back, kitchen, bathroom x 2.5, boiler, several rads, and lounge gas fire. And spent thousands on decorating, fancy floors etc.

Yes - the intention is that from 2050 no boats can be used in UK waters unless they are zero emission, Diesel boats will be banned & worthless.

Luddite. you are past your sell-by date. on that basis you won't be allowed to row, paddle or pull your boat unless you can devise a Bizzard-type scheme to contain all your effluents and recycle them for ever after.

Yes we too used a crane to get our 70ft sailaway in to our back yard while we fitted her out behind the house. Tuckey did it for us after we prepared the land with some rather large railway sleepers and telegraph pole rollers. There was also a concrete pad for the crane to use. Got the photos somewhere of several villagers all pushing Snail's stern to try to get her further in to the space. It was a fun day for all! We had also an offer from a local farmer if getting it to the house wasn't possible.

Having read the thread but not contributed I must say its been a long time before sense and reality has prevailed by this post. Leccy engines will not be forced upon me or anyone on this forum, it just will not happen. Four years ago the gov said ice engines would not be allowed in new cars within twenty years...............only 16 to go, we shall see.

We passed one boat coming the other way on the tidal Trent yesterday but that was the only boat we saw moving. There are a few boats at Cromwell. A narrowboat and cruiser on the pontoon and three cruisers and a fat narrowboat on the wall. Fairly quiet I would say.

Martin, aka Doghouse , and then MJG, we are fully aware of your abilities to wind people up days and night. I wasnt silly as you said, on another thread. I only abuse those who really try wind ups too far and deserve it. You hide behind your new HappyNomad name whilst your MJG is still open on the forum. You have tried to wind me up on several occasions recently, one of which I apologised to Athy for.... bot for what I said, but for the fact he had to deal with it. It's not anyone's fault that you cant stop posting, have a need to reply to something, or respond to a thread that sometimes you have no knowledge of, that is your problem. Other prolific posters have managed to reign in their input, or stop it completely, for their own sanity. Contribute with help and knowledge of the subject, not just for the sake of it.

Yes, that's quite right. You only require them for moving unlicensed boats across Canal & River Trust water, although they are also useful for online booking of passages and moorings for a boat being moved because I won't have access to a license holder's login details. As I said on my site: "I'm licensed by the Canal & River Trust to move boats using trade plates (useful, if your boat is currently on another waterway authority or is, as yet, unlicensed.)"

The external flue for the 3 way fridge is, or certainly was when I installed it, an optional extra, not an integral part. You could as well argue that no boat should have a solid fuel stove, as it impossible to install a chimney tall enough to comply with the manufacturer's instructions. The BSS is a load of nonsense that has cost us all a fortune to the benefit of nobody except a stack of penpushers.

Brilliant (in concept) quite in line with what a real 'traditional' boat would do ('cept topsides were wooden), but it's in keeping with the idea. If there's some distaste with the rivets / bolts then Mr. Kedian will do a magnificent welding jow there you won't see the join. I don't inderstand why folks don't want to look out of the window(s) in some areas, but mebe retain portholes in the engine area for tradition's sake. OK bus, windows are 'not quite right', but - as in life - compromises are needed, yet achieving what you want to do with your boat - cruising wise SHOCK horror - cruising - what the (expletive) is that....

Same here. I live in the country half a mile from the public road. There are 8 properties that share our access track. The residents clubbed together to pay for the track to be paved, it never gets swept, there is no street lighting, we clear the snow and occasional fallen tree ourselves. We have a private borehole water supply and septic tanks. But the binmen and postman come down to collect and deliver at each house. And we don't get a CT discount either.

And we are off