lewisericeric

Here's today's attempt at a polish sourdough rye bread, My link Still not as light as I'd like

Neither hot nor cold - just warm I've a beta 38 and in the manual I think off the top of my head it suggests the engine is run for around 10 minutes before removing oil

I kept getting an "internal server error" last night too but wasn't sure if it was my connection!

My point exactly.

Um....not really sure when I said that??? I think in numerous posts I've said why I thought the boat should be removed - and why it should have been removed long before it sank. Im not arguing that the farmer may well be attempting to remove it - i know he is. My thoughts were only why CRT havent removed the boat beforehand, as I believed that doing this was one of their enforcement policies. Thats all I don't understand. Nothing to do with me thinking it looks a mess. My concern right now is simply for a boat that's leaking diesel and oil all over the place. But on the other hand carlt - WHY is it further down the list in your opinion?? Someone else on this thread mentioned he'd rather his license fee go towards paying for the maintenance of the waterways - like it or not, this is a case of maintaining the waterways and I think this IS what our license fee should be going on - not director bonuses. But I suppose that's a different matter altogether.

Personally it just shocks me that they tell us all that an environment team is on the way yet there's been no sign. Secondly, I thought it was their responsibility to take boats that have no valid license and sank, etc off the water. Maybe I'm wrong, I'm not exactly up to date on what CRT does or doesn't do but I did think that WAS their responsibility. Not a farmer

CRT came today and I've posted some more pics HERE which shows how the boat has been left this evening. I think the farmer is actually doing more than CRT which is slightly disappointing. In fact, personally, I'm really disappointed in CRT. Disappointed, but not surprised

Bit more of an update HERE I'm going to head in about an hour to see what the latest is although CRT have been there since late morning. - not sure which side of CRT

Just a quick update HERE But in a nutshell, no one official has arrived and the boat is still in the same position

Of course agreed but sometimes you can only do what you can do. We've been out today trying to get the bits and pieces out of the canal, what I can reach by hand or with a net anyway!

OK true, but I don't really want to get into a to and fro about who is to blame. However, from MY point of view, I DO think CRT have more of a responsibility than me to deal with it when they've been: A) notified about the problem boat B ) have patrol officers walking around every week or fortnight C) have goodness knows HOW MUCH license fee money to deal with issues like this AS THEY OUTLINE in their OWN policies. They made those policies up - they should see them through

We did attempt to tie it back up on one occasion, and informed CRT so they could contact the owner. Not sure what else you are supposed to do? I would love to talk tonCRt to ask why, in this situation, an abandoned boat is left in the waters for so long.... Does anyone know who I would contact? Or which department?

I think for now the farmers have given up hope. CRT have been contacted and an environment team are coming shortly. For now the farmers have retied the boat a telegraph pole. Ill post more pics and info in a bit

Another boat has been left to rot and finally sink today. I've put some pics HERE A farmer is currently trying to now lift the boat out of the water using tractors but isn't having much success as the land is quite boggy. I can't understand why this boat has been left here so long. We've been in this area for round a year and the boat has been here and listing for quite some time. CRT patrol officers come round most weeks and they've done nothing. No licence, no mooring and now there is oil and rubbish strewn all over the canal - it's devastating. The boat has been listing for at least 6 months and we've said for a while its not going to be long until it sinks and blocks the canal. Ill post more updates throughout the day and pictures for those who want to know more.

We got one of THESE just after Xmas. It does have the aerial too and yes, I think most do even though its digital. It also has a small solar panel and comes with a pack of rechargeable batteries as well as a mains adapter - ready to go in whatever environment. We're happy so far anyway. Apparently the solar panel is even good on a not so bright windowsill in a house - so that's a bonus too Roberts are a good brand and I know a few people with different Roberts equipment (DAB radios, alarm clocks etc)

Brian - thanks for the link, think I will give them a "go"(!) and I hope that they will deliver for a reasonable charge! Julian - got it! I know what you mean now. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

