Circe

We've just had a repaint, so we're about to embrace the realms of shiny boatery-ness. I sincerely hope I'm the one at the helm when she gets her first scratch, because after saving for 3 years and shelling out over £5k for the repaint, it's got to last. No problems about sharing locks etc, but we'll be taking a lot of care with this paint job. Not in a 'look at me' way, just in a 'I can't afford another repaint' way!

That's really kind, David. Thank you very much! The dinette would be directly opposite the cooker/fridge/kitchen units. Length isn't an issue, but the width is. I'm hopeful it'll fit as a single, but as my husband frequently points out, shape and space isn't my forte!

We've just had our boat repainted and a new cratch cover (We're looking ridiculously shiny boater at the moment). So it's time to start saving up again for a few alterations to her innards. The boat is actually fitted out pretty well, but it's a 45ft boat with 5 of us on board, so I'm wondering about altering the galley area layout a bit. I think it'll work - but you will know far better than I do! It's currently four full-sized kitchen chipboards facing two full sized kitchen cupboards, a full sized cooker and the fridge. I'm half-thinking of removing one side of this and having a small dinette that converts to a single bunk. Basically a dinette with enough space for 2 people to eat. It would leave us a bit short of cupboard space (although there would be unused space under the dinette seats). It's right next to the hopper hatch, so it does appeal - especially as I often have to take work on board and it'd give me a table. Ultimately the rest of the galley would need refitting - smaller cooker/over head cupboards etc BUT I think we could muddle through with what we have for quite a while to enable savings part 3! So the question is really what sort of price would you think the dinette would alterations would be? Are there any recommendations for people to go to/people to avoid to do the work? We're moored on the Llan at the moment, but have boat and can travel!

We've only had the one boat, but the couple we bought her from had had her from new. They gave us everything from the plans, to the photos of her being built. Although they were obviously finding it hard to let her go, they were delighted she was going to us and that she'd be a well-loved family boat again. We're in regular contact with them and have even been out cruising with them for one day. Lovely people.

With 5 of us on board, we really need to empty every day. We managed for about 18 months, but had to buy a second cassette this summer when (even with long days cruising) Slaithwaite's sani was broken and there was still 2 days to the next Elsan in Diggle. Luckily we do like travelling on the boat, but even now we can't have more than a couple of days in any one place. 20 miles seems fine to me. Maybe we need to drink less

We got caught with one of the L&L stoppages in August, turned around and went cross the HNC instead. We made it to our new mooring on the Llan before the lock on the L&L was reopened and it was a good trip (albeit longer days than we'd expected) Hope you get back ok.

That's one lock you really don't want without a lock keeper Selby lockie is a good bloke as well, so hope it works out for him.

I love the HNC - to date I think it's pretty much my favourite canal. Glad you enjoyed it too

We did it last month. I've got to admit that underground bit is the one place we've been to so far on the network where I've felt really intimidated (not sure of the lock number). We did it at lunchtime (from a very early start at the top of the Ashton) and I'm not particularly keen to go back that way again! It's odd, because the under-buildings bit of the Aston flight in Brum was absolutely fine last year. The rest of the flight was ok - no problems from anyone at all (including the smooching couple on the lock beam!) Overall it was fine - lots of water to the point of spilling over the gates (we'd come directly from the HNC, so no complaints!) and the lock gear and everything worked. Rubbish in some locks, but I've seen worse. Castlefield looked good (one for the future) but we chugged on and spent the night at Dunham Massey. Massively long day but cracking weather!

For a good bit of staring from each side

I've spent the past 4 weeks perched on the back of the boat scrutinising all the boats we've passed (it was market research, honest!) I do like dark blue a lot. Been saving like mad, so want to get that smile factor - you know We've a combo of portholes (bedroom and bathroom) at the stern and window windows (which I'm sure have a more technical name!) near the bow. It'll be lovely to have her painted. Been really struggling though.

We're booked in for a full repaint in a month's time. Hubby & I are endlessly squabbling over the colour scheme and we're no nearer to deciding than we were a year ago! We have a 45ft MCC trad (apparently a Mike Heywood/Jonathan Wilson design) and she's a very pretty little hull at that. Currently sporting burgundy and pea green(!) but in need of a new identity. Why would you go for and why? (Disclaimer: this thread with either be a laugh or WW3. Hard hat & wine at the ready )

Very glad for the people who've been stuck there this past fortnight. And it's done a bit more quickly than they originally thought too! We'll be at Swanley tomorrow - it's been a much longer trip than planned but its been great. Seems like forever-ago we were at Barrowford.

Thanks Alan - we're heading along there now, so this is really helpful Moored near Dunham Massey at the moment (beautiful) with Preston Brook tunnel later this morning. CanalPlan thinks we'll be in Swanley tomorrow. After the world's biggest diversion, I feel ready for another holiday BUT we'd have still been stuck at Barrowford, so definitely the right call.

W13 is open - got here, the closed notices are still up, but on the phone they've said it's all fine...

Thank you! Internet reception was too lousy to Google. Boater coming up says it's clear - we're through lock 24w now so will find out soon!

Anyone heard any updates on this please?

Just so no one else is caught out - the facilities block in Slaithwaite is closed due to vandalism at the moment. The elsan was blocked, but we reported that so hopefully that'll be fixed soon. Wasn't sure where to post this- hopefully this is on the right place.

Well, we've made it to Marsden in time for the tunnel in the morning. It's 42 hours from here to Swanley (via the Bridgewater) according to Canal plan. We lock a bit quicker than their estimates, so it looks like Swanley on Sat/Sun is do-able. Any recommendations of nice stop overs, things to do and see always appreciated

It's actually been a lovely cruise back through our old familiar stamping ground. Got lots of lovely waves from our old mooring as we passed. Moored at Mirfield tonight with steak from the Leeds indoor market (with extra from very chatty butcher!) for supper. Should be easily onto HNC tomorrow and looking forward to a stop in Slaithwaite (with brewery, bakery and fresh pie maker within 100 yards of each other, surely one of the best waterway stops?)

Would have been completely typical of my luck if we had been caught out here's hoping...

We almost had heart failure when the alert arrived - seemed like we are doomed on this trip. Then we read it and it sounds like it'll be done before we get there. Now breathing again!

That is good news for you all. Right decision for us too as we'll be through Standedge and a fair way towards Swanley by this time next week. One day we will cross totally on the L&L I'm sure

That's the plan, Richard Although the three rises are manned in the summer, so we may be waiting a while there. The other option is a short break in Clarence Dock (I can nip into the market for some fabric I'm after) moor in Castleford for the night and then blast to Huddersfield the following day. I've done that in a day before (without the hubby on board) so suspect it'll be a fair bit easier with. Time looks like it's working out fine. Hoping to reach Swanley 17/18th. Fingers crossed!

Got there at 4pm but 2 other boats waiting, so we went down first thing this morning. Nearly at Saltaire now and aiming for Rodley (and a friend's washing machine) tonight!