Thorfast

A definition of charity - from wikipedia. The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need, as a humanitarian act..........so Macmillan A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on non-profit and philanthropic goals as well as social well-being (e.g. charitable, educational, religious, or other activities serving the public interest or common good)...........so CRT There IS a difference, and many people, when they see the word 'charity' think of the Macmillan example rather than the CRT example.

Or they are tied up with a thin length of blue plastic string.

CRT is a Trust, registered as a Charity. It's primary aims are not charitable, but being registered as a charity has distinct advantages. Macmillan, for example, is a Charity There is a difference

I thought the point of choosing not to live a 'normal' life is to avoid being in a life that is taken for granted. If you opt out so to speak, then you have chosen to make normal society conventions more difficult. I agree that the voting system need changing. With more and more electoral parties to choose from, and the strong likelihood of no overall majority achieved by one party, we need to move towards some sort of proportional representation system. And....we should follow Australia and make it mandatory for everyone to vote ( provided there is also a choice 'none of these candidates' )

It appears that C&RT are contracting out most of the maintenance work. Unless Canalscape-BCN take on an entire contract, they will only be offering to 'help' or subcontract a part of the main contract. Perhaps a part of the problem is that it is the main contractor that is not geared up or willing to work with a volunteer group?

Lots of interesting comments here....and perhaps several sides to this story. I would find it useful to know from Laurence what jobs they have done in the past for BW, and what skilled jobs they are able and willing to perform now, but not getting the chance. ( I don't mean litter picking etc. it has already been made clear that they want to do more than this. I have worked with voluteers in the heritage industry and although the volunteers are invaluable, it is often very time consuming matching up what the volunteers want to do with what you really need doing. One volunteer run local railway society I know have several volunteers who really hate running the trains for the public because it interfers with the volunteers wanting to do what they want to do.

Is anyone using the android app 'CruisingLog' to record their travels? Is it any good? What does and doesn't it do? Seems it might be a good idea to start using something like this as we plan to leave our marina mooring and travel around for most of this year. I am already using 'Viewranger' app to record our journeys, just out of my own interest - do I need both?

Sailed from Haugesund, Norway to Shetland. The mast broke about 100 miles out of Shetland. They motored on ( Yes, modern Viking ships have 2 deisel engines with hydraulic drive) They found a suitable Douglas fir tree in Scotland, made a new mast in about 6 days, then sailed back.

I've just seen our Viking ship on episode 4 about the Caledonian Canal. It was following them along the canal.

So if you move 75 yards a day you are ok./

I too remember my dad using it in the late 50's, but it does at least sound somewhat 'medieval'! Yes, a Viking name...should really be spelt 'thorfastr'

It is all codswallop........ ( I like the word codswallop...perhaps it is a word that Henry II would recognise)

This must be the most ridiculous statement I have seen on this forum for some time. You sir are a great example of what is wrong with the boating community at the moment.....a divisive, bigoted, and ignorant statement.

For years BW and the new CRT did very little to ensure people kept to the 'rules' for using the canal system. A lot of people moaned about this. Now CRT are being more proactive about people keeping to the 'rules', and people are still moaning about it. Without knowing your circumstances, I'm not sure how CRT are treating you as a criminal.

I use Viewranger app. Works well for me.

Apart from complying by moving, as you stated at the beginning, perhaps you should not be able to oppose/argue/defend yourself against the Part 8 --- self inflicted problem.

From April to October we do not have a home mooring and spend the time travelling around the canals. If we have to leave the boat for more than a few days we often leave it in a marina, or at a boat club. We usually expect to pay upto £50 a week in a marina for a short term stay like this.

CRT want to.........Moan, Moan Crt suggest.........Moan, Moan Crt have decided.......Moan, Moan Crt would like........Moan, moan

There have been some large cuts in EH spending over the past few years

The same way as I arrived at this statement....'Zebras are black'

Very misleading press Release. The first sentence is not true. Surely if the allegation that CRT are misleading the public in this action outcome, then so are the NBTA with the wording of this press Release. Pot? Kettle? Please note I am not commenting on the action itself, but on the actions of CRT and NBTA.

Thanks for the nice compliment.

Now you're being pedantic! if they have a home mooring and have family or work commitments they logically they would stay on their mooring (Unless, or course, you want to defend the right to have a ghost home mooring that you never use)