Sue

Just to nip back in here again.. The people at Boston were extremely careful about letting the boats out. It certainly wasn't dangerous as far as I gathered. There was some doubt as to whether the swell would be too high in which case we would return back. The commercial traffic is checked for the day, the weather has to be under a certain criteria with the forecast over the actual day within that criteria. There is no way that the port authority would let a narrowboat go if it wasn't safe. I did a report of that trip myself here which shows that we were all ready to have to return if necessary. We had no instructions to 'board up' anything. I met a boater in Limehouse this year who had already waited 3 months for a window to cross the English Channel to France. He boarded up the front of his 55ft boat, waited for the Pilot to say go and went... now that is something I defo would not do! But then some boaters don't 'do' rivers either..

We crossed the Wash early this year and I had no problem at all with my Insurance Company covering me (Nautical). I went across with two other boats and Daryl Hill on one of the other boats which I told the Insurance Company about along with as much information as I could think about. Daryl is not officially a Pilot, he is a 'Wash Guide' but perfectly acceptable. Mo has done an excellent guide if anyone is thinking of doing the trip with a lot of information towards the end of what is required including checking in with your insurance company.

Dusty is at Lower Heyford heading for Banbury in the next few days.. Heh, I phoned Mark!

Anyone seen Dusty on the Oxford recently? Thanks

Yeah, what a difference.. Unless you follow the blog you will be unaware of the history. For those not aware I will jump forward a few months.. Brian has tried to point you.. I have a couple of links for you on the actual solution if it helps... Here first.. Then here There is a lot of history though. Kevin's system has been superb since. I have had absolutely no problems (heh) since and I keep knocking the water temperature gauge at 73° in case it is stuck! Result! Oh and there is no difference to the handling of No Problem round the very wicked bends on the River Thames

I have had Staffordshire Canopies do the pram covers on both of my boats and can recommend them fully. Here is the one being done on No Problem --> here.. This is the one that was done on No Problem 1 ---> here Hope that helps. After sales and customer care is tip top with Lisa and Tim

Thanks I've updated Middlewich and moved Uplands to the T&M. So does Stretford Marine allow? I've put to check Thorne Marine and Hesford Marine until we know.

Paul then let me know which ones please. I do try to keep this up to date on a daily basis when I hear from boaters. The page is suppose to be helpful and is for all of us boaters to reference our diesel. You could use the comment section on the blog.. Just a one liner will do or use the PM system here. We all need to try keep it updated.

Our boat was hit last year by a hire boat while we were moored. I didn't realise for a few days that it had made a dent as it was on the non towpath side. Having then seen it I photographed the damage and sent it to the boatyard. I was asked to get an estimate for the repair which I did and the hireboat people settled directly with my repairer.. Excellent result

Yes John you are quite right, I was too quick with my 5 minutes. Mind I do know a lot that have used it for tethering it is best not too because if found out your Account can be suspended. I'll take another look later apologies to all..

I had a very quick 5 minute look and there are some good deals out there.. Pease don't forget to use Quidco for cashback everyone on anything you want to buy! Using Quidco you can get £65 cashback for a Three sim only all you can eat. If you have a wifi phone then go to the market and get them to unblock your phone if they can and get a sim only from 3 for £15.90 a month with 600 talk mins and 5000 texts (if you have time to send them!) and all you can eat. Go through the quidco site and there is the £65 odd cashback on top! Links http://www.quidco.com/three/ http://store.three.co.uk/view/searchSimOnly?tariff=2917 Edit: It is also only a 12mth contract I see now

Boaters arriving this afternoon at Stourport from Worcester told me that the River Severn is now shut

Are there no ladders on that flight then Martin?

Why were you still on the boat? Going uphill (including the Napton Flight) I get off as NP goes gently into the lock by herself.. Sir shuts one gate, I do my side.. then we both go and open the top paddles. Very gently does it until the boat has moved forward and is sitting on the top gate. Then up the paddles which by that time the boat will stay put on the top gate. Then back to boat once risen to put in tickover forward gently pushing the gate open, drop paddles return to boat to go out of lock, stop while Sir shuts gate, pick him up and off we go!

I don't know where the B&Q moorings are, but a long narrowboat came past us at Weston Favell that evening at 9.30pm and went on through the lock. We also found the bottom paddles up when we came through earlier that evening, so that was two of them at it! The locks in question I think are Rush Mill and Abington where boaters can leave either top or bottom gates open on exit, but not the paddles!

Does anybody know if they are still selling diesel there?

Not on the Waterscape Stoppages list this one, but it is from 3rd September for one month. The Lock Keeper at Netham Lock is the one to check with 0117 077 6590. He says the stoppage is suppose to be for one month but is expecting the gate replacement to be a bit quicker than that.

I am quite surprised at some of what I read here. Pages in the long thread of discussions about the English Language being a reason for boring blogs.. But (should a sentance be started by that word then?) people are just relating their day or week.. People can read it for the first time and never go back if they don't like it. There are many websites that we all visit, not just boaters blogs, once and don't like. Do we go back? No we don't. I started my blog in 2004 because my family kept phoning me up "You OK Mum, Where are you, where are you going? What's the weather like?" It was time for the blog and peace and quiet from the phone calls! Since then I have done a few a week. To be honest I have enjoyed in the main, although sometimes I struggle to put something on the page for them. I ask the question often "Is it getting boring for you?" Heh, hoping they say yes and I can forget a one and half ritual most evenings composing words and pictures for them! But (that really naughty start a sentance word again) there is also a bigger following now. We have welcomed an awful lot of people aboard who just want to see what it is really like to be a couple with no bricks and mortar.. what is it really like inside a narrowboat. Sometimes I just want to hide away, but the blog I do seems to inspire people as well as delight my Dad at 80 many + who diligently sits at the computer after breakfast every morning to look at the pictures.. Hey although I say were we are he never gets that bit! No worry.. I will keep my blog in my sig. It isn't really an advert, just a suggestion to people to look at an alternative retirement from sitting in a chair all day watching the box. Do you know what? We have met some wonderful friends in the last seven years because of the blog, it is a special community of boating bloggers, not all just a special few and it is always party time when we meet up! I won't do a spell check on this post. It is just my words

Oh you do need an anchor if you are going on the River Nene and Ouse.. Never go on rivers without an anchor. Some of the weirs are not protected, imagine if your engine shut down, then what? Over the side with the heavy anchor will come next near weirs I assure you!

Been meaning to do a guide for the Ouse.. I will do one of these days, but here is the one of the Nene.. Cruising Guide to the River Nene I gonna miss it this year for sure.. enjoy