Maggsy

Please do not use domestic bleach thick or thin in your water supply, there are many alternative products widely available and are rigorously tested and passed for human consumption. the most obvious is Milton which if used in accordance to the manufacturer's instructions are perfectly safe why else would you be using it for babies bottles etc . Domestic bleach products might use the same chemical components but they will certainly not be of a grade/ purity for use in the manner which you require, in addition do you know what other chemicals are added other than the sodium chloride/chlorine ? and what effect they will have on the water delivery system the pipes, joints, seals, pumps etc.. I work as a chef and the EHO advises us to avoid the use of "bleach" in any form as there are equally effective alternatives to use in a food preparation area. It is classed as a poison. Please be safe rather than sorry

The only advice I can offer, listen to the people on the forum, you will get a good cross section of opinions, both optimistic and pessimistic but I have learnt that they actually know what they are talking about even if its not what you want to hear. The best advice I have been given while I am searching and waiting for the boat I want is " Take your time, look at/read the details about, as many boats as you can, even trolling through various web pages can give you an insight to what to expect for a given budget ( search filters are a handy tool)

In my quest for knowledge and accepting the risk of " how long is a piece of string" analogy How long in engine hours would a reasonably maintained engine lifespan be ? to be used as a benchmark to measure potential purchases. eg. 1000k still new and smelling of paint from the factory 2000 bought second hand of Noah do not touch I do accept that the longevity depends on the treatment and care given to any engine but an avg would be helpful..

Drove there on the Monday had a lovely time, drooled over all the lovely boats, cried myself to sleep on monday night when I checked my bank acc and still short of the £128k I had set aside for my wishlist by about.... arhhh yes £128k to be exact seeing the historic boats up close was a thrill, after seeing the rebuild of Raymond on the tv a couple of years ago it was nice to see it for real.. Bought a few trinkets for my nearest an dearest ..yup I am a softy , on a light hearted note ... got fleeced by the lovely guides and scouts on litter patrol at every turn " told you I was a softy" but they did a great job and worked hard all day.. Enjoyed the music especially Murphys Marbles rendition of "Fishermans Blues" by the waterboys... Boaters and fishermen who would have thunk it Will defo go there again hopefully when I have a boat of my own ... now did I check the lining of the sofa .... (if you were still moored there on Monday ) The free boat trip went past a boat with lovely Bull Terrier sitting on its chair ( was too busy saying hi to the dog to notice the boat name

Did a trip Whitchurch to Llangollen and back last Oct (2012) hire boat so no real idea what draught it pulled...only parts we struggled, were from Trevor to Llan where you are on the non towpath side, apex's of the bends seemed to be the areas to avod and stick to the middle or err towards the towpath side if possible.. return journey was fine with no problems at all. Having said all that, if you have never done this journey then do not hesitate if you feel you can make it. this has to be one of the most spectacular on the system ohh and that Aquaduct

I intend to go to be at Crick for the monday (depending on weather) mines a Tea with a little milk and no sugar, Mrs maggsy black coffee with no sugar ( she tells me she is sweet enough, I think that no amount of sugar would help ) I will bring the biccies