woodjam

Community spirit I will see when I navigate the Wigan flight single handed in a wide beam. How many boaters are community minded when I slow them down. But who knows there might be 100,000 willing volunteers.

Wo I dont take offence I take a gate its a lot lighter.Betty your not a numpty. Mrs T Life is about having fun even on line. My opening question was to stimulate debate on what happens to us free spirits when we are either single handed or Over the age of 70. Getting off the water is not an option for many. Unless they are carted off to care homes. Perhaps another venture for crt. Care home moorings. With zimmer frames made to look like rudders.

So no community spirit on here then .. I Am surprised.

Actually there is a problem but it is that the average age of boaters is getting on for 60, boating has been sold for years as a peaceful, relaxing pastime, drifting along with a glass of wine and talking to the coots, the reality is usually not quite like that but by the time you can afford a boat you are likely to be retired, It can be hard work and I fear for the health and safety of some of the people I see. Poling a narrowboat off the bottom is one thing but a damn great heavy wide boat is something else. Yes a lot of elder boaters. The majority I have met are fit and full of zest for life. Polling a wide beam. Even at the tender age of 53 and several younger passing walkers the fat bird still sat happy as a pig in mud. Perhaps there is an opportunity. I can see some one suggesting a canal lock zimmer frame. Or even a panic button on each obstacle on the canal attended by Smiling angelic emergency lock keepers.

Wow I am impressed quite I diverse array of opinions on this subject. Just to clarify. I am 54 and single handed on a wide beam Fit and enjoying the life I lead. I was concerned that the old people of the water ways have to struggle or give up there life a float.. So if the consensus is the CRT just look after the waterways. Surely manning the locks and assisting people to access the water comes under there jurisdiction. Under duty of care to boaters. Question would you help an elderly boater through a flight of locks or just curse.That they are slowing you down.

After watching Prunella and Richard trying to navigate The K and A A though came to me. With all the new people coming to the canals. What will happen when they are older eg a bit like pru. Going a bit forgetfull. Or just a divorced guy or girl trying to manage the system on there own. With all the lock keepers being made redundant and a handful of volunteers being left to do there jobs.How about the CRT LOOKING INTO THIS POTENTIAL MAJOR PROBLEM. In this age of diversity surely they should help the single boaters or elderly boater to keep there independence. Not remove there passage to independence.. Any ideas or thoughts.how single handed elderly can keep on cruising.

Good luck to Prue. Battling old age. Bashing boats. mmm Forgetting things. forgetting to un tie. sounds very familiar. Did any one get the issue line phone number.

Hi can any one recommend a wood burner fitter. Woodjam is moored in Lancashire. Wide beam if that helps. Alan

I have used car under seal to keep the hull above the water line water proof zebart style stuff. Easy to apply. Roller on and with a long pole you can virtually get every where that needs it.. Do not use on deck as i did it never seams to set but fine so far on the hull.

Lucky you we got stuck near to the bottom. We had to fllod the pond just to get off the bank. we are going up on Friday so hope fully we have a good run up/

Yes if you build your own bussiness risk every thing including you mind. You end up as a nanny,social services and an unpaid tax collector. Plus when hrmc make a mistake you are the one who has to prove that they have c,,ked up wher when and who. waite for an hour whilst they answer the phone. The talk to the call centre who cannot deal with the issue.so waite another 3 days and another person who cant deal with it who will pass you to another person who usually works job share and she is off on maternity leave/ Argh. So when eventually you get to discuss the issue. You are late with there mistaken payment so you have to pay the fine. Then go to apeal to get your money back.But due to the time delay .You have timed out and you have incured a fine plus interest. Imagine the arguements over the propulsion vs heating.

UK to challenge European Commission over red diesel Thank YOU rya and bmf now thats how to lobby the goverment.

jUST to clarify 1 I only posted the petition/ 2 The posting has stimulated discusion and a good debate.Thank you. 3 Is this tax the thin end of the wedge. If the pettition is so far off the mark and iliterate what is the point that we can unite behind to try and stop the increase in tax and enforcement.

Educated lucky you . When I was twelve I was dragged screaming down ta pits crawling on my knees for six miles. Till I got to the coal face then had to pick at the coal wit my finger nails. Till flat cap was full then crawl back to pit head to deliver my cap full of coal. Paid a groat a week Whilst you were in college. The whole point of pasting the petition was to raise awareness of the position. Yet trying to get a voice for boaters. So when you have the extra tank fitted for the white diesel and the additional charges and taxes that will be taken from you. May be Next enforced emission for canal boats in line with trucks and cars Then what. Then maybe you will wish you had signed the illiterate petition.

