dogless

I never, ever pass moored boats, other than in tick over, which is adopted a good two boat lengths away. Yet still, last week I was shouted at to "Slow down". It seems to be the thing these days. Rog

Really! You Nick! Not like you at all Rog

The prettiest flight of locks on the system, is of course Bank Newton in either direction. The back drop alone is stunning. Rog

As one only ever uses the tunnel light with the engine running, I've never quite understood where their power saving is relevant. Rog

The bankside staff are terrific. I wish management were half as good. Spending money on preventative maintenance, would be a great place to start. And if they talk to their own staff, they'll show them what needs doing. Rog

It''s a little unfair to criticise someone for running a generator for two hours during appropriate hours, if you're not prepared to advise them of the problem it's causing you don't you think ? How are they supposed to know it's an issue? The vast majority of us are friendly, polite, and unlikely to knowingly cause problems for others has always been my experience Rog

We came through lock 62 this morning and immediately reported it to C&RT''s emergency line. The top gate was rotten with a wall of water leaking through. Within 45mins the lock was closed by C&RT. I cannot categorically state that the lock wasn't hit by a boat, but the rotten dilapidated state of the gate certainly wasn't caused by such a strike. If preventative maintenance does not take place we must expect more of this. Thank goodness we have new signage to console us Rog

I thought 30,000 boats were in London and the western end of K&A You moored with them, rather than them joining you is the point I was making, not your motivation. Move on and enjoy your boating. Rog

Agree. Over 2,000 miles to pick from so there's no need to be with others. Leave them in (their) peace and find a place for yourself. After all, you chose to join them Rog

We're at lock 70 along with three other boats, the first of which arrived at 9am. An Anderson hire boat went through about 30 min ago, despite advice he may not get to lock 69 (the pound is still very, very low) so keep your eyes open. I think we've written off today, although it is daylight until 10ish. C&RT are apparently letting water down from Malkins Bank/Pierpoint area. Rog

That''s the point I was clumsily making. Despite their lack of education the locks were speedily dealt with. Perhaps education creates this overblown reaction, and over thinking. Everything in life has dangers. Rog

Absolutely. It perhaps also guarded against an inflated view of one's own importance (as beautifully illustrated by Ray''s photo). Rog

This thread is amazing. The locks were designed for an illiterate and uneducated workforce and have continued working to their simple principles for two hundred years or more. Yet, let modern sophisticated, educated man loose on them, and suddenly there are pages of rules and alarming consequences. "I'm in charge....don't panic Mr Mainwaring" Rog

We have Roberts dab solar radio. About £80 I believe. Never had a problem with reception, although occasionally the aerial needs extending. Can be used on mains and 12v, but ours hangs in the window and charges from the solar. Rog

We used to have horses rather than engines. We can now have a bow thruster instead of a crew member and a long shaft. Nowt to get sniffy about, they're not yet compulsory Rog

I was once advised never to choose a name for a dog, that you'd be embarrassed to shout in a park at night. I think similar advice should be considered regarding boat names. Picture the scene as you ...... book your boat into a marina/dry dock for blacking/arrange engine work/insurance and the enquirer asks "And the boat's name?" Not great if the answer is R. Swipe or similar. Just saying. Rog

Yes. You keep spending money on smartguages Rog

Careful.....you're showing your age as it's 24 years old We've only had it since 2004. We have crossed, last occasion as you were mooring on the offside at Shipley heading away from Leeds, as we travelled in. Rog

We came out of Leeds on Wednesday morning. From the water point above Office lock at 6.55am we were at the top of the Newlay staircase at 10.30am. The C&RT chap mentioned that three and a half hours was a good time. We weren't aware as it's 12 years since we last did up here. Only my wife locking, but she does walk between, which reduces time wasted picking up/dropping off. Also met midnight in Granary wharf, and what a jolly good laugh and gentleman. Rog

We use Aylesbury Canal Society's launderette list. It's very good and includes directions to walk/ bus to the laundrette from the nearest point on the canal. I think the list costs about £4.50. launderettelist@aylesburycanal.org.uk We've never used the Hurdsfield or Wash n' Press, as we use the one at Bollington below the aqueduct. The Kidsgrove one you listed is the one I was justifiably scathing about Rog

There is a laundrette, which we used last Thursday. It is unattended, the machines are in an appalling condition (the 60% that are working) and we will not use it again without checking its condition first. We used a large machine costing £6, only to find 40 mins later that no powder or fabric conditioner had been taken. We washed again in two smaller machines (after a thorough examination) and at £5 each, but the fabric conditioner was not taken from one, and frankly it was hard to believe the clothes had been washed. I'd have done better beating them on rocks at the river. I can give you directions if you wish. My hope is that the business will shortly receive a major overhaul, but until such time we'll pass. Terrific laundrette up near the Anderton lift. Rog

We are discussing someone's life. Someone's home. How long had the man lived on board legally? If it has "taken months to reach this stage" why couldn't a little extra time be taken to find him alternative accommodation or at the very least, allow him to vacate with some dignity. There has got to be a better way. Rog

Some of these comments are nauseating in their sanctimoniousness and smugness, in my view. If some one has to be evicted from their home I would wish, at the very least, other agencies are contacted in advance, and that on the day every possible avenue to re home the person instantly has been explored and made public. For C&RT staff to turn up mob handed at 9am, with a number of Police, and tell some one to take their dog, and what they can carry off the boat, before seizing it, is simply unacceptable. C&RT actions may well be legal, but there is a much better way. Whilst holding out a begging bowl with one hand (breech) they conduct themselves in this bullying unnecessarily brutish way. Rog