windy miller

I would have thought that an ex-news reader would check his pronunciation before opening his mouth. Michael Buerk consistently calls it the Caldon canal with a short 'a' as in cat, when it's pronounced 'Corldon' after the limestone quarries in the Staffordshire moorlands at Caldon Lowe. He also refers to Trentham Gardens with a 'th' when it's pronounced 'Tren-tam'. And did I hear Amanda say 'Har-castle tunnel instead of 'Haircastle'? If you're coming to the Potteries, at least learn arfur tow crate.

Longport Wharf now 83p per litre for 100lts +, any split you like, cash or cards accepted, open 7 days a week.

I was talking to the rep. from Rix Petroleum (Johnny Walker - an easy name to remember) a while ago and he assured me that red diesel that is processed through Stanlow refinery on the Wirral is FAME free. This would be distributed throughout the north west and midlands. This was in response to an enquiry from a boater with an antique engine who was concerned that bio-diesel rotted oil seals and clogged injectors.

You must never use a simple knot when a complicated one will do. For instance, a locking hitch on the T stud or a lighterman's hitch on the dolly. Far better to tie a Gordian knot of great complexity, using all 5 yards of spare rope, which takes your partner or colleague 20 minutes to undo!

Longport Boatyard is selling diesel at 62p/lt for 60+lts and they have regular deliveries of 1500 to 2500 lts a week, so its always fresh.

Longport Boatyard is currently 70p per litre or 65p for more than 60 litres.

Longport boatyard, Stoke is now 70p or 65p for more than 60lts.

Thanks for that, I'll go and try it.

Just to change tack slightly - how could you test to see if a boat's fitted with a GI? Is there simple test using a multimeter on the earth wires from the landline to the earth pin in a socket?

Give Ed Shiers a ring on 07922 163072 or email him ed@fc-marine.co.uk. He travels around the midlands and did a superb job when my Mikuni packed up.

What about 'Rovers Bylocks', moored at Stone? Is it a pun and a double entendre?

Superb mooring with all facilities a few hundred yards away at Longport wharf. And to be pedantic, it's Westport, all one word like Middleport and Longport. Only Port Vale is two words and that's a football club, not a place.

Shelmore embankment?

And don't forget the biggest expense of car ownership can be depreciation. It will be worth half of what you paid for it after three years, less if you buy new on HP and pay VAT. Some of my colleages couldn't understand how I could afford to drive a V8 Range Rover. The answer's simple - pay cash second-hand, don't live a million miles from work and keep it for 10 years. Depreciation - only £500 per year!