Theo

He is trying a new tack. Concealing this most excellent of Cathedrals from the ungodly. Nick

They say that all the world loves a bride. It is certainly true that all the Canal World loves a new boat owner. Especially when they share their pleasure with us!

I do agree. I have yet another old sepia print for my wallpaper. Nick

I think that you have moved the camera to the left and zoomed out. This would account for the fact that the black weatherboarded building seems to have moved to the left relative to the white stripe on the edge of the quay (which is closer to us). Parallax would take care of this. The new direction of the camera would mean that the Cathedral is out of frame to the left. Nick

I would have thought very little. Mammalian livers can be damaged by large amounts. (Remember the German Wine scandal in the 70's). If you are draining antifreeze into a container make sure that the dog can't get at it. the antifreeze tastes sweet and he will drink it and, possibly, die. On reason that the antifreeze may be less damaging to the environment is that is is miscible with water and will rapidly dilute. The reason that I am fitting the T piece and another valve is vastly to reduce the quantity of antifreeze that I will need to add to the environment. All the best Nick Edited for lots of typos

Balancing is only critical if you have the type of circulation where the outflow from one radiator is pass on to the next so that you ge progrssively cooler water as you go around the loop. If you have then you need a couple of hours to do the job: 1. Turn on the boiler and allow the system thoroughly to warm up. All valves fully on. 2. Go to the first radiator in the loop and turn off the balancing valve then open it a quater of a turn. 3. Set the second at half a turn. 4. The third at 3/4 of a turn. 5. Etc. around the whole loop. 6. Wait for a good long while for the temperatures to settle down. 7. When they have settled check that all of the radiators are at the same temperature. 8. If they are not then make small adjustments (1/8 turns) until they are. As you can see this can take a very long time! If you have a flow and return to each radiator then things are much easier. 1. Warm up the system as in 1. above. 2. Are all the rads at about the same temperature? 3. If they are that's all there is to it. 4. If they are not then turn down the balanicng valves on the hot ones and fiddle around until they are good enough. HTH Nick

Thanks everyone. I will get on with it at half term. I cannot carry on with the thought of freezing and Theodora sinking as a consequence. I found myself driving over to Thurmaston at 9.15 last night after bell ringing practice, and running the central heating for half an hour to take the chill off things. I have kept a maximum and minimum thermometer on top of the batteries under the rear deck. When I looked at it last night the lowest recorded temperature was +3deg C. Not too bad really considering that the air temperature was at about -4. I think that to be safe with the pump impeller I will use antifreeze. It is not as if I will have to put gallons in to get a reasonable concentration once I don't have to antifreeze the mud box. Just one thing, though, are there any recorded problems in a really cold spell of the mud box freezing up and causing damage. Obviously this would only be a problem if the canal were frozen up. All the best Nick

I have decided, with a little help from freinds here, that I definitely need a stop valve on the inlet. It then occured to me that if I fit a T on the inboard side of this valve with onother valve on the branch I will be able to introduce a relatively small amount of antifreeze to protect the raw water system. After that it occured to me that I might be able to drain the system by turning off the inlet, opening the valve to the branch of the T and then running the engine until water stops coming out of the exhaust. My query is: Is this a reasonable thing to do? Will it drain the system down far enough to provide a good level of protection? I am looking forward to your comments. Nick

I hope that your elation will continue for a long time. I am still ona high 4 months after the purchase. I keep having togo down to Theodora to make sure that she is still afloat! Nick

If you light the fire with an empty tank you are likely to burn out the boiler, I would have thought. If you are on shore power yyou could alsays buy a cheap heater from Argos to tide you over. Nick

What happens if I do use bottom blacking and walk on it? Nick

I am sure that when we go on our retirement trip (10months pootling along to wherever we get to ) we will find such advice immeasurably useful!

I don't know that lock. Are the gate paddles on the top gate? If they are on the top gate you can wait until the levels are more equal. Provided that there are top ground paddles, that is. (I am sure that chickens and eggs pertain here but never mind. There might be readers who are novices!)

An altogether wonderful program and much to be recommended! Nick

I think that the psychology goes a little bit deeper than merely saving money. I enjoy the challenge and that makes me try things that are a bit more difficult than I have done before. Presumably your man did not know how to read a circuit diagram, though, and that is rather scary! Nick

We have, as far as I can tell!, decided to black Theodora right up to the gunwales using whatever we will use to balck the bottom. The flat bit of the gunwales where you walk might be a problem. What sort of black paint should I use for that? Nick

I have just decided to delete the message that I had typed out. I thought that it might give offence. It was about navigation lights. Aren't I good and self restrained.

Oh! If only I could get m physics A level students to discuss the subject with such enthusiasm! Nick

Is it an electronic timer or a thermal one? The one in our bathroom at home is the thermal type and has give at least fifteen years of reliable service. It's not adjustable, though. Nick Edit punctuation.

Is there any problem if spray foam is use in contact with expanded polystyrene? It's just that there are a few gaps where I have removed some panelling beside where the pump out was. Nick

The thing about this forum is that there is always plenty of good advice about! Nick

I am going to the Newark Jumble sale next week so I will have a look out for one there to replace that which is smashed! See you there, Malcolm! Nick

Hm... It looks as if I need a Fluke and a cheapo! Nick Thanks everyone. Edit to add thanks