She25

Yes I think so - the second as you go down towards Droitwich. A big response team there at lunchtime.

From http://www.bbc.co.uk/.../uk-england-hereford-worcester... Man dies after narrowboat sinks while going through canal lock Posted at 16:31 A man has died after a narrowboat sank while going through a Worcestershire canal lock. It happened at Lock 5 on the Droitwich Junction Canal, off the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, at about 11:20. An elderly woman had previously managed to get off the narrow boat and was unharmed. The lock was drained and firefighters went on board the narrowboat. They brought the man out and advanced life support was carried out by ambulance staff, but sadly it was not possible to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene Spokesman West Midlands Ambulance Service

Malcom, I understand you're getting the details of the poster on Facebook. Here's the comment from that post though - "Is this Chilton. Just passed it on Staffs & Worc by Milford Bridge 105. No one on board."

Editted - all sorted

I'm trying to find somebody who could refit my nb bathroom for me. Can anybody point me to a professional? eta I'm based in Worcestershire, and changing from existing side bathroom (4ft bath) to cross bathroom with shower, bespoke cupboards, new units etc. Tiling / waterproof boarding to walls too. Thanks Matty

Thanks Nick!

I'm looking at having my bathroom refitted and would welcome your thoughts or advice - particularly on any pitfalls I should look out for! Current set up is - Side bathroom (2ft corridor to starboard) with 4ft bath horizontally across boat, huge basin unit with cupboards underneath, thetford cassette loo. Lots of wasted space. Changing to - Walk through bathroom (remove corridor wall, add door from kitchen to starboard (cooker is in the middle of the boat so both doors will need to be starboard). Central shower cubicle 1000x7600/800, 25mm depth, stone resin tray, sliding or bifold doors Small towel cupboard to port wall next to shower Modern basin, smaller cupboard underneath Keep the old loo (even though its gone a bit off colour with age) The waste water from shower will be in a similar place, need to get short (1850) shower screen. May sink the tray if possible once we see what we're working with. Will remove tiles from existing bathroom and replace with waterproof cladding (even up the weight distribution a bit) and replace laminate floor with tiles perhaps. I'm a complete novice / unwilling at DIY so getting a trusted professional bathroom fitter / plumber in. However he's not worked on boats before. Any wisdom to share with me please? Especially in terms of costs, suppliers, materials, dangers(!) etc? Thanks

I went for oatmeal (I think) - a canvassy type material. I'd have preferred one of the chenille types but with two cats I needed something that wouldn't hold onto all the fur. I've since enquired and it's £32 for me to get the soft webbing type so going to order that as a change. I went for 2x medium seats with narrow arms - maximising sitting space but also able to sit on the arm or use it as a pillow occasionally!

I have a Nabru sofa, about a year old now. Went for standard seating but I'm thinking of getting the soft version as I'd like to wear it in a bit! Still as new despite daily use (apart from the corners being ripped by the cats but I can always order new covers for them to ruin)

Just wanted to offer some moral support Fudd. The way you describe it is exactly what I had - same time of year too. Luckily there was a nice man who yanked me out of Norbury Wharf at the end of cruising for 8 hours in the freezing cold. Broke my ribs in the process but was just glad to be able to tell the tale. Driving home that night in PJ bottoms and a hand towel (the only dry things left on the boat) wasn't much fun!

Go for it. I live in a marina and have two on board - started life indoors, then outdoors in a flat, now full time on the boat. Both have been for a few swims, more alarming for me than them, and I have watched them climb out onto the back of a boat (no fender to hang onto) and head for the shallow bank, so confident they can look after themselves. I get at least 3 mice (or half-mice) per week, so no cat flap for me. I like to check their mouths are empty before they're allowed back in. Leaving them overnight is no problem at all. If they are fed, have water and litter tray access (and a hot water bottle if you're feeling particularly soft), they'll be perfectly happy. Alternatively, get a neighbour to pop in to give them some attention.

Bumped into the electrician at lunchtime - handy. He thinks there was a powercut in the night, which caused my inverter to kick in to keep my fridge running. Tested the batteries while he was there - 12.8 so he's happy with those. Thanks for your input people!

