David Schweizer

Panic over. I turned the computer off and powered it up again and it worked, A bit odd though because I got about 5 emails, all repeated several times. The pc is automaticly set for updates but I did not get one aboput IE. I did get a message that a new version of Firefox was available, but I did not load it as I was working on something at the time, I cannot find it now.

I cannot get Outlook Express to open, An error message comes up saying that it has experienced a problem and needs to be closed. this is repeated if I close it and try to re-open. I normally use Fire Fox rather than Internet explorer and am still able to access the internet through Fire Fox, but when I tried to use Internet explorer I got the same error message. Is it my computer, or are others experiencing the same problem? Edited to correct muddled description

What makes you think that those of us who prefer Hep20 cannot solder copper joints successfuly? I have been, and still am doing that for more than 30 years, but there are a number of good practical reasons why plastic piping is better on boats. It is far more tolerant of freezing, it can be manouvered and curverd easily through awkward places, unlike soldering joints in resrtricted places fitting it it is not a fire hazard.

I knew Biily Brown and Dolly Dakin quite well, they often moored opposite us at at Uxbridge, in fact somewhere I have a rather fuzzy B&W photo of Aynho and Ayr (the scruffiest boats on the canal) moored above Uxbridge lock during a stoppage . I had a long chat with John "Knuckles" Dakin a few years ago at Cowley lock, he was still working for BW but had been demoted from Hanwell flight back onto maintenance because someone had complained about his alleged bad language. At the same time he told me that Dolly was still alive and living in Harefield. With regard to Dolly's mixed race son, it was Dolly herself that shouted across the canal to our captain as they passed by, that she got him from drinking too much coffee. I think she may well have changed the story many times for dramatic effect.

We have the name of the boat and the build location "Bottom Lock Braunston", on the sides along with No.20 which is the build number, and as we have the whole lot in Barlows lettering, together with roses and castles etc., we chose to have "reg at Watford No. xxxxxxx in the top band, to complete the traditional Braunston style. Unlike some people who hate or love only one style, I really have no objection to scrolls or any other style, I just like the Braunston style because it reminds me of the boats I remember from the 1960's.

Yes that is Acorn Plumbing, bought out by Hepworths and re-named Hep20

I'm not against it, but it does seem to depend on how long it has been in stock and what the ambient temperature is. I have found that if you lay out straight in a warm room for a few days it is usually ok, if not pushing some hot water through and allowing it to cool usually works.

Your Council tax demand should be acceptable.

There is no reson why plastic plumbing shuld look a mess, unless it is installed lazily. As Alan has already suggested, visible piping should use straight sections not lengths cut off a roll. Personally I would never use copper in any location where there is a risk of freezing, plastic pipework is far more forgiving in sub zero tempertures.

When you next pass us, I will show you the diferent types, and demonstrate how to dismantle them. You are correct however, when you say that the later types (4 & 5) with plastic grab rings are easier to competely dismantle. Personally I prefer the earlier types because they grab rings have a firmer purchase on the pipe and they occupy less space making them better in confined spaces. They are still available from ToolStation under the trade name of PIPELIFE, or from B & Q under the name Plumbeasy, apart from being white instead of grey, they are identical to type 3. They are also considerably cheaper, and the spares fit Hep20 types 1,2,&3.

The world is full of experts, who have never done the job themselves. Having witnessed you in the process of lifting a sunken wooden narrowboat, it beats me why some people still think they know how to do the job more easily.

Snibble, I have sent you a PM with details of an Agency who can advise you on your legal rights. Edited to add:- Do not open the door to balliffs unless they have a Court Warrant and are accompanied by a Police Officer.

It is interesting to note that almost all the plastic plumbing sceptices openly admit that they have no direct experience of the stuff. I have every variant of Hep20 made on my boat , starting with the original brown Acorn plumbing (which was bought out by Hepworths years ago) and have never had a leak despite much of it being more than 25 years old. I can recommend Hep20 without hesitation. I have been dioing my own plumbing both at home and on the boat for more than 30 years, and in my experience plumbing leaks are invariably down to poor workmanship, not poor components. it is even perfectly possible to make watertight joints with cheap Chineese fitting so quality products like Hepworth and the newer style Speedfit is a piece of cake. On the issue of rats and mice, Catweasel is correct about them eating it, which is why Hepworths specificly state that Hep20 should not be used in cellars where there is a risk of rodent attack. It is also advisable to use copper pipe within 12" of any heat source such as a boiler or fire. Yes Alan five types. Types 1,2,&3 although cosmetically different are compatible with each other, types 4 & 5 are compatible with each other but not with types 1,2,&3. Types 4 &5 can be distinguished from there earlier versions by the raised end to the lock caps whuich are flat on the earlier types.

You will either need to buy a Digital TV or do what I have done, and buy a decent Digital Box to use with your old TV. I bought a second hand Humax F2-FOX T Digital box on eBay. You should be able to pick one up for less than £25 including carriage. (but make sure it has a controller, replacements are very expensive) The Humax works very well with our ancient analogue TV which does not even have scart socket. We use a bog standard 3ft aerial hoisted up on a 6ft telescopic pole.

That satement needs some clarification, Most Financial Institutions calling thamselves Building Societies are no longer Mutual Societies, but Banks. The only major Building Society to remain a Mutual Society is The Nationwide Building Society Society. Tghere are still a significant number of small local Mutual Building Societies, but they are gradually being merged with others or absorbed into larger partneships.