dogless
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Posts posted by dogless
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From Jericho to Banbury, there's barely a lock where all paddles work.
At Somerton Deep, I actually snapped my aluminium windlass trying to turn a top paddle.
Water levels in the Kings Sutton to Grants lock pound are dire, as the moorers down there will confirm, how ever this morning C&RT managed to refloat them by running water down from Banbury, so that pound' s low this afternoon.
The trees, particularly willows, are a major problem, but I'm sure many will fall over soon.
Vegetation over growth makes passing a boat impossible in many places, but it's a very shallow canal so I'll wait my turn.
The lift bridge heading into Thrupp (warped and badly twisted and hazard taped but in the open position) just after Shipton Weir lock, closed as we passed under it. Luckily the only significant damage was a bent tiller pin. It was pouring with rain at the time, and I realise I should have used the Banbury pole method, so my fault and no complaint.
But that is the current state.
There's little point saying "wasn't like that in April" because it is like that now.
The world won't end, and Triskaidecka and ourselves made it through.
But the conditions are shockingly bad, and rotting balance beams and lock gates suggest problems ahead without significant maintenance.
Rog
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We're currently on the south Oxford.
On our travels south from Napton we met lots of lovely people who'd popped out of their marinas.
At least three boats for definite went up Napton flight, returning the next day.
At Claydon we met boats popping to Fenny and back overnight.
Even on the low pound between Kings Sutton and Grants there were boats just popping out and back to and from Banbury and Cropredy.
And why shouldn't they?
Dues all paid, they're entitled surely to use the services they pay for.
Yet all the locks are on restrictions.
I suggest that the restrictions have more to do with a vacuous attempt by an inept C&RT management to demonstrate who's in charge, than any significant water savings.
Other opinions are of course available
Rog
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If you'd heard the horrendous noises I can produce with a banjo, you wouldn't refer to me as a banjo player
Rog
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1 hour ago, blackrose said:
Bust some boaters will also understand that it's what those who haven't set up their hot water and electrical systems efficiently do more frequently than those who have.
And some boat, rather than sit on a marina with mains hook up
Rog
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1 hour ago, Mike the Boilerman said:
What a strange thing to say. Anyone in the habit of running their engine whilst moored up is unlikely to complain about other boats running theirs. That would be the height of hypocrisy.
Actually I think I've guessed why so many had their engines running. Once one started, and all the others fired up to drown out the racket from the first!!
Strange thing to say?
Re read your own posts at # 16 and # 24.
Between 8am and 8pm you are welcome to run your engine when moored near me.
It's part and parcel of boating.
Rog
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Yesterday I cruised for over two hours in pouring rain which topped the batteries up.
I passed dozens of solar boats moored up, in the dry, running their engines cos solar provided zilch.
The rule seems to be 'I hate running engines ... unless it's mine'.
As I said, there's no need to feel guilty, it's what boaters do to have hot water and electric.
Boaters will understand
Rog
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There is no need to feel guilty.
Running engines to heat water and charge batteries is normal, and sometimes we don't want to move.
Worse things happen.
Our engines will sound much better than my banjo practice, traffic and train noise.
Rog
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3 hours ago, mayalld said:
How ns the offer of assistance made?
All too often, the "offer" seems to consist of putting a windlass on a spindle that defies the boater to decline the help.
In all my years of boating, I have studiously declined all such "offers" politely by saying "It's OK, I prefer to do the lock myself". such a refusal often attracts barbed comments from the would be helper. On occasion I have encountered those who choose to ignore my refusal of their help, and even venture to lecture me on what I should be doing. Such individuals are met with a firmer message about their unwanted interference, and in a few rare cases a raised voice to very bluntly TELL them to move away.
My wife and I recognize rudeness, without unrequested assistance, thanks
I am also always more Impressed by what others have to say about the quality of someone's work, rather than the boasts of the Individual concerned.
Rog
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That's us fixed up for one night on the way north.
Good to fleetingly see Lily Rose.
Face to a name... of course not so good for him
Rog
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You're right about the holding up bit.
We were behind a single hander doing Hack Green locks on the Shroppie.
Both of us were held up by a boat with four crew who were fannying about unbelievably.
Of course, if there'd been volunteers there...
Rog
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In all our years of boating, only once has a man refused an offer of assistance.
He was single handed, and refused in a grumpy and rude way.
His rudeness was fortunately to my wife, and not to me.
There again he may have resisted being rude to me, he may have been 'picking his weight'.
I do hope I don't get stuck behind Mike working alone at a flight, with a queue behind him banned from speeding his passage... even if he's wearing his captains hat
Rog
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Mike's a difficult man to ignore but you'll find it's worth the effort
Rog
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People volunteer, that is freely give up their own time, to offer assistance to passing boats, and carry out simple maintenance (painting, litter picking) at locks they are happy to visit.
The process is as much about people getting out, meeting friends and mixing with those of similar mind, as it is about navigation.
Of course folk want to be with others, not stuck on their own.
Of course they want breaks, cups of tea, and socialization.
Why would they not, it's their free time.
I wouldn't have thought this was too difficult to grasp.
Rog
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Geese are terrific characters.
Rog
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With thanks to kris on thunderboat.
A very interesting read.
Rog
http://www.theswansanctuary.org.uk/cause/swan-sanctuary-statement-ban-bread-campaign/
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What about:
MISERABLE GIT ONBOARD.
STAY AWAY.
Rog
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9 hours ago, Mike the Boilerman said:
Corrected your post for you...
Thank you.
You're probably right.
It's the weekend boaters that are the problem not the volunteers
Rog
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You complain that they're there.
Then complain that they're not everywhere.
Which is it you want, do make your mind up.
Rog
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1 hour ago, Nick D said:
Thanks for this Rog, I am a volunteer (on the L&L) and was beginning to wonder if I'm wasting my time or not. As far as I know, I've never helped anyone who didn't want help and judging by the thanks (and occasional gifts) it would seem that my assistance is appreciated. When I'm not cruising, I try to volunteer at least one day a week including weekends. I do find the attitude of some people on here towards volunteers quite disappointing though I accept that, as in any walk of life, not all volunteers will behave in the same way. The same goes for boaters!
No, thank you.
We did the L&L this year and all the C&RT staff and volunteers we met were great.
Some people just just need to feel 'in charge' and have something to complain about.
Rog
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The OP asked for a handyman.
In response to an enquiry regarding what sort of work was needed, the composting loo was mentioned in passing.
The OP has since received a welcome to the forum in the form of repeated criticism.
I'd personally be amazed if the newbie ever returns, so don't let it worry you.
Rog
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Now you can't agree on whether they're not there when you want them, or that they're useless busy bodies that shouldn't be there...do make your minds up!
Any volunteers reading this thread PLEASE note all boaters aren't grumpy complainers.
Thank you for giving up your time, thank you for the help, and if I do not want assistance I will be sure to let you know
Rog
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The evil swines!
Disgraceful that they don't wish to freely give their help at weekends.
I can see what all the complaints are about now.
Rog
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To seek advice on a specific matter, and then receive implied criticism on an incidental comment appears simply rude.
But it happens frequently here, there's just so many experts bursting with wisdom
Rog
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At Watford in pouring rain, and Foxton in snow.
But of course the volunteers are focussed on the busiest times, which tend to be in better weather.
Surely the weather's not the volunteers fault too?
Rog
Now, I'm not a CRT basher. But...
in General Boating
Posted
And then once repaired, we can get back to complaining about which way the grass is combed to keep MtB happy.
Rog