CLIVE AND JUDY

Try "asbestolux". Not an asbestos product despite the name. Its readily available from good coal merchants and DIY shops (including B&Q and Jewson)

We have ordered our new stove and are now getting together all the other"bits and pieces" before we install it. Does anyone know where can we get those nice brass trims to go on the ceiling inside the boat to cover up the gap where the flue goes through?

"I have to confess that, while I'm quite capable with most power tools and household appliances, irons are still a mystery. I can work a washing machine, and a tumble dryer, even old-fashioned things like clothes pegs, but not an iron. And aren't self-cleaning toilets wonderful?" Moley - I have mentioned this before - are you quite sure you are not Clive in disguise? He says men are allergic to irons, washing machines etc and if they try to use a vacuum cleaner it breaks Aren't you glad the magic washing, ironing, cleaning and cooking fairy visits?

really small things like socks! Well, really ! Don't we all have a range of ironing boards for all occasions? If you can't be bothered to attend to your chores you have no business living on a boat! Before we moved on board I ironed everything (except socks) and am still an object of derision at w**k. Now we live on the boat I have MUCH better things to do and etc

You could try Ikea - I saw some there and thought "What a good ikeaidea"

Not sure where you are based but you could try Sofa Magic in Bristol. They specialise in sofas and sofabeds for "difficult spaces" and will make what you want and put it together in situ. Not sure how to do links but they have a website.

What I don't understand is..... If you or I decided to let our children live under those conditions (no heating, cooking facilities, sanitation, or even life jackets) the Social workers would be down on us like a ton of scrap metal! How did they get away with it? Glad they don't moor next to us!

We have just started using Bio Magic. Does just what it says on the tin - no smell. Will have to wait and see if its as good in the summer. It seems expensive, but you don't use much. The guy where we got ours (in Bradford on Avon) said not to use any more than they suggest as it defeats the object, whatever that means!

Where abouts on the "K&A near Bath" are you. We are on the "K&A near Bath" too! good luck tomorrow and welcome to life aboard. Its great!

This sounds like a great idea. If its far enough west on the K & A we can cruise up. Looking forward to it already.

Biomagic has arrived in Bradford on Avon He says its in 2.5 litre bottles Please don't buy it all before I get there!

Great news! I have just spoken to the guy at Ace Supplies at Bradford on Avon. He's going to order a case - will take a few days, he said. Please don't buy it all before I get there!!

Lakeland do a 3-in-1 machine thats a slow cooker, steamer and rice cooker. Its great for hot meals when you get home from w**k and saves hob space when cooking rice or veg. It doesn't take up much spaces and uses very little electric. There are some GREAT slow cooker recipes on this forum too. Everybody wins!!

We had the same problem over Christmas. Solved by making a cover using a 2pint plastic milk bottle. Just cut off the top and sculpt to fit. We then unscrewed the fitting from the bulkhead a bit and, after putting the new bespoke cover on, did the screws up again. Result - no interruption to power supply. Cost - zero! Oops - forgot to say "turn the milk bottle upside down" but I hope that's obvious.

Please could we have some snow! Frost is pretty, but simply not a good enough reason (as far as my boss is concerned) to stay on the boat because its too dangerous to drive to work.

Back on topic - have just seen the Lidl flyer for next week (Jan 22). They are advertising extendable shoe racks for £6.99. Apparently they will hold 15 pairs when fully extended. At last! I will be able to move all my shoes on board.

Clive (as opposed to me who has more sense!) is very fond of fungi (there's a joke in there somewhere) and very knowledgeable on such matters. As I am a sceptic, I ALWAYS keep a little of each type of mushroom he eats in the fridge - just in case! He says, as a general rule, if you cut the stem and its blue or yellow, avoid it. If it looks and smells like the ones in Tesco its probably OK I would still keep some in the fridge!

This sounds SO delicious I will try it over the weekend . Maybe wash down with a good bottle or three of red!

We use Craftinsure too - but no claims (yet!!) The people on the phone are really helpful if your boat does not quite fit all the categories. and you don't need to keep loads of paper as its all on your computer.