Scholar Gypsy

Dear Tim Thanks for spotting that - rather frustrating... When I have some time I will see if I can find them again, update the page, and then post again here.

OK, you asked for it .... Here is my (ridiculously large) collection of all the photos and videos that participants, and people on the bank, have sent me so far. Most were taken on the day, but there are also some of the rehearsals beforehand. If - and this seems quite a good winter activity - anyone wants to add more links to that page, then please read the instructions first.

The latest edition of the PLA's pagazine - Tideway matters - is devoted to the pageant. (Be warned - 13 MB download). Note in particular the photo on page 7, and positive comments about the narrowboaters on pages 12 and 20. I understand that discussions continue with the organisers about producing a decent DVD of all the BBC material that was not broadcast... In the meantime here's a brief item broadcast beforehand on Swiss TV.

Thank you! Here are the plans for a more permanent solution, I think, issued today: "Watford Flight, Lock 1 - 7 Monday 5 November 2012 - Wednesday 7 November 2012 Repairworks are being undertaken to the paddle chambers of locks 5 and 6 in order tohalt the leakage at each lock. The Flight will be open until 2pm each day, but will thenbe closed to boat traffic for the remainder of the day until the followingmorning."

I agree - very helpful real time updates. My boat is somewhere on the summit (under the tender contol of my son and friends) and I had been wondering if they will get back to Braunston this week...

I would commend a similar effluent truck, which operates near Haverforwardwest, with the slogan "Yesterday's meals on wheels"

And if you are going on the Nene/Ouse system, to see the doors, slackers & penstocks, you wil need the special key from the Environment Agency (and a license). There is also a key for the Middle level, but you can buy that when you arrive

If you would like me to come along with a VHF radio, let me know and I will see what I can do! I've done quite a bit of tideway cruising (not least all the recent rehearsals for the pageant. Simon Judge

Thanks to all for their comments. The journey from Braunston was extremely uneventful - no queues anywhere, and only three boats going over the Tring summit in each direction. We had more problems with mud in Wolverton (and hail!), and with locks near Watford with v leaky bottom gates, than with the slightly lower water on the summit. I was sorry not to visit the new bit of the Wendover Arm, which was closed.

Thanks - that was just a private email to say thank you for the response - which I can repeat publicly as well. This might be a good place to advertise the rather helpful Waterscape page on reservoir holdings- which shows some improvement over the last couple of months - and also a neat new map which summarizes the restrictions currently in force in the Midlands and South East (the national map is the same, with the addition of the K&A).

According to waterscape this stretch reopened (withrestrictions) on 26 March. I would be very grateful to know if anyone has managed toget over the tring summit this week. I hope to do so on 12 April! Many thanks

I would commend a light line running along the roof from the stern, connected to a bowline/loop in the bow rope. Very handy when using ladders to climb out of an empty lock - you just take the line with you and then do the awkward bit of pulling up a heavy bow rope when you are safely on the lockside. You can see it in ready for use here and in action (sort of) here.

Please see the latest guidance from the Information Commisioner on this point.

Thank you: but I have an Elsan (bucket & chuckit), not a holding tank!

Thank you. It may be legal, I just don't want to do it! On odour grounds, I am also not much attracted having an elsan filling up with no chemicals in the waste tank: I believe it is not permitted to dump elsan fluid etc into the river. PS: on trees EA have just said "We are please to inform you that the fallen trees between Yarwell and Wansford have now been removed."

We did the Nene this summer, lovely navigation and the few remaining hand wound guillotine gates were OK. As others have noted the main issue is flooding. Based on some very helpful advice from Jim Shead, we moored easily here: * above the lock in Northampton * ditto Cogenhoe * Wellingborough embankment - water point and shopping, not ideal overnight * above lock at Irthlingborough NB no facilities here at present. * Thrapston, either above bridge or below the lock (Islip) * the backwater above Ashton lock * Fotheringay * Wansford railway station (steam) * Ferry meadows, Peterborough You can just tie up in a field, but I would not recommend it without asking first. There are no EA elsan points between Northampton and Peterborough. But I rang ahead to the boatyards, who were very helpful.

See the item in IWA newsletter today about possible EU infraction proceedings: http://www.waterways.org.uk/campaigns/news/bulletins/iwa_bulletin_september_2011#red

I've moored a couple of times on the Winson Green loop, just east of the prison (and just west of hockley basin), and alongside a nice park. Very quiet overnight...

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