little duck!

This isn't selling the K &A to me I would seriously get fed up of slowing down for all the moored boats, there is just so many of them!

IT IS NOT GOING TO RAIN!!! ( it may hail, snow, thunder etc oh wait didn't we get most of that last year!) Positive thinking.

hello, before we ask on general forum we thought to post here 1st! I have now been given work till 22nd May which means Paul © will be single handing boat to Birmingham wednesday to friday ( with Bella's help but her 4 little legs and her aversion to locks hampers a little!) So if any one is in the area odf the Wolverhapton 21 during the afternoon of friday 22nd (may)and is able to lock wind it would be greatly appreciated! Secondly i will be getting train to Wolverhampton early evening, is the canal easily assessible by the station before tunnel or is it best for paul to meet me in the basin at the top of the 21 ( where last year we searched in vain for a clue!) and if so is it possible to find that easily on foot by an idiot who cannot map read to save her life (me!) Thanks

Having been on both the Churnett Valley railway and llangllen railway and done both respective canals several times, i wouldn't like to choose!! But i did like mooring up next to the station (after our train trip, were dogs were welcome) and travelling along the canal with the steam train coming towards us! You dont get such a good view , if any, of the trains from the canal on the llangollen but you do have the lovely Welsh hills and a couple of aquaducts!!

The worst thing about the rain is the effort required to peel off the layers of waterproof clothing when a toilet break is required! Worse still is putting it back on again to brave the elements once more. One thing I did learn- my waterproofs are only shower proof not BCN challenge proof! If we can do it in last years weather we can do it anytime! The worst thing about the rain is the effort required to peel off the layers of waterproof clothing when a toilet break is required! Worse still is putting it back on again to brave the elements once more. One thing I did learn- my waterproofs are only shower proof not BCN challenge proof! If we can do it in last years weather we can do it anytime!

Vet gave us antihistamine tablets as dog has habit of chasing wasps said over the counter human ones are ok for her too and cheaper!

The last time we had no wood left on the boat and hadnt used fire! I Think as someone mentioned they were on the curtains asthis makes sense as they landed on kitchen worktop. I shook ans checked the curtains today and there was no sign of any flying creature! On the subject of wasps what does everyone find helps if stung so I can get supplies in case. I was stung last year and only had vinegar on the boat. Wasp was on arm as I started to use windlass as my arm bent..... ow! Then a week later I felt something land on my neck tried to flick it with hand and it stung my finger, did I mention I really don't like wasps!

Been to boat again today checked all the curtains and every drawer cupboard and anywhere else I could think of and not one wasp. Feel better now!

but three, would three queens be in the same space?

would they nest near water, i really have no idea! I have vague recollections of a wasps next hanging off our house when i was kid, us kids were kept inside whilst dad( or maybe soemone else it is a vague memory) got rid of nest, probably back in the 70,s in a way not reccomended these days! Also when i was a kid i almost got knocked over when i tried to run away from a wasp, so really not keen on them sharing my boat space! edited for fingers typing faster than my brain could keep up!

Hello, I have a strange question! We have been going to the boat most weekends for last few months but not staying overnight, we have had engine running and fire going so all cosy! We are due to have a short break over Easter but have now become a liitle concerned. The last few visits a wasp has appeared on the kitche worktop, i hear a loud buzz and it appears but not sure where from. This has happened at least three times now and each wasp has been quite large ( well to me who hates them they are!). There is only a buzzing just before i see the wasp i cant hear it any other time and onlu usually one wasp each time (disposed of- sorry animalt lovers!) Last week one shot from the kitchen area and i think it stung the dog before i got to it. Is it likely we have a wasp nest where would i look and what do i do? Or am i over reacting to the stingy buggers and seeing a co-incidence (always in kitchen) where there is none? Look forward to your replies!

sounds yummy, thanks for sharing, can't believe how much you typed that would take me the whole time the chicken was cooking!

I have just seen ad advert on more 4 for Tim amd pru's next series, Falkirk wheel amongst other areas, So excited even the advert showed how enthusiastic they are and interested! i Jst hope i dont miss it as no date yet just "coming soon"! Cant come soon enough in the mean time i will put up with john barging about, just how many times i have said "no i don't own a barge, i own a narrow boat" i've lost count. Never mind, my opinion is that this will do if its all thats on offer, its better than no canals on TV at all!

i too used 2 eggs, it was a delia smith recipie and she suggested it would make 10 -12 panckakes, i used a brand new 20cm (small!) frying pan and got 6 nice thin pancakes nicely browned on both sides, i flipped it with a non stick frying pan to start with before tossing it properly but i dont go high i'm not brave enough! I used a tiny bit of olive oil wiped around pan with kitchen paper.

Another vote for llangollen but if you want to experience countryise take a detour and do the Monty (ooops don't tell everyone how lovely it is or it will be busy!) we have done it at least three times and each time i just want to pootle up and down and moor for longer to enjoy the peace, oh and you may gey a good show from the trainee helicpoter training thingy place!! OR Equally as interesting and a bit of a mix os sceney the caldon, especially pretty once through engine lock and well worth mooring up and taking the steam train for a different view of the canal I quite like the droitwich except not particularly good for mooring. Loved Stratford upon avon adore the shroppie River weaver is great too Oh and im also fond of the stourport end of S&W! I could go on..... but i wont much to say i think it is a personal choice and you will enjoy anywhere as it is your memories you are creating!

Well i enjoyed it - purely cause it at least showed a canal! much better than any soap drivel!

Paul forgets we were too tired to socialise last year! We went back to the boat for a little rest and woke up the next day!!! So we will do less but are thinking of a fair weather plan and a wet weather plan and praying it's not as wet as last year!

I dont think I have ever thrown anything in to the canal on purpose, though i do admit to disposing of dregs of tea in this way. We did lose a chimney hat thingy into the cut courtesy of a tree that jumped out at us! Litter is one of by bug bears and it is still littering even if it goes into the cut. I remember seeing the outside leaves of a cauliflower drifiting past my boat once, yes it will degrade but thats not really the point. We have an old metal biscuit tim (plenty about at this time of year) that we put our ash in , then it gets put on the front deck until we come to a bin to dispose of it once it has cooled.

I am miserable! I dont't mind people taking pictures of the boat if i am not on /in it but i object to becoming part of the phoograph especially without being asked, so now if i see the camera i either put my hand up to my face or, if i am not at the tiller turn my back to the camera! I can be as rude as the photographer. Worse still is when tourists of certain nationalities try to/touch or get on the boat, this is an absolute no no! I now even grumpier after an expereince on the aqauduct at llangollen where tourists were putting their heads against the window and peering into the boat, now when i expect lots of people i pull the curtains shut, I wouldn't peer through their windows so i expect the same. Though i may sound horrid i believe in manners and unfortunately i see much evidence of these disappearing! I like my privacy and don't generally "do" social media, as, i have no facebook page i object stongly to appearing on others!

please keep us informed of any updates, cant get to boat as much as i'd like at the moment but where we are there are often others about so fingers crossed.