Rebotco

Not exactly a similar job, but cider vinegar is the best thing going for getting rid of cold sores. Brian

I assume then, that's another brownie point in favour of the 2 part epoxy blacking? Hope so cos that's what mine has got. Not going to try a test run though! Brian

OK for indoors, but what about outdoors? Brian

Is this what you are looking for? http://www.denkapower.com/acatalog/Optima_Batteries.html Brian

I don't recall them doing anything especially for us timewise. We obviously had clearance to proceed out of Sharpness and maybe they had phoned Portishead. I wasn't aware of any lock time restrictions other than that determined by the tide. Having said that, the lockies at Portishead were considerably surprised at our 2 am arrival in a nb. Their comment was something along the lines of "You must be bloody mad". I agreed. Brian

Yep! Know the feeling well! My 42 hp Izusu was thrashing its guts out travelling sideways to try and hit the little (sealock) hole at Portishead. brian

Love the photo, cheers. Afraid none of mine came out in the dark! Even if they had, my hands were shaking so much with a mixture of freezing cold and fear, they would be too blurred to see. The river looks quite benign in the daylight, doesn't it? But I'm not fooled by that! Brian

Yes it does. And its has an 18L metal body. And its only 500 Watts power on 230v. Its on sale in our local Lidls from 12th Dec. Brian

Not sure "fun" was the first word I thought of - more like terror! Especially as I didn't have an official pilot and it was my first boat just bought a week before. My only excuse for such foolhardy behaviour is that I had to try and beat planned BW stoppages on the K & A before 31/10/11. But fortunately I did have an old "sea dog" with me, who was very familiar with the Severn, otherwise I probably wouldn't be here now - I'd still be trying to back from across the Atlantic where the Severn would have washed me! Still, it was pretty following the "leading lights" down the river, and I'm very glad to have done it. So now its over, yeah I could call it fun! Brian

This particular lock is a wide lock taking 2 x nb side by side. But when there is only one boat, it does throw you around quite signifcantly, especially if you have an inexperiened crew (sometimes of 1) on the paddles/gates. I have lost a fair bit of paint on that lock and got a few dents to prove it! Its one of the few locks where I have learned it is better to use ropes. Otherwise I agree with you. Brian

Oh, OK then - you can have a greenie too. You know you're worth it!!! brian

I would agree about hire companies giving tuition. That's OK for experienced hirers, but I suspect a large proportion are first-time hirers. And they have a helluva lot to learn in a very short time. Impossible to retain it all initially, so I would think this sort of reminder would be greatly welcomed. Probably boats would come back with a bit more paint left and fewer dents too! Brian

Like the idea of adding salt to hot water down the drains. That will fill the u-trap with brine, with a lower freezing point than water. Excellent idea I hadn't thought of. Have a greenie - if I can find one! Brian

I've done it the other way last year - At 2 a.m.! It was quite hairy, but exciting. You are correct about the things that are a must, but also wise to seal up doors and drainholes with tape, and protect front deck from lots of spray sometimes. I didn't have VHS or GPS, just a mobile phone was fine. Its the patch between the two Severn Bridges that are the most lively. But your biggest problem will be getting off the K & A onto the Avon. Bottom lock at Bath is currently padlocked and could remain so for many months. Due to the next bridge in danger of falling into the river. Brian

You could always get a Lancaster to drop it in for you!

Yep. Makes sense. Brian

That is exactly why you should be there!. Otherwise CaRT will operate without proper regard for the boaters. Cyclists, fishermen, joggers and all the stuffed suits will have it all their own way. Brian

Good move David. Brian