AllanW
-
Posts
233 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Blogs
Store
Posts posted by AllanW
-
-
Signed...
-
I was in the same boat (no pun intended!) with the IR back in the 90's
I was made redundant from my job in TV and film production (Thanks Maggie Thatcher - SPIT!!!), and went freelance. The Inland Revenue would not give me a definative answer as to what constituted self employment...
The bottom line is that IR wouldn't treat me as self employed - National Insurance wouldn't treat me as employed - and the benefits folks wouldn't treat me as unemployed for the weeks I wasn't working!
Now at the time I was VAT registered and was hiring equipment on which I could pass on the VAT costs to my 'employers' who were also VAT registered.
But, the IR claimed that I was being 'employed' on a daily basis and therefore schedule E. I was being hired for a daily rate which included equipment - and the IR made it IMPOSSIBLE for me to split the hire element from my work element. IMHO the IR are the biggest buck passing organisiation I ever dealt with.
I gave up - and have still never seen an IR definition of Self Employment
That's it anyway - last post for a week or so... Four Counties start today!
Allan
-
We've done it clockwise once and personally I feel that's the best way to do the Shroppie at least. The first mile or so you're in the suburbs of Wolverhampton but after that you enter countryside and the villages like Brewood - it always feels good when you finally shrug off the urbanisation, whereas the other way you're heading towards Bilbrook and Autherley - not the nicest way to finish your journey on there. It's downhill with the locks and working down is a fair bit quicker than going up. You're less likely to be in a queue at Audlem top lock because the Adderley locks are only a mile before and they separate the boats out a fair bit.
Have a nice trip!
Thanks Philip
It was actually a few of your pictures in one of your posts that swung it from the Cheshire ring to the Four Counties for this trip, though I have to say I'm looking forward to Audlem too...
I'll hopefully be posting a few of my own pics in a couple of weeks - the only question is what colour is the sky going to be in them?
Allan
-
if thats the same boot we stopped at last year we had steak burger and chips x 4 cost £44 car park was full of jags bentlyd range rovers we were the only boaters in there
spoke to some local boaters the next day god how they laughed
Yup that's the one... The two of us had steak followed by eaton mess and it certainly wasn't cheap - but I'd argue it *was* good value. I begrudge paying a fiver for a poor meal - but I have no problem with a tenner or even fifteen for something exceptional.
The car park was full of Harleys on the day we were there, but the only biker trouble was getting the crew back on the boat! If she'd had one good offer I'd have been working the rest of the Lapworth flight by myself methinks
Allan
-
Might see you between Heritage and Gt Heywood on our way to Stratford. Will pass Kent Green someitme on Saturday.
Maybe we could share a tunnel.
Hi Graham - might just do that...
Btw - Stratford is a wonderful run - especially if you haven't done it before. Be sure to stop at the Boot on the Lapworth flight - probably the best pub food I've ever had!
And the Blue Bell cider house is worth a stop too. All the best
Allan
-
If anyone here is on the Four Counties this next week look out for Wedgewood and say 'Hi' or better still, come and 'ave a beer if ya see us moored up
Starting Sat 14th from Heritage - clockwise
Allan
-
Signature added...
Have you tried posting this on the usenet waterways forum too?
Allan
-
Seriously, apart from the demoralising effect of continuous 'BW bashing' which is wearing and affects everyone at BW, this approach also tends to reinforce stereotypes of each party, rather than moving on. Just an observation from 'this side of the fence'.
That's interesting Eugene...
Most boaters I know have nothing but praise for the wonderfully helpful and (usually) very friendly 'hands on' staff who look after us as we wander around the cut, or for that mater, even those that answer the phones.
From 'this side of the fence' it often appears that it's the BW management thats doing all the bashing! Job cuts, maintenace cuts, in fact cuts in everything except the vegitation!
I understand there's financial reasons behind all this (which we don't need to go into) but I really don't think it's the canal users that are bashing the staff... Maybe that's not what you meant, but it's how it sounded
Allan
-
Shropshire Union is currently subject to a stoppage until further notice by fallen trees at the Woodeves cutting near Market Drayton
Waterscrape currently says: "Stoppage: Woodseaves Cutting - Canal open, towpath remains closed"
Allan
-
As garry says the official site is www.rarlab.com
Here is the first part of the Trend labs report
"A WinRAR-lose situation
June 20th, 2007 by Trend Micro
If users wanted to download WinRAR, the popular archiver tool to process RAR and ZIP files, where would they go? Chances are, they’d type in the name of the tool itself and just add .com (www.winrar.com) in their browser’s address bar. Unbeknownst to them, however, the said site is not the official site from which the legitimate tool could be downloaded–that would be www.rarlab.com, actually.
