Hastings

You'll be able to get it from us. Peter Audlem Mill www.canalbookshop.co.uk

We sold a lot of First Mate Guides, and (I believe) bought the last of Carole's stock at this time last year. They sold out very quickly. Whilst you can download the Guides, as sueb says, there may still be some real books available. Try the Boat Shop on the Braunston flight, and Kings Lock Chandlery at Middlewich - they both had some a while ago. The First Mate Guides were excellent, but are now rather out of date - inevitable, as quite a lot changes every year on the waterways. It would be great if someone could take the First Mate Guides over, update them, and republish them. But it's a lot of work and research, and I suspect that Carole would need to be convinced that the new person is serious. We stock the largest selection of canal books anywhere, and we talk to our customers. They want hard copy guides, and although I know that ebooks have arrived, I don't think that canal guides will work this way for some time. The problem is that hard copy books are reasonably expensive to produce. Let's hope that something develops. Peter Audlem Mill

In practice, I do agree, as CRT has to find a way forward, and working with customers who have difficulties (a) is almost certainly cheaper than the legal route, where realistically they will spend lots of money and get little if anything back, and ( it tends to enhance CRT's image, which is not great in all respects! However, I maintain my point that CRT doesn't have legal responsibility for people who get into difficulty, and this is exactly the same as any private landlord who rents out flats and houses. CRT is not a publicly owned body, and I don't see why some people expect it to act like one. It's a limited company (by guarantee), whose purpose in simplistic terms is to look after the canals, make the books balance financially, and ideally make a profit to reinvest in the charitable aims. Some might say that the Government is at present a very significant funder of CRT, and that's true, but so it is of RBS and Lloyds Bank, and I suspect no one would anticipate them being very kind to some customer who finds that they can't pay. They would, after a period of due process, force them out of their property. CRT is doing little different. On the canals, from running into debt to having your boat seized (assuming that you are living on it) takes a very long time. I've heard of several cases which were 18 months to several years. Hardly high-handed tactics! If we expect CRT to act with more of a social conscience, then we may have to get our MPs to change its legal status, so getting its memorandum/articles of association to be changed to provide for that.

CRT is a charity, not a housing authority. It has no legal requirement to be interested in the personal circumstances of its customers (= licence payers, mooring fee payers), and the income or lack of income of boat owners is none of its concern. There are contractual fees to be paid, and as long as the boat owner, or someone else pays them, and on time, then CRT won't have a concern. Having said that, CRT do seem to care, and I have heard many times from discussions with boaters, and see on this forum, that if you declare problems in advance of doing something outwith the guidance/rules, they tend to be pretty sympathetic and try to help. But they still expect you to pay your dues, and on time, and I see nothing wrong with that. I have to pay to business rates and council tax by the due date, and there's no reason anyone should be be remotely interested if I might be late in paying, or can't pay. People who are in such circumstances maybe need to approach agencies or other charities who have some involvement in this matter. Living on a canal boat is not a cheap alternative to bricks and mortar accommodation; many posts on this forum say that it costs much the same as renting a flat. I'm not trying to be awkward, but a charity is a limited company that has to make the books balance. CRT can reasonably expect canal users and boat residents to pay the correct dues - otherwise it risks being insolvent.

I was, of course, being a bit provocative, and I fully agree that there is some difference between CRT Guidance and the legislation. However, I also take your point that most people just get on with enjoying the canals. And experience tells me that if you do that without being a nuisance to other boaters or getting in their way, then there's not really a problem, even if you do do something a little outside the guidance or rules. What I suppose I was saying is why go boating if you have major problems with CRT, the law or the guidance. Find something else to do, as life's too short! Although I have to add that being a retired lawyer, I sometimes do like to look behind things and find inconsistencies! On a more serious note, I'm worried that the outcome of the Pillings Lock matter may be detrimental to people living on boats who aren't genuine CCers (whatever that means - see a multitude of other posts!), as one can possibly foresee the flack from there muddying the waters for the very many who have lived quietly on boats at various locations, even if perhaps they don't have the legal right to do so in that place (I have in mind most marina dwellers). This is, however, probably not the thread to discuss that point.

