Scholar Gypsy

Yes, that's right. The other tip I would add - a bit counter to my normal practice in windy conditions - is to try and reduce your speed as much as you can before you start turning. Even a few gentle blips in reverse, if you can. My point is that forward momentum is not helpful at all in this circumstance, not least as the wind is trying to increase it.

As others have noted this is trickiest when you have a strong wind from behind. On one occasion (just north of Crick), when single handed in a very strong wind I had to resort to the following - the towpath (piled) was on the left and the hole on the right: stop on the left just before the hole tie the stern temporarily to the piling. run a very long rope (120 foot) from the bows, along the right gunnel, to the right of the tiller, and tie it to the bank behind the boat untie the stern, motor forwards, steer away from the bank when the rope goes tight, increase power and steer to the right as much as possible (not scratching the stern on the bank) the combined effect of the forces will bring the bows round into the winding hole (if the rope is tied off in the right place), keep power on and the wind will bring the stern around once you have turned, disconnect the long rope before you get it around the prop...

... and now reopened.

I've just had a full repaint by Dave Bishop, in the dry dock at Braunston - see photos including contact details. I'm very pleased with it, but I think he is booked up until the summer now.

I find this website quite useful: http://www.acronymfinder.com/

Well at least you didn't cause an explosion and singe your eyebrows. (I do know that is unlikely with diesel...) I am beginning to think my Easter trip to Ely is jinxed: Diesel pollution, tree trunks in the river, Denver lock out of action. But I am sure all will be fine....

Thanks for all the tips re Northampton Arm - should be there on 12th April... I wonder where this obstacle will be by then (email just arrived from the EA): " EMERGENCY RESTRICTION NOTICE Section 15 Anglian Water Authority Act 1977 Please be aware there is a very large tree stump afloat in the navigation, downstream of Ditchford Lock. Please take care when navigating in this area. "

Teddington is open 24 hours a day, I think. Yes they will: BWML staff do not check your EA licence at Limehouse.

A 0730 high tide is a bit early - even if you leave Limehouse at the earliest time (0500 - you will need to book) you will be an hour later than ideal. It depends a bit on how fast your boat goes, and how fast you want to go. Also, the tide is quite a weak one (the neap tide is on the 6th) which means the trip will take a bit longer. You are unlikely to start going backwards, but ... I would suggest catching the evening tide, either on the 4th. HW is 1950, so that means leaving Limehouse about 1615, and arriving Teddington 2000; or on Sunday 3rd HW 1904 so leave Limehouse 1530 arrive Teddington about 1915.

You can see quite a few waterways from the top of the Orbit -- here's some photos I took last week...

1) Didcot: maybe easiest to moor at Goring or Pangbourne and get a train from there? 2) As noted above, Llangollen is a very fine ride. They even agreed to delay the train for 5 minutes, when I realised I had left the camera on the roof of the boat ... 3) Ruislip Lido runs occasional steam trains, on a "former" canal reservoir. Tube from Uxbridge is probably the easiest?

Various bits of advice on the Oxford on this thread.

If I am really short of time, I come out of the main marina entrance, turn right, and go back in through the second entrance. So my answer to your question is "Yes" !!

On Theo's post, if the compartment has a grille at the top and holes at the bottom, then the warmer air inside the space (being of lower density than the ambient atmosphere) will create a lower pressure at the bottom and suck air in. After all that's the same principle which causes a chimney full of hot air to suck in cold air at the bottom of the stove. As others have noted a fan will improve the flow - one could have one controlled by the inverter and one controlled by the fridge

Good question. We have moored at Braunston for the last 11 years, and it's a good place for a short trip. One can easily walk up the hill to the village. If we have a bit more time, we turn on the other side of the Puddlebanks (Br 98) or near the main road bridge in Shuckburgh (Br 107)

Go on, be tempted. We are 56 foot (about). A 60 footer would be fine, 70 foot might be a bit trickier, esp if the wind is blowing in an unhelpful direction (the offside is rather shallow). Turn early & keep your bows as far to the right as you can, as the water is deeper there. Satellite picture

No, here - it is just about possible to turn in the stream that joins the canal at this point, between the second and third bridges north of Braunston turn

Great news. Am I right to assume the flood gates at Abington and Weston Favell, either side of the Northampton washes, are also open? I am intrigued to know how often they are used. If not this winter, then when??

No fishing today, I am afraid, as we passed just north of Braunston...

Nice to hear from you again Joel - I too like the honesty in your blog. I enjoyed crewing on your boat when you did the tideway a couple of years ago. I've still got the link to your video somewhere...

Email from C&RT today: Notice AlertCulvert 51A to Bridge 32, Fosse Road Bridge Wednesday 5 March 2014 16:45 until further notice Type: Advice Reason: Repair Original message:The Customer Service Facilities at Fosse Way are currently being re-built and is not available for use. You can use the private facilities at Calcutt Marina, but they may charge for this. We will update this notice once the facilities are re-opened.

Can I just check if the installation has a split relay or a blocking diode? Various postings mention the former [CORRECTED!] but I can't see those words in a posting from the OP. Last time my diode failed (or to be more precise the domestic half of it) I simply joined the engine and domestic batteries together with a short and chunky jump lead, and the ammeter jumped back up to normal. Of course you need to remember to disconnect said jump lead at the end of the day ...

C&RT are proposing some changes to the moorings at Paddington. Details are here, unfortunately the consultation closed yesterday morning ...

I'd agree with all the above. In addition: I agree re using the centre line to control the boat when going downhill - don't tie it on to anything of course when going uphill in wide locks, I quite often use the bow rope, attached to a long light line which lies on the roof and runs back to the rear of the boat. So I climb up the ladder holding windlass and the said line, and then use it to lift up the bow rope to the side of the lock where I can tie it on to a bollard. If the weather is grotty, and especially if no other people are around, I sometimes wear a lifejacket. The risks of banging your head if you fall in are too great...

Got the new radiators working; and took the boat out without scratching the new paintwork. Photos here