Nine of Hearts

Good Lord, I look a bit grumpy in that shot. Glad you got the "registered Panama" ensign in. No one gets that, and I went 3000 miles for it.

Money?

I imagine this type of thing isn't exclusive to IT.

Righty-ho. The planner should now work. Alas, I only had the stage points to work from at time of going to press, so the mileage and bonus calculations needed to be re-jigged. There's no green bonus as we don't seem to be doing that anymore ("f*** the turtles" as an ex-crew mate of mine would say), and pairs get a bonus every 15 miles if over 70'. You can also score points up and down Oldbury locks. Every year I've done this a new rule is introduced which forces a major re-write, this year's was "Paired boats with 5 or more crew will receive one basic point for each lock worked by both boats plus one bonus basic point for each full lock flight worked." There's no variable in the code to distinguish a lock flight, so if you're mob handed on a working pair, you'll have to work out your own bonus. This is the first time in my IT career I've been given an incomplete spec, followed by complaints that it don't work right.* *No it isn't.

I have removed the pesky webring thing that used to fanny with the address bar causing annoyances like the above. I cannot remember why I included it in the first place, possibly because I thought it was the thing to do. It's all so out of date now that I should maybe get rid of everything bar the planner! Cheers, folks.

Yes. How did that happen? We had all the heavy stuff.

What an excellent get-out-of-jail-free card for a short arse (like me). Thanks for all the responses. I feel all informed.

Anyway know about the safety of leaving cars overnight in Star City? Any experiences? Looked fairly quiet when I was last there prior to BCN, but thought I'd ask.

Ah, nothing rounds off a lovely weekend more than getting safely home and pumping out your shit tank... Hope everyone had as much fun as we did. Apologies for fenegueing* at the end, went back to the Cat, had something to eat, watched the Grand Prix and then the Old Swan did its magic. Hope nobody complained about an engine running after 8pm. We'll be in this next year (Nicki and John in the top one). *a word of the Mate's invention, having "lightweight" connotations.

If a job's worth doing...

Yes, sorry about that for all those who've missed it. I did make a start at incorporating new rules, but I've had a bit of a busy year. I did start (road to hell, etc) but... Anyone familiar with the protracted nature of my fit out will not be surprised...

This is correct, and as Alan says, highly inadvisable. Enrol on an RYA course, they're on offer all around the country (google is your friend!). They're tend to be cheaper off season, too, when to my mind the experience is better because you get less predictable weather conditions. They tailor courses to sail or power, so take your pick. An added advantage to me was that the course I went on was mixed ability, so I got to see what was expected at more advanced levels.

No worries. I've been a bit dilatory with my application this year, so I'll get sent off for my copy of this year's points and git 'er done.

Yes, there's an isolation switch on the starter (and the domestics). Could be that, but only if the bilge pump bypasses it, because that still works (after a fashion) and is wired to the starter. I'll have a look. Thanks.

I may give that a go. My suspicions lay toward the panel, as it's on a semi-trad and is exposed to the elements.

Hello, folks, (long time no see) Anyone know a good boat sparky? Midlands based, preferably. Went to turn boat over and it ran for a couple of minutes with the battery warning light on (I just thought, starter's probably a bit flat), but then died. Since then, absolutemente nada when you turn the ignition. With the exception that if I jump from my domestics, you get a lovely shock through the ignition key. I suspect this is not normal. I've had the panel off and nothing looks obviously untoward. Sad face,

When I used to commute on trains I discovered, quite by accident, that a good way to get a seat to yourself was to smile broadly at everyone who got on. This obviously triggered some "oh lord, a nutter!" switch and they usually sat somewhere else*. Probably next to someone staring out of the window and not making eye-contact. I wonder if having a big, jolly "hey moor next to us!" sign is a boating equivalent? "If we moor there, they'll probably want to talk to us..." [engine revs] *unless they were a nutter, in which case the method proved counter-productive.

A month or so ago, My daughter and I were coming up Knowle. We were the only boat around and, as it was just the two of us, we were just opening one paddle and one gate. At the first lock, a woman and her young son arrived as C_ was about to exit the lock as I opened the next. "Can I open a gate, mummy", the lad enquired, and Mum indulged. And then they promptly pissed off, leaving C_ with two gates to close. At the last lock, we had the same again. A party of gongoozlers decided to open both top gates, and then buggered off. Particularly galling as they would have been the ones I'd have chosen to have shut for us, save having to moor up. My daughter's face was;

Speak for yourself. The only problem we had was what to have for dinner in Ma Pardoe's. Did I just get doxxed? No worries, it's not the issue it once was.

Good lord, I'm looking grumpy reversing under the bridge, there. Anyone would think someone had just come past me at full chat with their fenders down and an invalid licence, on their way to steal a lock. I need to lighten up.

Just had a mail from John (as you all probably have) asking for photos of significant flotsam and hazards to navigation. Anyone got a shot of the Tame Valley Mattress? eeeeeeeek!

See you in the pub, then.