GinJer

Redhill Marina?

When I scrub the non slip surfaces the cloth (including chamee leather) falls to pieces and leaves bits all over. I've tried a srcubbing brush but would prefer to use a cloth. Any recommendations for a hard wearing cloth? I have noticed some recommendations for 'Starbrite deck cleaner' but would still need a cloth.

We are hoping to venture beyond Fradley junction next week, which way should we go first.........along the Coventery canal to Whittington or continue along the Trent & Mersey to Handsacre?

Hazel Nutt

We are moored at Stenson. Barton Turns again is very big. Shobnall Marina looks nice and small.

Gunthorpe lock on the River Trent

From Wikipedia...........towing a second unpowered boat, commonly referred to as a "butty"

Pork pie (makes a meal) Tea & milk The Good Beer Guide A tub of worms (for fishing) Cash Warm clothes

We're in Stenson Marina, just South of Derby on the Trent & Mersey canal, this side of Mercia Marina. Very small, in a fairly rural spot, next to a pub the Bubble Inn, on a canal so doesn't flood, cheaper than Mercia. Have a look at the website.

We have seen boaters suggest putting a themostatic oil filled electric heater on a low heat over the worst of the winter. Approximately how much would it cost to run a 1500w heater per week?

I want to take some work colleagues 45 minutes down the canal for a short trip and back again in our new boat, no locks. For an average 40 foot narrow- boat what would you think is a maximum reasonable number of adults? can overloading a boat make it unstable enough to sink!

GinJer, our narrowboat, is only a few weeks old, including the engine. We've only filled once with diesel and so the time is approaching to fill up again. A few questions, I've tried to look at previous answers but cant find any definate answers. Do we need to routinely use diesel additives or do we use none unless there is a problem, how would we know we have a problem with the diesel? Ive heard we need to sign a disclaimer on the percentage used for heating / cruising charged at diffrent rates, how do we decide? Do you recommend buying diesel from marinas or from the passing traders on boats?

GinJer came with a life-ring, is it preferable to put a rope on it so it can be retrieved? At the moment we are on the canals.

GinJer is now moored in Stenson Marina, we went along the cut yesterday for the first time. My biggest worry was hitting something on the way out of the marina - the exit looked extremely small! however despite not having steered a boat for more about 10 years we didnt touch anything for our trip down to Willington and back. We are planning mostly weekend trips between Stenson and Fradley junction but next Friday we will be trying the Trent & Mersey for about a week with my brother. Please wave to us! Jeremy & Ginnie

GinJer should be ready on Saturday! the engine went in this week

Mike Norton of Norton Signs, 'traditional signwriter & canal artist'

We're putting a solar panel on our narrowboat. We have the limitations due to the space of the roof, can it be too powerful for our needs or should we get the most powerful for the space? A smaller panel may be okay but would 'the bigger the better' be best?

Its a 40 foot 'Little Gem' by Midland Canal Centre at Stenson on the Trent & Mersey ..............or should I say "she"