dogless

I understand it will reopen 1 June ... but perhaps a call to confirm would be wise. Rog

It was definitely Varney's lock ... I believe Mike the boilerman had some personal testimony ... but he's no longer here. Rog

The location was Varney's lock which is near Cropredy. Don't rely on the DM for accuracy. Rog

Well said Nick ... it is telling that Nigel was a member and contributor to BOTH forums ... he was without doubt a gentleman and worthy role model for us all. Rog

As the guy said when asked for directions ... "You don't want to start from here !". As C&RT appear to have sold off all equipment, and disposed of the bankside staff who used to know how to use it, and who understood canals and knew the system, and replaced them with inefficient outside contractors and call centre staff who wouldn't know a canal if they fell in one ... that's a tough one to answer ... but I wouldn't want to ... Rog

Well, at least we'll know for next time ... provided the staff on duty also know what's what. I got diesel at Trinity as their diesel point is on line ... would have done it at Market Bosworth had they been more welcoming. Just demonstrates how easily poor impressions are made. Rog

It would have been a very expensive laundry trip to stay in the marina, so we didn't bother. I'm no fan of marinas, they remind me too much of childhood trips to huge caravan sites. We went in for an ice cream and a cold drink. It seemed very bleak and charmless to me, but I enjoy a 'homely air of neglect' Rog

We considered using the Market Bosworth marina, £5 moorings for the night in order to access the facilities (laundry and elsan). However the lady in the marina informed us you are NOT allowed to use the facilities unless moored IN the marina at £12 per night (£15 if on hook-up). A 'local resident' did tell us that unless you go into the marina to pay, it would be free as the moorings are not monitored in anyway. We didn't use the moorings in the end. Rog

Keep the boat ... where else are you going to practice the trombone and banjo Rog

I understood the disagreement between Aickman and Rolt was over this issue. Aickman wanted the waterways preserved as a rich mans playground, preserved and prettified. Rolt wanted them preserved as living waterways, evolving naturally. As I said previously I don't know the answers, but to just dismiss people living aboard seems grossly unfair. Rog

I largely agree (sympathise at least) with your view, but remain concerned with the plight of young people who (whatever their original motivations) now call a boat their home and are learning to love the lifestyle as much as we do. I have concerns for young families with kids of school age and the issues they're experiencing too. This isn't the first time in our canals brief history that financial climates of the day have 'forced' families to live full time afloat. I merely wished to distance myself from the 'they shouldn't be there' intolerent views expressed in some posts on here. I have opinions, but no solutions. No hidden message Rog

Just double checked, and I said none of that Nick Unlike you we have visited London three times in the last ten years. On the last occasion we booked and paid for moorings in Rembrandt Gardens to ensure we did not have to worry about moorings. We're visiting for a holiday and didn't wish to get involved in the daily grind. I remain concerned that our hobby (whether retirement of not) should take precedence over working peoples lives. I did not express any solution as I don't have one ... and as far as I can see, neither does anyone else. Rog