Windfola

Wellies wouldn't be my first choice for grip on a hard, smooth surface. They are too solid in the sole, and they invariably leave you with a lot of foot 'slippage' room inside, so that, as your weight shifts around, the boot is moving accordingly and not in a controlled way, as you walk. You want something a lot closer fitting round your foot, in softer rubber - trainers at the very least. When I realised how woefully inadequate my current supply of footwear was I invested in some proper boat shoes - and they are fab. Expensive, but I feel rock solid in them. And I am no athlete.

Except that it is this very public sector that is designed to support the most vulnerable in society - the ill, the young, the very old and the poor. Potentially that is every one of us at some stage. It includes the doctors, nurses, teachers, carers and the people who keep the streets free from filth. There's not one of those workers who is overpaid.

We all need a little stress in our lives. Otherwise we'd be in comas. Boating stress = good stress.

So can you get round the Lakes by canal?

It suits the present incumbents to let us think the recession is worse than it is, because that way they can dismantle services, pocket the difference and keep our attention away from what they are up to.

I'd be interested to hear folks' comments about the merits of such as Karndean over real wood floors. I have been encouraged to consider Karndean because it is less likely to 'move', but I have a distinct dislike of anything that is pretending to be what it isn't and as for mimicking real wood, well it didn't fool me for a minute. Personally I would like a solid oak floor (boarded) if possible.

Thanks for the thumbs up re Milburn. Their joinery is certainly impressive. No one ever accused me of having more money than sense, but only because I never have any money anyway.

I fink it might be my flatulence problem. I'm pretty sure that caused Hurricane Katrina. Windy

Yuck.

Why would Black show imperfections more than, say, dark blue or dark green? And what is this 'other boat', please?

Oh really? And what makes you think you can dismiss my ideas so glibly, never mind make assumptions about what kind of person I am or what I would do with such a boat? And what, prey, are you reminded of? Come on, put your money where your mouth is!

Very nice! I am by no means set on Milburn - I needs lots more to compare yet.

If you're looking at boats on Ebay, how do you get to have them surveyed in time before the end? Or is this type of buying strictly for the experts who can tell a decent boat when they see one?

I want the outside of my boat to look sleek, simple and slightly racy. I'm not bothered about traditional or replica styles per se as the whole thing is going to be black and shiny, maybe with silver coachlines and chrome fittings, but nothing flamboyant. It will be the narrowboat equivalent of a stealth bomber Any suggestions?

They use either Reeves or Tyler Wilson hulls. I went to see them yesterday and their fittings seem lovely.

Anyone had one built by Milburn at Staverton? What are they like?

Honestly. I start these threads with innocent questions, light the touch paper and end up more confused than I started.

Not telling

Mine says I am a bloke!

My link

Ta. Part of the reason I am asking is that I may have access to more funds than I originally thought and am trying to weigh the balance between buying nearly new/used and maybe even going bespoke. A scary thought. Too soon to know. Mustn't get carried away...

I keep coming across 'gas free boats' being advertised. Presumably they use diesel where other boats use calor gas? What are the benefits and drawbacks?

Try looking up 'small doubles' on the internet. The better manufacturers (Hypnos, Silentnight and so on) do them, but you have to order them specially as they're not usually stocked on the high street.

As cheap vacuums go, my Henry is the only one I have owned that can hoover up anything from hairs and dust to gravel, concrete and plastic without either going wrong or blocking the pipe. The suction is brilliant. Its is so simple there is nothing on it to break. And it takes simply ages before it needs emptying. the last time I emptied it, it had gone for about 6 months without getting full. (actually that might have had more to do with not doing any housework )

Just had an interesting read of Towpath talk. No private farm mooring ads, but interesting and useful for future reference.