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Actually I’m a bit optimistic with that sort of background. He obviously is well aware of how government works, how to get their “thing” noticed politically and how to run campaigns. CRT have been arranging some news stories which have been noticed by non boating friends. I expect even more direct political lobbying and news stories to come out now.

Well it says" Olation below, so it's fair to assume that was the cause.

What an optimistic bunch we are.

FTFY. Did anyone else detect the supreme irony of displaying that face, considering Tim's fulsome praise of the publicly owned NHS? (PS: welcome back, Tim)

Yep he looks totally reformed 😁

Tim, after a couple of years of indifferent health I had open heart surgery last July and it knocked me for 6 and I thought that was how it would be for the rest of my life. However in December I started to feel a little bit better and have continued to improve. We are now boating and I am managing locks again. Something I thought I would never be able to do again. Hang in there and be patient ( not easy, I know) and you will get there.

Hi everyone. I have just dropped on this thread having not been on the forum since December. Thanks to you all for your well wishes, even you with strange politics, I am sure you are ok really 🤪 It was a combination of events. I did take my bat and ball home and not acknowledge a warning and a couple of days later at 0230 got the call for an immediate kidney transplant as some poor sod had died and I was recipient. The brilliant NHS sent taxi and whizzed me off to Cardiff. Anyway that was ten days in hospital. I don't count the tablets anymore I weigh them by the kilo 🤣 Started slow recovery then Bang, kidney rejection, back I hospital massive steroids IV got another week and out again. I was out a week and became in agony. Blue lighted all the way back to Cardiff, CT and blood tests and diagnosed immediately with a perforated bowel, a previous problem unrelated to the kidney. This was the closest yet to the grim reaper getting the better of me lol. So another ten days in hospital. I am on the mend but weak as a kitten now at home and getting out and about. Things to note, you don't bounce back as easily when you are knocking on a bit!! Thanks again to well wishes 👍

This whole thread has such a calming, grounded feel, honestly, just reading it felt like taking a deep breath. I’ve also been drawn to places lately that offer that mix of natural beauty and thoughtful design, where even something like a market visit feels meaningful. Oxford’s definitely been calling my name, especially now

I don't recall them applying for a licence for my dear departed Mum's Liver & Onions, someone owe's me some royalties

@mrsmelly good luck with your recovery. Having being in a serious condition a little over 2 years ago (though not quite as serious as yours, my kidneys are still functioning at 22%) I know how it takes it out of you. I can recommend, as stated in a post above, ask the hospital if there are any training programmes you can join. I signed up for a 3 month cardio session at the local gym - organised by the hospital. You are, along with maybe a dozen other people in a similar situation. There were medical staff in attendance keeping an eye on everyone, measuring BP etc. You can go at your own pace and nobody is pushing you. It worked wonders for me and helped not only physically, but mentally too. Definitely worth looking into.

Tim Get the NHS to refer you to a physical fitness expert, you get 3 months cheap gym membership, I never thought that I'd enter such a place but it's working.

Just accept you have had a big physical change and recovery takes time. Take life carefully and before you know it you will be back to normal.

I wonder why it was deemed necessary to put "GAS ISOLATION !!" rather than "GAS ISOLATION" on there. It reads like the person arranging the casting had experience some sort of terribly nasty gas related accident and transferred their insecurity onto a product commonly sold in chandleries.

The right to navigate was extinguished 57 years ago!

The manual for the cooker should tell you what size jets are needed for natural gas and for lpg - Google the model number and there will probably be a manual online. The jets fitted to the cooker should be marked with their size, so if you remove them and check against the manual you should be able to determine whether they are correct for lpg.

I have used household cookers and hobs over the years. It's usually easy to source and change the jets. Some actually come with both sets of jets.

Blimey Tim, you're looking well given all you've been through judging by your new avatar photo

Read through this previous thread - there's lots of detail and discussion. In particular Laurence Hogg posted the following painting specifications which were the 'official' BW blue and yellow standard. Note the last comment that individual boatmen often painted the masts and stands in more traditional styles than the official standard. So up to you how conformist you are!

Around 1964 I started a Saturday job turning around hire boats. One of them was Christine, an absolutely lovely wooden Dobsons-built center cockpit boat, fairly newish. It had a smooth and quiet inboard Stuart Turner engine (the only two strokes I've ever liked). I was lucky enough to move it between Llangollen and Wheaton Aston a couple of times and it was an absolute delight.

Just to say that in 30 years I've rebitumened my water tank twice, last time about ten years ago, and don't plan on ever doing it again. I happily drink the water once boiled, usually in tea, and use it for cooking, and have had no side effects.

A Boater's Guide to Boating https://amzn.eu/d/iUOHmcj Probably the best guide to handling a narrow boat that has ever been written. I don't know anyone that hasn't learnt something from reading it.

ditch the TV enjoy the countryside

1 Beer properly kept is better than 20 poorly kept