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We were attacked by him as well. It was quite scary!

Latest on this closure: Notice AlertOxford Canal Starts At: Lock 8, Napton Bottom Lock Ends At: Lock 11, Napton Up Stream Winding Hole: Engine Arm Down Stream Winding Hole: North of Lock 8 Friday 9 May 2014 14:00 until further notice Type: Navigation Restriction Reason: Structure failure Original message:Please be aware that the locks will be closing at 7pm today (Friday 9th May) with the last boat at 6:30pm. There will be an ongoing restriction to these locks with Canal & River Trust staff being on site to assist boats through. The opening times are: Monday to Friday 8am-6pm, last boat at 5:30pm and Saturday to Sunday 8am-4:30pm, last boat at 4pm There will be a review of these opening times and an update will be published on Wednesday 14th May 2014. You can view this notice and its map online here: http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/1072/napton-lock-8-to-lock-11-oxford-canal Helen

We keep a log of the engine hours, all purchases for the boat, such as fuel, filters etc, and dates of things like blacking, oil and filter changes, On our trips, every day I write down where we've been and what happened, and what we've seen. And for some reason I've forgotten, what we've had for dinner. I also log where we started and finished on that particular day, how long it took us and the number of lockmiles. It's all writen down in in a little notebook in short notes, when we are back home I work out the notes and make them into a readable story. We have these logs for all our trips, neatly printed on A5 paper for home use and in digital form on the OneDrive for when we are on the boat. As to gauges: the one for the pump-out tank has a light that is on most of the time, saying the tank is 3/4 full, even when the tank is empty. If that light goes out and then after a couple of days the one saying the tank is full comes on, we know that we have about three days before the tank is full. Not accurate, but it works for us Helen

Yes, I would also like to see a photograph, but up to now none has been uploaded by RCR or any one else. Helen

Thank you, Janet for bumping the post, that was kind of you, The RCR Facebook page says all boats are secure. So it ends well, I'm happy to say. Helen

Just received this message from RCR on Facebook: River Canal Rescue We have just been notified that there is a narrow boat at Abingdon bridge which has become stranded on the towpath. It has not been possible to identify the owner. We have our rescue teams in the area attended to 4 boats in similar situations. If you know someone with a vessel in this location please ask them to check that its not theirs ...and give us a call if it is! Helen

We have a 6,5 kW Onan generator (Kubota) installed under the aft cabin floor. With the acoustic foam insulation and a large exhaust silencer it is remarkably silent. Helen

Good news: Leeds & Liverpool Canal - Between Bridges 108 (Tottlworth Bridge) and 109 (New Barn Bridge) in Rishton Wednesday 11 September 2013 - Friday 29 November 2013 UPDATE (25 November 2013): The Canal has Re-Opened to Navigation. For the time being the towpath remains closed. We anticipate it will re-open on Friday 29th November. ---------------------------------------------------- Helen

Latest, good news at last, highlighted in red UPDATE (20 November 2013): Further to our stoppage notice of 6th November 2013, works remain on going on site. The culvert liner has been designed and fabricated in Germany has been installed. this week, more grouting has been necessary which has resulted in a slight delay. The culvert liner is being grouted into place today. Thursday / Friday - Canal will be refilled between dams and tested for water tightness. Saturday – dams to be removed. Sunday – re-watering. We anticipate the canal will be re-opened at mid-day on Monday 25 November 2013 to view the photographs please follow the link: http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/4892.pdf ---------------------------------------------------- Edited to say that the link doesn''t seem to be working here, (it works in the email received though) don't know what to do about it. Helen

Latest update: UPDATE (18 November 2013): Following on from detailed CCTV surveys and onsite inspections our engineering team have now developed a design solution for the damaged culvert which will require them to complete the works from within the main channel of the canal as opposed to a possible culvert lining repair solution. They anticipate the works will take up to 3 weeks to complete which will take us up to early December, at this time they can be no more specific than that until they are able to break into the top of the culvert from the canal bed where the full extent of the works will them become apparent. We will continue to issue updates as and when they become available but should you require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact us on the numbers provided previously. The Canal & River Trust apologise for any inconvenience caused. Helen

Yes, and works could take up to two weeks to complete, see latest update here: UPDATE (14 November 2013): Our contractors have as planned installed two fabric dams and dewatered a 40 meter length of waterway inbetween the dams which has now isolated and provided us access to the damaged culvert. The next phase of the works commencing tomorrow 15th November 2013 will be to clear the debris from the culvert using a high pressure jetting process. Once the culvert has been cleared of debris the team will complete a CCTV camera survey to determine the overall condition of the culvert through its entire length which will enable them to develop the most effective repair options. Until we have obtained the CCTV survey information required we are unable to provide an accurate time frame for the completion of the works, however at this stage our engineers are indicating the works could take up to two weeks to complete but they cannot be certain at this stage of the project. We will be exploring all manner of repair solutions to complete the works as speedily as we can in an attempt to reduce the impact to our customers to as small a time frame as possible. We will continue to provide regular updates on our progress over the coming days and will certainly provide a further update tomorrow 15th November once we have completed the CCTV survey. Should they be required the nearest winding hole to the North of bridge 136 is at bridge 140a Stanney Bridge and the nearest service station facilities are located at the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. To the South of bridge 135 the nearest winding hole is at the approach to bridge 135 Croughton Bridge with the nearest service station facilities at Northgate Basin Chester. Helen

