Jennifer McM

Thanks Roland, we'll probably aim for Midland Chandlers at Mercia Marina. We don't have any other transport.

Ecky Thump.... ? We're on our way to this area. We'd best sharpen up! Presently moored (till the storms pass over), at the bottom of Watford Locks. Think we'll start to 'drag our heals' and hope the floods will be over by the time we reach the rivers. Feeling a little wobbly at the minute, we were just leaving Braunston Top lock when an alarm started singing. We pulled up on the moorings to investigate, and discovered a hose had slipped off the engine, emptying the antifreeze-water from the tank. With the problem rectified, we set off to go through the tunnel. I'd have had a near heart attack if the problem alarm had started singing in the tunnel! That was too close for comfort for me We didn't have any more antifreeze, so now we've now got our fingers crossed that winter is over, at least till we can find a place that sells antifreeze.

This thread is too spooky! Wondering what use the 'chicken shed' thingy was for? Perhaps keeping food dry?

Sounds far too painful! Hope you're soon mended. My husband always carries a paint roller handle, it makes a great hook, and it saves a lot of pressure to his knees. Sorry can't help you with a pin, except perhaps using a couple of these, they are 1.3 metres, perhaps pushed through the armco and down into the mud below?

Mind, mould/mildrew spray probably contains bleach.

I'm sure the OP has thought about that

Fabric as in cloth material? How about Vanish Oxi Action Stain Remover about £3.50. Maybe Vanish carpet cleaner which is a dry powder in a shaker. Fabric as in a wooden panel? Spraying bleach works quite. White vinegar is supposed to be good, though I've not tried it. The above I have with success.

If the drawdown amount puts you over the tax limit, think about (if your very quick) drawdown an amount now, and another amount after 5th April - splitting it over two tax years.

That's what I imagine, any income over £11,850 is taxable.

Maybe this is the problem? He keeps disappearing ?

That makes sense, Rusty had his first two years in Spain.

Just a thought, a vet once suggested we should innoculate our dog for weils disease seeing that we live on the canals. We didn't for some reason, but it would be interesting to hear if anyone else has treated their dog for either having a problem with the disease, or for prevention.

Depending on what triggers your dog, food or toys, work with your pup's personality, and use his preference to reward. Training has always to be positive, and never negative. We house trained ours by putting them outside after waking up and after food and drink, it's the first thing you do in the morning, and the last thing at night (it's hard work for a couple of weeks, but it'll pay off well) - after which listen and watch for any signals they want to get off the boat for piddle. They can also piddle when they get excited, so until he can control his bladder better, maybe getting excited in play should be for outdoors Puppies have sharp puppy teeth, and he'll be using them like crazy. Don't let him cut his teeth on your hands, don't let him bite, you can tell him 'No', but a good trick we learnt was to yell out loud and clear 'Ouch', he'll soon get the message that he's hurt you, and he'll not want to do that. His mother would have given him a nip if bit too hard, it's a way of learning to be gentle. I knew someone who would pinch their pup's bottom, a bit like nip from his mother to train him to be gentle if he went too far. Whenever they do their 'business' tell them they are a good boy or girl, and make a fuss. Also when you put them outside use a special word as a command for them to perform, ours does what he has to do on command (most of the time), we can often be heard whispering to our GSD on a dark towpath going "Pee pee Rusty.... be a good boy, pee pee". He'll soon get the hang of it. We have to have our dog tethered when we're on the move, sadly he sees cats as prey, we can't trust him not to jump off the boat. Before getting off the boat, make him sit, then call him off the boat, saves him getting tangled up with your feet in a frenzied dash to get off the boat, ending in both of you taking a dip or worse. Introduce him to as many dogs as you can, and don't make him a 'mummy's boy' by picking him up when you come across a bigger dog, he'll need to learn not to be frightened of other dogs. He'll also need to learn when another dog doesn't want to be sociable. I find in most circumstances when we come across a nervous smaller dog, it's the other end of the lead from the collar end that's the problem. I'm broody.... I want a puppy!..... Sorry, I've just reread what the OP wrote.... you don't live on a boat. So much of the above will be about teaching their granny to do something with eggs....

I counted 9 cute little dogs there Think I'd have to be counting them every 5 minutes in case one of them has fallen off. They'd be the cause of a lot of worry .

Does he ask his dog? A shepherd tells his dog to go count the sheep... So the dog goes out, comes back a little later. Shepherd says: “How many sheep you count out there?” Dog says: “40”. Shepherd says: “That’s not possible, I only had 38 to begin with!”. And the dog goes: “Yeah but I rounded them up”.

Ahhh Roses' Narrowboats - yes, confusion reigned, we bought 3 bags of coal. Were you there?

posted in error

That's what I thought, but thought I was missing something. We saw just 4 boats on the move today (2 at the locks), hardly busy, but busyish from what we've been used to over the winter months.