nora

This is a keeping our fingers crossed for 4th November time, about 6 weeks ago we got our new to us boat, after looking and visiting marinas, our son was shown a boat that was being sold as part of a will as previous owner had sadly died, it was sold as did not know the builder, or age of the boat, my son liked the look of it even though it needed some cosmetic work, when my son lifted the cover to look at the engine he saw the make and year on a metal plate, Cauldon boat builders 2000, the chap showing him the boat also saw it, quick thinking son put in a lowish offer, which was phoned through, and accepted, he came home to us and said " I have just bought us a boat " my son was thinking now the builder and year was known, the boat would cost a lot more. the boat goes into Longport boat yard on the 4th of Nov for blacking, and we are all keeping our finger crossed that the hull is ok.

just been indulging myself looking at boats I cant afford,(I do have a boat) and I came across one that was nearly £64,000, 50 ft., and I would not swap it for mine that was less than half that, it was a 2009 build, but what really turned me off this boat was the fact that a double bed was in the bows, no doors at the front. and it was a small trad stern, so where do the crew/passengers go for a bit of fresh air or a view of the country side, unless they stick their heads out the side hatch, you see at my age and fitness I spend most of my boat time lazing in the bows, Nora

We have just got another narrow boat , we are all very excited about it, my son has just got it home to festival park, the sad bit is that the boat was sold through a solicitor/ boat yard, as the previous owner had died, the boat was in good condition inside but there was a lot of his boating stuff still on board, the saddest thing we think, was two large dog bowls , and a leather dog lead fastened on the cruiser stern, sadly his things have to go as we have loads of things of our own to put on board. Nora

Just been told that a young man age 36 fell from a canal boat very late last night at Etruria on the Cauldon, he was given aid by paramedics and firemen, but sadly died 12 hours later in hospital, He was a local man from Stoke on Trent, that is all that is known so far, very sad,Nora

So sorry. Nora

hello, yesterday I put an item on ebay, I did not realise how it read till hubby pointed it out, title reads,"Vintage Nude Ladies PLaying Cards", I forgot the comma didnt I, My husband says he pictures very old nude ladies playing cards, They are just a couple of packs of cards with tasteful nude ladies on. that I thought I would try on ebay (not trying to sell on here), I am not changing my listing I think its funny. nora

Moored there , going back when the boat sells, and we get another one. really like it, people friendly. and possibly the best place to moor with a morrisons, takeaways,petrol station, cinema, bowling alley pub ,and lots more, all within walking distance, and plenty of buses, cant go wrong, and a lovely little weekend or day trip out on the boat, (no locks) to westport lake, and bird sanctuary, or the harecastle tunnel, reccomended! nora.

Thanks all of you. you have said what I was thinking, but some body in my family thought different as usual! thanks, Nora.

My son and I are thinking of selling our boat, so we can buy another one, is January the wrong time of year, being as the brokers will advertise it on boating sites, and magazines, any thoughts on this , as my family has differing views thanks Nora.

There are changes about to happen at Festival Park Marina at Stoke, the old management has gone, (we will miss Barry) and we have had letters from the new people, saying the prices of mooring are staying the same for now, but, they are hoping to spend money and bring the Marina up to a high standard, all the old vans that were parked there have had to go, the old tractor for dragging boats out is gone or going, they are improving security,and going to make it smarter for moorers, and hire boaters, so I do think we will pay more soon, I personaly will miss the old friendly layed back comfy attitude, but one door shuts , another door opens, we will have to wait and see. Nora

Our experianced man says testers often tell lies, hit it with a hammer, if it holes scrap it, if it dents get rid, if the hammer bouces off, you are ok.

My daughter in law is always complaining about the huge hot fires my son lights, open all doors and windows or she sits in the bows, so we got them some more coal , and told her she will be ok now as this is cool burning coal, she believes us!!!

So easy done! glad you are ok, there but for the grace of god.

The sides and roof need painting again, only done about 2 years ago, question is has any one used hammerite smooth paint, as my older son says its very good on metal, younger son wants to stick to original paint international boat paint colour bounty, as I will have to buy it, what paint looks good and lasts, and I can afford. Any advice please Hilda

Yesterday there was a huge fire in Stoke on Trent, the old Twyfords factory was on fire, the roads round festival park were thick with smoke, and lit paper and stuff was floating down on the marina, according to the local paper , the fire brigade had to pump water from the canal to help fight the fire, also there where explosions as the stuff stored in the factory went up, my son was on our boat in the marina at the time, and told me about it ,nora.

just a quick word of warning, had a spoof email from paypal this morning, saying they had stopped £39 for 3 months subsciption to Skype, I dont use Skype! then a link saying click here if you dispute this payment, nearly clicked it in temper, then sense prevailed, and I checked my pay pal account, no payment to Skype, I reported it to pay pal, so please beware this latest scam.

My son took the boat for a day and night out at Westport lake, then on to the harecastle tunnel, he got talking to one of the tunnel keepers and was told the following, they now rescue boats that have been in the tunnel over one hour and a quater, it use to be two hours, but they reckon 45 mins is the average time it takes to get through, so far this year they have rescued 6 boats, a couple with stuff round the prop, one with dirty diesel problems, and one would you believe, that was letting fireworks off in the tunnel, bangers , rockets, all sorts, what dangerous nutters!, I forget what the other boats problem was. also the rescue boat comes to help you out from the Kidsgrove end of the tunnel,

When I was a little girl, many moons ago, I was playing in the woods not far from Longport, and I spotted a boat on the canal with nobody about ( it was a working boat) I just had to step onto the stern deck and peep into the back cabin ( doors were ajar) then I quickly hopped off, scared in case I was caught, I think that moment gave me my life long fasination with narrowboats and canals,