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Happy to report that they have made it. Spotted arriving at lunchtime today in fact.

I've used these for my LED lights and they've been great

You could try Marcus Marine 0118 943 2043. He used to work for Reading Marine but is now independent and based in Tilehurst. Rik

Try Marine Engine Services in Uxbridge. Call them on 01895 236 246 or PM Baldock on here, he'll get one off to you as soon as he's relieved you a few quid

Thanks to all of you for delivering my couple of tons last Friday. Sorry I wasn't about to give you a hand or to move my boat out of the way and thanks for stacking it so neatly, great service! If you run up the K&A again next year I'll be interested. Rik

I have had the Zoom box for a while now and it's great. Been used on both Vodafone and 3 and not had any problems with it. Battery will last 3-4 hours and it also runs happily on a 12v supply with a Maplin car adapter. Just wish the mobile networks were faster

I was on my way down the Thames a few weeks ago somewhere between Wallingford and Goring when a kingfisher decided to perch on my hand rail no more than 8 ft away from me. it sat there for about 30 seconds looking around and seemingly unconcerned about me and content with its life before flying off. What a privilege and honour to see it so close and for it to choose my boat on which to hitch a ride.

I know people who do not have a mooring and get housing benefit to pay their BW licence so it is possible. Discussing it with them I've learnt the following that may help - prepare for a bit of a fight and don't give up and let the council know you won't give up - find a sympathetic authority - root yourself in the local community - register with a local doctor, dentist, get on electoral role, keep a log of where you've moored over the last few months and make sure they're all in the council area - forget the BW 14 day rule, in terms of housing benefit it's irrelevant and if mentioned will muddy the waters - get support from RBOA, they will provide lots of help and support to members - suggest that the council classify the BW license as ground rent - appeal any rejections - remember that the council is short of cash and it will be a lot cheaper for them to pay your BW license that for them to have to pay you housing benefit on a property - discuss with sympathetic mates, they may well come up with some good ideas that can help Hope this helps and good luck with the claims

There's a film called Painted Boats that was made in 1945 that uses clips of the cut around that time period. Rather dated by today's standards but does give you an idea of what it must have been like at that time. It out on DVD now and here's a link to it on Amazon

I've looked at these moorings in the past and I spotted a few disadvantages Parking. I believe there is only on road parking in the adjacent housing development. This gets very busy at weekends as shoppers try to avoid car park charges Facilities. I don't believe there are any facilities on site. there is water, and pump out a few hundred yards east. Not sure about domestic rubbish, there was bins by the water point but I heard rumour that these had been removed. Winding. A 45' boat can just wind on the wharf by these moorings but anything much longer may have to either reverse through town bridge and several hundred yards to winding hole and "facilities". going west from Hungerford the next winding hole is 4 locks and several miles away so there and back is several hours cruise. Hungerford itself is a nice little town with a Tescos and a good selection of smaller food shops in and amongst the antique shops. Library has internet access if needed too. Hope this helps Rik

Hi Shane, Mine's an STW2 and the numbers are: - Oil - Fram PH2834 Air - Fram CA 2631 Fuel -Lister Petter 201-13118 Fram C11941PL You probably need the same but as suggested give Marine Engine Services a call and I sure they'll help you out. Rik

I know someone who has regularly winded a 62' boat at Crofton so you shouldn't have a problem. BW do often have a tug moored in the area just below the lock above the visitors moorings that is like a winding hole and this may make the wind a little tricky but it's definitely do-able I can wind my boat there (45') at any point by the visitors moorings and with plenty of spare space so you may not even need the winding hole. Hope this helps Rik

Fortunately I've never been in your situation but wish you luck in getting things sorted. From discussions with friends in similar situations I suggest Post Try speaking to the local post office, many will let you use their address for your post. If one says no try another. Income benefits I believe you are entitled to these and you shouldn't have any trouble getting them just because you're living on a boat Housing benefit This is trickier. If you have a mooring, you can get this paid. If you rent a boat you can claim the rent. Licence fees are a grey area, most councils refuse, but I understand that some are looking at ways that will allow them to pay the licence fees. I suspect that they've realised that, with very tight budgets, it's much cheaper for them to pay £70 a month for someone's licence than pay £several hundred for the rent on a bedsit/flat for the same person. I'd also suggest that the RBOA are a good source of help and advise. Good luck Rik

