caspar

Definitely the correct method in my opinion and it seems to be gaining popularity among the doggy loving boaters, I have a plastic garden trowel as my preferred implement.

I would head south for Anderton and Middlewich, you have only one lock before Middlewich, so plenty of chance to get used to handling the boat. Anderton is definitley worth a stop to look at the lift, plenty of moorings and a pub. Middlewich is about four hours further on so you that might be enough for another day, or you might carry on and turn right at the junction and lock up onto the Shroppie. The next section to Barbridge Junction (three or four hours) is a beautiful stretch with plenty of rural mooring opportunities, look out for the Shropshire Union Canal Society moorings where you'll be treated to short grass and mooring rings. There are a couple of pubs and moorings once you have turned left at Barbridge Junction, I would then cruise on for another half hour and turn right at Hurleston Junction up onto the Llangollen Canal. You should get as far as Wrenbury (about three hours) before turning round and retracing your steps (don't worry about this it all looks very different going the other way!. Again it is a lovely rural cruise up to Wrenbury with quite a few of thoe SUCS mooring sites. Take your time and enjoy it, don't worry about destinations it's the getting there that is so enjoyable.

Not far off though, we were both moored in Ellesmere about a year ago as now.

Just before the weather wearmed up we started using Hot Max http://www.hotmax.co.uk/ Gets hot very quickly, little ash and is environmentally friendly. Not sure about the economics hyet as we haven't been using it that long.

Two Jenny Wren's together in Bugsworth Basin two weeks ago...no sign of Sir Christopher though!

Of course you are quite right he could be totally innocent, although I don't think he was coming along to warn me or surely he would have engaged me in conversation, he just wished me a goodnight as he passed.

I disturbed a couple of young local scrotes at 12.30am one night when moored close to Fazeley Junction, apparently they were in the process of setting me adrift. On closer inspection though it looked more like they were trying to pinch the rope as they had removed it entirely from the dolly, it was fairly new and of good quality As I started to re-moor the boat, out of the shadows walking along the towpath came the boater moored a few boat lengths behind me, who had given the appearance of being a bit of a fixture on the mooring...I just got the feeling the scrotes could have been stealing to oreder for this boater, on the other hand of course I may be doing this chap an enormous disservice and he was just out for a late night walk. Has anyone had any problems with thieving fellow boaters?

Decided to give the SO another chance last Friday night as we were passing and had guests on board, fortunately we came up trimps this time as the food was good. The place was really humming and musicians started arriving about 9pm, sitting at tables and taking it in turns to play and sing. All in all a good night was had by all.

Why would you be southern 'cos you get the pronunciation wrong?....we're about 150 miles north of Brewood!

We'll be heading off down the Shroppie again in a few weeks and every time we do I get to thinking about pronouncing names correctly. We have made this journey many times and naturally pass through Brewood (Brood) before turning left or right at Autherley. I had been pronouncing Brewood as Breewud until being embarrassingly put in my place with much laughter when chatting to a group of fellow boaters a few years back. Cholmondeston lock is not far from where we mooor, but as we do not live locally I have no idea how to pronounce it. How do you prounce it and what other names out there on the system might catch us out?

Had mine done yesterday by Mark Edwards at Swanley for £140. He was very thorough (took 4 hours), is very handy for the boat and very flexible with the timing of the appointment...I live 160 miles from the boat!

We'll be passing through by boat probably on Sunday, but maybe Monday. We will definitely want to stop and have a look around, but will there be any where to moor for a minimum of several hours, but possibly overnight?

I was asked recently by a chap walking the towpath if I knew of any hire boat companies that offer an accompanied cruise service. The guy who asked is wanting the autonomy and provacy of a hire boat rather than the more structured and social world of a hotel boat, but would not be able to manage the more strenuous parts of hiring (lock operation, lift and swing bridge operation, mooring, casting off, etc). Ideally he is looking for help only for certain parts of his holiday, so wouldn't want a stranger on board with him. Does anyone know of any companies that might offer this service, either by meeting his boat en route, or by accompanying him on another boat?

We'll be keeping well away from Middlewich after getting stuck in seemingly endless queues for locks last Easter. Hope to be heading Market Drayton way

I too knew a couple that lived aboard their boat in Naburn marina. I think they lived there for a couple of years, however it was four or five years ago now so the situation might have changed. What about Lemonroyd marina near Castleford http://bwml.co.uk/marina.php?marina_id=57

Personally I would much prefer Selby...on the canal rather than the river. However I do know that you might have to moor breasted up with another boat, it might cause inconvenience in getting "stuff" on and off the boat.

As you mention Selby, if it's not too far away http://www.selby-boat-centre.co.uk/

Have you tried Naburn Marina http://www.yorkmarina.co.uk/

Apparently David Dimbleby was seen boating on the Llangollen this summer, but not sure if it was his own boat or hired.

Not sure Mark...I really need to check that don't I...why do I not think of the obvious?

Thanks for your replies guys and replies to your questions are: There is a switch arrangement so that only one of either the shore line or travelpower can supply the boat. I started the engine with the shore line hooked up, which I never normally do, but thinking about it after your comments that should be OK...shouldn't it? It is a Victron Inverter/Charger control panel, and there is a knob to adjust the current, and the batteries are being charged OK from the shore line. The problem I have had is when I have switched over to Travelpower, started the engine and the control panel only lights "inverter" and not "mains on" and "float" as normal, so therefore I am assuming no charge to the batteries. Yes I have the travelpower alternator and two others.

Having only a very limited knowledge of the mechanical side of narrowboating, I could do with your help please. We have just returned from a weekend on the boat and I noticed when I started the engine that the "mains on" and "float" lights were not lit on the display, but only the inverter light as if the boat was stopped. I am presuming that this suggests that the engine is not charging the batteries. I checked the belts and tightened where necessary but the result didn't change except...occasionally the "mains on" and "float" would light, but when rev's were increased the display reverted back to inverter only. We didn't venture out, but stayed put in the marina connected to the shore line, so the batteries were kept fully charged. We also have a travelpower fitted to the engine. Any ideas please on the next steps in the fault finding process? BTW, I don't know if this has any significance but for some inexplicable reason the first time I started the engine this weekend I inadvertantly did so whilst still coupled to the shoreline...and left the engine running for 30 mins, not sure if this can cause any damage.

I must admit I was a little surprised when cassoulet was not on their published menu. Maybe it should take pride of place as their signature dish. To be fair though they do take suggestions for dishes and will cook them for you if possible. We had a good od fashioned Sunday roast with all the trimmings...gorgous!