Scholar Gypsy

A very fair description! I do a lot of cruising on the Fens and Middle Level as well, and it has been three years since I have had to go down the weed hatch. (though my son had to go down recently to untangle the stern line ....)

Ah, I was wondering if I couldn't see this data as I have a gold licence and my home mooring is on an EA waterway. But I see that's not the case as the option has been withdrawn.

I suspect another reason for this byelaw is to stop boats using their engine to control their position in the lock. That's what the bow and stern line are for.

Bampton is pretty much the centre of English Morris Dancing, I believe (and not very close to the river)...

Yes, indeed. We had spent several days in Leicester waiting for the water level to drop. Some of the bridges were a little tight. As I say, much more pleasant in normal conditions! https://scholargypsy.org.uk/2019/06/06/spring-cruise-2-kilby-bridge-to-trent-lock/

I had a similar impression of the Soar, from my trip in 1980. Took until 2019 to get a better impression on my second visit!

It's glorious https://scholargypsy.org.uk/2023/07/27/2023-main-voyage-phase-3-thrupp-to-lechlade/

Thank you, I think I will see how the modification above works -- ie replacing both joints and putting in flat washers. The previous setup has worked fine for 29 years....

Thanks, I think I've got it now. Not even necessary to snip the black seal, it just flips off to reveal a nice flat surface to take the sort of washer you suggest....

Thanks, that is interesting. The tapered seals are different to the original design which had a flat washer. It's a mission critical bit of plumbing (part of main cooling system) which is why I obsess about it. But I think need a washer of some sort to compress and make a watertight seal between the end of the pipe and the plastic part of the fitting.

Sorry, the one in the photo above. A 1/2" BSP fitting on a calorifier, which can shake loose. I am thinking about a couple of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcing-map-Flange-Locknut-Plumbing/dp/B09N3D51J7/ref=sr_1_12_sspa?adgrpid=1184174922457787&hvadid=74011150424783&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=132547&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-74011072442785%3Aloc-188&hydadcr=29387_2328104&keywords=1%2F2+bsp+nut&qid=1693917717&sr=8-12-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&psc=1

I may be overthinking this, but I am wondering if there is a way to tighten this fitting to make sure it doesn't come loose again. Ideas so far: 1) Tighten it some more using my pipe wrench 2) Use some PTFE tape (I know it's to make it watertight, which is not the issue) 3) Apply some loctite (there do seem to be rather a lot of products, maybe this one: https://www.vikingtapes.co.uk/products/loctite-243-threadlocker-blue-medium-strength?variant=40172618940479 4) Find a nut to go on the thread, and then lock it to the fitting (in a similar way to my stern gland) Many thanks!

Reopened on Tuesday, I gather.

I was referring to the Dog in a Doublet near Peterborough where the Nene goes tidal.

Sadly the pub at Dog-in-a-Doublet has shut recently.