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Because it's a title, so they're using title case.

All good points, and I do appreciate the points you make. Even though it might not always look that way! You do tend to over-egg it though, which makes me want to add some balance which I tend to do by over-egging it in the opposite direction.

As a former LR surveyor and marine engineer I would highly recommend you appoint your own surveyor who has is fully working for yourself and solely acting in your best interests. I’ve noticed there is huge variations in BSS surveyors recommendations and certainly no 2 surveyors come up with the same recommendations. I personally would use Dave Freeman or Iain Jones . Both excellent men with huge practical experience. Proceed with care I say .

I agree, capitals are commonly used for all of the longer words in titles. Makes it stand out and easier to read. Something those with a more classical education tend to do. Like wot I does......................................😉

Bitte schoen

That is the reason we don't use Three on the boat. The Three network slowdown at around school chucking out time was very noticeable in pretty much every location we visited, no doubt because the network was overloaded with cheap unlimited contracts. This was admittedly a few years ago now. EE doesn't seem to suffer so much from this.

Yes I do but I'm also aware that others may not know the 'history' between us. A newbie buying a 'project' and contemplating using a camping stove in the boat are probably not aware of the risks and reasons why rules are what they are. They maybe think that the risk is being 'caught and fined' not that it is a potential risk to life

Ever get the feeling your chain is being yanked, ever so slightly? But AIUI the main problem with those £15 camping stoves is the tendency of the canister gas connection to leak. And for users to ignore the slight smell of gas without realising the accumulation of gas at floor level and light the gas ring anyway. BOOM. Here in the UK the regs only seem to be enforced after the accident. Sadly. Which is what I was pointing out.

Lloyd's Register ?

Shandybass should ask his surveyor to concentrate on this aspect in particular and provide detailed, considered advice.

If its not been back in the water since overplating, be certain that it will still have sufficient free-board with the not insignificant extra weight. There are tales of boats sinking so low in the water as to be unusable. Short boats are more likely to be a problem as there is not enough ballast that can be ditched.

Land Rover ?

Yes. I've spent the last FIVE years building and 'fitting out' a cabin. It's a hobby to me. I derive great pleasure from it. Edit - also it will be perfectly useable for day trips with a few folding chairs and a camping stove!

If you want closer to London, then why not hire on the Thames? Water is fine so far (the weirs are still open to a degree), and some locks will be manned. I think Caversham Boats Services (Reading) might have a couple of narrowboats, but otherwise the cruisers for hire should be more comfortable. Towns - Windsor, Maidenhead, Marlow, Henley, Reading, Wallingford, Abingdon & Oxford with country and villages in between. I doubt a taxi from Heathrow to Datchet (Chris Craft) would cost too much, it can't be more than 10 miles.

Just had this from GJW insurance (name changed now) . It’s good that a survey from up to 10 years ago is acceptable for them. IMPORTANT NOTE - It is condition of our insurance that if your vessel is 30 years or older you must have in your possession an out of water condition including ultrasonic readings of no less than 4mm below the waterline and valuation survey, carried out and completed within the last ten years by an independent qualified marine surveyor and all ongoing recommendations made must be complied with. A hull only report is not acceptable.

Yes. Vegetation to boat to vegetation, and homes for critters and plant life.

I can’t comment on the Bath option. Considering the options around Birmingham, starting at Alvechurch and going into Birmingham is too short for the time that you have, it is only 5 hours each way, and as a journey is not the most interesting, you have a long tunnel but no locks, and much of it is urban. To extend the trip from Alvechurch there are two options really, continue through Birmingham and explore some of the BCN, but that is not really for everyone, unless you are really into industrial history. The other option to extend from Alvechurch, is as well as going into Birmingham you go down the North Stratford canal. Much of that is also urban but you will get out to some countryside, and if you want would just have time to do down the 19 locks at Lapworth, and time it so you can spend the night around the junction before going back up the locks. You could potentially skip out the last 6 of the locks by stopping near the Boot pub and turning round there. You mentioned Worcester, even with the route open it is 50 odd locks from there to Birmingham so doing the twice just does not make sense. If you had a full week you could do the Stourport Ring from either Worcester or Alvechurch. Another option near to Birmingham is hire from Napton Narrowboats at Autherley junction and you could go down the Staffs and Worcester canal which would be a more balanced option in terms of urban, rural, and a reasonable number of locks.

This morning Bird - pretending to be a (wet) tillerpin (seen through a raindrop) - T&M nr GH

Mabel and Forget me Not today.

This morning FusedaleH passing through Castleford lock on the way to Leeds

Welcome to the forum. Generally, investing in a boat is more like "the value of your investment may go down, or down, your wealth is at risk"!

I personally think it looks awful. Well known British newspaper. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/ None of that 'title case' BS. It is part of the dumbing down and creep of Americanism.