Rob-M

Good way to advertise their company.

But the longer you add the more internal work to do especially if gas, electrics and water need extending.

I'll be off heading for Audlem with a pair tomorrow so plenty of opportunities to practice my locking technique and as I'll be towing and in ex working boats I'll have priority at all the locks with the rights to lock both boats through without letting anyone else lock through in between.

Streethay Wharf often have a stretch in progress so it might be worth speaking to them to have a look if you are able to get there.

When I'm going through the locks on the Severn I always follow the lock keepers instructions as they are manned locks. We met one of the nicest keepers operating Holt Lock when we went through recently, she couldn't have been any nicer.

They could always stop the engine, get in the water and push it off.

I will sometimes steer in to a lock and whilst the gates are being closed nip inside for the toilet or to get a drink. I certainly wouldn't expect to return to find paddles had been lifted. Also I tend to dislike revving the engine hard in reverse in a lock so if I stay on the boat I keep it at the back of the lock and expect the paddles to be lifted steadily to around half way to ensure the boat doesn't bounce off the gate and then surge forward requiring reverse. On most of the BCN, especially with single gates, paddles can be lifted straight up, the T&M it is certainly half way and one at a time.

We own one boat but also get to go boating on a couple of ex working boats without the costs associated with ownership.

They seem to have been switched off. Just clicked Home again and they are back.

You could volunteer for one of the groups, such as Heritage Working Boats, and get involved in a few boat moves. I get four days this week taking a pair to Audlem.

I remember my parents boat getting caught going up in a lock with those paddles, as my dad tried to quickly wind the paddle down his windlass slipped off the spindle and smashed in to his face. We were in the middle of nowhere but fortunately a BW chap was working on the next lock so took him to hospital.

Enjoy your trip. To post a picture just click the Choose files link in the bottom of the post box.

When I looked on their website it looked like a free trial and then either a monthly or annual subscription. I'll take another look.

Isn't TVPlayer a subscription service though..? Why would you want to pay for Freeview channels...?

Sounds like the fewer locks the better, I would consider the run to Manchester. Hope everyone recovers ok and you still have a good holiday.

This one, http://www.feathers.co.uk, I presume.

I rarely visit the home page so hadn't noticed the change.

Yes, generally you just give them a shout as they are going past. Most have a mobile number or do social media so you can contact them if you know they are in the area.

Rich, was it the CSS I indicated in my earlier post.

Eatery is fine as long as you are paying in cash. Railway station is alongside the canal.

We moored in Barton Turns for a few months when we first bought our boat. The marina and staff were all fine. It was a very windy marina for getting in and out. Having the shops and cafe were useful but mainly just for somewhere to have a still and a coffee, the cinema was just being built when we left. The pub can be busy especially on a weekend, our mooring was on the far pontoons so it was never a problem but I would be checking available berths before committing. Don't forget that you have the river section at Alrewas which does get closed occasionally in flood so that can stop you cruising in that direction although it was never an issue for us.

Prices tend to vary, if you say what area you will be in I expect you will get some responses on the best local places to go. Marinas vary but if you regularly cruise an area you will get used to which ones are higher than which are lower. There may also be a fuel boat in the area which most boaters like to support. The declaration is something you decide on based on your usage but there are some marinas that will only sell at the tax man's suggested 60:40 split. In the winter when we use the diesel heating more we use a split that is less propulsion and more domestic, when we are out cruising a lot then propulsion percentage is increased.

My understanding is the flow of water rushing past draws them closed although most seem to be chained back these days. I have motored past ones on the Worcester Birmingham pretty quickly and managed to get them to swing round only a few inches.

If you are heading up the Caldon there is a shortage of shops, there is a by Morrison's within walking distance of the end of the Leek branch, nothing at the end of the Froghall branch other than a cafe and a pub. There are a couple of pubs, we had a good meal in the Holly Bush at Hazelhurst junction.