jim and pat dalton

AH! thanks richard, will have a real good look at it all, Its been a while since we reviewed it all, so its overdue also thanks for that info Hud

Biscuits, thanks I'd never heard of that will have a little experiment with it then. If it works then you are the dogs biscuits!!!

Do you guys use these in a Wifi box with data only sims or just on your phones? The reason I ask is that we both have unlimited data with 3 on our phones. It was great in the old days but for about the last 5 years they only allow 4gb of tethering to another device I also have 20gb data sim with 3 and a 30gb data sim with EE but if we watch only internet TV and of course use the internet, then we will run out. So that's why I was interested in what you guys use. would love to have an unlimited data sim Jim

We have the same problem as the OP and it does my head in, how random it is. Ive thought about using internet TV but we watch a lot of it and so will use a lot of data question for Dr Bob and others. what is the best most cost effective 4G service you buy, how many gigs for how much? I would be interested to know Also does anyone use a satellite dish and will it work with my Cello 12v tv which picks up freeview from the periodic ariel ? cheers Jim

cheers, thanks. I was looking at Houseful when I found it.

Has anyone ever used Stovemaster "fuel" in their stove? Just looking at the prices and its £325 per ton (40 bags) wondering how good it is and possibly how it compares to Supertherm? Jim

Thanks for the Pm's folks very useful info cheers Jim

Theyre bound to be in the process of taking over sea ports I'm sure ?

I will send some pm's as I wish too play my cards fairly close to my chest

Does anyone here have any contacts for a professional legal expert with canal experience. would be grateful of some contact details please

We can vouch for skin soft here too ​But if you get a bite (I'm terrible at remembering to put it on) pick up some Common Plantain leafs from your nearest patch of grass (wife wife always keeps some to hand), wash it then crush then rub it into the bite and the itching will be gone quite quickly. The reason the horsefly bites you is that it needs to have mammalian blood in order to breed apparently

Another recommendation for Chris Smith 01733 576946 He did several arounf here including us last year, Excellent service and good prices too

Wonder if anyone on a boat is using the Separett Flame? Interested in how long it takes to burn your waste, esp at 1.6kw 240v usage? Jim

know someone who painted there boat under a bridge last year. Less than satisfactory finish due to the dirt and dust constantly being dislodged by the traffic overhead. choose your site carefully

Just asked for the Pac codes and gave the tethering as the reason for leaving. Three didn't at any stage attempt to offer me a new deal it would also seem that whilst my contract ended nov14. I'm limited on tethering but my wifes contract ended Sept14 yet she is still on unlimited tethering I asked why the difference? and It would seem that they are working their way through the customer list and I suspect Pat uses less data than me and they haven't got that far yet. Due to unreliability of signal, we have recently gone to EE mifi at 25gb per month for £30 and the service is quite good. A number of the above posters have wondered why or how folk have high(ish) usage, so to properly explain: We are not slaves to soap operas or strictly come novelty TV programs that mainly populate the TV schedule. So we find we mainly want to use BBC iplayer and other stations catch up services to specifically watch programs we are interested in etc Also watch Netflix to also view what "we want", especially as I work long and odd hours driving from Northampton to Scotland and back and I find being constrained to the dire TV schedule somewhat uninspiring . We always play back directly from mifi now through to apple TV plus some you tube where as before it was from iPhone to apple TV. The most usage I ever had was 20gb on three when watching back to back "Orange is the new Black" on Netflix last June

nothing in Northants :-(

We have some Exide batteries on board that are quite old I would post a photo but don't know how. I rang the number stamped on them but no reply. So phone Excide and gave them the model numbers and they said they are at least 15years old and came out of a power backup UPS system for computer mainframes or such like. We were having some problems in the Summer with the Batteries going flat at 4am (due to having to run an inverter) every day when off grid.At the Crick in the mud show we talked to battery suppliers and were really getting no joy until I talked to http://www.pbbatteries.com/narrowboat-batteries/ The guy there really knew his batteries and spent time going through stuff with us, he also quoted me for a system ( with boat survey for fitting plus then fully fitted and old batts removed) for 2v batteries on a 600 a/h bank with a topping up system attached (so we don't have to crawl about checking and topping up in a confined space) for about £1k ish. expensive but worth it for longevity and ease of use I reckon However we also needed both our under counter Fridge and Freezer to be changed first and we bought 12v units at the show and now we seem to have no problems with the existing bank.. so we will stick with our old (15 yr old) sealed batteries until such times as it becomes a pain. I will have no hesitation then in going for a 2V bank as recommended by posters above and we shall return to PB batteries for a new quote as they were so helpful. I should also say we have 495w (which is more than we need) of solar power on the roof, thanks to the very helpful guys at Bimble Solar which cost me all of £530 Very happy Jim

Bimble solar, I agree. the best deals in town and they know their subject if you have any questions

Thanks for the replies folks We were down I the hey fords today and three is definitely a black spot for any kind of signal Wi have alook at the other options mentioned above next week Cheers Jim

I may have bagged myself an interesting job near Upper Heyford. Currently we are living on board on the Nene and as the new job is 50 miles away I would look to move a little closer Any info from forumites on moorings less than 50 miles away from Upper Heywood would be gratefully received. especially ones with a good social scene and in light of the threatened cut bacl on thethering from 3 marinas with wifi might be of interest. Anywho! we are interested in all moorings Cheers Jim.

We just use a sliding bolt (similar to that on a bathroom door) horizontaly attached to (wood liner) the underside of the hatch, it engages with a hole on the vertical (side) part of the runner that the hatch slides upon. Our stern doors have a floor bolt on one and a yale lock on the other to secure. So routine is check to make sure you have yale lock key in your pocket then to close and bolt one stern door , slide hatch and feel the bolt into its position (very easy) then close the other stern door; click and its locked. doors are very solid (and we always ensure we have our keys with us) Its a simple solution. If we are in a dodgy area we leave the telly on and some lights before going to the pub. From the outside you just see the yale lock and no give away padlock telegraphing we are not in. :-)

A good link to naturism on the canals http://www.channel4.com/programmes/my-daughter-the-teenage-nudist/4od Whilst on the middle levels last year we enjoyed many an afternoon/evening of sunshine and freedom without clothes, never actually seeing a soul. I totally recommend it Also on the GU this year in plenty of places. And oddly coming back up the Nene past Stanwick lakes we encountered a lovely old chap strolling naked with a rucksack on his back. a lovely day for enjoying life as nature intended, there is nothing sexual or dirty about it; its just being a natural human being