haggis

Day 2. Set off this morning and the first boat we met was at Crofton aqueduct. It got a bit more challenging for the apprentice steerer when we encountered a few boats moored on lock landings but I assume they thought with the canals being quiet that no one would want to use them 😀, all the Middlewich locks were against us and we waited for boats coming down at Wardle and Stanthorne. We have a meal booked in Barbridge tomorrow night so to split the journey we have moored just after bridge 26 and we are sitting here enjoying the sunshine. Noticed that a new ladder has been installed tow path side in Wardle lock. Bought some coffee logs and they stink and put out a lot of smoke. They will be used in emergencies only 😀

Another boat moving by trailer is Ray Bower. Like Tuckeys he has been moving boats for years

Tha plan is a couple of weeks which includes New Year .

I thought Wardle opened a while ago ! It doesn't come up on stoppages or didn't the last time I looked Just checked and it says it is due to open today 22nd but I am sure I read that because they finished Wardle early they could bring forward stoppages on the Shroppie.

Good drive down today despite a bit of dampness. We were going the right way as the north bound lanes were much busier - all those folk going to Scotland for the festive season. Car unpacked, fire lit, water filled, dog walked and Iain is doing boaty things 😀. Walked up past Orchard marina and it is full of water but no boats and stop planks are still across the entrance . We'll stay here tonight - might even put up some decorations - then head off in the morning. Down the Shroppie as Iain wants to visit a museum near Autherley.

We don't have fixed solar panels on kelpie and we have never felt the need for them. Nor to we have lithium batteries. We can moor up for a day or so without running our engine and if we are moored for longer (at a canal event) Iain puts a solar panel on the roof. I realise we are "old hat" but we don't see the need to install something we don't need.

I think folk are just trying to make the OP aware of some of the things which will be different when living on a boat compared with dry land. To me this is being helpful as it might help to make up minds and I see it as being realistic rather than critical. Ok, when the OP is a bit more aware of the differences then more detailed questions can be answered. I don't think it is anything to do with not wanting new people on the canals as after all, the more new boaters the more money C&RT will have and that benefits us all. .

We look forward to seeing your photos.

I just love how this thread has wandered off and has been conducted without any aggro. Well done guys!

Welcome to the real World where the financial situation has not been stable for years and we all have to cut our cloth according to our means. Expecting our income streams to continue as before is a bit naive.

Having read this thread I honestly don't know what you (Colin Brendan) are bleating about. Please answer one question. Why do folk who have signed up to continuously cruise think they can get away with doing the very opposite ? If I was in that position I think I would be keeping my head down and paying the small increase

Sorry to hear that you have lost the old girl. You will miss her so much but you have lovely memories of your time together. I understand you not getting another dog as they might outlive you. We are down to one dog for the same reason and I dread the day she goes.

I would advise against floor covering in a boat which will show every spec of dust or animal hair. Dark blue black might just do that 🙂

Exactly. It is so easy to use ratchet when you need it

I don't think these metal bridge protectors are the original ones. There are far too many grooves on them and the grooves are far too deep. Any genuine plates I have seen have most of the wear in just a couple of places and the wear tends to be wider with a deeper bit at the middle. This would be caused by ropes moving up or down as the horse pulled the boat. They are all so well painted too and if they were originals they would show bits where rust had started. I think it unlikely that they were painted in horse drawn boat day. My vote is on replacements to make the canal look as it used to be.

To me it sounds as if there is something wrong with your oven, which I seem to remember is quite new (or I may be losing track of your galley upgrades 🙂 ). Sorry, I have no ideas for making bread other than a bread maker .

Try to see both parents or at least the mother. See the pup in its home and not in a car park somewhere. If the pup is from pedigree parents, ask for a copy of the breeding. Don't be carried away with a sweat wee face ,😀 Make sure the pup looks lively and healthy with clean eyes and bum

That seems clear enough and if something along those lines is sent out to continuous cruisers every time they renew their licence, it should strengthen C&RTs hand as defaulters will no longer be able to say they didn't know the "rules". It will be interesting to hear what the Baton Twirlers view is 🙂

Maybe he just wanted to do some boating so came out of the marina and moored up. Long journey 🙂

There will really be no excuse for not moving enough if every time a continuous cruiser renews they get a document telling them how much is acceptable. It will be interesting to see what that document says as there have been several different theories about this.

Not so sure that a small bowl in the sink. While you are happy with it and it suits you, I think it might reduce the saleability of your boat. I know I would not find a small bowl useful

We must have been lucky! We have two bits about 4X6 laid side by side and with the pattern it looks like one big carpet and ours hasn't moulted at all. Haven't washed it but it hoovers up well.

I enjoyed that! Thanks for posting it.

Is the guy in business or is he doing your kitchen as a sort of favour for another boater? If it is the latter, I don't think you can expect him to pay for the stuff you need. Asking for "proper business paper work" may see the end of the job being done by this guy 🙂 .