Crabtree

GONGOOZLED http://www.gongoozled.com A website dedicated to the inland waterways of the UK. Users can draw their own cruise routes, submit cruise diaries and submit and review their favourite waterways locations using the interactive map.

Nice pics, I love that time of day. Lets hope we have many more like that this summer.

Not good news, do you know what parts of the GU have been targeted? Shame for a small minority to ruin the safe and peaceful feeling of the canals.

Hi there, Tickover should really be the fastest you should go past moored boats but if you feel that your tickover it running to high you could ease it out of drive now and again to stop the boat going too fast. The tickover can be adjusted on the engine, just trace to where the morse cable leads to the engine where there is usually a screw that can be adjusted, just watch the the effect the morse lever has on the engine end to work out whether to loosen or tighten the screw

It may not be your thing, but I once met a couple who retired and travelled the canal system, to subsidise their travels they both took up hobbies that could make themselves extra money whilst travelling, between them they sold home made rope fenders and framed polaroid photos of people on their boating holidays. I always believe where there is a will there is a way.

Yes we would have liked to have got to Lechlade but due to there being so much to see along the way we ran out of time. Thrupp was a lovely place to stop, also The Wharf at Fenny compton, where do I begin?

Below is a link to the map of the cruise taken by NB Idle Times from Napton Junction down the southern section of the Oxford Canal towards dukes cut where the Oxford meets the Thames: http://www.gongoozled.com/members/idle-times/maps/routes/our-cruise-down-the-oxford-canal/

That kinda explains why I'd heard that its not unlucky to rename a boat it you do it when it's been taken out of the water and relaunched. We renamed ours after buying her and having her re bottomed. All good so far :-)

You'll find that if the cupboards are cool during the winter then the fridge won't be working as hard anyway, Locating the fridge backed up to a the cabin sides helps and top loaded fridges are super economical also.

I'd always had an obsession with narrowboats as long as I can remember, I hadn't realised how far back until my Mum showed me last year a load of paintings I had made in primary school and they were all of narrowboats and canals

Believe it or not we grow sweetcorn on the roof of our boat each year, love the stuff. We have a block of 9 plants each with its own individual large pot, the heat reflected off the roof really seems to agree with them. We just have to make sure we move them down onto the front deck when we are underway to avoid premature harvesting from low bridges!

Exciting stuff! sounds as though you're certainly organised which will certainly set you in good stead. There's always those things that you can't plan for but there's some knowledgeable people here that I'm sure will keep you on the right track. All the best!

Hi I have someone submit a blog on the website who has aparrently successfully achieved this on a narrowboat: http://www.gongoozled.com/solar-hot-water-on-a-narrowboat/ Hope this is usefull

Congratulations Alan, look forward to hearing about your experiences! Enjoy experimenting with the stove and getting used to life afloat!