Mimi

Thanks for he advice guys. job done.

We are hoping to head to Liverpool next summer and completed the paperwork to book our passage in September. Still heard nothing from them. I believe that they have now changed to booking online but I can't find anything about it on the CRT site. Anyone have any ideas how this works now? Thanks in advance.

Not much use to you now but every now and again Lidl/Aldi (collectively known a ADLE in our house) have a long, magnetic and flexible grabby stick thing with an LED light on the end. This has proven invaluable for such occasions. Wish we had got two (one for house one for boat) Best of luck.

Well done you. Moving house is up there in the high stress levels. Im glad that you have that out of the way. Best of luck with your search. We were lucky enough to find our baby on the second viewing. Hope that you have the same luck.

Daft question alert! I know there is probably a simple reason but I cant work it out. Can anyone tell me why most canal locks have one gate at one end and two at the other? (obviously two each end if its a double).

My eldest (in the Australian Armed Forces) renamed their boat and this is the ceremony that they used. Boat Renaming Ceremony - Begin by again calling Poseidon as follows:Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to take unto your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for all time known as (Here insert the new name you have chosen), guarding her with your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm. In appreciation of your munificence, dispensation and in honor of your greatness, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court. (At this point, one bottle of Champagne, less one glass for the master and one glass for the mate are poured into the sea from West to East.) The next step in the renaming ceremony is to appease the gods of the winds. This will assure you of fair winds and smooth seas. Because the four winds are brothers, it is permissible to invoke them all at the same time, however, during the ceremony; you must address each by name. ensuring us of your gentle ministration according to our needs. (Facing north, pour a generous libation of Champagne into a Champagne flute and fling to the North as you intone:) Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your scalding breath. (Facing west, pour the same amount of Champagne and fling to the West while intoning:) Great Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your wild breath. (Facing east, repeat and fling to the East.) Great Eurus, exalted ruler of the East Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your mighty breath. (Facing south, repeat, flinging to the South.) Great Notus, exalted ruler of the South Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your frigid breath. Of course, any champagne remaining will be the beginnings of a suitable celebration in honor of the occasion. Once the ceremony has been completed, you may bring aboard any and all items bearing the new name of your vessel. If you must schedule the painting of the new name on the transom before the ceremony, be sure the name is not revealed before the ceremony is finished. It may be covered with bunting or some other suitable material. Took some time and several bottles of champers but they are happy that its been done right Their new boat name....... A Salt Weapon

Beautiful photo Meggers. Think we passed you on the Llangollen earlier this week.

Im fine with the Elsan blue. Its what goes into it that makes my stomach heave.

Im the other way around. I have a bad lower back (30+ years nursing) and its exacerbated by the lock gates. Still what can a girl do?? Brufen+panadol+nice glass of vino collapse= bliss at the end of the day.

I got one ( and a beautiful little coal scuttle to go with it) in the beginning of January. Look lovely and are a perfect size for the boat. Love Home Bargains..... does just what it says on the tin.. Bargains for the Home (and boat) we fitted out everything for the boat from HB, The Range, B+M and Adle (Aldi and Lidl)

Lovely photo of a double rainbow... Other half and crew are making good pace even in this weather. Picked up our new purchase on Sunday morning and are hurtling up the GU, mooring for the night at Kingswood junction, en route to Tattenhall marina. Making good time as they only started off from Ringstead on Sunday morning.

Thank you so much. My friends think we are bonkers, but I knew that fellow enthusiasts would understand. Setting off down South tomorrow for an early hand over on Saturday. Will post some photos once she is officially ours.

Alan, I am cleaning the coffee of my puter screen as I type.............................. Phew!!!!!! Thanks everyone.. Im delivering Hubby and boy to the boat then coming home(work ) and they are delivering but hope to be there for arrival. Cant wait...

Well after many years of hire boat holidays and drooling over other folks narrowboats, the deed is done. We have finally (almost) got our own boat. Offer made and accepted, dosh paid over and collection due on Saturday. Then the long haul up to Tattenhall Marina from the river Nene. Cant wipe the smile of my face Only you guys will understand our excitement. Eeeeeeeeeeek!!!

They are just beautiful. Very talented lady.

We did consider Overwater, but its a bugger to get to (for us anyway) Seems a nice place though

We are hoping to pick up our very first narrowboat on Friday 17th Oct and bring her up to Tattenhall. We did a speck of a few marinas in the area and this (for us) was an excellent choice. Yes its windy but we are not planning on any major cruising over the winter. Perhaps just a little pootle around, getting used to being boatowners instead of boat hirers. We live in North Wales and although we love the Llangollen, we didn't want the restriction of being moored on what is basically a dead end. (no pun intended) We are nervous, excited and just cant wait to start on the next chapter of our lives. ............

We have just been gazumped buying a narrow boat. The seller has decided to go with someone who does not require a survey of the boat. (less hassle for him I suppose) What I really want to know from all you knowlegable peeps is a survey always necessary? I just couldn't bring myself to spend that amount of dosh on anything without as much info on it as I possibly could have. Am I doing the right thing. The boat was 10 years old and bottom was blacked earlier this year.

Yayyy got one...........all I need now is the boat to go underneath it Will do for the caravan in the mean time.

Awwwww Phil what a sweetie you are. Bet your other half loved that. Well it would have made my day!

Well we spent Sunday and Monday at Crick.. Great atmosphere and had a brilliant few days. Some nice boats but the star of the show for me was on Daddy's boat. The couple who own the company's little lad!(sorry but cant remember his name)....what a little honey . He gave us the full guided tour and was a joy to listen to for such a young man. I would have bought him if I could have, never mind the boat. At last Chris J W some sensible comments........each to their own, I agree totally.

Will be there Sunday and Monday. Will be like a zombie Sunday as heading off straight from night duty Staying about 3 miles away, will jetison the caravan and go straight to Crick around 1ish. So if you see someone walking around who looks asleep............thats me!

Gorgeous. I love sunrise/sunset photos. Thanks Roj

Stunning photos