Bernie

This one? http://www.kinverboatservices.co.uk/prodbrowse.php?cat=22 Looks OK for occasional use.

Yes it does, that is what is on the inside of ours.

When we made the trip to Ledgard Bridge re our boat several years ago there was a boat in to have it's bottom blacked that had been built by your company with wheelchair access via hydraulic lift. Bernard (don't know whether he still works for you or not) showed us round.

Over the years when boat is left idle over the winter period my OH goes up weekly to run the engine and keep batteries topped up, we have never run it in gear except when cruising and never had any problems.

I am sorry for the workers but I'm not 100% surprised. When we bought our boat we went to view there and although the boats seemed decent ones, it was the little extras which weren't extras with other boat builders that put us off, and the prices they were charging for any modifications were double what most other boatyards charged, eg bow lockers £500, side doors £400 and this was in 1999. In the bathroom a vanity unit an extra at another £400.

Don't tempt providence. Good to see things are back to normal, thank you Jon.

I have always been surprised at the numbers of Pubs that do allow dogs when you ask, I don't think we have ever been refused entry, of course in the summertime weather permitting we sit outside anyway. Just as an aside I get really annoyed at being lumped together with the minority of people who do not clear up after their dogs, many of us are responsible and do the necessary often clearing up rubbish and other detritus also that the human element have discarded in inappropriate places..

We still have the original one from the early 1980's and since then have aquired a few more. If you have a sea searcher magnet and trawl the locks you can often collect those that have been lost. Some chandleries will even pay for the 'collected' ones and sell them on cheaply.

Moved over to general boating.

Well both of us my OH and I are in the OAP category, we still manage to enjoy cruising. As far as locks are concerned when once we would do a flight of 26 or more locks in a day we now just take our time and leisurely cruise over a couple or three days. We do tend to only travel for around 4/5 hours daily now and stop an extra day or two if the mood takes us. One advantage of retirement is that we can take things a little slower.

Here's another little page which may help. http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/jim.shead/Int...nal-Boating.htm Was going to suggest that you take a walk along your nearest canal and watch and learn by asking questions of boaters who are always ready to explain, then realised where you were. As has already been stated the hire boat company should give instruction of one kind or another. Hope this helps.

Is there a prize for guessing?

No problems here, but have had in the past have both e mailed and phoned them on a couple of occasions and got a copy with apologies.