Is it me, or are some people (including a regular litigant who has just posted here) going all out to try to prove that they are right, and that CRT is always wrong? I've been boating for almost 50 years, and have lived on a boat occasionally, but have never had a problem with the rules, whatever they are, and however odd they might seem at times. I've always made sure that I try to understand what BW and CRT think, and operate within that. The key point is that boating is essentially a chosen way of life, and not a right (ok, there's the statutory right of navigation to consider in some places, but I'm not sure that there's ever been a legal right to live on a boat - it is de facto accepted). Why can't people accept that the canals are wonderful, that living on them is a privilege, but that you don't have the same rights that you have with freehold or leasehold property. Living on a boat has always had risks - lack of planning permission in most cases if you want to stay in one place such as a marina; ice; floods etc. But boating's great if you want it to be. Why are some people so negative? I know I'm being a bit simplistic, but much of what I read on this forum results from people choosing to live on boats expecting it to have the same rules as land based living, without perhaps anticipating the limitations, or doing adequate research.

I'm not sure if it helps or not, but I was looking through my early logs, and I see that four of us went from above lock 13 at Audlem (the Wharf by the Shroppie Fly) to Cut End at Autherley Junction in just over 11 hours actual boating time. This was in 1969, when the canals were not as well maintained as they are now, and the Shroppie was rather shallow in places. We got to Tyrley top lock from Audlem in 3.75 hours, so Overwater Marina to there would be about 4.5 hours maximum. I did the same trip, but in reverse, a few years ago, and with only two of us, Tyrley top lock to Audlem Wharf was fractionally over 4 hours. Peter

Of course it does, that's why the Somerset levels are flooded. But no problem, CRT will backpump it back to the north. If they were allowed to administer the Thames, there would be even more to backpump to canals that tend to have water supply difficulties.

Although the bit about booking was for historic boats, everyone is welcome at the Audlem event on 26/27 July. You can moor a non-historic boat between locks 11-12 (48 hours - room for about 10 boats), or below lock 15 (14 days - at least 1/2 mile of mooring), so you will be close. We get a very large number of visitors. The boats are here all weekend, and on Sunday afternoon there will be 300 old vehicles on the village playing field. Both events are free. Do pop into Audlem Mill if you come, and say hello. And remember, we have 3 pubs and a good variety of village shops. Peter

From Braunston, you could come to our event at Audlem on the Shroppie on 26/27 July. We have 30 historic boats already booked in, but can take 43. Early booking is advised - ring 01270 811059. Normally, ours is the last gathering of historic boats in the north (and we're only just in the north), but this year there is a war themed event in Middlewich in October. I don't think that you'll find any other specifically historic boat gatherings, though there are normally canal festivals in September on the Llangollen at Whitchurch and on the Monty at Maesbury, which are reckoned to be very enjoyable. Peter

This year's gathering of historic boats at Audlem is on 26/27 July (always the last weekend in July) - two days instead of one from this year. The Festival of Transport, with 300 historic vehicles close to the canal, is on the afternoon of 27 July. We can take about 42 ex-working boats, and many bookings have already been received, but there's room for some more boats. It's best to book soon, as last year we were nearly fully booked by the end of March. Either ring 01270 811059, or download the booking form via the link in the blue box at bottom right at www.audlemmill.co.uk. There is no charge to enter a boat. Peter Audlem Mill

As with Pete Harrison, i didn't know him well, but found him to be very good to deal with, and without doubt an excellent journalist and keen protagonist of all canal activity. Peter Silvester Audlem Mill

There are still quite a few strapping posts on the Audlem flight on the Shroppie, and of course all the locks had them some while ago. It's good to see them being used for the joint purpose of closing the gate and stopping the boat, though we (who are by the locks) don't see this done very often. It's not as easy as you might think! It was also common here to close the bottom gates from the counter using a boat hook, so avoiding the need to tie the boat up if you were single handed, or for the person working the locks to wait for the boat to clear the lock and close the gate.

Not really, we've only just got that electrickery thing, and as for running water and phones.... we still use two baked bean cans and a bit of string. But we've got fresh air, green bits between the towns, and accents I can understand. So it's not all bad!

