haggis

To throw a cat among the pigeons, why do boats slow down when passing moored boats? Surely if the moored boat was moored properly it wouldn't move. Ok, if the boat is on pins it it not easy to moor so securely, but on rings or Armco it should be possible to moor in such a way that passing boats don't move your boat at all. Perhaps we are tackling the problem of moving boats from the wrong angle. Stands back and waits for the sparks to fly 😀

That's odd! I just looked on the C&RT web site (I was looking for more info on a stoppage) and the whole of the Leeds and Liverpool was shown as "navigation restriction" but no red dots for "closures". Have you a hot line which I can't see? 🙂

Good plan, MrsM. The two most important commands I taught my dogs when I took them boating were "stay on the boat" (when I get off at locks and didn't want them to come with me) and "back on the boat". This command I found very useful and I could use it from quite a distance. I think I probably taught the commands by using the word and rewarding the correct action and i don't remember it taking any dog long to pick it up.

There are quite a lot of boats but mainly residential and they don't go anywhere. The Lowland canals are not very long and it doesn't take long to boat from end to end of them both and the lack of " new places to go " means that those with leisure moorings don't go boating as often as they would if there was more to explore. I must admit that we fall nto this category and do almost all of out boating down south. When we were all working hard to get the canals reopened there were a lot of " opening events " which we all went to. In those days it was a challenge to go anywhere and what now takes an hour or so used to take about 6 hours fighting the weed . I think the enthusiasm was reduced when boating became less of a challenge. A shame really as they are beautiful canals. The main users of the canals now are the hire boats with folk being drawn to the Wheel and the Kelipies.

Sorry, no photos as I am a rubbish photographer. I just love the beautiful stone bridges on this canal and the little bridges on the feeder from the river Almond are in the same style. Very twee. A busy day today ! Saw 5 moving boats, all hire boats making their way back to Falkirk. I have enjoyed my few days on gamebird and the fact that we had no rain and lots of sun helped. Marina opening tomorrow then home

After too long a gap we are having a few days on gamebird, our little Sea Otter on the Union canal - or to give it it's proper title, the Edinburgh and Glasgow union canal. It is so quiet - one moving boat yesterday and another today, both hire boats. This is such a beautiful canal with masses of daffodils ( still in flower ) along the towpaths and trees just coming into green. We won't be able to go down the Wheel this trip as we are taking part in the hand over of a new marina at Winchburgh to Scottish Canals on friday. I feel a bit guilty for having neglected gamebird and out local canal for so long but KELPIE beconned

That rings a bell.

As well as going to the Plume Feather we have walked up the hill and turned left where there is ( or was ) s very good pub with good food. Worth the walk

Good to see that the front fender Iain made for Copperkins all those years ago is still in existence!

I thought Stimpson had retired. A canal society I was involved with had an unfortunate experience with him years ago when he gave us an insurance certificate from a company who had no knowledge of our boat. It transpired that Stimpson had undertaken to insure the boat himself but had led us to believe we were insured with a " proper' insurance company

Unusual for a relatively young boat to be surveyed every 4 years. The Boat Safely Certificate requires an inspection every 4 years. Could this be what is being termed a survey? The BSS is aimed at ensuring that a boat has safe gas and electricity on board so that it doesn't blow up and take out other boats. It is nothing to do with hull thickness etc.

I've wondered about that! I usually remember to book a day in advance but I have forgotten occasionally and have gone onto the Bridgewater anyway. I survived to tell the tale 🙂

The Manchester Ship Canal is a completely different thing regarding rules etc. I don't think you can go on it "for a few days" you can only use it to transit between Manchester, Ellesmere Port and the Weaver. I dont know all the rules now but perhaps someone could point you in the right direction.

No, its not true. You will have a BSS which covers you for the bridgewater. At least a day before you go onto the Bridgewater, go to your bit (ie log in) of the C & RT web site and go to book your passage (or similar) and it will tell you the rules for C&RT boats using the bridgewater.

10 surely 🙂

I have just read on FB that the NBTA are having a stand at Cavalcade and they are looking for people to hand out their leaflets. I am extremely disappointed that the IWA have allowed NBTA to have a stand. Especially as the aim of this years event it to publicise the fact that C&RT need more money. Why, oh why, are they allowing people who actually campaign to deprive C &RT of money to have a stand and publicise their aims?

Personally, I just can't understand why Allan Richards and co spend so much time making Freedom on Information requests and digging into the realms of C&RT papers to produce such negative posts here and on Narrowboatworld.. He never says if his delving produces something positive . It is all very one sided. I, many years ago, took a case to the Ombudsman (and won) about licences for shared boats and Allan was helpful, as were other share boat owners,. However, thanks to Sally Ash BW changed the goal posts and another case had to be presented and Allan sort of took over the running. I stepped back when I saw that he was managing perfectly well on his own with the back up of other owners. I don't know what has happened since to make Allan so anti C&RT to the extent he is. I liked Allan but not so keen on the person going under the name now. Wonder if it is someone else 🙂

I mentioned Northwich as the original poster said he was on the Bridgewater and was travelling down to Beeston. No idea if he is on his way or if it is a plan for the future. If it is the latter he will pass the Anderton lift which is a short distance from the Dry Dock and a detour might fit in with his plans.

Nice dry looking dry dock but it looks like you may not be able to get access to your base plate if you wanted to do it. Probably the wrong end of the Trent and Mersey for you but Northwich Dry Dock on the Weaver do a good job (including base plate) either DIY or done for you.

That reminds me. Himself will need to repair kelpies tiller before we go boating again. The short tiller and I weren't a good match 🙂

Ah, memory failing again ! mention of a PDF reminded me that we got that attached to an email. In days of yore we actually got a printed certificate bearing the BSS stamp and that is what I remembered. 🙂

I don't think you get a copy of the BSS certificate now. The details are posted onto your boats details area in C&RT and that is where I check when renewal is due although I seem to remember getting an email telling me that the BSS expiry is imminent.

Over the years I have tried many anti midge products , including Deet, and the only one which works for me is Skin so Soft BUT it has to be on before the midges find you . I also have net over the head thing which I have resorted to when I am too late with the Skin so Soft. If plane times don't suit, I think your idea of a 2 day drive up, a few days on a boat then a 2 day trip back sounds good.

Could you not have moored a bit nearer to save you a long walk to the pub?