Dave_P

It's utterly tragic and senseless. Can I just thank the forum members, who along with the site staff team, came forward to help the police with their investigation. You know who you are. These sort of enquiries need every blind alley exploring, even if just to rule them out.

Fair enough. In that case: Theydon Bois?

Campsites could work, but obviously the moorers would have to agree and they may well not, due to security concerns. And the walkers would need letting in. Possible places with a bit of grass other than Ocker Hill: Withymoor, Hawne, Hockley Port, Longwood, Sneyd, Grove Colliery. I like Monkey's idea.

I would think the main barrier to non-boaters taking part is where do they sleep overnight? If I walk it, I shall probably leave my boat at my intended overnight stop. Also, I remember there being an online mapping website, where you could overlay old maps onto current maps (so you could see both sets at once). Does anyone have a link? I'm pondering whether the Bentley Canal is walkable.

I know it's not all about the winning, but that's a rather low level, and fails to take into account the cumulative effect of racking up some miles and the lack of opportunity to increase the score by doing locks etc. Imagine I was able to do 25 miles on day 1 and 15 miles on day 2. I think most people would agree that would be a fairly substantial undertaking, yet it would score a measly 60 points. In fact I would bet that it would be nigh on impossible for a walker to even finish in the top half of the table. If participation of other groups is desired, I doubt 1.5 points per mile with no bonus sections (for disused canals for example) is likely to achieve that. 2.5 points per mile for disused sections would be an idea. And what about bonus points for helping boat crews if they get stuck or something like that? Or bonus points for collecting litter? I'll be honest, I'm not sure how any of that would work in practice!! I assume walkers can still score points for solving clues and taking the required photos? Although I'm not sure how that works when the scores are based on boat length? Of course, Sue and Richard are a very clever pair, so I'm sure they've got this all in hand. If I do it, I'll probably take the BCN Challenge twitter account out of retirement as it's been quite a useful way of keeping abreast of all the excitement as it unfolds.

You can if you're playing under Standard Birmingham Protocols with the Black Country Variation. But only with the prior permission of the chair. I thought everyone knew that.

I'm still waiting for a response to this. Having boated the challenge 3 times and cycled it once, I rather fancy walking it this time. I'd been keener if I knew I could be a 'proper' entrant with points awarded etc.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/112859222#/?channel=RES_BUY plenty for your money here.

*Fair Fa

Once I'd swept up the glass and covered the window with bubble wrap, the very next thing I did was head down to Hawne Basin. I was planning on coming on Friday, but shifted forwards a few days. It helps that it's my home mooring.

I have managed to take a window out, re-seal it and put it back, but that's about my limit.

And some scrote has smashed your window in.

Thanks again for the responses and ideas. I've been in touch with channelglaze and they're putting together a quote for me to reglaze the window. I'm reluctant to try and do it myself as I have a long and ignominious track record of trying to fix things without really knowing how, and royally buggering it up.

Good idea but my bathroom window is smaller and already smoked. I've gone back to my mooring at Hawne Basin and there's a guy here who might have a matching window lying around somewhere. Fingers crossed. Otherwise I think I'll give channelglaze a call.

Thanks. Sounds close enough, but I don't really want smoked glass in the galley. I'll get back to you if other options fail.

Someone else has just mentioned channelglaze. Thanks. I was moored at Windmill End, on the opposite side to the cafe. I wasn't on the boat overnight and returned to find it this morning. I just measured it to the outside of the frame and it's 95 x 57.5cm? Seems oddly close to one of yours, but not quite.

I had one of my windows smashed last night. Now I'm not sure what to do for the best. It's a very standard hopper window and the larger piece of glass is broken, the opening bit at the top is fine. Would it make more sense to get the glass replaced, and if so can anyone recommend someone to come and do it in the Birmingham area? Or would it be cheaper / easier to replace the whole window? And does anyone know who supplies them? Thanks in advance!

Will there be points for walking/cycling/paddleboarding etc this time?

Enjoy

Since you brought it up, if any forum members would like to donate to the effort: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pulling-stratford-back-to-the-midlands

Fun fact: I once had breakfast with Alice Roberts. She was just as lovely 'in the flesh'.

I'm a bit confused by this. If I go through the lock just before high tide, then won't the ebb tide follow the slack water?