Sarahr

We have brass/gold coloured window frames on our 19 year old boat the anodising is wearing off and they are looking a bit tired, is there anything we can do to them to brighten them up? We are very reluctant to change them as there is nothing wrong with them, but they do spoil the appearance of the boat a little as she is in very good condition apart from this.

It’s a cassette loo yes it is a thetford which is plumbed into the boats water supply we had lots of issues fitting it the blue water pipe feeding the water kept leaking and is still leaking very slightly the chap who fitted it thinks that the pressure is a little too high. I know there is a screw to adjust the pressure but can’t find it on the pump anywhere!!

We have a Jabsco Par - Max 2.9 freshwater pump fitted on our boat. We have been advised to see if we can adjust the pressure down a little on at as the flush on the loo is squirting a bit too hard and spilling water over the floor lower water pressure will probably help the problem. We don’t seem to be able to find out how to do this on this pump (maybe it it not possible) . I have looked on line and don’t seem to be able to find any answers. Can any of you lovely people help?

Oh yes I forgot about them! Not very easy to get on and off the boat there though is it? Also a bit noisy it’s a bit quieter and nicer by the old prison isn’t it?

If you want to moor in Reading there is a loop just after Blake’s lock by the old prison the moorings are good there. There is no where else to moor until after Fobney lock. When you go through the Oracle shopping center there is a traffic light rather like a pedestrian crossing light, you press the button and wait there are some tricky bends so it’s a one way system. Once the coast is clear and there are no oncoming boats the light goes green and you can go through. The tricky lock you are referring to is Fobney lock which is the second lock coming out of Reading it is next to a pumping station there is an outflow next to the landing stage which can push your nose out when you tie up to use the lock and the river can be quite tricky make sure you open both gates to go on and you should be ok. Woolhampton lock further up the other side of Aldermaston can be tricky too as the can be a strong stream there too! Enjoy the K and A, everyone moans about it, but it is very beautiful if a little hard work at times.

I look forward to seeing you in Pewsey when we get back from our adventures!

Hello Dave I haven’t seen you for ages!! I take your point about the view from the waterfront! We have done the run up the Oxford and down the GU we did it in 6 weeks! I like the idea of doing the Anderton the ship canal sounds fun too! Where are you now? Are you coming back to the K&A soon? Sarah That sounds amazing I will definitely consider this!

I think you may have missed my point, I have every intention of planning my cruise but I thought it would be handy to ask you friendly people you opinions of where the best places to go would be! I certainly am not asking you to plan my holiday and am not so clueless that I cannot plan my own holiday! I am sorry my post has upset you so much I didn’t realise a post such as this could cause such controversy, I was merely asking for your friendly advice. Our boat is indeed a narrow beam and we have plenty of river experience having done the Thames and the river Kennet many times before.

I appreciate what you say but I just wanted to know if there are some must see canals that are worth a visit.

Our dream has always been to set off for an extended holiday on our boat. Our dream has finally come true, and this year we are setting off at the beginning of August from our mooring in Pewsey on the Kennet and Avon canal returning at the end of October before the winter stoppages start. We don’t really know where to go, or how far we will get. We will probably head up the Thames and join the Oxford canal and head north from there. Can anyone tell me how far we can realistically get in 3 months cruising an average of about 4-5 hours a day and can you recommend any beautiful rural canals or rivers that we should visit? I have looked at canal planner but without really knowing where to go planning a journey on it is a little tricky! Any recommendations would be gratefully received.

Eddie at Northen Fabrications does come back to you eventually by email but it's best to phone him. I just got a replacement glass from him very promptly delivered he will know what sort of rope you need and will send it to you quickly.

How about Hilperton Marina at Trowbridge. You could also try Aldermaston Wharf. If you google ABC boats they have a list of boat sales and where they are I think they have a couple of boats for sale at Hilperton and Aldermaston. You could try Frouds bridge Matina near Aldermaston but it is up for sale at the moment and the manger has left I think they are not brokering any boats at the moment. I don't think there are any marinas who hold boats on brokerage west to Trowbridge. There is an advanced search button on Apollo duck where you can search for boats by county which could be helpful. Not sure what you are after but there is a boat for private sale in Pewsey with a mooring which may be of interest?

I have just received an email from CRT saying the sunken boat has been removed and Fobney lock is now open

I have emailed the flyer to all our members of the Pewsey Wharf Boat Club. We are based on the Kennet and Avon but have members all over the country. Good luck I hope she is found soon.

Avon skin so soft also works for midges, fishermen in Scotland use it! Jungle formula insect repellant is also very good prevention is always better than cure.

These pictures bring back lovely memories, our first ever boating holiday was on the Mon and Brec, we were hooked after this first trip and bought our first boat 3 years later we are now on our second boat some 8 years on and still loving it. It is a beautiful canal and not too many locks for newbies.

Sadly it is not a straight run to the tank I don't think solid pipe would work, I think we have got to the fed up and rip it out and put a cassette in stage!!!!

My hubby has finally had enough of the Pumpout loo. We would not have chosen to have one, but it was on the boat when we bought it. The main problem is the holding tank is built into the rear of the boat under the back steps and forms part of the structure of the boat, there is a long run of pipe to the tank and despite replacing the pipe it still smells and we have had enough of the pong. It will be a huge task to remove the tank so if we do get rid of the loo we will have to cap the tank and leave it in place. Is this a risky thing to do, could it rust away and cause future problems. Apart form the pong we love our boat and have no plans to sell it in the near future so if we get rid of the loo we don't want to jeopardise the boat. Has anyone got any advice, is there something we could put in the tank to stop it rusting away, is it safe to just cap the tank and leave it will it still smell if we do this, there is a breather thingy on the Pumpout outlet. Obviously it should say getting rid not greeting rid! Tried to edit but could edit the title!!

I had a jack Russell terrier years ago, we took him to the beach and he got inside the carcass of a dead seal and had a really good roll in it, the smell was unbelievable it was a long time ago but I can still remember how bad he smelt, he travelled home in the back of the pick up truck, it took ages to get the smell out of his coat. You have to love them don't you?!?

Marcus is excellent I can highly recommend him

My dogs drink water from the tank, water from muddy puddles, they also enjoy cow poo horse poo rabbit poo and sheep poo enough said I think!!

I would start on a desert spoon it can upset tummies if you give them too much.

The amount of cod liver oil I give them depends on the size of the dog the 20kg Labrador cross has about a desert spoon and the terriers have about a teaspoon once a day. I am always being complimented on how shiney and healthy their coats look.

My dogs have cod liver oil and biotin supplements the cod liver oil helps to keep their joints supple, their coats shine and skin healthy it may not help with the alopecia but will help keep the coat healthy once it has grown back. I give them biotin for their nails as one of mine suffers with brittle nails and has had a nasty claw injury in the past, but on the feeding instructions it advises that is helps with hair growth as well as nail growth. It is not too expensive it think it was about £13 for 100 tablets and I feed one per day for a 18kg dog I bought them on line from Vet UK I am thrilled with the results her nails are much better and her coat looks super. If the cod liver oil does not help it will give a lovely shiney healthy coat and healthy joints so it won't be a waste of time. I buy the cod liver oil from feed merchants in a 5 litre can for horses it lasts for ages and costs about £30 it is much cheaper buying it like that. I hope this advice is useful.