TrendLabs has just received reports on how unsuspecting users could end up downloading malware, instead of WinRAR, onto their systems. When they try to click on the “Free Software Downloads” button in www.winrar.com (as seen below), they would be led to another page where they are prompted to click on “Download Winrar”.
More of the report can be found at
http://blog.trendmicro.com/index.php?s=win...utton=SEARCH%21
I offer my most humble apologies for that winrar link...
Like Gary, I have used WinRAR sucesfully for many years, but since I've not needed to download another copy for a very long time, thinking I'd to be helpful I did a Google and that was the link I came up with
Please use the link Gary provided!!!
Drinks on me methinks...
Allan
-
I think the problem is that my colleague pestilence must have already been up the GU.
I should point out I am only responsible for Chaos (as per Terry Pratchet's book) and my powers are strictly limited the a 5 foot circle around my person. This circle does, unfortunately, often include the tiller, engine hole, eberspacher heater, batteries, weed hatch and boat electrics - need I say more?
5th
Ah so you're Ronnie and run a Dairy in your spare time? LOL
(That's probably incomprehensible to non TP fans!)
-
We did that route a fortnight ago. The graffitti was completely depressing. Although, I have to say, Stratford-Upon-Avon is getting more and more graffitti on it's lock gates and bridges too - I don't see anyone removing it. Would that be a job for the council or for BW, I wonder?
Hope you made time to stop at the Boot in Lapworth on the way around - my all time favourite for pub food!
I know what you mean about the Graffiti around Stratford, the council and BW have gone to great lengths to make the basin so very attractive it's a pity they don't invest a bit of time and money on the final mile of the canal...
Allan
-
I thought I'd download the book but all the numerous options for so doing are in some weird shit incomprehensible gobbledegook that I don't understand, not PDF, so I avoided it. I downloaded one but was told I don't have the software to open and run it so I deleted it pretty damn quick I can tell you. Don't want no dodgy crap on my machine.
regards
Steve
Steve
The .rar format is just a compressed file (of a .pdf document in this case)
You just need a simple 'uncompressor' - Winrar is available as a free download here: http://www.winrar.com - PLEASE SEE THE BELOW POST BEFORE DOWNLOADING FROM THIS SITE - Jon
The file is not dodgy at all...
Allan
-
I'm aware that online eBooks are in a somewhat grey area, but judging by the number of posts about boat electrical systems, I'm sure some will find this useful...
One of the blog sites I follow contains link to an eBook 'Essential Boat Electrics'
http://magazinz.blogspot.com/2007/06/essen...-electrics.html
Some other interesting/useful stuff on the site too
Allan
-
Did the Warwickshire ring last week and were very lucky with the weather (have the sunburn to prove it) but ...
The run into Bordesley on the GU was sooo.... depressing, every square inch of flat surface for about 5 miles was covered with graffiti.
Talked to a BW guy at Bordesley and he said, in a resigned voice, pointing to the lock beams covered in scrawls "if we repainted these today by this time tomorrow they would be covered again"
So - what a pity that such a lovely gateway to a great city is turned into a threatening, desolate, "Blade runner" sort of place.
Stone throwers at Yardley and bottle throwers at Bordesley didn't help either.
5th
Maybe you could have a word with the first 4 Horsemen and get them to pay a visit?
-
That's looks even wetter than Crick!
http://www.junctionevents.org.uk/ for those that havent seen the pics
Allan
-
I have been asked to undertake some research on behalf of a local designer who has produced a range of safety and security devices relating to gas and water. He is interested in getting feedback from houseboat owners who are connected to main utilities as to issues they may like addressed. For example an automatic flood detection system that would shut off the mains water. Any feedback would be much appreciated.
If you have any specific questions you can contact me directly at Coventry University on 024 7688 8477 or r.saunders@coventry.ac.uk
Now a flood detection system that shuts off the rain.... Where's me drawing board Penfold?
-
I wasn't aware the IWA did "a lot of things", never mind "well". Apart from being BW's lap dog of course.
I know what you mean - that was what the
was for!As for being BW lapdogs - well it seems to be a toothless lapdog these days for sure, but the thing is, what would replace it?
Maybe we could start a topic - What The IWA Can Do For You! Probably not get to many replies tho...
Allan
-
From the replies here I can't believe how many (including IWA members) didn't know about this...
The IWA does a lot of things well - but apparently publicity isn't one of them!
Anyone spot a closing date?
Allan
-
If you were to bid on every auction, and never be lucky enough to be the highest bidder, you would NEVER get a mooring and BW couldn't really tell you off for bridge hopping, could they, escpecially if you proved that you'd bid on every auction via recorded delicery to the 'Auction Department' or something.
It would be interesting if BW took you to court. How could they refuse to issue a licence if they are unable to provide a mooring due to this ridiculous scheme. You could be trying for years even if you bid reasonable amounts if rich people kept buying a boat and buying their way to the top of the list.
