Felshampo

Just my opinion - sorry...far too many vested interests in this country, the law is unlikely to ever chage, you are right.What is changing is attitudes. I was talking to a cat owner the other day who was quite proud that their moggy regularly brought home dead wildlife, it had returned with a baby rabbit the night before. Thankfully this type of attitude is becoming less common. As for the idea that cats should be kept on a lead, like dogs, unthinkable twenty years ago but now regularly discussed in the media by people like Chris Packham. There are enough pressures being placed on our native wildlife with the destruction of natural habitats and pesticides and farming as it is, death by cat is so easily preventable. We are always condeming alien species such as zander and signal crayfish for destroying our natural wildlife yet we allow a pet to do it with impunity, pass me that soapbox....

In most research using bells the kill rate is reduced by between 30 to 40 percent, they learn to keep the bell quiet.

IMHO the law should be changed, cats kill wildlife and are not a natural predator in the UK,As for dogs vs cats it is cat owners that say that not me.

Hold on, cats are by far the worst examples of an animal that kills wildlife. I have no sympathy if a dog was to do to them what they are always doing to mice, voles, birds etc ( as cat owners are so quick to point out the dog would only be doing what comes naturally anyway) that may sound harsh but cat owners who allow them to wander unsupervised in the countryside are irresponsible. If anything should be kept on a lead it is a cat not a dog

The owner of the copyright is the original creator of the work. So unless you are claiming to be the inventor of your boat you do not hold any copyright. On the other hand if you have a unique piece of sculptor you created on your boat and someone were to photograph that you could then claim copyright, I think?

I must admit after going to Crick and seeing a few bespoke boats I have to agree with many of the comments here. Some of the ideas on them may have suited the buyers but seemed totally impractical to us. I started to make a list of " good ideas" when I started looking at boats about 18 months ago and that list has since changed beyond recognition. Many of them are only cosmetic but some , like stove type, are more fundamental and we still don't agree which sort we want. I am moving towards buying a half decent "cheap" boat and finding out first hand what really matters before even contemplating a new boat - however if I win the lottery I will be knocking on Fernwoods doors the next day!

Isn't it all down to personel taste? I don't like any trace of "roses and castles". Too twee for me. But also think the proliferation of cheap American oak is a bit too clinical. We are looking for something thats made out of recycled wood! Also must be practical, new boats look clinical because they have very little clutter in them. Once you move in it soon gets boaty.

Interesting use of Ken Burns, nearly fell off the chair!

The Nicholson's guides have changed a lot over the years, the biggest improvement being the introduction of OS maps with north at the top of the page. I am thinking of buying some of the guides and note there are a lot of 2nd hand copies out there. Would there be a great deal of difference between the 2003, 2006, 2009 and 20012 editions. Or is it worth paying for the new editions when they come out. Jon

Try: wwwukfree.tv/maps.php Jon

TV stations are transmitted in groups known as multiplexes or mux for short. Each one on a different frequency and referred to by numbers. We are half way between two transmeitters here and on one the bbc 1 mux is at 42 on the other it is 55. Some of the mux are stronger signal than others from different transmitters. This means when you move from one area to another you could lose some stations but gain some others. Jon

Yes it is.....but all you will see is a blue line as all the details are for the roads. Also it is virtually impossible to use one outside as the screen is not bright enough. I use a Satmap, mainly for walking, and that is very good but a little small for on a boat. There was a software package being demonstrated at Crick this week with all the canal info on it that looked very good but it wouls still suffer from the problem of reading it on an ipad in the open Remember phone maps only work if you have a signal.

When I sat in a tractor all day I used to get motion after images in bed! It seemed like it was moving as soon as I shut my eyes. Very strange. Jon

A lot seem to have had sense of humour failures by sunday, one in patticular was very rude when i asked about her portholes! I think they just get tired of the wheel kickers. Having said that some of them were very happy to show you around thier boats and answer questions.

Naismith's rule, ( used by walkers since 1892! ) has walking speed as 3.1 miles an hour.

Pot, kettle, black.

You can't be serious- where's my lumphammer?

Lots of boats at Crick had the "please pass on tickover" signs on them. But none had the " we'vd moored properly - go as fast as you like!" signs.

First visit to the boat show today. Parked by bridge 15 and had a nice walk along the towpath to the show. Rained on and off all day but still enjoyed the show. Had a good look around several boats and learned a lot from all but one of the guides who were very friendly and helpful. Felt a bit sorry for the stall holders who looked very underwhelmed at the lack of customers in the rain. I think they had a better day yesterday.

I did the Leeds Liverpool canal marathon a few years ago in a kayak and going through the tunnels was one of the scariest things I have ever done. Obviously there were no boats allowed during the race.

Also happens a lot on the sand bank in the middle of the Solent. Too many yachties think they're in a caravan not a boat and just point it at the IOW.

I use a coal fire at home. I have a pile of logs once a year and bags of coal in the shed. It is nice once it is lit but it takes a lot of effort. I don't fancy the idea of having a roof full of wood and coal dust everywhere in the boat, when I get one. The convenience of a diesel fired stove appeals but they must have thier downside, otherwise they would be more common.

Is there a thread discussing the pros and cons of using a diesel stove instead of a solid fuel one? I did a search but couldn't find one.

Its a wood mouse

Useful advice for us "New to Boating " types.