We also do canal cards with boats, at http://www.audlemmill.co.uk/audlem%20mill%20gifts.html

Also missed out of the list is the Bridge Inn at Audlem (bridge 78), next door but one to the Shroppie Fly. The Bridge is a Marstons house with usually three real ales, and a wide range of good cheap food. It was built when the canal opened, and is still popular with boaters. The Shroppie Fly reopened about three weeks ago after major refurbishment, which should put it back on the list of pubs you must go to when doing the Four Counties Ring. Seven real ales when I was last in! And again, good pub food at reasonable prices. Peter

As we said above, we sold these excellent guides. The price for a paper copy was £12 for the guides printed in colour, and £10 for those solely in black and white. But I can't imagine that the author Carole Sampson would expect that much, as you may need to print the pages you want. Some aspects of the guides may be a bit out of date, as the data were correct as about 3-5 years ago, but things don't change too fast, though canals don't often move! Peter

Ray Victoria has recently produced a paperback book containing the contents of the Brindley pocketbooks, plus comment and interpretation. Brindley certainly wasn't illiterate, though his spelling might not conform to modern norms! The content is a fascinating insight into many aspects of his work. We stock the book at Audlem Mill if any one is interested. Peter

We at Audlem Mill bought all the remaining stock that Carole had left in March, and they sold very quickly. However, I know that Kings Lock Chandlery at Middlewich has several copies each of three or four of the titles, and there might be some left at The Boat Shop on the Braunston flight. Otherwise, the download method is the only way to get these excellent guides.

The Shroppie Fly has now been open a week. We have been in two or three times, and ate there on Saturday. The transformation is dramatic - the pub is clean, well lit and doesn't smell. The decor isn't entirely to my taste, but is fairly plain, and well executed. Furniture is simple and functional, but comfortable. The new stone floor in most areas is of high quality. One area (near the fire, now a stove) is still carpeted. Some of the old Harry Arnold canal photos are still there, plus other old photos of the Shroppie and Audlem village. There are murals with maps and photos of the wharf area. Above all, the bar is still there in the form of the wooden joey boat, though above gunwhale level, it has been refitted. There are seven handpumps, and all had real ales on, so that's a great improvement. Beer prices are a bit high, but this seems to tie in with the fact that this pub is intended to be a destination, with good drink and food, not a pub to drink to excess as was the case for the last few years. The food is very reasonably priced - meals start at £4.95 and most items are under £8.00. We very very impressed with the quality and quantity. It's essentially pub food, with no pretensions, but service was fast and the food good. It's very obvious that nearly £300,000 has been spent on the refurbishment. Do go to the Shroppie - it's far better than it has been for many years, and bearing in mind that many canal pubs have closed, it deserves to be supported. Peter

They've been released as pdf files, and I suspect that's as far as it will go. Anything else is likely to require an awful lot of work by the author, and I suspect that's not what she wants!

I believe that's why Carole got them back, but couldn't find anyone to do the updating and publishing, so she has uploaded them as they stand. Peter

It's been noted on this forum that the excellent First Mate Guides have been discontinued. They weren't canal guides as such, but guides to facilities, shops, churches, doctors etc near the canal. However, the last version has now just been uploaded to the web, so that you can download them (the seven volumes cover most areas). The author, Carole Sampson, asks that you make a donation, which seems more than reasonable. We used to sell First Mate Guides, and they varied in price from £10 to £12 per book, though I suspect that Carole isn't expecting that amount. Do note that there are unlikely to be updates to the guides. I feel that I shouldn't really tell you that the guides are available, as we sell canal books and maps, but these aren't available as hard copies, and we are often asked for them still. You can find the guides at www.firstmateguides.co.uk Peter

Mike As I have said, there's no problem with trading at the Audlem Festival of Transport, but it has to be outside the three lock pounds we use for the event. Bearing in mind that this is probably the only event held on a lock flight, there is obviously a limit to how many boats we can fit into the available space, and historic boats do take it all. Trading boats are welcome above lock 12, or below lock 15. Just turn up and trade - no entry forms, charges or formalities (but equally for that reason, no reserved spaces). Peter

It is well established banking practice in the UK that post dating a cheque really means little. CRT could have paid the cheque in when received, rather than hold it as you requested till the date on it. The bank would then pay it on presentation, as cheques are processed by machine. It's unrealistic to expect someone to look at the dates on cheques! You would have no legal recourse if the cheque was presented early. It's best to work on the principal that paying by cheque is always an immediate payment, like using a card. If you want to delay payment, send your cheque at the right time. As a business owner, I'd also add that cheques are nowadays a bit archaic, and a nuisance, as you have to toddle off to the bank with them, or post them - and both cost money. Most businesses generally price products these days on the expectation of receiving payment by card - far easier to cope with than cash or cheques.