Bernie

To polish you can use Zebo, very old fashioned, I remember my granny using it on the old range type fireplace, still sold in many places and still as good as ever.

Hope you've dried out now and glad you enjoyed the cruise. I really felt for anyone during the last week with all the rain and wind. The last time we cruised the Macc we had torrential rain when ascending Bosley but I do like the scenery around the area and we usually stop at the bottom for a night. We found the Upper Peak a little disappointing though what with a swing bridge that stuck and shallow areas where we constantly scraped bottom.

Have used it for years and found it invaluable at times for planning a trip. Sadly it is not updated via monthly downloads as it used to be since Syd died. I definitely think it's worth the money still though since you can print off details of routes etc.

Many congratulations and well done, many would not have had the energy or the knowhow to do what you felt was the right action. I'm very happy for you at the outcome.

I certainly wouldn't swim in the canal or any other mucky water, have fallen in a couple of times though. Leptospirosis (Weils disease) is extremely rare and is actually carried by rats and passed out in their urine, the infection can in very rare cases be fatal, but the bacteria usually if caught by humans enters the skin through open wounds. It can also be picked up by cattle on grazing land and is often present in swampy land. In fact anywhere that rats frequent in large numbers, not just necessarily in water.

That's excellent news, what a pity it's been allowed to get into such a state of disrepair in the first place, it's virtually derelict.

I'm closing this one now since I feel all that can be said has been. It started out as more or less dogs and the law.

No not getting wound up just pointing out the facts, why do you think some areas are no go during school holidays. I'd much rather have my dogs than many people I know.

And in many cases today they tell you in foul language where to go or throw stones from bridges..

Yes and I for one did, with someone who just let their dog foul outside my front gate, I followed them home and tipped it on their front garden, telling them they had forgotten something. This person hasn't been past my house since, sadly they are probably allowing their dog to poo outside someone else's house. I have called the dog wardens on numerous occasions too, but all they say is unless I can give them proof of who the perpetrator is there is nothing they can do. So about as much help as a chocolate teapot. It is £1000 fine in my area but has made not a jot of difference. Bringing back the dog licence is a good idea in theory, but again only the responsible owners would purchase one as previously.

As a responsible dog owner I wholeheartedly agree with you dor, it is just a sad sign of the times that because of some we are all tarred with the same brush which I get rather annoyed at.

Unfortunately that little pup one day just might meet and try to play with the wrong dog with sad consequences. It surely is common sense not to allow one dog to bound up and try to play with another without first finding out if the dog is in fact friendly, there is usually a good reason why a dog is on lead. My elderly dog is arthritic and although is not aggressive will grumble at a dog if it bounds up and attempts to jump all over him.

The laws in this country are that a dog must be kept under control in a public place at all times, not necessarily on a lead. They again in a public place by law have to wear a collar and identity tag with the owners name and address and tel number engraved on it. If this is not complied with then the dog wardens have the right to pick them up and take to the local pound, where if reclaimed a fee of at least £40 and upwards is payable. If not reclaimed then the dog is either PTS, rehomed or a rescue place found. This does not necessarily apply to working dogs. Although this is a blanket coverage for all places some councils do have additions where a dog must be either kept on lead or banned altogether :eg certain beaches.

It does depend on how you wish to have it delivered. As someone has suggested Nigel from here can do this by canal, don't know his prices though you would have to contact him. If you are talking about delivery by road it can cost anything from £500 upwards.

Paula is right, a dog should be kept under control at all times and wear an identification tag with owners details on it. I would never let either of my dogs loose around locks anyway since I do know of several that have been drowned in this way after either jumping or falling in. I don't always have them on lead when walking them though since their recall is excellent and they don't annoy other dogs unless they are told they can go play with them.

I do know of some old boaters who have never used anodes and don't believe they do any good, rather they prefer to bottom black every eighteen months to two years and swear by this. The bolt on anodes are much easier to replace.