AlanWT

Hmmm. Can feel self being irresistably drawn towards Argos on way home tonight.

Years ago, found myself with an hour between trains at the station near the Great Western, so wandered in for a swift one. The guy behind the bar said something like 'orroightskip, what yamavin?' and I left 55 minutes and 3 pints later feeling no pain. Great pub, beer, and people. Sad to hear the town may be down on it's luck.

I tell them that one of the Butler's main duties is to keep the stove lit so the boat stays warm and dry.

Is that the one that holds the rotor on?

On the K&A near the excellent Barge Inn at Honeystreet last week, we saw a woodpigeon fluttering and splashing about right in the middle of the canal. 'Hope it manages to get out' 'wonder if a sparrowhawk chased it in' was the line of comment. It eventually flapped heavily out of the water almost under our bows, and onto an overhanging branch. Collective 'phew'. We looked behind, to see it fly straight back into the water. It had done it deliberately! Seen non-waterfowl splashing and bathing in shallow water countless times, but never before seen one pitching right in.

Thanks Guys.

I have just bought a Smartgauge, and have a quick question about installation. I've read the manual, and am fairly sure this isn't answered in that document, thorough though it is. Of course, I appreciate this could well be because the answer is glaringly obvious. But hey. When connecting Smartgauge directly to battery posts as instructed, should I choose posts that are separate from those from which loads are taken from the batteries and charging current is put in? I have two 110Ah leisure batteries. Load and charging connections are at diagonally opposite corner battery posts; should I connect Smartgauge to the other two diagonally opposite posts, thus avoiding posts where other stuff is connected? Or am I fretting over something that doesn't matter. Wouldn't be the first time. Thanks

Grew up in Liverpool. As boys we used to go fishing in the Albert Dock and occasionally find our way in to the then derelict and empty buildings. Huge dark silent scary spaces, we'd last about 5 minutes until the collective nerve broke and we'd trample each other in a frenzy to get out. Taking Orion there is high on my bucket list.

Thank you. Bit embarrassed that I didn't check this all out before asking!

Answering my own question: Hilperton Marina can do it. Note to self: do your research before posting. Thanks for looking anyway.

In the next month, I'll need to have my newly acquired 46' narrowboat lifted out and onto a low-loader, and would like to arrange this as near as possible to Keynsham, although can also consider anywhere at the western end of the Kennet & Avon. Any recommendations please for either a boatyard with a crane that can do this, or a location where I can arrange a crane to do the lifting out. In either case, obviously with good access and plenty of space for crane and/or low-loader. Thanks

Hello All After a fairly lengthy period of negotiation and gentle persuasion, my partner has conceded that narrowboats are not eyesores, canals are not open sewers, and that she may be prepared to try out a holiday in one. I'm still playing the long game - with a view to eventually buying our own narrowboat - and recognising that she is (at the moment, at least) the landlubbers' landlubber, I would like to tread softly and book a short trip of just a few days. Before I start trawling through the hire companies, does anyone know off the top of their head of one who may do this, please? Thanks Alan

There is quite a bit of information here http://www.tb-training.co.uk/ about diesel engines, boat electrics and general maintenance. No connection, just found this to be a very useful site. Alan