Pykebird

We used both kingspan and rockwall. There is kingspan on the floor and under the gunnels, rockwall above the gunnels and on the roof. The main choice was the cost, The kingspan was second hand from a builder (some scrathches and a couple of corners chipped),this cost £80. The rockwall was from B&Q on a buy one get one free offer. I find the boat nice and toasty, and even had to remove the snow from my roof last year. My friend has just bought a brand new collingswood boat which is sprayfoamed, and she swears my boat is always warmer!

I also had a lister sr2 and because it was impossible to dip the tank, did run out of diesel! We were lucky to break down next to some really kind guys mending their boat who sold us 20 litres of diesel( much to their amusement)! We just threw it in the tank, engine started and off we went. Not a practice to make a habit of, have also spent days bleeding a bmc!

We all tend to use texting and skype to keep in touch. Most friends on boats understand and we just pick up where we left off when we see each other. Mind you with the "towpath telegraph" I often find people know my news before I get to tell them, although it might not be accurate! That's the good thing about living on a boat, boaters get it. My land based friends still think its quite a novelty so love to come over and stay.

I have 4 x 110 batteries, liveaboard with 2 x 180w solar panels. worked well last year, got luxury of hook up this year, well spoilt!

I use a candy aquamatic 10t washing machine and have run it off a 400 watt inverter. If you get a washing machine without a printed circuit board and an option for cold wash, as said before you, can fill from the calorifia. As with most things containing an element, this is what uses the power. These can still be found on ebay, I got for a friend about 3 months ago for £80.(excuse spelling!)

I find that putting magnetic catches on the inside of the cuboards are enough to prevent them opening by themselves or you can tilt the legs on the bases to make the ones at the front slightly higher.

Glad things are looking up for your fortuta, keep up the good work! I have found that forum members are keen and willing to give a good price for items without arguing! I travelled over 150 mniles for a job, which although I struggled for 3 months, was not as advertised! I was torn between keeping it and probably making myself ill in the process(over 72 hours at much less than min wage), or believe in myself and look for better. It took a couple of weeks, but I went all around the local area(quite like it here) and talked to EVERYONE, some thought I was bonkers, but it got me a chance to offer to do a couple of hours as a chance to 'prove' myself. I now have a great job doing what I love and am paid a suitable wage, so don't give up

Glad to see neither bertie or murphy have lost their scrounging abilities, despite both supposed to be on a diet! If you accept the offer of a lift with berties mum tell her to slow down, she drives far too fast!! Hopefully will be in the area this week end, will try and find you to say hi

All mine are still fast asleep as usual!!

I have just bought a slim panel rad that can be used in bathrooms. I have it in the bedroom and it also has a thermostat so can be set at whatever heat you require. It uses 700/750 watts so although I am on shore line at the mo, I would still be able to run for a couple of hours at night when I am charging my batteries through my inverter. (if all goes to plan)

There are plenty of "dog friendly " people at cosgrove, the locals will always help out! Also sunday luch at the lodge (dogs allowed) really cheap for £5. And a day boat trip down to tescos on a sat if you need supplies. Not exactly cultural but might be useful

You will be very lucky to find a hire boat with hook up facilities. Most are designed to be crusing most of the day so they have the power needed over night. The private boats will usually be set up for cruising or living in a marina not usually both. The thing about boats is everyone uses them in a different way and they work for the person on board (or should do in an ideal world). Obviously circumstances can change and if possible it's best to plan your boat so changes can be made if needed with the least distruption. I also think its a good idea to have 2 ways of doing things, eg, heat water and cook. That way when something goes wrong as it always seems to on a boat, hopefully you will still be able to get on with it.! By the way I am still living on my boat that I bought 9 years ago and I had never even stayed on a boat before, just sold the house and moved on, a very steep learning curve but still love the life . Good luck

God, talk about bad luck! Hopefully everything is now sorted and your next trip will be plain sailing, great sense of humour though, made me smile and be grateful!

Cheers bob 18, but am actually as she! But even this doesn't stop me getting grief for every pile of turds on the towpath. Only the other week an older gentleman got off a hire boat shouting and sweering abuse at me for not picking up after my guys. I pointed out the 3 bags I already had in my hands and appoligised for "missing" one. Whilst still swearing at me (in front of his granchildren), I asked him to show me the offensive pile. He had seen my boy scrape his back legs on the path and what he assumed was shit was actually mud! I calmly pointed out that if he wished me to pick up all te piles of mud on the towpath I would have to carry a hell of a lot more bags. He did eventually mutter an appology and acuttled off.....

I have 3 dogs and carry a shovel and or bags with me at all times,in fact I have been known to wash and dry the bags on several occasions(when left in pockets). As I do not always know the areas where I run my guys, I usually carry both. If there are no bins around I end up lugging bags on the walk and back to the boat. If I carry the shovel then I also pick up any poo not belonging to my guys on the way. If I was to do this with just bags I would need a wheelbarrow!!its not a nice job, but part of being a responsible dog owner.

Go fo it! I did mine years ago with a couple of friends and we had a scream, even managed to learn something as well. Plus it was an excuse to drive someonelse's boat into the bargain! I still manage to get it wrong though, usualy when is a crowd of people watching!

I also love the freedom and independance living on a boat gives me. When i needed to move areas, I looked for jobs in various place within a sensible distance of canal/river so expanded my chance of finding work. I love the fact that wherever you go on the system you will always meet old friends, and the other people are just friends you have yet to meet. The dogs get to meet and greet a wide range of dogs and scare a whole new lot of locals! Exploring new areas and finding the best shops, pubs etc. Being able to shut the back doors and isolating yourself from the world , or opening the side hatch to chat to people passing, the choice is mine. I could go on and on.....Makes me feel so grateful

Reading this I realised how spoilt I am ! As my bed is at the front of the boat, I have a double memory foam matress bought from a bed shop closing down for under £100. Then I have really thick cut to shape foam that extends the sides to 6 foot at the base of the bed, so being a short arse I could sleep cross ways if needed. That way I can always find some space on the bed, even if the dogs get there first! It's not everyones cup of tea but suits us.

I am also a single female living on a boat, although technically I have 3 LARGE dogs and a mental cat, so not really alone! I must admit that I do not feel vunerable at any time but also think if you are confident you leasen your chances of being a victim. My guys are good guard dogs and people do tend to give us a wide berth, both on and off the boat. I try not to leave anything that might be considered of value in sight. I like to moor in rural areas as the walks for the dogs tend to be better, but I also need to leave the boat to go to work. I have ways found that other boaters are always more than happy to help out and tend to keep on eye on me!But I will also return the favour and have been known to scare the life out of someone who was having trouble getting into their own boat late at night! opps. You only get one chance a living so my advice is to go for it and enjoy it, I am!!

Last year the rates for cosgrove were REALLY expensive and there were only a few boats so maybe they are being sensible now!

My advice is to be VERY careful who you choose as your partner! A psychotic, control freak with arsonist tendencies is not the best choice when living together on a boat !!! Still we live and learn (just)