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The BCM in 1978, and one of Geoff Wheat's photos of a Dudley Tunnel trip in 1964.

On this day in 2016, waiting for traffic on the L&L

I really dislike the “pass at tickover” signs. It makes me want to pass faster than I otherwise would. People these days think they have a right to tell other people what to do. It is Control freakery. It is like the unofficial signs displaying a repeat of the perfectly good speed limit sign a few yards away, are people really so stupid as to imaging it makes drivers go slower? On my drive to the gliding club there is a lone house on a long straight on a quiet scottish country A road (60 limit). The new owners have installed a sign with white writing on a red background something about slowing down due to children and pets. But the sign is quite small and can only be read from a distance of about 20 yards so even if one were inclined to heed it, it is far too late. What are these people on? Further on, on a B road in the National Park, there is a short stretch of “ribbon village” with a dozen or so houses, with a 40 limit. 40 is a naturally “about right” speed for that stretch and I have never encountered a speeding car coming the other way in 40 years of doing that trip regularly. Nevertheless 2 residents have found it necessary to put up signs in their front gardens, one a replica of a 40 limit sign, the other a textual sign saying 40 limit. This despite the fact that the actual 40 limit sign is large, has those lead-in signs and is only about 50yards away. What are these people hoping to achieve, other than to make themselves look bossy arseholes? One night I will stop and put up a sign in their gardens that says “we moved from the big city and bought a house in a national park in the country next to a road. Nobody told us there would be CARS! It is outrageous and just to let you know, we hate tourists so poke off and don’t dare to drive past our house!” Personally I think anyone with a stupid “pass at tickover” signs is also a bossy control freak arse and should be slapped, preferably with a large wet fish. There, I feel better now.

On this day in 2016 Great Yarmouth to Southwold. Timed it on the dot for getting under the bridges at Yarmouth!

No good will come of it, its too soon. The number of boats requiring intensive care will rocket, possibly overwhelming available resources.

1981 going down Braunston with plenty of helpers. Tadworth and Alton

That'll be the algae then...

Tonight. Cromford Wharf

As per Cuthounds post would have love to have been their when the boater reappeared I’m t would have been funny!! and re Rob-M idea. Next time change direction of boat around lol Trouble is, don’t think I’m a brave enough!

But they won't empty, an equilibrium will be reached, anyway in most cases otter are just replacing mink as the predator. A healthy ecosystem needs predators, if the system is so knife edge the introduction of a native predator causes a massive crash, its likely the system was stuffed anyway and instead of blaming the native species the whole system needs to be addressed

I mostly agree. But even worse are people who buy a house next to the canal and then put up a "no mooring" sign on their house.

Oh, another thing I forgot to mention - consider using rigid panels - If you cover much of your roof with these, you effectively create a double layer roof and you won't need to find shade on sunny days...the panels provide.

Trombone at Twilight was a fantastic aria I once heard...

The Netherlands remembered: in Lemmer where we could moor in what was effectively the main street, and the massive, un-egined vessel we found ourselves behind while waiting for a lock. There was a tugboat somewhere near the other end.

The ones on view in the link are fairly uninspiring snapshots.

He did have a white claw.

I agree the MI's are relevant, but there is little or no guarantee that a BSS examiner will accept the result if the MI contradicts or appears not to conform with the BSS check list. The weakest part of a p**s poorly run BSS examination system is its complete lack of quality control or quality assurance of the examinations or the examiners. N

Quoting only part of my reply is misleading to the OP. We are talking about the internal supply to an appliance, not an engine installation. If the appliance is approved for marine use, then the M.I's are applicable.

I guess that's where they came from, we did see a large rack full of such craft when we passed through there earlier in the day.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Metal-Meat-Safe-Cabinet-/234099601895?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0 Not an under floor solution but a useful solution if you have space under a cratch or similar outdoor space.

Yes this has happened to me too, it isn't always convenient to have to move. And there are definitely times when asking them to turn the music down is warranted. And there are definitely times when a dressing down for speeding on the canals is fair, especially if it is causing actual damage to your boat or the banks as opposed to just making you rock a bit. As an aside I often like to moor up by myself on deserted stretches of canals and frequently i find that people will moor right next to me despite there being miles of perfectly good mooring in both directions. I figure it is people who are a bit nervous to moor by themselves, which is fine. But I also thought that given the "pass at tick over" mantra perhaps it is a bit inconsiderate of me NOT to moor near other boats because then people feel the need to slow down just for me. Have you seen those "pass at TICK OVER" in a red circle signs made by the fitout pontoon many have on their boats? When I am moored up by myself I have genuinely thought of putting up a sign saying "don't mind to slow down, pass at cruising speed if you like" but I figure that won't be well received..

Ok - correction and clarification. Adjacent to the services, on the non tow path side, it is signed 48hr mooring by CRT. All the gates that access that side of the moorings are locked by BCLM with heavy duty combination padlocks, which suggests they own, or think they own, it. If they do CRT should not sign it as 48hr moorings. The tow path side is also signed 48 hr mooring, and access is via a gate locked with a water point key. There's no issue with this side, but there's no way to access the services side on foot. What is like to see is a CRT locked gate from the road to the services side moorings, but failing that, at least signage explaining the situation so no one gets trapped away from their boat.

Squirrel pie mmmm delish

OMG he's just turned up! 😟

@Withywindle, beware. The Environment Agency was taken over by Signal Crayfish while many of the human employees were on furlough, or working from home. This is why they don't issue any licenses to catch signal crayfish, If you apply for one though, the crayfish now have your name and address. Don't answer the front door to any one showing an EA identity card. Especially if you can see visible antennae. Run out the back door and head for the wilds. It is your only chance.

Nothing special, nothing really grabs your eye or gets you thinking about the characters in the shot. Just every day snaps.

I get perplexed by members on here often harping about spring lines. I've never needed them and I've only ever seen them used on a canal once and that boat had created quite the trip hazard for themselves and others. Typically, on narrowboats, the dollies and t-posts are awkwardly positioned for springs anyway. 2 lines, fore and aft at 45 degrees is all you ever need.