Cris P

Our Candy GOFS272 works fine from our Honda EU20i, and off our Victron inverter with the engine running. Bought 3 months ago.

Should do. As I say its max power rating is 1500w which we confirmed running a 30 degrees wash. Running a hotter cycle just means the heater is on for longer. Ultimately we took a chance buying it, on the basis that our 3kw victron inverter ran our old 2.2kw machine. No digital display or clockwork mechanism also seemed like a plus. We've had it a few weeks and all is running smoothly.

I just bought a Candy GOFS272. It's a 7kg washer in a compact package. It let's you do a completely cold wash, with no heating at all. Running this cycle with normal washing liquid gets all but the truly worst dirt (heavy grease for example) out of the washing and draws next to nothing powerwise. Recommended. Max current rating is 1500w, which tallies with amp readings during a heated cycle.

Yes that ABNB pair is weird, but I can understand the logic behind it - I've got a family and recording studio on board with me. Kenneth appears to be up for sale at the moment on Apollo Duck. Clonecraft - love it! Though there is a world of difference between a Yarwoods inspired (minus the bulk) Mike Heywood bow and say a Liverpool boats. And, to be purely Trollesque here, I'd add that that Hudsons bow looks like a pastiche of a Heywood imitation of a Yarwoods.

Hmmm. Tricky!

Hmmm. Sounds like a sticky mess, and, like the concrete, awkward to remove should it be necessary. Would sand be off limits?

Hi. Can you elaborate on this please? Is this a loose tar coated gravel, or does it set hard ? Thanks.

Indeed! I've seen too many nasty accidents and witnessed many near misses, where someone could easily have died, and I'm often worried by the dangerous actions of inexperienced hirers. Given the choice I'm not in favour of increased regulation though, just increased alertness, and a reduced alcohol intake amongst the inexperienced.

In my experience this isn't true. I've seen Warneford VC hit boats several times before. I'd also say that the boat tends to run a lot faster than most owner boaters do, and that I've often seen its crews drinking at irresponsibly early hours of the morning whilst underway. Cris

"I am keen to gain experience so if anyone wants any scumbling done free gratis and for nowt, please get in touch. (Money back if not delighted) " If you're THAT keen, you can come and do our back cabin! Cris

Hi, I've done both and recommend t+g for easy handling. Shifting big sheets of ply around can be very frustrating. Good luck, Cris

Surely, therefore, this is the point where solar charging comes into its own ?

Only £2k Carlt ? I realise I'm more ruthless than I thought.

I agree; you only said "very often" not always. However, over the last few weeks since the arson attack on my home and family, I've been surprised by the large quantity of unthinking platitudes I've received from boaters. Understandably, most people don't want to consider that they might be a target of violence, but to pretend that this is a random one off occurrence is to be complacent.It's just the most extreme example. Over many years I've been cast adrift on the Avon (the big Avon down to Bristol), had stones thrown at me, been sworn at, been attacked on the towpath at night, and had my home destroyed. It was, sadly, ever thus. One only has to read the accounts of working boatmen being fired at with air rifles and having bricks thrown at them, to grasp that. My real worry is that hard times can often breed intolerance, instead of strengthening community. The attack on my family was just days after the wretched BNP acquired their European parliamentary seats. You can be sure that ultra-right wingers do not like us free-wheeling boater types at all. Sadly I don't think the benefits of having living canal networks across the country are appreciated by everyone. To some, we're just a soft target to steal from, and to exercise their dis-affected hostility upon.

+ import tax

Hireboater pointing at my 13ft pontoon conversion style towalong shed boat: "That doesn't look very aerodynamic" Has anyone seen an aerodynamic narrowboat? The mind boggles.

Er yes, WarriorWoman, you said it when my boat was burnt out by some unknown arsonist, whilst I and my family slept. You were wrong, I'm afraid. There do seem to be a fair few people who dislike me for looking too Asian, but I'm not aware of having any personal enemies.

Chris, I think these fellow obsessives need a photo of Ishtar to dribble over, don't you ? Go on ! Cris

O2 are better than Orange.

No. Of course not.

I had a Brompton, but someone torched it, along with the boat, in Bathampton, at the beginning of June. Still, my Dahon and trailer survived, which was a relief, as I was still paying for them on the Cyclescheme.

Mercia Marine. Paid up swiftly and efficiently in full. But the boat was a total write off. If you see what I mean.

We've got a new boat, and just about finished moving it to our neck of the woods. Not quite what I'd planned on getting next, but it's a decent 68ft Mike Heywood roof over our heads. Thank goodness the nightmare is sort of over.