Goodgurl - I did think of that but then its a bit of a hassle taking the mirror screws off each 4 corners every time you want to open the hatch, If you notice on the pics, the bottom of the Perspex at the moment does actually sit on two mirror screws. Julian I think I know what u mean and yes they are brass not plastic! One thing I don't understand though, is that if the glass is going to go inside the rebate, how will I take it in and out?? I don't really want to alter the hatch now at all, as that's all brand new and cost a bit as it was. We talked about the internal glazed doors at the time but the joiner wasn't that keen saying that I'd never be able to have them fully open, back on themselves as there's a cupboard on the right hand side which would stop the doors opening right back against the wall - and therefore would be open over the hob, something which might be of concern when it comes to BSS time! I found a company online who wanted £17 for laminated glass which was 6.4mm thick.... Delivery was 72 quid! Unbelievable !!

nick - that does look amazing. I would LOVE internal glazed doors and that is what I originally planned. However, the locks would be in the way of any woodwork and glass on my hatches ( look at the pics of the locks on my blog) Julian - are you suggesting I keep those brass toggles at the top then but fit some beading around all the other 3 edges?

Hi guys I'm looking to replace my Perspex in the hatch with a piece of laminated glass, however I'm going to need to adjust the fittings as obviously glass is a lot heavier than Perspex. If anyone has the time to take a look HERE at the existing fittings and share any ideas, it'd be much appreciated. I know another forum member had a hatch piece made by Matty40s, but that idea is out as I have no where to store it when not in use and dont want pieces of glass lying around incase it falls etc. I also want the glass to be inside the hatch frame when in place rather than on the outside, so it needs to be a similar set up to what I've got now. Anyone? Cheers

Our stove gets really hot, but I always find it a little bit cooler in the back, its probably no less than 18 but I like it like the tropics everywhere, even the bedroom, despite most people wanting a bedroom a little cooler so they can sleep better. We're thinking of fitting something for next winter, still not sure exactly what yet but I talked about it here My link We originally planned to take pipes off the back boiler on the stove, but now I'm thinking a diesel system might be better despite rising fuel costs, just because it gives another heat source, and its a bit more instantaneous!

I made some more bread today My link Was a disaster and not sure why, apart from the fact that because I was trying to make a rye loaf, I used whole wheat and rye flour mix on a 2:1 basis which might have been too much rye.... (About 400g of whole wheat to 250g of rye) Bit disappointing but ill try again! Either that, or stick to my packet mixes!?

If you read the rest of my post Mike, I did somewhat recommend an MPPT controller - The Outback. Whether you consider that sensibly priced may be different to my opinion of it being good value for money with its capabilities, not to mention the extended warranties etc.

Thanks Chris, although might not bother if its not so much about their travels. Is there any such book about anyone's travels around France on their narrowboat/widebeam. Cheers for the link Dean!! Didn't you want to do France too?? It's a trip we could all do together on our boats!!

House panels are generally speaking, more efficient than the 12v panels. We have 3 x 230w ones and are really impressed. Whatever wattage of panel you're looking at, divide that by 12(v) to find out the ampage of the MPPT controller that you'll need. Ie: if you buy a 250w panel you will need a controller capable of handling 20 amps 250 / 12 = 20.8 HOWEVER, it would be best to get a controller that has a little bit more than that capacity incase you decide to get another panel in future to add to your array. This will then save you costs down the line of getting another controller. For example we have 690w of solar but got an Outback 80amp MPPT controller (which we are really happy with and they also do a 60amp version) just Incase we did decide to add another panel - it's unlikely we will as we now have more than enough, but you never know! ETA -'I agree with Chris Pink about the Chinese controllers - if you can't afford a half decent controller, I really wouldn't bother with a solar array as you need to pay for it to perform. Buying a cheap controller will only cause inefficiency and problems and it's likely that you'll have to replace it for another one shortly after ! I understand you've got a budget but try and get the best you can and if you can't get something decent, hold off and save for a bit until you can - you've a few months yet before its truly summer which is when youll be getting the most out of them anyway

I tried the packet mix of bread today with the added ascorbic acid in. Here is how it turned out My link I was really impressed but still want to make my own using my own choice of flour.... I also noticed that a brand of yeast I've got in the cupboard contains the ascorbic acid. Do all instant yeasts have this in?? Or have I just been lucky. So going to try my next loaf with this yeast and see if I get the same texture and lightness