Mines a steak and kidney pie tin painted black. One did blow off but the current one has a short length of fairly heavy chain fixed to the middle that hangs down inside the chimney and has been fine Rik

High Line might fit Have a look here Rik

Met someone last year at Wootton Rivers and they told me that the'd been living on their boat for for over 3 years and this was the first lock that the'd done. I know that the pound is 15 miles long but I felt this should a little lack of adventure Rik

I too have an ipod and love it. I use it with a Roberts iDream DAB radio powered by a Maplin 12v multi voltage converter things Works brilliantly

If you're going for it, I suggest you add an extra hour to the first couple of days to get to Crofton early afternoon. This is because the Crofton Beam engines will be in steam as it's a bank holiday and it's a great sight. If you go on Tuesday morning they won't be in steam and although interesting are missing that little extra something. Have fun Rik

Rumour on the cut is that Reading Marine has been bought by Alvechurch and will be up and running again very soon.

Here's my advice - ask other local boaters who they used and what they felt about them. - use an independent tester - they're unlikely to be looking for remedial work for which they can charge. - contact examiners and ask then some technical questions about the survey before you book. The question I like to use, and I think gives a feel for the type of surveyor they are, is about the rubber hose tails used to connect the gas bottles. The question is "I think the rubber hoses on my gas bottles are over 5 years old but they don't seem to have perished at all, do I need to get them replaced before the survey?" The surveyor can answer in two ways. He may say "yes they need to be replaced" or he may say "if they're not showing any signs of perishing they'll be ok" - this is because the replacement of tails over 5 years old is the Calor and Gas Safe recomendation but, as I understand it, isn't a stipulation of the BSS. Now you pay your money and take your choice, Type 1 probably has a fine tooth comb and type 2 may miss something. One other thing - NO petrol cans, petrol generators or other petrol engines on board or obviously associated with your boat! Rik

I was listening to all the information on the news about the liabilities that land owners face in these snowy and ice conditions. From my understanding the land owner has a duty of care to protect visitors to their land. How does this apply to BW? In particular, how does it apply to them if they ask you to move your boat? I don't suppose anyone will know until a case gets to court but I suspect that BW asking you to move and then taking no action to make it safe for you to do so could, in the event of an accident, result in then loosing a claim against them. So should we expect them to be out clearing the snow and ice from around all the locks to ensure that they discharge this duty? What does anyone else think?

Have you considered using anti condensation paint? something like this I know someone that used it quite successfully back in the 70's on a Dawncraft, it helped reduce the condensation considerably and the product should have improved in the last 30+ years.

I looked into this for my kids not long ago and my insurance company told me that I could lend my boat to any competent person but they added that they wouldn't consider anyone under 18 to be competent. Neither of my kids have the inland helmsman certificate so I didn't ask them about that. I did ask if my kids could helm the boat at locks etc. when I wasn't on the boat (they, of course, have been doing this for years) and was told that was fine, I just needed to be in the general vicinity of the boat. I take this to mean at the next lock, on the bank, up at the local shop etc. and not sitting at home with my feet up. This however may give you a little hope! Why not help Dad make some boating friend that you can cruise with (and on whose boat he can sleep, eat etc.) then stuff your boat with friends and party away. Your Dad's close by if there is a problem so the insurance will be happy, but not on the boat with you so you can have fun with your mates. One other cautionary tale, my daughter is now 21 and has borrowed the boat several times with her mates. All has gone well, but she readily admits that it was difficult to stop the lads from being really stupid at times and doing things that, if not really dangerous, were a little foolhardy. I think you'd need to think carefully about whether you would be able to stop your friends it things got a little bit out of hand. Here are a couple of other ideas that my kids did that you may be able to adapt. Fancy dress party - moored in the vicinity of a lot of their friends they had a fancy dress BBQ at the boat. Parents dropped off and collected later. we had pirates and fairies and one lad dressed as a pink bunny! Camping sleepover - 8-10 youngsters arrived late afternoon, we cruised for about an hour and did a lock or two then stopped for the night by a wide piece of towpath in the middle of nowhere. They put up tents and BBQ'd supper, got out the ipod and speakers and sat around chatting most of the night. I've no idea what they got up to 'cause I went to bed. I will say they were rather sleepy the next day! As an alternative you could always keep your eyes open for a tame 18 year old that dad'll trust to look after you and his boat and that'll either let you get away with blue murder or that you can lock in the cupboard for the weekend . Whatever you do, go on enjoying your boating! Rik