Sea Dog

Twas a bit rum around there back then, wasn't it, although it always seems fine nowadays. I also remember scrambling down the bank to get to that pub which seems a bit odd looking back, but it was probably me saving the walk. The pub always seemed fine though and our green print on white "Little Lucky" pub mugs served us well for many years - anyone else have those?

Found those last night, so I'll give topping it up a go before resorting to replacement. Thanks for the comprehensive info Nick, very helpful.

Crikey, I've just noticed how old this map must be - it still has the Little Dry Dock pub marked on it! What a place that was.

Ah, that's what it is then - a bright yellow hinged rubbish boom! I just posted that so no unsuspecting reader would go down the arm and discover that.

Pretty sure I've looked for a gassing point in the past and found it to be a sealed off spur, but I'll drag the fridge out again and have another shufti. I'd prefer this solution to a new fridge cos otherwise it's in perfect condition. Your symptoms match too. Did you empty and refill or just top up - sounds like the latter, but I thought I'd just check. You and I are on the same page! It appears the latest version of their model 85 (83 litres) now has an LG compressor. Might be why.

For what it's worth, your fresh water system is supposed to be potable so, whether you drink from it or not, you ought really to fit the right accumulator. They're not difficult to source and when you sell your boat, someone may well use the system as intended without knowing you've fitted the wrong type. I doubt there's much in it price wise.

We've moored below the museum in the basin above lock 12 in the Stourbridge. There's rings over on the far side against the wall with a dead end walkway to the boat there. Windmill End is fine, but I'd think twice before going down the Bumble Hole Arm itself as the only turning place is at the bottom and it's roped off. I don't think you can get down to Hawne Basin at the moment - check stoppages - but otherwise recommended.

Thanks guys. It appears that the latest version has an LG compressor unit, which sounds reasonable enough. They are indeed the better part of 400 quid hence a bit of a saving but, whilst it is relatively long lived, I'm actually not a huge fan of my current Shoreline. It has a Danfoss (BD35?) compressor, but has always seemed a bit power hungry and is now running virtually 24/7. I've looked for ages at having it fettled by a fridge tech, but they appear to be unicorns. The current Shoreline appears to be more or less the same model which seems to be an older standard of insulation if so surely can't match the latest models for efficiency. I think you've hit the nail on the head re quality control. I guess that's pretty much what I'm seeking opinion on here in terms of where Alpicool sit.

These (fridges in the thread title) look to be a reasonable price for a decent sized under counter 12v fridge. Does anyone have one they can comment upon, or does anyone specifically not have one for a reason they'd share? Thanks

If you decide to go minesweeping you'll be glad you invested in those!

Lock reopened 1315. Have to say, the CRT staff were excellent. 👍

1030. Heads up: Lock 9 is currently out of action. CRT have just fitted the stop planks to address a "hole". They estimate a 2 hour repair, but that's before they've drained down to get to the actual repair site so things may yet change.

I'm in the bunker too - never seen anyone use one that didn't look to be making things worse!

Their diesel was £1.00 per litre this Sunday (08.09.24) when we passed.

All as above, but note that the opening times and days are restricted in the winter months when the same lock keeper will travel to see you through multiple locks. Ring Gloucester Lock for bookings and info.

You may well be right, but the serious mistreatment amounted to it being exterior woodwork exposed to UV and foul weather. Of course, you could say I should've revarnished it more regularly, but then my 'ease of application' bit kicks in. This may well be it, although it doesn't seem to stain per se, perhaps because I used the very pale light oak. However, the Ronseal does the job required which is to weatherproof the exterior woodwork with a nice aesthetic finish. Worked nicely on the internal woodwork around my rear slide too. This sums up perfectly the direction I've taken. I'm not sure about varnish looking 'much' better, but if an expert was doing my woodwork for me for a similar outlay, I'd happily let them use it! They could even use the Le Tonkinoise I bought for the job before I realised I'd rather use the additional time to be out boating!

Not my experience with Ronseal's 10 year Woodstain Stain. I'd agree that the 10 year bit is somewhat fanciful, but it's so much easier to get a decent finish with the recommended 3 coats, and so much easier to 'refresh' than yacht varnish or similar, that it's not an issue to revisit every 3-5. Certainly seen no evidence of raising the grain when I took my formerly solvent varnished cratch boards back to the wood.

Always read the label.

I'd add a 2 foot space for the fairies to live in. Now I'm still stuck with the same useable boat space on the inside, but it's 2 feet longer on the outside! If I could have another wish, I'd wish I hadn't been persuaded to believe in fairies...

Elsan do "fresh water tank cleaner". With such a name, it's almost like its made for the job! About tenner for a bottle, which nominally does a 250 litre tank iirc.

You definitely wouldn't be saying that if you had a 55-60 ft boat!

Moored in Castlefield Basin for 2 nights a month ago. Stuck our nose in expecting there to be no room and It to still be an unpleasant mooring. It doesn't look much different in itself, but the transformation as a decent place to moor was huge. Perhaps it's the proliferation of new apartment buildings around it, but key I think was that the once public car park is now private and has barriers, so it's not a magnet at night. No anti-social behaviour, just a relatively peaceful place with plenty of foot traffic to stop it being the dimly lit dodgy backwater it was a couple of years ago. I'd happily moor there again, which i didn't expect to be something I'd say.

This. I think you'll have change from 2 5 litre cans per coat. Either buy on a sale or return basis, or black it somewhere you can buy as you go along. Don't delay booking it in somewhere though - it seems to be harder to find a suitable slot every time.

It says it has a slipway in the description. (But then, of course, an estate agent wrote that!)

You'd be hard pressed to find a car with it's sunroof open this "summer"!