Jennifer McM

OMG!!! You are in that spooky place over night? But it's Halloween! I would be freaking out....... Presently we are on the Oxford, out in the sticks, think there maybe less ghouls here than at the bottom of Farmers Bridge Locks! I'll light a candle to keep you safe Happy Halloween everyone

Sorry for the stupid question, but do you log in to the other forums? I'm wondering how it's possible to keep 'logged in' without a cookie? It's the main thing that cookies do, they hold a snippet of data, such as log in details. You wouldn't be able to bank online without a cookie. The trouble with cookies is that they've been corrupted! They are being used to carry a bit of data that tracks where you've been ont'internet. This means you could get targeted adverts.

You need cookies to keep you logged in.

Are you continuing to the Hatton Flight? If so you might need to check with C&RT, a boater told me today that repairs are planned for next week. Internet is no good where I am at the moment, or I'd check for you

Don't some people smoke camel dung? I'm sure I've smelt it! We turned up at Kate's Boatyard last week, and picked up a big bag of offcuts for a £2 donation to their tea fund. Maybe if anyone stops at a Boatyard, perhaps it's worth the question?

I'm desperate to know how 'said' person cleaned out the ash?

Being afloat for just 2 months, can honestly say our 3 year old gsd dog has settled very well. His separation anxiety appears to have become less of a problem, now we've managed to train him to sit on a box on the well deck when we go through locks, or casting off and mooring. If he comes off his box, he gets told to get back up. He's happiest when knows what's expected of him. Plus he's less of a liability when he's under control. Had to laugh at him this afternoon, he wanted to turn around, so he backed up along half the boat to turn around! They are just so bendy, and articulated! Although he can swim, he always has a harness/lifejacket on as he can't get out of the canal without help. Daft dog's fell in 3 times now! Last time was in the pound at Atherton top lock. I won't let him swim in the canal (apart from accidents) as there's so many things he could pick up from the water. So far touch wood, there's been no need for a vet, though he did cut a pad so we kept the area clean ourselves.

Did that in my stupid youth, got completely hysterical when the weeds swirled and wrapped round my legs! It was horrible!

Sea Dog, on 28 Oct 2016 - 10:17 AM, said: That's what we were told to do on our course, put gearbox into neutral asp, have someone (if possible) keep their eyes on the MoB all the time, throw MoB a line, and/or life buoy, then if necessary gently manoeuvre the boat towards MoB to a safe distance (probably reverse), then disengage engine again, and use a hook to help fish them out. Asking them to stand up was also mentioned.

I noticed the disabled sign on a mooring bollard, eg. There's quite a few websites that appear to help https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=canal%20mooring%2C%20disabled Good luck, and enjoy your great holiday!

A couple teaspoons of sugar always peps up a lazy fire.

We were in the same situation as you in August - and we decided to do the course, we believe it's worth it for many reasons, the main one being the confidence when you know the correct 'rules'. You'll be told how the 'read' the water especially in locks, what to do if there's a 'man-overboard, why you should always was your hands after handling ropes.... etc. Met a 'confident' 20 odd yr old the other day who told me I didn't have to wind the ratchets down on the locks, he said to just let them go! We learnt on the course that dropping the ratchets, without winding them down could break the mechanism, causing expensive damage. It's best to use common sense if you come across 'helpful' advice. We spent last weekend in a marina, and watched 10 hire boats go out. They all managed perfectly well with just a little bit of tuition, but I don't think I'd like to meet them in a sticky situation. Especially the one who thought he was handling a motor boat lol I can only answer as I see it!

They're spooky! lol

Thank you Ben for sharing! We'll soon be on our way to the Ashby, therefore it would be great to do a detour! Coventry Council are missing a great trick! That's a really good idea - it could be a money spinner for the Coventry Canal Trust (or similar). We'd buy a couple of the games!

Totally agree. This topic would make a good article in one of the waterway's publications. Thank you for the explanations. As BlueStringPudding states, disability can take many forms, it's not just about 'walking badly'. This would be a great project for someone in the C&RT to really get to grips with.

Great! Happy Crocheting!

I can see the fascination, but for a novice with a head cold, and a touch of virtigo..... lol We shall go through again at some point, it's certainly an experience. I know the window you mentioned. Think there's a rather posh Indian restaurant that uses the locks as a feature/talking point. But what philistine councillors agreed to the building of a block of flats over a lock? Sacrilege! Because I've got an 'over active imagination' I kept thinking about murders being committed at these locks, and the body stuffed in one of those dark alcoves! (Note to self; I really should write that book!) Birmingham should be congratulated for how it's embraced its heritage and built something that is really unique.

Noticed for the first time, disabled moorings. We were at Braunston. We moored up for just under an hour while we visited a shop in the marina. When we got back we realised part of the boat was moored in a disabled area. Questions are; If there's no other moorings available, and the disabled area is empty, are boats allowed to moor in this area? How 'bad' was our ignorance?