waterdog

Hi Garry, Your spot on with the dates, leaving from whitchurch on the 18th and back on the 25th, pity that, we could have had a few beers together. Will be back home late sunday evening (25th) so will try and post some info for you, not a lot of time before you start, but if you can get to a pc somehow.... Waterdog

Yup, I've got one, supplied by the hire company prior to our first outing 2 years ago. Watched it a few times before our trip, listened intently to the training and advice given by the guy at the boatyard, then whacked the boat into the wall at the first lock, got a round of applause and a big cheer from the lads in the beer garden overlooking the canal.

Hi Yamanx, I too worked for many years in the commercial coach building industry but on the refrigerated transport side, some of the fridge/ freezer equipment had different parts of the circuit running 12v/24 dc some 240 a/c and even 3 phase, got rather interesting when some not so bright spark sent 3 phase down a 12v circuit. , and all the wire colours were usually white and numbered. Stuart

Shannon, AKA waterdog, just loves the boat, and going for a swim in the canal.

Thanks Daniel, maybe I did misjudge the situation and it wasn't as tight as I thought, it looked to me that the other boat made no attempt to slow or move from the centre so I had to. I know if I owned my own boat (someday soon i hope) I wouldn't risk damaging my pride and joy like this guy did. What would happen if there was a collision and damage / injury ? Are boats insured like cars, i.e. fully comp, third party etc, would the "canal police" come out and take statements.

Hi John, Thanks for the replies, it may been a misunderstanding on my part but the canal was very narrow with barely enough room for one foot between the boats never mind eight. I thought I was doing the right thing in trying to avoid a (to me) almost inevitable collision. If the actions you describe are the accepted standard then I stand corrected. However I still feel that experienced boaters could be a little more understanding when meeting hirers as they (the hirer) are more likely to be unpredictable in thier reaction to another boats actions. What would have happened if I in confusion or panic turned the tiller the wrong way and steered toward the other boat and not away from it?. I have to deal with this sort of situation every day, (i'm a driving instructor) where experienced drivers get impatient with the learner and take unnecesary risks just to get past us (or even worse try to beat us to a gap when its our priority) I just pray the learner remembers which way to turn the steering to avoid the collision. A hirer, just like a learner driver may not do what you expect them to do in any given situation so wouldn't it be better to slow down a little and be a bit more considerate. As I often tell my learners, even though you were technically right we would still have had a collision and the inevitable damage to the vehicles AND the high risk of injuries to the occupants. Not much good lying in a hospital bed saying " I was right you know" Denis R, I agree, I probably would do the same again, discretion being the better part of valour..... Stuart

"I remember lorry drivers' used to give the 'thumbs down' sign to other oncoming lorries if they had seen police, maybe boaties coud do the small as a warning of approaching hire boats!" Yeah, and maybe there should be a boat sticker saying "I've got my own boat and hirer's are the scum of the canal that should be rammed out the way" Like the pratt on the stourport ring last year, saw him coming from a long way of so moved to the side and slowed down to make room as the canal was pretty narrow at this point, this idiot just barrelled straight down the middle forcing us to move even further to the side to avoid a collision and we ended up stuck. Him and his missus had a right old giggle as they went past, the "lady" called over something about us practising for the normandy landings! Didn't stop us having a fantastic week though, and were back on the langollen in a few weeks time. Guess you meet a few prats wherever you go.

Hi Guy's, Loads of info on wiring, cable size etc here, http://www.leisure-electrics.co.uk/faqs.htm Stuart

Thanks Daniel, its only six weeks and six days now, both myself and the missus have pretty stressful jobs it'll be great just to chill out for the week and totally relax. Phillip & Steve h, thanks for the info, the route sounds nice & relaxing, just what the doctor ordered. The small amount of locks will make a change from last year (tardebrigge) but we had the young un's with us last time. Just us old farts this time. The steam railway sounds good, my background is in engineering so i'm fascinated by that sort of thing, bores the missus to tears though, Thanks for the replies, you have been really helpful. Stuart. P.S. Can you see waterdog's pic on the post?, it says it loaded ok but not visible on my pc.

Hi Guy's & Gal's, Seven weeks tomorrow till our week's holiday on the langollen, it cannot come quick enough, did our first canalboat holiday last year (6 of us and 2 dogs on the stourport ring) and absolutely loved it and can't wait to go again. Any tips on places to visit especially good pubs on / near the canal and possible mooring places would be extremely welcome, (starting out from whitchurch). Is there any places to be wary of or avoid? You lucky, lucky people that have your own boat, I should rename myself "green with envy". Will have one one day though, now where did I put that lottery ticket?