Mike Tee

I think it might be - they both have that cross pole at the back for presumably a pram cover, plus the big hatch in the front where the pump hoses go in, plus the front fender is the same.

A gallon of IPA apparently- Phipps best used to do the job nicely

social distancing might work

Two questions - when did you last decoke the bottom of the stove, and what fuel are you using?(28 or 35?)

If you are a smoker, don’t while using IPA unless you want to do a Joan of Arc impression

The guy who comes out for service, installation and repair of Reflex stoves is first class. I don’t know if he will come out to a Bubble, but worth giving Lockgate a call - the systems are very similar. mrsmelly had a bad experience with a diesel stove so now hates them with a passion!

That’s interesting - choice of reduced glare or reduced temperature!

I thought it was just getting us to pay attention

Also textured paint or non slip will not glare as much - probably why many use raddle red on the roof

11. If you do go in, keep your mouth shut for as long as possible, you don't want to be swallowing any of that

Four years for fraud amounting to £480k - probably only did two in a 'soft' prison. Good job I wasn't handing out sentences, it would have been in double figures at least. eta- plus a proper flogging every year on his birthday

I When we were looking for a boat recently there was one broker (can’t remember which one and they may have changed their terms by now) who said on their website something along the lines of ‘ if you make an offer under the asking price that is accepted, and the survey shows work required, don’t expect a further reduction if the work required is less than you already have got off the asking price because you have already had £X off the asking price’. That broker had a 10% deposit scheme and it was up to them to decide if the survey report was significant enough for a reduction in accepted offer. Basically they had your 10% and you were not getting it back so you might as well carry on and buy the boat! I wouldn’t even look at their boat sales adverts. eta - just checked, it was, and still is, Nationwide Boat Sales (formally Great Haywood Boat Sales)

That has always been my feeling too. And I have always said I would not buy under some of the conditions mentioned on this thread - but!! They had the boat we wanted at a good price. Went to see it hoping it had been mis-described but it was fine. Spent a couple of hours getting into everything, and when I asked for an engine run was told no as it was a vintage. I talked about the non refundable deposit if it was a bag of nails and they were quite fair about it - in that case my deposit would be returned. Then, as I said, the seller spent the afternoon with me and all was well - luckily!

No, you make an offer subject to survey - then if the survey throws up anything significant you can try and negotiate based on repair costs. I think it’s a crap system in some ways, but if the boat you want is with a broker who has a ‘cash first’ system, then it’s a judgement call only you can make. And as you say, if there is a survey available, that is just an indication for you - only a survey commissioned by you is binding - and the surveyors agreement will have so many get out clauses you will have virtually no comeback on the surveyor but it may well point out any really bad points enough for you to walk away.

I’m not answering the question, but the broker we bought through recently had a similar £1000 non refundable deposit scheme - that was ABNB. Although I did manage to get the seller to meet me at the boat, and he gave me a really good run through of the boat including engine run and gearbox operation.

Have a word with Ed Boden - 07941 048847

If it’s a bridge, it’s one without a towpath - unless it’s artistic license in play.

We had a guy on one of our jobs in Libya - he jumped off the side of a truck which had an edge to it similar to the ones being discussed. His wedding ring caught on the edge and before he could shake it loose, the weight of his body ripped his finger clean off.

Blisworth? (its obviously a modern boat from the windows despite the steerers clothes) eta - probably not looking at the tunnel width!

You obviously didn’t know my Nana - she ran a big busy pub in Corby right through the last war. Her husband was well over 6’ and built like the proverbial but she was the one who sorted out any trouble!

We have a hydraulic drive and its fine, no issues (so far!). Feels no different to a 'normal' gearbox - the plus for us is with a trad backcabin, the floor is the same level as the rest of the boat, although its a big step down from the back door.

If you are prepared to go with a modern one, have a look at ‘Harworth Heating’ in their boat section. Diesel or Multi-Fuel. Be prepared, eye wateringly expensive!

I’m not sure if I’d voluntarily live in a house with bars on the windows!

There is still a small shop near the top of the flight - my only interest in it is that it sells Magnum ice creams! But yes, it does still stock lots of canal related ware. Just done a bit more digging, and there was a small shop attached to the New Inn by the top lock but I believe this closed in the late 1970’s. https://longbuckbywharf.wordpress.com/category/canal/ Read down to ‘Buckby can’s’ - this has a bit about the shop