MaryP

Well done!!

Jim was great when he helped me too - did he bring his lovely little spaniel with him?

My friends live there, and it is a family house. However, still every week fans of the show come and look at it, take pics etc, and sometimes assume they can just come in for a look round.

At Christmas time went onto the Oxford Canal first time January got iced in lots (not the first time, but the longest) First BSC since I've owned the boat... First meeting of Forum member First lock I've got to I couldn't manage single handed - Aynho Weir lock. BW told me there were secret paddles, I could see the water bubbling up and had assumed a leak from the Cherwell... First time down the weed hatch (it was covered over before) and discovered it was below the waterline... First time for a padlocked fuel intake First windlass stolen from boat Did lift bridges alone Met Bones, Maffi and PJ Put the anchor on the boat helped by Bones, Maffi and PJ (actually - THEY put the anchor on the boat!) Went onto the scarey Thames, and found it wasn't scarey at all - loved it!

The poor people there aren't having much luck. They have had 2 floods since they took over, and the latest problem is to do with the water tank in the roof. It has leaked down through the pub - their flat and the bar, making it unsafe to open. They were waiting for the brewery to send the assessor when I saw them last Monday. The brewery own the building...

Sorry, If I didn't make myself clear. The water leak has always been evident for the 3 plus years I have had the boat - as I say, the leak was sometimes there, and sometimes not. I have had it investigated, but no-one could find the problem. I then had the battery moved as I wanted access to the weed hatch. I have realised since the re-siteing of the battery (still in the engine bay) what the problem was - a short weed hatch. It is above the water line when the bow water tank is full, but is below as we use up the water. At the next opportunity - Aynho - I will get them to extend the hatch. Thanks for your concern!!

I agree with the above, but I have had the following problem recently, so another thing to check out! I have realised since having a leisure battery moved that was covering the weed hatch, that the top of weed hatch is underwater unless the water tank at the front is utterly full. I had been wondering why water came in on some trips and not on others. Someone has obviously shortened it at some point! It also isn't sealed, as heading upstream on the Thames into the wind recently, I had to push the engine, and the prop sent water splashing against the hatch lid, and yes it poured in. I left the bilge pump on, and it cleared itself, where I usually only use it occasionally. Just a thought! Just to add, I also have a wet gas locker - separate from the engine bay obviously, but of course the holes are only just above the water line, and there are holes below too, to allow it to be wet!. A problem would occur if the locker rusted through.....

I think we passed you on Monday. We were going down stream on 23' springer, and you were travelling up? We started from Maybush pub at Newbridge (very helpful and accomodating landpeople!!), and went down to Iffley, then back to Dukes and back to the canal. Or we might have seen you last week??? I recognise boat name and dogs!

A tip I was given once - even though it is tempting to paint the horizontal part from side to side, up and down strokes will give a much better end result.

Yes, I did go that way, and it was just for fun!!

Went through both of those yesterday - unmanned. All at training apparently, and someone off sick.

I use Pearson's in conjunction with the pink Landranger OS maps - useful for getting around the local areas, and I like the chatty style of Pearsons.

ditto!

The lift bridge just south of Aynho also has the loop, and I have put the chain through, and secured it with half hitches! However, on Sunday it was left in the open position, and we just chugged on through!

I just saw my boat moored up at Wootton Wawen on your day 3!! Great video!

Exciting times! Congratulations - I wish you much joy, and some sleep!

Sorry to hear of the court decision Paul. Just your luck they chose the Llangollen to start off on!

I guess so too, as the gaggle of boats which have been moored just north of the junction on the Lea Navigation have gone in the past couple of days.

This is what you want! http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/categori...urning-stoves-2 The standard pot belly is really small!

................When you have just phoned RCR because the engine won't start, and then someone notices the stop is still out! Then of course you have to phone them back...........

There was water in the canal at Whitmore Road bridge on Wednesday, and someone was using the lock that had been closed nearer to Islington.

Before you turn onto the Middlewich arm of the SUC, just go towards Chester for a short way, say to Beeston ish and back. Very pretty canal - Bunbury staircase - Beeston Castle itself is well worth the walk with amazing views! When you get to Middlewich, if you have a spare couple of days, turn left and go north to the Anderton Boat Lift. Easy to book, and it was free to licence holders last time I went on a turn up and wait basis. You'll go past the interesting 'flashes' on the way, and then once on the Weaver river, either turn round and go back up, or spend a couple of days on the river. The locks are enormous, and quite an experience!! The river itself is pretty at the southern end. Enjoy you trip!

Do I assume from this comment that the google maps are here to stay, and there is no chance of going back to OS? It sounds like the majority of us prefer OS (those that have commented that is!).

Thanks for putting me right - I was misinformed. I was told that the new owner of the car was responsible for the loan, even if they didn't take it out initially. Cheers.