Mike Todd

Perhaps they are first cousins to a line of these alongside the bridge nearest to Chester Zoo.

We moored overnight just before Ferrybridge. Good place, friendly walkers, qiite popular with locals. See nbalchemy.blogspot.com entry for 30 July.

I thought that the GU was only really built for wide beam barges up to the Port of Berkhampstead and that the provision of wide locks thereafter was intended to speed up the passage of pairs of narrowboats.

I was cleaning our car on Thursday (a rare event!) prior to taking it to the dealer to exchange for another one. Thought it best to show some willingness . . . Although my pressure washer was showing signs of imminent expiry, I did use it to pressure wash all over. At the tailgate I noticed that there was more than one spider's web still intact (they usually seem to collect on wing mirrors) and no amount of spraying would remove it. Needed greater manual intervention LTRU. I report this really only to recall that the thread of spider's webs is supposed to be one of the strongest materials produced naturally. My thought therefore is that we should learn how to train boat spiders into more useful production on our behalf so that we can create ropes and fenders with a longer life (anyone notice the comment in the Britain Afloat programme that said that at one time working boats wore out their bow fenders every trip between London and Brum?) Or perhaps we could even go further and see how to turn them into fine meshes that could be applied to the outside of our cab sides so that passing excess vegetation (whether we make a trip into it for our own enjoyment of erratic steering or as the result of aggressive centre line occupancy by another) or small projectiles lobbed from overhead bridges or - probably the worst and most unlikely avoidable - banging of windlasses - none of these will damage our pride and joy, leaving it looking just as the day it was so wonderfully and professionally painted!

We planned to go up to York (and beyond) from Selby in July earlier this year (60ft nb). The evening before we checked in with the lock keeper and sorted out the time that he would be ready for us in the morning. We turned up, a little early in case, just as he was opening up his cabin and checking his messages. He then discovered that the keeper at Naburn (who does different hours on account of the difference in tide times) had left him a message from late the day before that the moorings at Naburn were under water and that, therefore, they would also be so at York. In consequence he strongly 'advised' (he does not have the powers to forbid) us not to attempt that day and that it might be a few days before the water level dropped sufficiently. Other boaters, one from the area, tried to tell us to ignore what he was saying and that we would be ok. As somewhat risk averse people and mindful that our insurance would probably be invalid if we traveled against the advise of the lock keeper, we stayed put. He did give us permission to over-stay on the closest moorings! Instead we took the opportunity to visit York by train - both bus and train are convenient - and so we were able to take a closer look at the moorings. Indeed, the main stretch was well and truly under water and although at one time we did see a larger cruiser tied up there it would have been quite a leap from a narrowboat to dry land! In addition, the moorings are stepped so considerable care is needed as the water level drops. However, the moorings adjacent to the (noisy - busy) pubs was still available and one or two boats including nb's did arrive but the amount of room was limited and, if anyone arrived when they were full, there was not much of a Plan B. The water level was high but nowhere near to flooding these moorings. The water level was high (which makes it less of a ladder climb!) but the flow rate did not seem unduly problematic for these boats coming alongside. We checked again with the keeper the next day and the advice was still the same and we had a second day in York (we did have a reason to be there). With no prospect of the water level dropping sufficiently for two or three days, we then decided to abandon this part of our plans, somewhat disappointed as we have never made it beyond Selby before. On the other hand, we were not at all unhappy with the advice of the keeper was was cautious but eminently sensible and it was, to us, obviously better to be safe than sorry - after all we knew nothing through practical experience of these waters. From parts that we could see the trip does look as if it would have been worth the effort if the conditions permitted, even to see what it is like coming back into Selby lock. However, we have done Stockwith and Keadby locks so know the factors involved - and how tricky it can get when there is extra fresh around! Nothing about this experience should deter others from going that way - just be prepared to be flexible if commonsense indicates.

Is it still a party line?

I didn't say that - sirweste did!

The problem is not with statistics as such (they, as you say, are facts - or at least some of them) The problems usually lie with the use that such data is made of, often with ignorantly applied so-called analyses, significance tests, multi-variate correlation and the like. In many cases the test are applied with almost no knowledge of the contexts in which they are valid.

Personally I would just do it informally - write your partner a letter conforming the gift of 50%. However, if you are not happy with this then you really ought to consult a solicitor - no use depending on amateurs or even those with some knowledge but no liability ('cos not being paid to advise!) You might well find one that gives you 30 mins free first consultation which would be long enough to determine whether you really need to do anything formal.

The trouble is that you treat all people, boaters and non boaters, as if they are real people and then they respect that. You really should learn that boaters are a special breed of folk, nine feet above all others. We have made similar remarks as Richard's about our experience a few weeks back on the Rochdale, especially the Nine.It really was a treat to get young families involved, just below Canal Street. Who'd have thought it?

Not too sure that that ride would pass muster at a safety briefing!

Deeper locks still can have an issue. We have just come through the lower two Wigan locks - wide locks. Both had non-functioning towpath side ground paddles. At the upper lock I went around (its a longish way as there is no lock bridge, the original having been usurped by road traffic) to work the opposite side. On these locks you really want to open the side nearer the boat first (it varies from lock to lock, I know) so, in order to help control the boat, IO opened the gate paddle just a little. I soon discovered that even with baffles there is a giant spray which would give a boat on the same side quite a soaking. But it worked for what I wanted.

Perhaps they are from that small minority if boaters who can read: at least in the large number if locks with such advice written in them.

My resentment is the assumption that a specific age is sufficient to draw conclusions.

I personally resent that wholly uncalled for remark which is surprisingly ill-informed.

Strictly your example of one does not justify the conclusion that the 'boat could not . . .' It is possible that the real situation is 'the boat should not . . .' and that your case was one that slipped through a not very well policed net.

Are you therefore implying that anyone with hearing loss, whether complete or selective, should not be allowed anywhere in public where a cyclist might be riding, legally or otherwise? I had not seen the latest post about tinnitus etc when I posted above. There are far more people with some degree of hearing impairment than is generally recognised. It is not just doddery old folk with an ear trumpet.

We moored just above Sandiacre Lock both going up and back. As we noted in our blog, the new moorings are a good sign. It was quiet and we had no bother at all - but it was mid-April.

We went up to the end and back earlier this year and did not ferlva problem pretty much anywhere that we might want to stop. Nothing more than bring sensible line on any canal.

Fine to hope that but we should bear in mind that many towpaths are only able to be cycled because of cyclists and the interest that local authorities have in meeting their needs. Prior to that, as I well recall, most were often impassable, let alone cyclable.

We actually have three - probably even less risk averse than you! In fact, we have three sets of Watermate and Handcuff keys as it makes it much easier when working through an area that needs them - only two when we are on our own but three is good when we have help. Not sure what others do but I drill a hole through the t-bar end of the main shank so that it can be attached to a key ring with a float on it. Not sure if it would actually float but makes it a lot easier to locate and less likely to hide it.