rustynewbery

Has to be the case.

Marinas are telling visiting moorers to return to their primary residences and ALL non-essential boaters are being told to stay put by HMG. No more anti-social weekend booze cruises/hen/stag trips for a long while.

Next we'll have panic buying of wide beam boats! On the GU, it makes no difference whether the mooring is taken by a widebeam or 2 narrowboats breasted up - sometimes more. In 2013 I went with a group of boaters down to Limehouse to go on a Thames convoy. From virtually Berkhampstead down to Victoria Park, all the decent moorings [especially around bridges with road access] were taken up by either breasted narrowboats or wide beams, with only the lock landing bollards available. This has resulted in my choice to never go down this canal again. It has become a linear housing estate. Those craft based on just "fattening up" a narrowboat look pretty butt ugly to me and I much prefer the classic lines of a Dutch barge or similar. There's no doubt that the space allows for much more "normal" living and so be it. There's more snobbery amongst narrowboaters to knock any divisions between narrow and wide into a cocked hat. JUST KEEP THE WIDE BEAMS OFF INAPPROPRIATE WATERS - such as the North Oxford.

My dad used to say when using that Izal stuff - 1 rough, 1 smooth, 1 polish. Not sure I would want to try the origami approach though, back to big leaves - plenty coming up cut side by now

Yes PLEASE! Not like the wazzuk moored almost opposite the Braunston turn water point northbound.

Ah, spotted one of Mr Smelly's old 'Udsons down there - Jenny Rose

Did you manage to sort out your Ebby?

My genny has a L3E and I got a set of 3 from Diamond Diesels in Leeds for under £100 around 10 years ago. Same ones from Mastervolt were quoted at £75 each

True but the train service is not good. Neither is the cut south towards Oxford; more like a ditch in places and overgrown

This is nothing! Try looking at the Elan Valley dams which are similarly overtopping - as per design, but problem is the water flows down the Afon Elan and into the Wye which floods through Builth Wells and onwards to Hereford and Monmouth.

The stop lock is just a feature and hasn't operated for years. Vandalism maybe, there's a lot of yoof hang around there, but in this weather I doubt it. Or have CRT put stop planks in? Any road up, it doesn't make sense

Demand for charging points will[has?] very quickly exceed[ed] supply. I would like to go electric but not many can afford a car with a 200 mile range, or get it as a company perk. When there is a budget friendly offering that will give me 150 miles at national speed limits, I'll take a look because wouldn't want to rely on mid point recharging between A and B. While we're getting there, so will HMRC, who as we know giveth and taketh away. Never ever been a free lunch!

I've a feeling I know that one too - not far from bridge 205 methinks - very nice Armco piling with angry NT?

Er, via the GU north to Braunston, Oxford and Thames then GU south via Brentford?

Ah, forgot you got Udson mania for a while

How much did that set you back? The Eber brain is around £300

Lightweight Mind you, a Yorkshireman flash with the cash? Rare indeed!

Hit the nail right on the proverbial head - eat what you want. I don't thrust my choice down veggie/vegan throats but it is just what some are trying to force on the entire world.

Only fit for duck and swan at present??

This from the webcam at Tewkesbury Severn level

Try looking at Farsons digital webcams for the Severn and Avon, especially Tewkesbury. They are live and show river levels! Both rivers are really no go during the current stormy weather. The Avon can go up and down in a heartbeat while the Severn is more predictable coming from deepest Wales, look you. Good luck when you finally get under way.

Navigation lights help to work out where the oncoming boat is even if they switch off the tunnel light which is a tad daft. Lights aimed slightly off centre to the right, either up to the roof or down into the water helps to prevent blinding oncoming steerers. Still, when you get those who come to a dead stop and get drawn into you, or even worse, use the bow thruster to keep to their side pushing you firmly to yours, all part of life's rich tapestry inside a tunnel. But I don't get Francis searchlights - by definition - why??

I'm with Tim. Eat whatever you feel is right for you and yours. I have seen Tim in RL on many occasions - stick to his avatar unless you want sleepless nights ?

Ooops, didn't see that on the front page.

CRT have responded to the many complaints of inappropriate mooring by announcing that as from 10th February, action will be taken to deal with this issue. Starts on Monday From next Monday 10th February, the new 'Improper Mooring' process will be applied where a boat is moored in a way that affects safety or impedes other boaters or waterway users. It will be recorded by the Trust’s Licence Support Team and initially a letter will be sent to the boat owner highlighting the problem. The boater will also receive a booklet including extracts from the Trust’s boat licence terms & conditions, bye-laws, the Navigation Rules, and Boaters’ Handbook to help them understand how they can moor more appropriately. The Trust intends the process to serve as a prompt for the boat owner to moor appropriately and to help and educate boaters that may be new to the water or unaware of the issues caused by poor mooring. If a boater does not address his/her inappropriate mooring the process will allow the Trust to take action that could ultimately result in the revocation of the boater’s licence. Taken from NBW website while awaiting link to CRT Discuss?