Hudds Lad

the money can’t be found to maintain the system we have, where’s the cash coming from to convert all the narrow waterways and locks to wide beam?

Aaarrrgghhh! bane of my formative years, should be purged from history

but if things last too well they get passed on rather than new bought, not good for the company sales department. a good example are Ladybird books, ones from the 60s/70s built like tanks, ones from the 80s/90s when the materials changed not so much.

and some sort of magnet on a long cord/rope to attempt rescue of any of the above. sea searchers from chandleries are popular but if getting a modern neodymium-type make sure its not a super strong 100's of kg pull one, if it locks onto the side of the boat you're never getting it off

problem is, not one of the youtubers advocating separating toilets takes their waste to compost. they all bang on about how much better than pumpout or cassette they are, call them compost toilets, and then bag and bin it all. joe newboater-public, who has gained all their knowledge from vloggers, sees that and follows that example.

our council contracts the "household waste recycling centres" with Suez, this means they knocked an hour off the opening times (bit hard to nip after work now) and got rid of the rubble/plaster skips. You have to register your vehicle to use them, and if over a certain size or using a trailer are limited to 12 visits a year. If its a signed work vehicle you'll be turned away. Oddly fly tipping increased massively. I'm between two sites, the one at Leeds Rd in Hudds is staffed by a bunch of miserable gits who only pop out of the cabin to swipe any choice items or shout at folk for using the wrong skip, or the slightly further away one in Meltham where the staff will help you unload if they're not busy or if its an older customer and are always cheerful. Guess which one i go to?

find a competent engineer to service your engine who doesn't mind if you watch, ask questions and take pics for future reference, along with list of filters/oil used. that way you can set off with a freshly serviced engine and the knowledge of how to do it yourself the next time, you'll also know where things are on your own setup.

seem to recall hearing you can't singlehand in Scotland either? have to have someone with you when locking, is that right?

erm, but it shouldn’t have to, its not what Elsans are for

what about Collared Doves? non-native invasive species and thick as mince, only slightly brighter than pheasants

yes, Rats with Wings (not the band of the same name)

and also Sky Rats

or Black Shag's if you're from NZ

theres a lovely video of one of the tractors from Bolster Moor farm dragging a stricken Audi off said hill, on its side, for a few hundred metres. a bit of snow and all sense goes out the window.

i know we’ve not cruised much since moving to Dunchurch, but i can’t say i’ve ever seen a widebeam moving on that stretch. not seen the ones in the marina move at all. i’m guessing two must have got stuck passing to warrant this missive from C&RT?

i would have reported, but i figured as @Alan de Enfield had been first on the scene that I'd only be duplicating his efforts

leaving nothing but a faint air of spiced ham

i'd imagine they'd be proper boneshakers on anything but smooth tarmac roads. wonder if the rim profile would take a proper tyre or if you're stuck with the solid ones? the seat tube lock would have to go, and perhaps some different bars.....

isn't it just a chunk of the van livery? somebody probably grabbed the wrong asset while knocking up the forms like this one if you scroll down on NB Oleanna's blog

I was tempted, but then put off by the two planks on the foredeck. Besides, I've committed all my imaginary spare cash to a well-appointed corridor in London

he may be one of Sir John Mandeville's friends from Europe?