Will check this at lunchtime - and if it isn't, I'll get some pictures to help my descriptions! Thanks .

Having lived on board for 12 months now, last night was the first time I've heard my inverter do anything. Fans started up and went on for about half an hour, now going intermittently, even though I'm on shoreline mains. I'd been charging the batteries last night (separate unit connected to mains) but noticed the charger had stopped, which normally it wouldn't unless I switched it off. Also noticed this morning that the indicator showing inverter / shoreline power source had changed light to show inverter power source, even though the physical switch was still on shoreline. Have played around with the switch to the inverter (options are on / off / remote) and the fan only stops when inverter is switched on. Can anybody shed some light (in idiots guide terms) and should I be concerned? TIA

Agreed. It generally happens when a) walking one direction down the gunwhale and deciding to turn around they run out, forgetting which side is land c) it's inconvenient

Looking forward to my second winter on the boat. My two cats love the life and sometimes get a bit excited, going for an unexpected swim. I'm in a marina, and they can get themselves out via the shallow sides or claw themselves up onto the boat if it's the other end. However I'm a bit concerned about them doing the same once the marina has frozen - one fell in last winter, making a hole in the ice and not able to swim or get purchase. Luckily she did manage to grab a neighbouring boat before the cold shocked her too much, but as I'm out at work all day I don't want to keep them shut in. I'd appreciate any tips on how others manage this problem?

Hello As we speak, my new stove is being installed by professionals (experienced in sheds, wood chalets but not boats). They've referred to the soliftec PDF http://www.soliftec.com/Installation.htm They've removed inch-thick granite previously used as the back board and found scorch marks (turns out there was a crack in the granite). Replacing with 3x5mm fire proof board. Distance to back of stove will be just under 70mm / 7 cm. They say the recommended is at least 50mm. Does this sound right? On the PDF it suggests at least 600mm away, unless protected by a panel (which of course mine will be). Tell me I'm being unnecessarily anxious please?!

Oo let me know how you get on Kiwidad, and where it is? Just thinking Black Prince might be a bit busy so might be handy to turn beforehand.

Thanks everyone. I've been past Tibberton on the way to Worcester and back - lovely, and looked like there a nice pub. So I might try the Stoke Prior route. Fingers crossed for decent weather!

I've got chance to take my boat out one day next week but I need to be out and back in a day. Coming from Droitwich marina, where could I turn (57ft) either towards Tardebigge or towards Worcester (canal option, not river) Thanks

Hi all When the previous owner fit out what is now my (trad stern) 2007 narrowboat, he didn't insulate the walls or roof in the engine room. So over this winter (and the previous ones he lived on it) it has suffered from a lot of condensation and is fairly rusty. I'm after advice on two things please - 1: What's the best / simplest way to insulate the walls and ceiling in there? The engine room is partitioned to make a cupboard on the port side for the electrics which was often dripping through the winter! Batteries are under the floor in this cupboard. 2: Do I need to be worried about below floor level in there regards to rust? I've had it blacked and some minor pitting welded a couple of months ago (after survey in September prior to purchase) so there were no worries externally. TIA

Sorry - to clarify I'll be buying a brand new stove because my current one isn't suitable, although in perfect working order. Was hoping to find somebody to take the old one off my hands and install the new one - which for me is worth paying for!

I've found a company who do part exchange on stoves - http://www.greenmanstoves.co.uk/stoves/part-exchange/ Living on board, I don't really have the space or inclination to store my outgoing stove while it (hopefully) sells online. Plus, if it means somebody else can install the new one safely and lift the old one out, all the better. Just wondered whether you all agree with this approach, and if so whether anybody can recommend anybody? I'm based in Worcestershire.

Hi all I'm looking for an electrician to come and check out the slightly dodgy set up on my boat. Having it decorated in a couple of weeks so hoping to find somebody before then. I'm based in Worcestershire and would appreciate any recommendations? Thanks

Interesting, thanks. The model I've found is smart but that's a bonus - also has built in freeview, wifi, usb etc and has good reviews. It's also quite cheap, so even if I don't end up using the smart stuff now, I'll be able to when / if unlimited mifi becomes available.