WrightCharlie

I agree, they are well filmed and edited and he has a nice delivery style, I have enjoyed watching him.

Talking about and showing the different NB types of toilet, to go straight to the composting one jump to 13th minute.

If you're not into preparing food (all the time) for your dogs then 2 very good makes to consider are Forthglade and Burns who both produce natural pet food with great ingredients. The best advice I've come across if preparing food for your dog is to give 60% raw meat, 20% raw and/or cooked fruit & veg and 20% cooked brown rice. Having said that, pork shouldn't be given raw so if for some reason you want to include it make sure it's cooked. Also bones should only be given raw, not cooked. Add in a spoon of salmon oil each day (usually cheaper bought online) and a raw egg as a treat a couple of times a week. I don't have a dog at the moment but the above combo worked so well when I did. https://forthglade.com http://burnspet.co.uk

I'm not sure to be honest, it would depend on the circumstances. Are there no circumstances on a river where you'd do it first?

Just a thought - maybe have a pro skipper move you through the first and more difficult bits - not sure how far that would need to be though? Might be easier to get someone for few days rather than whole trip, also cheaper.

I don't have a boat but I took a 3-day course RYA helmsman last summer in anticipation of buying one next year and as part of my "experience being in a boat before you buy one". My thoughts echo much of what has already been said:- You will learn much more than just driving including safety tips, some of which are not necessarily instinctive, at least they weren't to me......i.e. man overboard = turn off the engine first before trying to help them........I'd have chucked in all the lifebelts, ropes and good swimmers I could find before I'd have thought of turning off the engine! I also found the instruction on rope handling, knots and mooring techniques really instructive. It was great to have someone experienced to "lean on" particularly when locking and winding and I now feel confident in reversing and manoeuvring the boat through what I used to regard as tricky situations Add in things like canal etiquette, the "Highway Code", daily boat checks, help in understanding (maybe beginning to understand) boat electrics, pumping out/Elsan, filling with water and diesel etc., etc. All things experienced boaters don't think twice about I'm sure but stuff which i'm glad to have had a shortened learning curve on. Another thought, which I touched on above, is everyone says to "try before you buy". A live-on-board course is pretty much the same daily cost as hiring a boat anyway so if you're in "try" mode there's nothing to lose really. Plus it's really good fun I've held back from mentioning who I did the course with as I'm not sure the moderators would want me to name them? Like you, I'm a newbie to this forum but if you can work out how to message me I'd be glad to tell you who I did the course with as I'd recommend them all day long!

Thanks very much Trillian, more food for thought

My sincere thanks to everyone for their comments, I still have no idea which stern type I'd choose, everything else being equal and, if pushed to answer right now, I'd go for a semi-trad. Semis sound like they've got some of the best of the cruiser and trad worlds without any glaring negatives. Anyway, as some of you suggest, the stern type doesn't need to be the highest priority consideration and the boat will choose me anyway. So, thanks again, you've all given me some great food-for-thought............and along the way I learnt about a little about defensive boating and weed hatches too!

Spot on! Charlie would have several "adventures" during a season, most of those being "I daren't watch" moments

Thanks again Richard, doesn't sound that hard to do, says he hopefully

They could get up there on a semi via the side lockers I imagine, at least that's one of the things I've been thinking possible if I choose a semi? Thanks cuthound, the headroom and bed length is an important factor for me too as I'm 6' 1" and in some of the boats I've been in the cross-bed or fixed bed length have been too snug. Defensive boating, if you have the time please do tell?

Thank you Ian........I find myself veering from trad to semi-trad to cruiser then back to semi-trad etc., based on everyone's comments as they roll, they all seem so sensible.

No experience of those Catnip, I imagine they're useful maybe as extra storage or drying space whrn moored up, but not sure whether I'd like them whilst cruising? Thanks Bettie. Cheers Richard, from what I understand this weed hatch thing is somewhere I can expect to be visiting quite frequently too!

Hey PB, wanted to continue off topic for a brief moment to give a shout out to your supporters who last season took the time to come to one of our "Roland Out" protests, the support will never be forgotten down in SE7. Thanks Mark, 3 good things for me to think about. Hey Ray, may I say you have a very clean and well presented rear end

Cheers Bettie, I'm of a mind for a reverse layout too and was imagining I could dry a few clothes under a cratch cover, although if I get a trad or semi-trad it doesn't sound like I'd need to wear many clothes anyway