That's an interesting thought... be interesting to see how it worked in law
I've just spotted an IWA petition against mooring auctions, and started a new thread (SEE HERE)
FYI - The official IWA Position Statement on British Waterways Moorings Trial...
IWA is seriously concerned at British Waterways’ decision to proceed with a trial of tendering mooring vacancies against the express wishes of all the major user groups.
Rather than fill mooring vacancies with the first name on the waiting list, as has been the practice for many years on those moorings where demand exceeds supply, BW has decided that it will put these moorings to tender. The mooring will then be allocated for three years to the highest bidder.
This new process of allocating moorings is to be trialled for twelve months, during which time the existing waiting lists will be suspended, and it will likely to involve about 600 moorings.
IWA is concerned that the new procedures are flawed and un-just for the following reasons;
• It is unfair to those who have been patiently waiting on lists, gradually working their way to the top.
• It is socially unjust, with the less well off and elderly being priced off the system by the highest bidder.
• It exploits a monopolistic situation where British Waterways controls the majority of the moorings on the network whilst also levying a system connection charge on other mooring providers.
• British Waterways moorings procedures lack transparency in that they are unable to identify vacant moorings to those in the waiting list or to state how many applicants have multiple applications pending and thus allow the current system to operate effectively .
IWA urges its members to actively campaign on this issue and to write to British Waterways condemning the trial as unjust, and to additionally write to their MP asking for their support on this issue.
Allan
-
I've not seen this mentioned mentioned here before (apologies if it has...)
The IWA are asking for signatures to present to BW
Details of Mooring Petition:
We the undersigned petition British Waterways to cease the implementation of the Moorings tender trial, as we believe it to be unfair to those already on waiting lists, and unjust to the less well-off and elderly who may be priced off the waterways by the highest bidder.
Link: HERE
or
Full URL: http://www.waterways.org.uk/News/OtherCamp...MooringPetition
Sorry - don't know when this ends (anyone here know?)
Allan
-
Hi all,
We used bamboo flooring, but not on the floor!
We actually used it on the hull sides, it just happens to be the perfect length for fitting under the gunwales, (all one length). We used the coffee one on the sides (vertically) and then used the light bamboo for the whole ceiling throughout the boat (running lenthways). I must admit, it took about 10 days to put up but looks just amaizing. it has a beautiful light look and we get wonderful reflections along its length. I'm really quite proud of it, everyone comments on how good it looks. Its already presealed so this saved time afterwards.
We were thinking of using it on the floor too, but may opt for something else.
Cheers, Norman.
Hiya Norman
Wouldn't mind seeing a few pictures please...
Thanks
Allan
-
Wondered what a pedant was so I looked it up
From Wikipedia:
Being referred to as a pedant, or pedantic, is generally considered insulting. However some people take pride in being a pedant, especially with regard to the use of the English language. In an attempt to avoid censure, people who wish to make a correction often preface it with "not wishing to be pedantic, but ..." or "without being a pedant, ...".
Pedantry can also be an indication of certain developmental disorders. In particular those with Asperger syndrome, or high-functioning autism, often have behavior characterized by pedantic speech.[1] Those with Asperger's tend to obsess over the minutiae of subjects, and are prone to giving long detailed expositions, and the related corrections, and may gravitate to careers in academia or science where such obsessive attention to detail is often rewarded.
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is also in part characterized by a form of pedantry that is overly concerned with the correct following of rules, procedures and practices.[2] Sometimes the rules that OCPD sufferers obsessively follow are of their own devising, or are corruptions or re-interpretations of the letter of actual rules.
- - -
Obsessive-compulsive, or having some sort of personallity disorder eh? Well that's most folks on the cut innit? LOL
Allan
-
HI Moley
Before you resort to drilling, cutting, grinding or chiseling...
Run the engine till the exhaust is HOT then give the flange a good thump with a copper hammer (or at a push, an ordinary one with a lump of wood over the flange)
You don't need to worry too much about getting a wedge in between the faces as the shock should fracture the 'fault line' between the two faces
Don't think the leg puller idea will work for you as there is nothing in the centre of the pipe to pull against
. You may find a bearing splitter will work if yu get desperate (see pic) and have enough room to get it inAllan
(edit to include puller/splitter comment)
And the Blue Bell cider house is worth a stop too. 
Photos of other members boats.
in General Boating
Posted · Edited by Dhutch
*Link to sister thread added
Thought it might be worth starting a place to post pics of CW members boats spotted around the cut
* See also the sister thread "Photos of you boat, Show off your craft."
Gralyn @ Harcastle Tunnel - July 2007
Quiddich near Tixall - July 2007
Keeping Up @ Stratford - September 2006
Anyone else want to play eye-spy?
Allan