Saturday 9 November 2013 until further notice As the result of the partial collapse of a culvert between bridges 135 and 136 on the Shropshire Union Canal at Little Stanney / Stoak it is essential that we complete an emergency isolation and dewatered inspection of the culvert in order to ascertain the full extent of the problem and to also facilitate possible emergency repairs. Works are programmed to commence at 08:00hrs on Monday 11th November 2013 when we will install two temporary fabric dams across the waterway that will provide us with a 40 meter section of dewatered canal to enable a full inspection and also the facility to initiate emergency repairs if at all possible. These works will unfortunately prevent navigation through this length of waterway whilst the dams remain in place however we will be doing all we can to reduce the level of impact on our customers throughout these essential works. We anticipate we will need a two day window to fully ascertain the full scope of works before issuing a further update of our proposed remedial works on Wednesday 13th November 2013. Local operatives will be out on the waterway over the weekend posting notices and contacting local customers who may be effected by theses emergency works to ensure they are kept fully informed of the situation as it develops. Our teams will also be deployed over the following days to ensure water levels are maintained at normal levels for as long as we possibly can, there will also be a requirement to reduce the loss of water through the locks at Ellesmere Port by preventing passage through these locks during the works. Our local teams will be deployed at Ellesmere Port locks on Monday 11th November to secure the locks and rack them up to prevent uncontrolled loss of water caused by any possible leakage through the lock gates. We would request your full cooperation and patience at this difficult time as we attempt to bring the waterway back into full serviceable condition as soon as we possibly can. Should you require any additional information before or during these vital repairs. Enquiries: Maintainance Manager 07885281688 or Duty Manager 07795367767

Have not seen this on the Forum, apologies if it has been posted elsewhere. Monday 28 October 2013 until further notice UPDATE (29 October 2013): Further to yesterday's stoppage notice we can confirm that a culvert has failed beneath the Rochdale Canal between locks 6 and 7 in Mytholmroyd. The canal will be closed to navigation in this area until further notice while we investigate, plan and then carry out the necessary repairs. It is is too early to say how long the canal will be closed here but it is already obvious that this is going to be a complex task - the culvert has a strong flow of water in it from the stream that it carries and the site is surrounded by housing making access difficult. We need to give careful thought to how best to approach this and it is likely to be a couple of weeks before we can be more definitive about a programme. While the canal is closed at Mytholmroyd passages across the pennines on the Rochdale Canal will not be possible. However, the canal is open either side up until after Christmas when the planned gate replacement work will start. In the meantime, if you have any queries please contact us at Red Bull office for more information. ---------------------------------------------------- Helen

We have retainer cover, it came with the boat and we renewed it each year. We are not good at fixing things ourselves (apart from very simple things) and it gives us peace of mind. In July a gearbox cable snapped,we phoned them and within an hour they came. They put in a new one and we were on our way again. The engineers were friendly, one was very experienced, the other one an apprentice. Helen

Spotted on the Shropshire Union Canal, on July 22nd, near bridge 82 Helen

Thanks very much for your replies. They are very helpful and much appreciated. And thanks for taking the time to react to my question. Cheers, Helen

Hi, We are planning our trip from Brinklow to Liverpool. We want to go via the Macclesfield, Peak Forest and Ashton Canals and then the Leigh Branch. Can you people please tell us where there are good, or not so good, but safe, moorings between Marple and Castlefield Basin in Manchester? And is the BW Leeds & Liverpool type anti-vandal key that is mentioned in my (old, 2000) Nicholson's the same as a normal handcuff key? Thanks for your advice, Helen

As we are going to spend more time on the boat, we decided to take our cat Alfie with us. It is a long drive for him (about 7 hours), but he doesn't seem to mind. He has really taken to boating especially since he can do things he isn't allowed at home, like sitting or sleeping on the bed and standing on the kitchen worktop Helen

Our children were about the same ages as yours when we had our first narrowboat holiday and they enjoyed it very much. We did insist on them wearing life jackets, they are both strong swimmers from a very young age, but there was no helping at the locks if they did not wear them. When they were playing inside, we used to yell 'LOCK' to them and they rushed to put the jackets on. Our daughter took it upon her to prepare lunch for us, some cup-a-soup, and sandwiches. She took great pleasure in cutting the sandwiches into quite a lot of tiny pieces, but who's complaining? When you are to go to a pub, choose one with an children's play area so they can get rid off some energy. We always had lots of paper and crayons to keep them busy, and books, as they like to read. As said before, DVDs are nice as well. And my Mum prepared a small case for them to take along, with small treats (some sweets, toys, games), and they were allowed one of those each day. She continued to do so for many years, and they loved that "Blue Case". I'm a bit worried about your timing, to me it seems that your trip from Valley Cruisers to Banbury and back in a week is a bit optimistic. Canalplan says it takes 7 days, 4 hours when cruising for 7 hours a day. And that means cruising, and no time for swimming pools or other leasure activities during the day. When hiring for a week, you'll have 6 full days for cruising, plus some hours on the first day after picking up the boat. Normally you'll have to hand in the boat round 9 in the morning on the last day. You can do this trip in a week, but it will mean longer days (say 9 hours a day), and I'm not sure if this is liked by young children. We found it easier for them (and us) to do shorter days when the children were young and to allow plenty of time for playing in parks or on the towpath. (Sorry to end in a pessimistic mood, just making sure you have a wonderful holiday) Helen

sorry, wrong thread Helen

Maffi's boat, spotted in Braunston on 13-03-201, she was moored right in front of us. Helen

This is Alfie, our 14-year old cat. He is a rescue-cat, who came to us 8 years ago. He'll be on his first boating trip in a couple of days, a Big adventure for him (and us). Helen

Thanks for your reply. Well, we'll change our plans then, no problem, Foxton can wait till later in the year. Helen