Woodstock

Our boat cost £15K 5 years ago and we've probably spent about 3K - prop shaft, prop, engine realignment, new loo, mattress, flooring etc, plus an external repaint which we could have done ourselves but couldnt give the time needed. Its a 1990 boat. The 2 way 12v /240v fridge, hob and cooker aren't the prettiest and newest but they work well and are clean. Having priced up new ones- I can't justify the cost when the current ones work well even if they arent particularly pleasing to the eye. There are plenty of ongoing costs with a boat, its down to priorities really. Next priority is solar which will give us a benefit when cruising. A new cooker and fridge wouldnt really give us a benefit for the cost involved.

We used odourless for a couple of years and then it stopped working and led to a whiffy loo. Since then I've been using a bio laundry detergent and ecover loo clean and the smells have ceased- much better and cheaper

Can't comment on the current Waeco models but can probably confirm the brand to be reliable and long lasting- We have one that looks ancient, but it works brilliantly. Its 240v / 12v, switching through a mobitronic unit. The only issue was someone had wired it with something resembling speaker wire, we rewired witha thicker cable and it works really well

There is a long term rental company called escape the rat race. I've no experience of renting from them though- anyone had any dealings?

What diameter is the cabling to your fridge. Ours was so thin it looked like speaker wire- since the OH rewired it with 10mm cable the fridge has lasted much longer.

Some wood photos but really trying to see if I can upload photos at last Nope - failed miserably

We bought a memory foam from Hypnia on line- small double, I'm sure its 4ft. It came vacuum packed in a box and then expanded like a giant marshmallow when opened. I love it as it is quite firm but if you like a soft mattress, perhaps not

Me too- they don't do me any harm and kill mossies

The monstrous one would have come in handy during the Camouflage boat battle

We don't charge more than others supplying comparable products- we take a lower margin than many others. Some of the UK retailers have margins of up to 75% - ours is lower

It is about time the importers took on some responsibility to ensure the quality of the products rather than just making the quickest profit. I have been fortunate to have the resources to ensure quality products from China but there is a cost and its about time other importers did the same

Completely disagree. I've spent 12 years working with Chinese suppliers and the point with any supplier regardless of location is to work with them. We put a lot of effort into agreeing very clear specifications, agreeing processes and inspection processes and rates. My complaints rate per million units sold is much lower than many competitors. My experience has been fantastic to see my suppliers absorb information and knowledge and apply best practice's. In the locations of my suppliers they have labour laws including minimum wages and are definitely not sweat shops. I have 2 staff based in Shanghai who constantly work with our suppliers and they are superb- they work hard and are constantly learning and want to learn. It's impossible to generalise on an origin- its down to who cares enough to put the effort in and work as a partnership. Some goods from China can be excellent- some aren't, same as anywhere Oh and we don't do quality control, we do quality assurance- we ensure compliance of ingredients and processes right from the start ensuring EU compliance and our monthly right first time figures are rarely less than 100% versus spec

I'll tell my mum that one

Ooh no- my mum always says you shouldn't eat anything luminous and I'm extending that to blue with the exception of cheese Her luminous reference was to piccalilli

I've started using chicken thighs instead of breasts and they stay a lot juicier- great in curries Must try this- thanks

Friends moved there from Willington and like it. Only complaint is about the complaining house owners opposite who don't like a Marina opposite despite their house values seeming to increase