Ernie

I was with Craft Insure for 16 years and never had any problems with them - however, I never had to make any claims so .......

Some further info: The actual tap has 3/4" stamped into the body but I suspect that is the internal diameter??

I have phoned them 3 times today, no joy so far, nobody seems to want to phone me back with an answer!! That's very possible, it looks to be around 1 1/8" I bought a Hozelock adapter set but none of them fit. The largest adapter is a mm or so too big while the other 2 are way too small!! Very frustrating!!

Does anybody know the size of the water tap fitting at the Southall visitor moorings? It is larger than the normal thread found around the rest of the system. I have tried an adapter for 1" BSP - but it is not quite big enough. I came across a similar large water tap in Slough a couple of years ago so Southall is not the only one in this area.

Thanks for all of the responses - food for thought

Hello all, We are looking for suggestions on how to handle post/mail as continuous cruisers (we are never in one place for very long). Until recently, we have always had mail/post directed to a close family member and either collected it on our visits or had it posted on to a nearby post office (Poste Restante). Unfortunately (due to bereavement), we are unable to continue using the above process so are looking for alternatives. We rarely need access to our mail in ‘real time’ so just catching up with it every 2 or 3 weeks would be fine. Has anybody got any suggestions as to what we could use please? Any experience with BoatMail and similar companies etc. ?

Thanks all, I will give this Arbroseal tape a try. Found some on ebay that isn't charging silly money for delivery - they will deliver to an Argos store for free. Midland wants £6.50 for postage !!! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281165391665?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Many thanks

Hi Catweasal, can you recommend any particular make/supplier please? Thanks

Several of my windows are now leaking. I have tried running a bead of clear silicone sealant around the window as a temporary fix but this hasn't worked too well and is a bit unsightly. When I get a chance, I plan to remove the windows (one at a time), sort out the rust that I am sure will be behind them, seal them and re-fit. My question is, what is the best product to use to seal the windows with? I have heard that there is a tape based product that is reported to be quite good. Has anybody got any experiance of re-sealing caravan type windows and what works best? Many thanks

No, the car on the tow path is fine. The car on the boat is TOTALLY stripped, just a shell now. I am wondering if it is going to become part of the boat ???

Happy Christmas to one and all. I thought I had seen it all but was obviously mistaken. These photos were taken at Harefield. Not sure if the Volkswagen is going to be a permanent fixture or it is just being 'worked on'.

Many thanks

Hello all, I am thinking of hiring a boat on the French waterways later on this year, outside peak season. There will only be two adults so a smallish boat will do. Can anyone recommend any hire companies in France? Any hire companies to be avoided? I’m not too bothered about the hire company location as the plan is to drive to their base direct from the UK. Thanks in advance.

Many thanks Allan, much appreciated.

Hi all, I am looking for a replacement water filter cartridge for my 'drinking water filter'. So far I have been unable to find the manufacturer or a source of replacement cartridges. Can anyone help please? Photo of the cartridge - that's a 2p piece beside the filter: Photo of the housing: Many thanks

Hi John. Interesting thread…. Hope you don’t have the same problems from BW on the Oxford – you don’ deserve that sort of crap…. PS So pleased to see that BW are spending my hard earned license fee on harassing well meaning boaters like your good self when there are so many better things they could be spending my money on…. Easy target springs to mind…….

Have a great trip John. I am sure will get lots of opportunities for some great photos.

We passed the winding hole at the bottom of Casio Bridge Lock yesterday (Watford). There are two boats moored in the winding hole and ‘make shift’ signs hanging from a chain across the winding hole advising that turning is not allowed. 100 yards further south, there is a sign at the marina entrance advising that turning in their entrance is not allowed and that anyone wanting to turn should use the official winding hole at the bottom of Casio Bridge lock!!! Anyone know the story on this ???

Any time I moor in an area that I feel less than comfortable in, I chain the boat to the nearest solid object that I can find. I also tend to tie the ropes such that they are EASY to undo as I would rather have the ropes undone than cut as replacing ropes is expensive. I also chain the boat to something solid when moored on rivers (with lots of slack) if I am even slightly concerned about being ‘let loose’. We are currently moored on the river Avon here in Stratford and are chained to a ring. I don’t consider Stratford to be a ‘risk area’ but why take the chance when there is a strong flow on the river and a weir not too far away……. When walking back from the town centre yesterday afternoon, there was a group of about 6 youths aged around 15 ‘playing’ with the lock as a holiday boat was trying to lock up into the basin. They were winding the top gate paddles up and down by hand and jumping across the gates. All of it harmless fun but I am sure that in their eyes, casting a boat adrift on a river would also be just harmless fun – I am not going to take the risk when it only takes a minute to chain up…… I also sleep well at night knowing that the boat is chained and isn’t going anywhere.

I have been using my t-mobile and Vodafone dongles on a 5 meter 'standard' USB extension lead for some time with no problems. I do often find however that even with the dongle receiving good 3G or HSDPA signal, it drops out and behaves erratically. As an example, here in Gloucester docks, the dongle is showing 4 bars of HSDPA but it keeps dropping the link and download speeds are pathetic. Yesterday, moored just over a mile away, the dongle still showed 4 bars of HSDPA but there were no dropouts and download speeds were very good. I found exactly the same conditions when moored in the same locations a week ago so it is repeatable. I have come to the conclusion that it’s all down to network loading and all of the smart phones around built up areas as I usually find that things are better outside of city centres.

Hi Keith, yes, that was us, we followed you down the flight, a fun day, plenty of fresh air and exercise. All the best Hi John, The Bell Inn was a good recommendation, thanks. We are going back again this weekend with our current visitor, great food. Hi Theo, You are not alone, I enjoy locking single handed as well. Maybe we are just both peculiar.....

And so are we ......... Expect to be there early August