1st ade

It wouldn't give (quite) the symptoms you describe but there are three sets of diodes in an alternator. If one set has gone, you get around 2/3 maximum charge but it's "lumpy" (for want of a better word) and can cause the warning light to flicker. It also puts more strain on the remaining two set's so the second goes bang fairly quickly and the other five minutes later!

Never worked from a boat but from eighteen months ago have had at least one day a week "working from home". Employer was fully supportive; office mobile phone and an office laptop with both 3G (Vodafone) and WiFi built in. Biggest problem for family, friends, neighbours and yourself is to get the message that you are working at home, not working at home. I have a friend who runs an overseas travel company. He puts a suit on to go to work... under the stairs. His argument (which I can't fault) is that if he stops for a coffee, in his pyjamas, he will feed the birds, do the crossword, empty the dishwasher, anything but go back to work. If he stops for a coffee in his suit he carries the (hot, full) mug back to his office. Personally, I think I work harder at home for less stress. I get up at the same time as when commuting, work 06:15 to 07:15 then stop for an hour for breakfast with Mrs 1st Ade. By 08:30, some replies are already coming to earlier emails and it goes on from there. I tend to pack up earlier than when I'm in London but leave the laptop on, glance at it every now and then and reply to any urgent queries until about 18:30. To my mind (and my boss's) that better than "it's five O'clock - I'm out of here"

I was going to comment on the "plank" earlier but adding updates from a Samsung Tablet isn't as easy as I thought (now on a proper computer)

There used to be a mobile pump out boat called "Two Loos Le Trek"...

A long time ago we moored our (hire) boat at the Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. Part way through lunch we were interrupted by a childish treble voice piping up "Mummy! Mummy! There's people on this one!"

We have a 19 year old 3.1 Trooper - we never did like it as much as the 2.8 we had previous but (touch wood) it's never had a major failure in 186k miles. We had to take the tow hitch off to gt it through the last MOT but that's our fault for keep backing it into salt water and not washing it properly afterwards. Actually, I tell a lie, it's dangerous. It's such a good tow vehicle you can "forget" there's two ton of boat behind and only remember when a lorry flashes you back in as you pass them at over 80 MPH...

Got to be worth a Greenie...

In the interests of precision, I'll take my BWB key when I walk the dog today and check (although the fact I had to step over a hosepipe yesterday says either the tap works or I met a very optimistic boater)

There was this morning...

Potential noise not just from flats but the adjacent station (why do they insist on telling you about the trains that don't stop here?) Don't be put off by the derelict looking buildings opposite the flat's - they are (very expensive) apartments built inside the shell of the old railway works Cross over Bates Footbridge (70B) and take the second rather un-inspiring right turn into what looks like a car park. Buskers music shop and cafe does good food seven days a week (but possibly a bit pricey for more than celebratory tea and cakes). Get up to road level (stairs at both ends of the complex at the South end of Bates Bridge), turn right and both Asda and Tesco are at the first roundabout. Assorted takeaways on the main road including Silver Sea Chinese; people drive for miles so it must be good... Parallel to the main street is Church street. More shops including a fish-and-chip shop, a fishing tackle shop, a jewelry shop (Mrs 1st Ade works there) and a cycle / motor spares shop. The latter is the sort of little gem that won't actually have a socket to fit a 3/8 Whitworth but will know exactly what you mean and will have something to fit. Further along Church Street are pet supplies and hardware shop. Avoid the Agora at all costs unless you need the Post Office; the remainder is tacky Indian fabric boutiques. If you have a few minutes spare head away from the town when you get to the main road, cross the road and drop into the Wolverton Secret Garden, nestled between the canal (non-towpath side) and a big distribution depot.

Which is a bit of a bu**** if the password you thought it was has only seven letters! Drop me a PM if you are still stuck. I have a few nifty password recovery tools (and second the advice NOT to allow your computer to remember any sensitive passwords)

Boat might be nowhere near Gifford Park... When we walk the dog, we always take our BWB key with us. Comes in handy if we get caught short walking home from (say) the Barley Mow at Cosgrove

The latest incarnation of Google Streetview?

Depending on dates, I'm sure a little assistance can be provided once you get past (or near) Coventry...

The problem with common sense is that it's not very common...

Didn't think of a smoke alarm. Noise sounded as though it was from under tarpaulin covering rear deck / engine controls.

Do you own or do you know who owns Timlynn, moored in North Milton Keynes? As we walked the dog tonight (Thu, 19:45 or so) there was an alarm audible. Not burglar, more like low battery; two separate devices each giving a double 'beep' every fifteen seconds or so. Covers looked sheeted down hard and boat has not moved for at least a day (wasn't making the noise last night - same location)

Lost credibility around '...said: “This kind of behavior is selfish. If everyone acted this way there would be no banks for my daughter to throw stones from."'

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19th-20th July 2014 Canal Festival: Cosgrove Lock, Lock Lane, Cosgrove, MK19 7JR Craft Fair: Cosgrove Village Hall, Bridge Road, Cosgrove, MK19 7JA Opening times: Saturday 10am – 6pm and Sunday 10am – 4pm http://www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk/2014/05/annual-cosgrove-canal-festival-craft-fair/ For more information please contact events@buckinghamcanal.org.uk