itinerant baker

One thing I was thinking about recently was the possibility of generating some power from the flow of a river whilst you where moored on it, perhaps as a way of powering a bilge pump.

Does a figure given for displacement = weight? or not (or sort of?) I'm specifically looking at a yacht at the moment but would be interested in hearing about other craft as well. My specific query is can the figure given for displacement be used to work out weight so I know what to tow it with from a legal/not breaking the vehicle standpoint.

Cheers everyone, keep em coming if you have any more (especially any more Thames based ones). I'll try and look at a couple of the recommended places this/next week. @WJM: is the old gas works the patch of park by the island and that arts centre type thing? I've always wondered about those boats.

If anyone is afraid of other people and what they may do to you I'd advise you to find a good dojo and take up Aikido - it will teach you self defence but will also teach you a lot about yourselves.

Cheers Chris, I thought they had something at the same point on the GU as Packet Boat Marina, if you look at their locations section on their website it mentions it but it looks like the same place. Strictly speaking it probably is - but I don't want to get wet feet! ta, that's a useful link that I'd found before but overlooked until you reminded me. Also, thanks to MoominPapa, Bonganbiru, Saltysplash (will look out for that chippy next time I'm there) and Wrigglefingers for the first or close to first hand experiences - I'll be seriously considering High Line. One thing I have noticed from Google Earth is that a lot of the boats moored there seem to be doubled up, how does this work on a practical level. Anyone got any recommendations for anywhere further south? What's the Thames like - expensive?

So if Packet Boat Marina is the large basin you can see on google earth, which is High Lines area at that junction?

Last time I was in Tewksbury I noticed the grain barges Chacely and Tirley had gone from their mooring by the flour mills, and I've just found a website that mentions they where taken to Sharpness to be surveyed in March last year. (mentioned here: http://www.severntales.co.uk/grain.htm and pics of final journey here: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/chriswitts/G...nTheRiverSevern ) Anyone know what their ultimate fate was?

Been looking on ebay (always a dangerous thing to do) and saw this wooden motor yacht: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=004 Might be an interesting project for someone on here but beyond what I'm able or prepared to do at the mo. Would be a shame to see it broken up.

Cheers Chris will look into them - anyone on here moor with them? Have had a look at them on Google earth, and the Slough Branch and Northolt yards don't look to be in the most salubrious neck of the woods! Anyone been there and care to comment? Other than that they are very well placed for what I need. Sorry Carl, my buns don't come out all that moist, but my bread is always well risen.

I'm looking for a pied a terre mooring west of London, ideally between Slough and Heathrow/ Rickmansworth and Woking though I'll consider other areas. Anyone got anything to recommend (or avoid). PM's welcomed if you don't want to shout about it on the open board for any reason. I won't be there all the time, I just need a base as I'd get more work around London if I had somewhere to stay. Haven't got a boat yet, but I'm probably going to be looking for something like a 25ft cruiser for now - though I'd like to upgrade to something bigger at some point. I often work odd hours so access would need to be flexible, though I'd also want security because I wouldn't be there all the time. Cheers in advance.

Anyone used one of these gas level indicators? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A:IT&ih=008 Tempted to get one, though I can't quite figure out how they work (unless it's based on temperature in the same way as those liquid crystal type thermometers.)

One idea I thought about if I ever got onto water was to have a pontoon garden beside the boat, with water being wicked up from underneath. Anyone tried anything like this? I'm sure there are a thousand complications I haven't thought of.

Was it Dave or Julie who wrote that? For those who've got shore leave in Manchester nowadays, try the Pacific restaurant in china town (by the square/car park with the oriental stylee fencing.) One floor is Chinese and the other is Thai and there both top quality nosh. Had a meal there last week and it was amazing.