Scholar Gypsy

This is what you need for timings: http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/5113.pdf More advice here - in essence leave Brentford as soon as you can (2 hours before HW Brentford, ie 1 hour before HW London Bridge).

My last trip through Netherton was enlivened by a workboat moored up (and I think/hope with nobody on board) in the middle, with a rather feeble flashing orange light. That was quite disconcerting. In general I would say Blisworth is more interesting/fun/eerie, especially if you stop and have a look into the side adit - for some reason one of the ventilation shafts was sunk about 15 feet off to the side.

I think the Farmington Canal, also known as the New Haven and Northampton Canal, would have gone quite close to Yale, though I am not sure if there was a lock of that name there. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmington_Canal

I believe that at Bell Weir some of the [edited] gate paddles squirt water into pipes laid along the bottom of the lock with holes in, so the water comes up from the bottom of the lock thoughout its length. Sandford is a bottom filler as well, I am sure.

The advice above is correct. However there are some SPCC members (eg me...) who might be able to come along with their radio & licence (and lifejacket). If you are interested please send me a PM.... [oops I see I have said that already on a previous post].

I have on occasion steered single handed, but using the long pole from the stern. I find this is OK provided you go slowly; and that way you are near to the engine controls.

Is the C really a G? In which case could it be Tipton Green? And is there a T at the end of the inscription as well? NB also the padlock hasp and chain, and the slightly unusual paddle arrangement (more common on the T&M than the BCN?).

Dudley Castle? http://www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/

I believe it is reopening on April 12th, with a history day organised by the friends on Sunday 13th But the official website does not give an opening date yet ...

I was going to suggest the Warwickshire ring - Warwick Castle has a good dungeon though I found it a bit synthetic. Or what about a trip based around London - there is at least one company that will let you take a boat through the middle of London (Tower Bridge etc) and then you could pootle up to Windsor. The lower Grand Union (once you get to Uxbridge) is rather fine. http://canalplan.org.uk/ may help you with cruising hours etc..

Yes - St Pancras are organising a trip on 10th May (with Deptford Creek an optional extra on the 11th). Details are here - places are booking up fast, I gather.

Very neat. When I entered "Braunston" it picked the one in Leicester, but "Braunston, Northants" did the trick!

I spoke to Paul at Salters Lode today, who confirmed that Denver was now open again, on schedule.

Here's a photo (courtesy of NB Galatea) of said fenders. Some twit forgot to lift them onto the roof..

The first I am aware of, so thank you in return! My favourite April fool so far is this one.

and here is one of my sons trying to do it behind a narrow boat (on the Wissey)

I agree, posting on this forum is a contact sport.

The only comments I would add to the abiove are: in this situation, I would far rather be hit (gently) by another boat, drifting sideways, than have my paint scratched by someone prodding with a bargepole - which (as you say in this case) is usually ineffectual. When manouvering in the boatyard - usually solo - I normally put a couple of big squashy fenders out, as reversing in a cross wind into my mooring can be a bit tricky.

No, but it would be perfectly feasible (in the summer) if high tide London Bridge is say between 6 and 9 in the morning. Leave Teddington about 30mins before High Water (ie 30 mins after HWLB) go down to Limehouse on the ebbing tide, arriving about 3 hours after HWLB wait about 6 hours, until 3 1/2 hours before the next high tide go back to Teddington where you will arrive about 13 hours after you started, possibly still in daylight....

You can get it (this is rated at the lowest level of fun/lunacy) half way down this page: http://www.thamescruising.co.uk/wordpress/?p=67 I would advise, for your first trip, making a simple passage plan, showing which arch you intend to go through (and which bridges you need to be careful of the isophase light ie there is only one upstream arch, and which bridges are bi-directional ie just one arch for all traffic). Here is one I did a couple of years ago. NB now out of date (eg the buoy at Hammersmith is now green not yellow). The PLA notices to mariners are on their website, and key points are repeated on their regular broadcasts.

Dear Jean - Richard is right, this trip is on Saturday 17th May, an early start from Limehouse, down to Woolwich and then up to Brentford/Teddington. It's a great run (though you will probably need extra insurance to go seaward of the .Barrier - I've never had a problem with my company). I am a SPCC member, but my boat is not in London this year. If you would like an experienced crew (with radio & licence if you need one) please let me know - contact via my blog or sg@judgefamily.org.uk

Keep posting! I had a few days earlier this week visiting Halesowen for work, and took the time to visit the Hawne End basin. I had a chat with a very friendly moorer - once I had worked out how to get there by car. The Delph locks did indeed look in good order on Tuesday morning. Enjoy the views...

Does this count? To be fair: the first time they did the bit below Camden lock I nearly knocked the cameraman off with a passing tree. He wasn't looking where he was going. I did say I couldn't speak in French and steer the boat at the same time

We keep two: * a boat log, in a hardback exercise book in the cabin. We record where we've been, what we saw etc. This goes back to 1972 and, as others have commented, is a good way of jogging memories. We ask all visitors to the boat have to write something. I always encourage people to add cross-references to when they were last on the boat, or when the boat was last here. * an engine log, which is on a cliipboard, in which I record hours per day, maintenance tasks done, and use to work out when to refill the diesel, change the oil etc.I still don't understand why I check the oil every day on the boat, but rather less regularly on the car. Feel free to nick it - link here.

Dear Bushman This site, built by two experienced tideway cruisers, gives a lot of useful info on the tideway. I assume your hire company knows you are planning to go out from Limehouse - some firms (eg Black Prince at Willowtree) are well set up for this, others less so. I would not describe the trip boats as aggresive. Just maintain a clear course at a steady speed, and make positive changes of course when necessary. PS I am an experienced tideway cruiser, but my boat is currently elsewhere. I quite enjoy crewing on others' boats, if you are interested (see my blog).