Jennifer McM

Oh Shhhh....ugar!

I'm honoured, that's the best honour I've had all day!

You look so happy in that pic too....

Great, are we all dreading looking forward to the sequel?

Good idea, and that's normally the case for us. This time we've booked into one where there are lots of facilities. Think I might find taking a stroll to a choice of coffee bars a unique experience. With the damp cold weather we're having, hibernation appeals.

Just had a staff meeting, OH did get rather excited with your comment, but he soon got slapped back and told to concentrate Hunting for a possible 'whole' is now on his 'to do list' Thank you!

Thanks Alan, I've suggested that, but have been overruled! Now you've given me an 'excuse'.... UPDATE: Just asked; OH said there's no facility in the tank for an immersion, we'll need to have a new tank. But if there's no difference in licenses? Your comment was at the back of my mind... thank you.

Found it on YouTube - it looked very close, her head was under the water

Bit technical for me, but OH says we got one - thanks Think I'll pass this year - thanks. Though we were tightly stuck in the ice when the Beast from the East visited last March, so might get to experience several of those days

Thanks for that! Really thought there was a difference!

Hope this opens up OK

So, it's our third winter on the boat, and tomorrow we'll be cruising into a Marina for 3 months, leaving 1st March (if the weather's kind). Having not stayed so long in one place before, and because I'm a bit of an 'anorak' I've written a checklist (in no particular order) We believe our CC licence covers us, or would we have to pay extra? Same with insurance? Scratches and rust spots treated (ongoing) Diesel tank brimmed just before we 'dock' Don't expect to move the boat again until we leave - don't have a pump out, and the only diesel used will be for 'half to an hour' in the morning for heat and hot water - don't have an immersion heater Antifreeze and oil change recently completed Attach to shore-line - battery charger plugged in - inverter switched off Got lots of ideas to while away any boredom over the three months (haven't I Tumshie?) Temporarily register with the local doc for a checkup (luckily neither of us (65 and 74) has seen a doc in over 5 years ), we're up to date with the dentist, though maybe it'd be wise to have our eyes tested. We're already looking forward to our next trip in March and witnessing the excitement of Spring - this time we're venturing onto the Soar, possibly to 'infinity and beyond'! Does anyone have tips, suggestions (nice ones), has anything been missed?

Shared several locks with a boat on the GU a few months back, the 'lady of the boat' and I were in charge of the tiller, and struck up a conversation, as you do. She mentioned she uses biodegradable poo bags, and hangs them on trees for them to degrade. We didn't have much of a conversation after I replied (perhaps sometimes I'm too outspoken for my own good )! But.... thinking about it, she did genuinely think what she was doing was correct, and in a way, I can follow her thinking. Wonder what is written on the packaging of the bags?

Brilliant, and thank you for sharing this info. We've got the same make of boat, so we're especially thankful

Re other comments, it does look like we were lucky with the lockie that helped us. It appears there is a problem with the bottom gates, there's about a 2ft by 2-inch gap at the bottom of the two bottom gates, meaning there's quite a gush of water leaking out of the lock when trying to fill it. The lockie was aware. Whether that causes problems for the boats at the bottom of lock, I'm not sure. Surely anyone who moors at the bottom, or top of a lock would accept it gets a bit 'rough' at times (at least you'd think so).

Completely agree with that, except in this case the other boater was inexperienced and unpredictable. I took out our boat first, holding the boat on the landing while OH shut the gates. Normally we don't bother, it just seemed safer to hold the centre line because of a strongish breeze, boats moored at the bottom of the lock, and the 'unpredictable' boater.

Yes, it doesn't bear thinking about, getting caught up on that high cill. When at the bottom of the lock looking up, those gates do look small though

lol may have got that wrong? It's the sluices... is that the correct word? Sorry I was talking about the top gates. The top gates are surprisingly short, which makes the cill, enormously high.

How strange? Think this lock could be one of the most dangerous

Well, Stenson Lock's a bit of a whooha.... Went down the lock a week or so ago with another boater. It was the 3rd day as a boater for the other boat, and the first time he'd shared a lock. It was interesting... especially after I'd exited the lock, the bit where I was holding onto our boat via the centre line on the lock landing in a cheeky breeze, while waiting for my OH to join us. The new single-handed boater who'd just sailed out of the lock, decided to walk along the outside of his boat to retrieve his centre line, at the same time as passing our boat and the moored boats at the bottom of the lock. ? Anyway.... we were all new once... Yesterday we returned, to go up in the lock. Having experienced how deep the lock is, we're now prepared for this big baby! As OH set the lock for us to enter, he was joined by a really nice chap, he wasn't wearing the normal lock-keepers lifesaving gear, but he was a volunteer lockie. With his help, rising up the lock was so smooth. He advised me to keep the boat at the back of the lock (which I would have done anyway (I think) ), and he advised OH to turn the bottom paddle a couple of times, wait for the boat to stabilise after the 'turbulence shock', then repeat. He then advised just a turn on the gate paddle (really glad the bow doors were tightly shut as the torrent of water, high above the boat and was fierce), repeating the sequence every couple of minutes or so, and working the lock at just one side. The guy was brilliant, but what was slightly upsetting, he kept asking us both, if we minded being shown what to do. How sad really, we're always up to learn from those that know. It does look like he's been balled out a few times by boaters who think they know every wrinkle of every lock. I know there are volunteer lockies who are little know-alls, and you've just got to ignore their advice for the safety of your boat. But I just want to say, a big THANK YOU to the guy that took time out to help us. I'm sure the boat thought it was going through Sutton Stop.

Drop a couple of denture tablets in a teapot of water. Let it soak, then wipe inside with a cloth moistened with white vinegar or lemon juice (guess it's an alkaline/acid thing) I've not tried it, but I'm going to have a go...