DillyDally

Mac of Cygnet, massive thanks and we owe you a large glass of vino for the recommendation of mooring above lock 31E... The mooring is to die for. We've got a tunnel passage booked for Wednesday but we're seriously considering putting it back to Friday to stay at least a couple of nights here!!!

I love this site... We've just pulled into Huddersfield this evening and I'm sitting here trying to work out how long it'll take us and where to moor en-route to the tunnel entrance based on my average 10 locks per day. Quick search on here and I find the answer to my mooring question yet again. So now I can work out when we'll be going through the tunnel in order to allow for the 3 days notice - Looks like Monday then!

Hi Peeps, we're en-route for Standedge Tunnel in the next 7 days or so (we're moored at Brighouse for the next day or so and haven't booked yet) and moh is getting a little nervous about the tunnel. I kind of do all the planning and research and have assured him that a chaperone will be on the stern with him (according to this thread and the CRT site) but have also said that if he's not comfortable doing it he must tell me... I said I'd check with you peeps (and will ring CRT tomorrow) that there is definitely always a chaperone accompanying the helmsman?

Usually there are moorings rings too at these designated sites. We like using them for all the reasons that nicknorman mentioned and tend to 'look for them on the e-canal mapp app' whilst travelling.

So, as it seems we are in the minority regardless of whether we pay a license fee or not, the towpaths are officially being given-over to cyclists, being renamed 'National Cycle Network' and no longer being referred to as towpaths. We are the ones who are going to have to 'be on our guard' not them I'm afraid. It must be frustrating if you are hard of hearing and I sympathise as a lot of folks (like moh) despise wearing hearing aids for one reason or another... I really don't know what the answer is for you other than be extremely carefull if you are hard of hearing whilst on the 'NCN'!!!

Shared on a FB and Tweeted... Hope you're reunited soon! xx

Thanks peeps - you've put our minds at rest. Good idea about the springs Chalky, shame we haven't got any, I'll put them on the Chandlery shopping list. It's only 24 hrs so sure it'll fine this time! :-)

Hi, We've just moored on the offside 24hr moorings in Stone on the T&M. I said we'd get into a gap left between 2 boats but moh wasn't convinced... We did it without incident but we're touching fenders - the guy behind was ok with this and even came out to budge his boat up a little but moh is worried about what the guy in front is going to say when he gets back. Just thought I'd ask your opinions - should we move on? https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152057197017854&set=pcb.10152057199542854&type=1&theater I took a few snaps and posted them on my FB page but I'm not sure if you'll be able to see them from the link I've pasted in above!

Which auto toploader have you got Dav_P?

I can vouch for the Pershore one (on the Avon), used it just last week. Much better machines than the launderette at Ellesmere!

Thanks John, It would seem we were given the said leaflet which I confess I did read. My problem is I have too many navigational aids (Nicholsons, WaterExplorer, e-canal mapp, CanalPlanAC etc) and this particular leaflet and it's info got over-looked in my confusion. I'm guessing the elsan points are noted as 'Tip out facility' on the leaflet (what else could it be). Also it seems they have re-names all the locks differently to the Nicholsons just to confuse me even more... Doesn't take much these days!

Resurrecting this post as we're currently on the River Avon heading to Tewksbury and struggling to find elsan points... Wish I'd read this thread earlier then I'd have found out about the Elsan available at Cox's boat yard Stratford on Avon!!! Anyhow, this afternoon we arrived at Bidford only to find the VMs full and unfortunately now moored too far past the elsan point at Bidford Boats (no moorings available here either). Heading to Evesham tomorrow and hoping there's one at Evesham Marina... Fingers and legs crossed! ;-)

We arrived yesterday afteroon and plan on stopping another night. There are about a dozen mooring spaces on short jetties and a couple of linear mooring spots. When we arrived yesterday about half the spaces were free and I'm guessing it'll be the same today. Are you here yet?

Good to hear you arrived safely, hope you're fully refreshed this morning. There were a lot of chinese whispers going around but we too got moving about 10ish. Was quite funny at one point when one boat who'd been there for a number of days got upset that another boat podged the queue. The podger arrived quite late on Sunday evening and went straight past all the other boats not realising we were all queueing. Upset a few as they all struggled past him on the lock landing rather than just let him go... Jeez, what's up with folks!!! Anyway, we made it on the the BCN with all good intentions of mooring at Cuckoo Wharf. Unfortunately when we got there at about 4.30ish there was a sign saying it was 'residential mooring only'. We pushed off only to then see the 14 day moorings a little further on (although I couldn't see anything about visitor moorings), in the confusion we carried on but by this time I was getting worried we'd have to do the whole 20+ locks into Gas Street. Fortunately we spotted some offside moorings just after Aston Lock 9 at Crystal Court... Turned out to be just fine, not 'countryside' pretty but very secure with lots of CCTV and a security watchman patrolling every hour. http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a197/JPlowman/The%20Cats%20Whiskers/Tewksbury%20Trip/057_zpsf02be5cb.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a197/JPlowman/The%20Cats%20Whiskers/Tewksbury%20Trip/060_zps47268334.jpg http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a197/JPlowman/The%20Cats%20Whiskers/Tewksbury%20Trip/058_zps4e3aecf7.jpg

Looks like it's a go... Just heard from CRT (via man on boat in front) are on the way down from Minworth locks opening the locks up!

Hiya Dave, We're back of the queue at the other end (Curdworth bottom lock) with 3 boats in front of us waiting to go up the locks. Being ever pessimistic that they'll all be passable tomorrow. ;-)

Another virtual greenie from me Lady M (why can't I give a real one)... Brilliant and precisely informative post!

Yeah, just been looking on Caldwells site (amongst many more) but ours are actually glued onto the window and the catch swivels around on the base... I think from my searching they maybe a type of 'fitch' catch but who knows? I'll email Caldwells an enquiry with my photo... You never know! Anyway, thanks anyway for going to the trouble of replying and posting your photo Kwacker! :-)

Hi folks, I stupidly dropped the upper half of our bathroom porthole window out the frame. It smashed on the gunwale and straight into the cut so we've lost the catch too! Anyway, that was about a month ago. I've been trying to get a replacement locally since with no luck... Probably because it's an Aqualine, made in Poland. I've emailed Poland as a last resort today to get a replacement so now awaiting their reply. Meanwhile does anyone know anywhere in UK that may sell these catches? Photo attached (if I managed to figure out how to upload it properly)...

Well done Dean for keeping your cool both here and on the boat! ;-)

Loving this thread for the entertainment value... Jeez there's some witty folks on this forum!

We'll be going through Napton tomorrow, we're 6' 10" so should be ok. I'll report back if any probs!

Oh dear, I just saved the route and then tried to post a link of it to my FB page and the site's crashed... Hope I haven't killed it with my route.