blokman14

Same with us during our recent journey from Lapworth to Rufford, we noticed loads of dragonflies around the Trafford Park area in Manchester, we also saw a couple of Kingfishers in the same area and oooh a rather large rat!!

Thanks for that Noah, appreciate the advice. Regards Rob

Can you get a family member to act as a guarantor for any loan that you apply for, not necessarily a marine mortgage, perhaps a personal loan?

Any chance of raising mortgage on property?

I was only 15 at the time!!!! We will give you a wave on th eway past. Regards

Thanks for that, last time we passed through Eccles on a boat[25yrs ago] I sampled my first and worst Indian curry, I think things have probably improved since then.

Cheers Liam, Is the cruising club beyond the M60 bridge heading out of Worsley? Arriving Thursday could well be a bit optimistic as we have'nt done any boating for some 25 years!!! So Friday could well be a more realistic proposition. Regards Rob

At last we are leaving Lapworth on Friday for our long awaited journey North to our new mooring at Rufford, anyone sees us NB Edna Frances, give us a wave. Has anyone any ideas for overnight moorings around the Worsley area, should be around the area by next Thursday. Regards Rob

Well said, my last experience on the canals was some twenty five years ago and my have they changed. My perception seems to indicate that BW and their paymasters are waking up to the fact that they have a cash cow in the canal system and the associated infrastructure, my reawakened interest in the canals and boating has made me realise that big changes are afoot what with all the proposed canalside developments etc that keep being mentioned in the press. I for one hope that overnight mooring fees don't rear their ugly head, surely that is why we have a licence fee?

Thanks for that David, makes it very clear now. Regards

Many thanks for the information, can you clarify the bit about the drainage tubes? I can see Johns point about the depth from the deck down to the propellor and I 'spose the different positions have there pros and cons. With the trip to bring the boat back fro down country due to take place in the next couple of weeks, I will have a chance to test how accessible/inaccessible the current arrangement is, hopefully not too many times!!

In view of imminent purchase of boat, I noticed that the only way to access the weedhatch is by removing engine cover and becoming contortionist below rear trad deck from engine compartment. Is it feasible to cut deck plate and create trapdoor? Any ideas on likely costs etc Regards Rob

Hi Daniel, Yes we are booked in at the Fettlers Wharf Marina just south of the old Mayors boatyard, tried to find somewhere near to Skipton but moorings are like rocking horse s*** round that area!! The boat is a 60' Mel Davis Trad, three years old, very low hours on the Barrus engine, tidy fitout full portholed elevations etc. Looking forward to the trip, looks like we will travel via Gas Street, Staffs & Worcs, Trnt Mrsy, Bridgewater then onto L&L.

Cheers Yoda, I'll do my best not to "scrape" the sides and hope not to scrap the sides for a few years yet!!!

Good evening everyone, new to the forum and last boating experience 25yrs ago, but now taken the plunge with narrowboat purchase!! Has anyone any constructive advice, our maiden voyage begins with a cruise from Lapworth Junction up to Rufford on the L&L. any information on routes troublespots sites etc etc will be much appreciated. We hope to complete the journey within 2 weeks due to holidays...... is this realistic?