Big Bob W

Returning after a couple of weeks on board, I was in a petrol station filling up the car. Instinctively started chatting to the guy filling up next to me. "Lock-side chat". Then realised from the look on his face, I was back in the parallel universe.

Excellent! Really interesting link. That's the answer then! Thanks....

Bridge 47 also carries the road, so I guess also making it a turnover bridge, they killed two birds with one stone as it were. It's quite a way though. I did wonder about detouring via the road from Bridge 2 on the arm. Only just noticed though, theres no bridge number 1 - but can see any evidence of one ever existing.

Something that's perplexed me for a while now. Having just cruised by again today, its got me thinking again. In horse-drawn days, imagine a boat coming up the Northampton Arm to the junction and turning left to head south towards Stoke Bruerne. Towpath is on the right as you approach the junction. When turning left, onto the main line, its on the right again. As far as I can see, the horse would have had to leave the boat, turn right, go the quarter of a mile or so to the cross-over bridge then double back to the junction. A bridge to take the Northampton Arm towpath over the mainline at the junction would be the obvious solution, but there no trace. Has something changed there in more recent years? Rob

I have tried that. Pilot light goes out quicker than I can turn the knob! Also, as I said previously, sometimes the pilot and burner do ignite for a few minutes before going out again. Think I will give the pilot assembly a clean. It does look like a good flame whilst the knob is held down though, so possibly a duff thermocouple. Thanks for the advice .....

We have an old Alde 2920 boiler. To be honest, other than firing it up when we first bought the boat, we have never used it in anger - the solid fuel stove is more than adequate. However, I tried it today and it no longer lights reliably. Its one of the old manual push button piezo ignitors. The pilot light ignites, but on releasing the push down thermostat knob, the pilot light goes out. Occasionally, it does stay lit, the burner lights, but then after a few minutes it goes out. Also, not sure if its related, but guess it could be, the wires from the pilot light indicator gauge are not connected - and for the life of me, I can not see where the spade connectors are supposed to connect! I would really appreciate any guidance....

We sold our share via boatshare.co.uk. Went within a couple of days. Possibly went in a bit cheap as we just wanted to get out of the monthly syndicate payments when we bought our own boat.

We moored there for a couple of years. Didn't like the long pontoons - if you are unlucky enough to be moored at the far end it can be quite an un-nerving walk to the boat in wet/icy/windy weather, especially when there were not many boats moored on there with you. The other thing with Wigrams is that on Saturdays, all the services are dedicated solely to Black Prince. Unless you pre-book you can not get diesel or pump-out.

Have a look at Heyford Fields Marina in Northamptonshire. Midway on the 14 mile pound between Buckby Locks and Stoke Bruerne. Less than 10 min by car from Junc 16 of the M1, but lovely rural location and excellent facilities.

Had a similar problem. Thought rather than blowing, I would use a can of "Air Duster" with a small tube on the nozzle. You know the things - they sell them to clean your keyboard I think. Ideal I thought, can get right in there. I am not sure if it was this or the resulting explosion that blasted the muck out when I tried the igniter!! Lesson learned. Cans of "air duster" do not actually contain air!

Thanks guys Looks right to me. Much appreciated.

The throttle cable on my BMC 1500 is connected using plastic/nylon connectors (picture attached). The same style of connector is used on the gearbox linkage also. I have a spare control cable, but would like to carry a couple of these connectors as spares - just in case one fails on me.... I have tried to source them, but can't find one anywhere. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks Rob

Not a stoppage as such, however, the bottom gate on lock 15 at Marston Doles is taking over 20 minutes to empty currently. One paddle is out of action (think it has been for many months). The other gate paddle is only opening about 1.5 turns. CRT are aware. Yesterday there were delays of about 3 hours going up.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I think I am going to give Fabsil Cleaner a go first followed by reproofing if all good. Its relatively inexpensive. Failing that I may invest in some Algae Zapper. I was offered the use of a pressure washer, but was a bit worried about damaging the stitching.

We have recently taken ownership of our first boat. The cratch cover, although relatively new, is quite green. It looks like the boat has been moored underneath trees for a while. I have tried cleaning with soapy water and scrubbing. Whilst still wet, it looked quite good, but after drying, its still a bit grubby. I was just curious what everyone else uses to clean the canvas? Thanks Bob

Bozeat = Bojhut

Suprised how busy it was this afternoon going up Hurleston. Best part of an hour queuing.

Water to fill the new marina......

Useful link. Well done.

Really useful tool. I find the defaults more or less spot on. The only thing to remember is to factor in a bit extra for queuing at locks etc during busy periods.

Hopefully getting sorted in the next day or so. Fingers crossed, we are planning on going down on to the Weaver in a couple of weeks. "01/06/2015 @ 13:08 Our contractors will return to site on 3rd June to replace faulty components which were identified as being needed during our investigations. It is anticipated the works will continue for the duration of 3rd June and a further update will be posted by 4.30pm on that day.."

I think the website pictures are from when they were based at Hillmorton. They are now based at bit further along at Newbold. Well kept boats with character.

By far, the quietest, and best, boat we ever hired was Hector from Armada Boat Hire near Rugby. It's a 2 berth tug style, with the engine up front. Almost silent whilst running. In fact, when you drop it in to neutral, you have to check the rev counter to make sure it's still running! By far the best hire boat we ever rented. Maybe not to everyone's tastes - quite compact. And a great little company to deal with.

The visitor moorings just above Adderley Locks by any chance? That's exactly what we found when mooring there Sunday evening. Thanks for the info. For some reason, I thought it had been been constructed for a specific purpose. I guess it's a handy step if you go in!!

I would be interested to know the reasoning behind the infamous "Shroppie Shelf". For the life of me,I can not think what purpose it serves? There was obviously a good reason for constructing it, but what was it??