Pie Eater

Brilliant news, obviously all the recent publicity worked, can't wait to find out who found her. Steve

The story has just been on the North West News on BBC 1, both before and after photos and a photgraph of Mr King were shown. Hopefully the story will be shown again later and also in the other regions. Steve

Just to let anyone boating on the Bridgewater Canal this Sunday know that it is Lymm Cruising Clubs opening sail. After the usual ceremonies at 10.00am in the clubhouse the boats will be leaving in convoy to the London Bridge pub (opp Thorn Marine) for dinner and refreshments. Last year 65 boats attended the opening sail and with the good weather forecast for this weekend it is likely to be busy again so be warned!!! Steve

We recently used Camberwell Covers who are based on the Bridgewater Canal, The owners Giles and Jill make all the covers on their widebeam boat. Giles did say that they will be sailing on the river Weaver sometime this summer and will be taking in work as they travel. Very please with the new covers despite damaging one corner in Saltersford tunnel last week. Steve

We went through both ways over the Easter Holidays - no problems with the timings but at present there are no mooring bollards or rings to tie to when waiting at the tunnel. Also the towpath in the 'lagoon' in between Barnton & Saltersford tunnels is collapsing near the Saltersford tunnel entrance. Steve

Trish It may help if you contact boatclubs via the AWCC, nearly all clubs will be out at next week on their Easter Sails, surely some one will spot it if it is still on the mainline canals. Details of clubs are on the AWCC website. Steve

If you are a member of the AWCC, try a local boat club. Steve

We have 2 Motorola talkabout T5422 which have a 3km range, 8 channels and 38 codes. Although we have not used them much we did find them handy last year mainly at the locks. We purchased them from one of the boat shows where they were on special offer - not sure what we paid. Steve

I've had to replace my 7 year old starter battery this morning. Fitted a 94 ah starter battery bought from Midland Swindlers for £61.90, I was intending to go to Thorne Marine but remembered that they would not accept plastic payment last time I went. Steve

Nick The info is direct from the company who have promised to let me know if they hear anything further. Apparently the police helicopter searched the Llangollen Canal and nearby areas. Steve

This mornings update from Middlewich Narrowboats:- There have been no further sightings of the missing narrowboat 'HOLLY' since it was seen a week ago at the top of the Wolverhampton 21 flight. Steve

Update from Middlewich Narrowboats :- Holly is still missing. The most recent unconfirmed report is that the boat was spotted at the top of the Wolverhampton 21 locks heading towards Gas Street Basin about a week ago. The media have now started to get involved to raise publicity. Anyone moored in that area? Steve

According to a post on UK.REC.WATERWAYS the 47ft narrowboat HOLLY has not been returned from hire. The boat was hired from the 9th March to 23rd March from Middlewich Narrowboats by a man from Hertfordshire who was intending to sail single handed. He is now listed as a missing person and the police helicopter has been searching for the boat. Steve

Darcy You can moor overnight at the top lock on the Wigan flight, there is a new shower block there as well. There are 2 pubs within 100 yards of the top lock. Aim to start the lock flight first thing in the morning, if you are lucky the lock keepers will cycle in front of you setting the locks for you thus leaving your crew to operate the heavy lock gates. You need to check on the Wigan Council website about Trencherfield Mill Engine opening times as there have been major changes at the Wigan Pier site recently. Steve

My missus has been in twice, the first time we were just leaving our mooring when she decided to walk along the gunnels after casting off the bow rope. The gunnels were wet from overnight rain and she slid in banging her elbow on the way. She made her way to the stern of the nearest moored boat and started to climb out, unfortunately she put her hand in a pile of dog c*** on the marina. After reversing back to the mooring to pick her up she had a shower and changed while I continued sailing to the first lock. The second time we were just mooring up at Parbold on an icy cold day in January when she misjudged getting off the stern and slid into the canal. I put the boat in reverse to stop and jumped off and at the same time threw the centre rope to my mate on the boat in front while I went to help her out. As I was helping her out my mate shouted that the boat was still in reverse and that he could not hold it back so I had to rush back to put it in neutral. After 30 odd years of marriage I have learned not to laugh at things like this until she has started laughing at herself which she did as she climbed out. Then we were all laughing and regretting not having the camera ready. She has sworn that if she goes in for her hat trick that we will be selling the boat!!! Steve

We fished our gangplank out of the Caldon Canal a couple of years ago. It is a scaffold plank and there were loads that had been thrown into the canal off a building site. The plank has metal protectors on each corner and painted up it looks ok even though it is not used much. Steve

Our club's (Lymm CC) Commodore's summer cruise this year is to Liverpool. A lot of boaters have applied for a place but I'm not sure how many have been given a berth. Some have been given berths at the Eldonian village. I'm not going myself as my boat will be in dry dock for bottom blacking. Steve

I get mine off my dad as he is a retired miner and gets free pit coal - smokeless but I'm not sure what type it is so I have not voted. Steve

Hi Tosher I insured my 40ft narrowboat with Michael Stimpson in 1999 for £190, this has gradually decreased to £144 (last year). Stimpsons are now part of the Mardon Marine group. www.marine@mardon.co.uk Steve

Hi everyone My name is Steve and my better half is Susan. We started off hiring about 25 years ago when the kids were still young. However, we got fed up of the rising hire prices and started to save for our own boat which we launched at Wincham Wharf in June 1999. After mooring at Crooke Marina in Wigan for a few years we decided to join one of the clubs on the Bridgewater Canal and we now have a mooring there. I have been lurking for quite a while now and I assisted a limping Maffi down Wigan flight a few months ago. Our boat is a 40ft Liverpool Boat with a cruiser stern. As I am a novice with a computer I may have to get the grandkids to help me so bear with me. Steve