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My vote for a narrowboat washer goes to.... The tiny twin tub. Doesn't use much water Doesnt draw much current Doesn't take up much space Spin dries spectacularly well

It's barely been 24 hours since I joined and made my first post. Just overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of positive encouragement from this community. Thank you. With that one brief post I've gained a wealth of knowledge and ideas from those that know canal boating the best. Looking forward to learning a lot more from this amiable community in the future. Thank you again. Greg P.S. Best feature on Hector? The solid fuel stove. Very few hire boats have them. Can see me self now, berthed outside some small town, sun going down, steak and kidney pie roasting in the boatman stove's oven made from stuff I bought fresh in town that very afternoon. Bucket-list stuff.

Oxford Blues, the third book in my canal and river-based crime mystery series, is now available. This time journalist Jack Johnson, army widow Nina Wilde and Eddie the border terrier fetch up on the River Isis at Oxford where the action takes place between Iffley Lock and Folly Bridge. It's January and a pair of magnet fishermen discover a young woman undergraduate's body at Iffley Weir and Jack is soon caught up in Dreaming Spires, Drowned Love and Dirty Business. There's a floating brothel, a perilous hot-air balloon flight, university rowing and organised criminal gangs using children to run County Lines drug-dealing operations. Thanks again to Canal World Forum members for advice during research for the book. Signed copies are available directly from orphanspublishing.co.uk (free p&p) or the hardback and e-book editions are available to order from online and good local booksellers. Oxford Blues follows book one, Canal Pushers set on the Midlands canals and book 2, River Rats, which is set on the River Avon at Bath. (nb the site owner has given permission for occasional updates on these books as and when they are published).

Today defunct arm of the GUC

https://www.macearchive.org/films/look-around-12071963-waterways Whitlocks at 10:10. At 12:10 Mr Morton with Marion Harris and family behind - followed by George Harris and Janet. Brian & Rosy Daisy Knight at 21:08 onward. (Relationship upheaval shortly after - not sure of outcome) Colonel Ritchie in it too - even me in a couple of shots.

Whyever would there be any Yorkshire puddings left over the following day?

Yes, kindle editions available of all three books as I know space can be a premium on a boat.

Today in 2017 at Gray on the R. Saone. This converted tug had belonged to a friend of ours for many years and had just been sold to this family who were enjoying it.

We were moored on a swinging mooring in Holyhead, and I decided to go back ashore and stay overnight in our static caravan a few miles away, as the forecast was 'not good'. I took the water taxi back into shore and left SWMBO alone on the boat as she thought it would be good fun to rock & roll with the storm. Middle of the night the phone goes "come and get me, its 'orrible" I kindly explained that she had the tender in the lazarette and the water taxi did not start again until 9 am. She was not happy when I arrived at a few minutes after 9.

If one end of the gearbox is going round and the other end is not, then something has already failed!

Toad in the Hole. Alls I know is that involves nice fat sausages, beef drippings, and a suet pastry. As an American, I have a slight love of fat and drippings and the like. And sausages. "Mmmmm...sausages." -Homer Simpson

Hi Greg! Don't apologise for your origins, seems there was one at the court of King Arthur. Just a suggestion as you are a newbie. Fly into East Midlands Airport Taxi to Napton (3 hire baotyards to choose from) Head North through Braunston Up N Oxford (Hillmorton locks x3 usually have lock keepers if you need them) Coventry (1 lock with 6 inch difference) No more locks until your return. You can continue to Atherstone. On way back go up Ashby canal to the end. Visit Bosworth Field site of Battle of Bosworth, King Richard III death there of! Recently found in Leicester car park, filed under K for King. Don't get fixated with doing "Rings" the view back is always different when returning. Also you'll see places to mark for a visit on the way back. Don't forget to pack your cases with chocolate and chewing gum to throw to the urchins. Silk stockings and parachute silk still goes down well with the local wenches too. Finally, even if only talking to yourself try and lose the word "quaint! Good luck, enjoy and have a happy time. Zenataomm

Might be worth considering a hotel boat as an option maybe something like the lady Teal on the L&L? Might be a good option for someone not from around these parts....

If you cook and gorge on all that stodge Greg they'll want to weigh you instead of your baggage at the airport when homeward bound.

It would just be some bloody good tomatoes then?