Khayamanzi

Double glazing would certainly help but not sure if it would keep a tank of water warm enough for long enough in winter??

Tony knows his stuff clearly! I too used to keep an Iggy in a converted wardrobe bought from the charity shop and adapted with glass doors. Yes, he, (which later turned out to be a she!) diffinately needed to be heated from above and I agree about heat mats. As well as keeping the lizards, (Iguana, Tokay Gekhos, Anoles, Corn snakes etc etc - not all together!) I also kept and bred tropical fish. Since moving aboard, I have had to give up the reptiles, (sadly,) due to the lack of space but do have a small fish tank aboard, although only cold water. I have often thought about starting up again with tropical but am unable to find a 12V thermostatically controlled tank heater. Any thoughts on a UPS? Not seriously given it much thought and I guess the length of time needed for it to run might be a problem but I did think of the possibility of getting a small UPS for running the tank heater when the inverter was off and no land line present? Edited before someone picked up on the fact that I meant Tokay Geckos not Tokyo Geckos!!

Amazing to see this thread! I've just spent the first few weeks of the summer attempting to tighten up the bolts on mine for exactly the same problem!! I'm going to get it welded when next out of the water but only solved it by climbing in the water in the end to sort it out. I had to tighten the top and bottom bolts as well as the middle pinch bolt and only by swinging on the end of the spanner in the water did I solve it! It's been fine all summer since.

Dan, Tons of stuff - pictures, hire brochures, price lists, log books etc. etc from Anglo Welsh dating back to my hire days in the 1970's onwards if interested. PM me or contact me through my website found in my signature if interested. Regards Andy

Thanks all - now sitting just above Fenny Compton heading north! The K & A will have to wait 'till 2008 to be conquered by Khayamanzi! I think Eugene is to be applauded at this very busy time for making the effort to 'mingle' and communicate with boaters through this forum.

Eugene, can you or anyone else tell me what conditions are like to the North? Currently sitting in Banbury town center heading for the K & A which is clearly not going to happen so considering turning round and heading north for the summer eg. Staffs & Worcester, Shroppie, BCN, Caldon etc etc. Are these canals all fine or am I likely to get caught in more stoppages there? Regards, Andy

After a personal email from Tony, I can eliminate the waterfront outside Brinklow Marina, All Oaks Wood and Stretton Wharf - keep looking!

I feel compelled to add! Below is the extract I have just typed on my todays blog entry:

Hi there, try looking at www.brinklowmarina.com if the North Oxford is any good- beautiful location and still some moorings available if quick!