rustynewbery

But thousands of people are still arriving into the UK and not being checked in ANY way, ah but quarantine will come in soon? Someone, albeit a reporter, took an overnight trip to Amsterdam; was checked in and out of the airport there. [so they claim] The whole thing is a jucking foke when peeps turn up to marinas in their SUV's with a sense of entitlement to do whatever they want. Lockdown should be lockdown like NZ; then you have a fighting chance of limiting any spread within UK - and I mean all 4 nations acting as one.

Nope, it's got a knurled sprocket flange with contra-rotating balance weights

Castle Marinas for example have reopened today so I expect a glut of eager "check-my-boats" to infest the car parks and layby's. I won't be one of them! Similarly garden centres overrun and congestion getting back to normal if scenes on the M25 show. Tut tut - social distancing and all that!!

CRT have lifted the restriction - just wait to see if marinas do the same. Still not going anywhere yet

ABC Leisure, when it was simply Alvechurch Boat Centre, had their fleet 'sponsored' by others and I think that is still common practice throughout the business. Nowt wrong with this and the 'owner' gets to use the boat each year, has a cut of the profit on use and then retains the boat when the fleet life is ended. Similar to some very expensive sea going yachts I believe. They are also getting a 25% reduction in CRT licence for 3 months so I don't feel sorry for them one bit and they should refund where the contract states so. I looked at a short break hire on the Mon & Brec [in lieu of chopping 20ft off my own boat]and it would cost £900 for 4 days in the autumn! It's no wonder shared ownership took off.

The message is going to even more unclear - England opt for Stay safe and Wales keep Stay at Home. Boris is going on national TV tonight and I've just checked - BBC Wales will be transmitting his message but our politicians are saying ignore it - Bonkers. For example, and as I understand it, there is no closed fishing season now on canals, just rivers so poor Mr Plod will have a hard time on the Llangollen canal. More vehicles will cross into Wales with drivers citing "I'm staying safe" innit. And what of the town of Knighton which sits on top of the border between England and Wales? The rules must apply to both countries in lock step to control the spread of the virus.

I've received the "survey" and duly sent it in. If anglers get the green light to angle later today, there is no reason to prevent boaters boating. I want the freedom of choice when it comes, but if the stupid sods try and cocoon the over 70's unilaterally, there'll be trouble at' mill

Yes I experienced that at Lower Heyford many years ago,so know the pain! As far as marinas are concerned, read the T's &C's. It is common sense to ensure the running gear is tied down since strong winds can send everything off the roof and into someone else's pride and joy causing damage. Pot plants and planters make excellent projectiles, not to mention unchained coolie caps.

I organised two convoys from Ellesmere Port to Liverpool in 2014 and having Stuart Wood on our [lead] boat as pilot was a real pleasure. Let's just say he's worth the money!

Don't forget the Leeds & Liverpool for the same reason. You can't make it up the amount of deceit that spouts from CRT. Canals shut down everywhere due to COVID-19, probably the wettest autumn/winter with widespread flooding. And stanking off the flights with ash to prevent leakage [clue there innit?] and even removing parts of locks to prevent vandalism says they are doing it for the long haul. How much of the network is to become a linear 18" deep ditch surrounded by walkers, joggers, cyclists, all enjoying being better by water?

And it works too, Gwent police discovered a car with 2 up saying they were going to buy drugs..muppets Or we'll set the sheep on you, oh sorry that's a leisure centre innit

Firstly, respect to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in fighting COVD-19 and to all the key people maintaining like in these trying times. Whenever these necessary restrictions are relaxed, consider that the following canals have been closed due to - wait for it - water shortage. Leeds & Liverpool, Macclesfield, Peak Forest. Lock flights to be locked, gates ashed up to prevent leakage [horse, stable, door?]and gear removed to prevent vandalism. Ye gods, after the biblical storms and downpours over autumn, winter and early spring, 5 weeks of sunshine and little rain have now cut the available boating area - again. The Reservoir Levels are indicative of some areas which are leaking water alarmingly, but what's new. To say that Toddbrook is the cause of the Peak and Macc closures beggars belief. Rather than speak in plain language, the hydrology unit in Hatton are using Babblespeak to describe the situation. SNAFU I have a friend who lives on board and he suggests an agenda that most of the system will be reduced to an 18" linear ditch to be accessed by walkers, runners, cyclists all in the name of wellbeing. It ticks the box "better by water". If you have a boat on the above canals, you should demand a rolling extension of your licence.

The Anchor at High Offley will still be there and a right little gem it is too

Just had a phone conversation with someone who has a canal trading licence and just paid with a 25% discount due to the current events. Anyone else on 'ere know this to be fact. If so, then there is a precedent for CRT to do something similar to us oafs and cretins? Maybe a discount on all renewals based on the length of the lockdown. Not unreasonable.

But that's what the "popular" press do on a daily basis innit? As one poster says, name of boat withheld from view.

Cropredy Marina have shut the main gate and changed the access code. They turfed out anyone else including the pair of Hotel Boats that were prepping for their cruising season - no ifs or buts. Pissed off several moorers who hoped to self-isolate without thinking about the additional burden on the local surgery but hey s*"t happens. No-one other than staff are present. Your phone call will no doubt confirm this. Take a look at the stats and hope that you and your nearest and dearest don't become one.

My boat is also at Cropredy Marina, so like you am unable to go to it until the lockdown is eased. There is a NAA and I believe it's £200 per berth per year. Normally a winter moorer, I've taken a full year contract to save paying monthly for who knows how long. My choice, happy bunny? I know of 2 marinas on the Coventry canal that are not CRT waters so no licence required to be in those.

Yes, but it is not a residential marina with planning permission, the liveaboards pay extra for "high use" moorings. It ain't the same.

AFAIK, if Wigrams and Crick are like Cropredy, all moorers apart from staff were told to go home to their "Primary Residence" and the gates locked up. Several moorers turned up at Cropredy to "self-isolate" and were turned away. So maybe the liveaboards are no longer masters?