Big Bob W

We were held up at Calcutt bottom lock a couple of weeks ago. They had a diver down in the culvert to the pumping station just below the lock.

Out of interest, I just checked my sightings on the CRT licensing webpage. Since January 2024, I only have 2 sightings recorded - and one of those was on my home mooring in the marina. In that time, we have cruised around 300 hours. Not a huge amount, but I would have expected to have been spotted a few more times.

I agree. But I do not think you will see any improved performance with the internet speed. The 4g/5g speed is going to be the bottleneck, not the WiFi. A wired connection is unlikely to make any difference. On our 50ft narrowboat, the 4g router is in the front of the boat. I still get a decent signal outside on the stern.

Definitely. Compulsory for widebeams.

If you've not already done so, have a look at Edgehill Gliding Centre https://www.edgehillgliding.com . Its between Banbury and Stratford. I was a member there for over 10 years. I've not visited since its recent restructure, but was a friendly place when it was Shenington Gliding Club.

I run my own small business. Like most businesses, my fees are set by supply and demand. If one of my overheads was cut by 10%, I agree, I could keep fees the same and reap the benefits of that. But I know a competitor would soon drop there price by 10% and I can assure you, everyone else would soon follow suit. That's how it would work with marina's without the CRT surcharge I am sure. All marina moorers are, right now, indirectly paying CRT an additional sum. It t is not itemised in the mooring fee. It is part of the "service provided" by the marina. But we are paying it.

But if my marina was not paying CRT £300pa for my berth, I would expect my mooring fee to be £300 less. I am paying the marina, say, £3k a year currently. £2.7k of that is for the marina services, which is the amount I would pay without the CRT surcharge.

We have been on the Leicester Line between Welford and Norton this week. Its definitely quieter than you would expect for the end of July. What is very noticeable is the lack of hire boats. We only saw 3 on the entire trip back to Norton.

Much better if they are using nappy-pins that can clatter nicely for them

I am sure when we bought our Abloy key from Northampton Marina to access the services on the Nene, they would only issue it if we could show our EA license.

Think we passed you yesterday. Tuesday night, the moorings between the tunnel and the locks were pretty much full. It also looked busy in the long pound when we had a quick walk before a couple of pints in the Boat.

One of the worst VLK experiences we had was a few years ago, entering Stoke Bruerne Top lock. A boat had just come down, but hadn't seen me in the pound waiting and shut the gates. So my wife started to push the gate open for me to enter. Gate was half open when a lockie started winding the paddle wide open at the top gate, not even looking back. Sue tried to stop him, but he just continued, insisting its his lock! Damn lucky she didn't get knocked over by the gate slamming shut. That guy's no longer there, and I must admit the lockies on that flight are pretty good these days, always asking before assisting.

We are heading out for a couple of weeks this weekend. Just out of interest, I have looked on the ABC site to see how much it would cost to hire for that period out of Gayton (our closest hire base). £2400 + diesel for a 58Ft boat! I think hire companies ramped up their prices during the pandemic when overseas holidays were not an option - and not dropped back down again since.

Saw us Enjoyed that. Definitely a character building experience!

Thanks for leading the way for us Matty! Definitely sporting conditions! We came back through on Saturday after mooring for the night just after Kingfisher marina. Totally different experience. I reckon the level dropped over a foot overnight and the lock landing was clear. I wonder how many times that WB moored opposite the Tove got clobbered that day!!

We actually like a trip down/up the Northampton Arm! Admittedly the bottom bit get be a bit hard going with lack of depth in the summer, but its a challenge! Its normally nice and quiet and the locks are generally very easy. But at this time, I would say Stoke Bruerne would be your best bet. Through the tunnel, wind and reverse back on to a mooring before the locks. Few pints in the Boat then get an Indian takeaway! You can always detour for a short run down the top of the Northampton arm as you pass Gayton Junction and wind just before the lock. 15 minutes or so each way.

The number of times I have had to steer through those over hanging branches! Good to see it gone (nearly).

Almost certainly leaves on the prop. Last autumn I was convinced I had a problem mid way through Blisworth Tunnel. Hardly any forward motion despite increasing revs. Then I noticed through the gloom, the water surface was covered in leaves. Burst of reverse and all sorted. The surface was clear entering and leaving the tunnel, but the leaves all accumulated half way through.

I think the boat hire businesses got greedy during the pandemic. They pushed up their prices to take advantage of people being unable to holiday abroad. Now things are back to "normal", they have not reduced their prices accordingly.

I need to draw myself a diagram now or I'm not going to sleep tonight! We are up and down Watford several times a year - but in my defence, I am on the back of the boat with Sue doing all the work winding paddles. I just get a glimpse of water rushing in to the side pond when she opens the white one. But to the OP, bottom line is Red before White!

Isn't it the other way round? Red Paddle empties the upper pound directly to the lower pound. White paddle is to the side pond.

Someone sent me this shot of us returning to the marina yesterday.

Just imagine the combined whining of all those bow-thrusters!

5 of them!!! Whats going on??!! Notice Alert Grand Union Canal Location: Blisworth Tunnel - Grand Union Canal Starts At: Blisworth Tunnel Ends At: Blisworth Tunnel Wednesday 16 August 2023 07:30 until Wednesday 16 August 2023 10:30 Type: Advice Reason: Information Original message: Blisworth tunnel will be closed to traffic from 07:30, possibly until 10:30 on Wednesday 16th August for the passage of 5 widebeam boats, 2 travelling south and 3 travelling north. Boats may enter the tunnel if directed to do so by a Trust representative at the tunnel portal or after 10:30 if no representative is present.

We came through there last week. The run from Saddington to Debdale is going to be interesting for a Fatty. I wouldn’t like to meet one coming towards me through the heavily reeded bends.