Illiterate worded sentence or construction of the argument is surely a typical beaujourais reply.and missing the point. When the cannals were mainly used and worked by the populas. In other words the working classes blue or white collor workers. The point to me and many on here is why can The eu impose a tax on us. The farmers get exemptions where as Hauliers do not get the same treatment.Even if they are carrying farm produce to market. When the (illierate or not pettition gets another 90,000.00 signitures it gets time in front of the house of comons. Result Publicity. This will make the elected realise that boaters are a united voice that they need to try and keep on side. This might even give us better canals or a decent voice on the future of the inland water ways. So may I suggest that its time to bury our differences and unit for a bigger voice in the future of our passion messing around in boats. Our circum navigation of the inland water ways.

More bad news for boaters. The petition says. We want the British Government to stand up for the British People and over-rule the EU over the attempt to stop boaters on Britain's Canal and Inland Waterways network lawfully using Red Diesel. Ultimately we want the right to use Red Diesel for propulsion on leisure boats restored. Join the campaign. Have you signed this petition? So far more than 750 people have, including us here at Towpath Talk. It’s aimed at preventing the EU from taking away the right to use red diesel from leisure boaters on the inland waterways: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/52421 What is your opinion on the European Union attacking Live aboard boaters. Are we being victimised.

Very true. We built wood jam . A self build is a lot of work. A lot of hardwork but worth the effort. We painted woodjam ourselves, With Tony my sign writting mate. Some great times were had getting it like a mirror finnish. Lots of hardwork flatting off between coats. In Hign sight Just prime the boat under coat many times, and leave it. On our travels even at the pub last night as we were having a meal we could ear the faint sound of a boater sanding his pride and joy. The up keep of a boat is a labour of love. Solar panels is a must if you are a continual cruiser. Free power give it me. What are VMS. .Moving on today . Were is you fav spot on the canals.

When i build the next one it will be grey primmer.Black bottom and a big rubber buffer all the way round. Hi Dean trees are part of the fun and missery. Yes scratches are all part of the boating life. How are you doing with the build any progress Iam still confused isnt a bage a flat bottomed vessel designed for canals. Still got lotts to learn

Did you not only just have your new boat painted? Why has it got rust patches after 5 weeks and why have you just repainted the roof? Or have I misunderstood you? I would expect a paint job to last a bit more than 5 weeks. Wood jam had a dark roof and with the heat and sun. last 5 weeks. We were cooking inside.Our St bernard dog was suffering too with the heat. So I repainted the roof. Cream to reflect some of the heat. Woodjam. Is cruising the L and L. Not sat in a marina. No rust just a few scuffs and scratches that if not protected would turn into Rust.

5 weeks of living on board and yes she does get scuffed. Dented and the odd rust spot. We are chilled and loving it. stuck on the l and l waiting to get into Liverpool but plenty of time to fill the dents and paint the roof now cream. Deflects the heat lovelly. Cream matt on larger panels to deflect the suns glare. With a stiff mix of grit sand looks and feel great no more slipping. Gloss strips with rougher grit mix all matching cream. Ps found a great company that will match to any paint. HMG Manchester Coach enamel paint 2.5 ltrs for under 50.00 delivered. Thanks for all your tips and advice. Any tips of what to do in Liverpool.

Glad you are enjoying your trip up north. We are stranded on the L and L trying to get to Lancaster or Liverpool. But the CART keep on loosing our application/ Next try registered post. gOOD SIDE WE HAVE FOUND AN AMAZING pLACE TO MOOR AND CRUIZE. Tranquil great country side near to the shops and the Cart water staitions. We will keep the location just for northerners.

We are loving it a part from the wigan flight. 21 locks in 8 hours On a wide beam. We are now on week 3 of the adventure. Alls good Learning all new social skills and practical skills.

Hi And thanks for your advice. We are on week 3 of living on board. Sat in tarleton trying to get a space tp get on the Lancaster canal. CART seam to be fully booked for all trips across. Yet we have Sean few boats pass us on the way up to the Ribble. We are constantly phoning wigan office but to avail. Is there a secret password that we need to use.

Thanks for all the useful advice. We are now on week 2 of living on board and its going well. Bilge pumps are they problem matic.