MaryP

In Sandra's defence, at VP people often linger, and look pretty fixed as boats are often doubled up. Even if the towpath moorers wanted to cruise they likely couldn't without a lot of boat moving! There recently have been new rings fixed the other side of the bridge towards Islington.

As someone said elsewhere, Springers are built like water tanks - rather rectangular - I don't think we have any tumblehome (if this is: tumblehome n. inward curve of a ship's side near the stern. ) I am a bit of a novice at all of this.......

So what are those dimensions? I have a Springer Water Bug which is pretty rectangular to maximise space inside - only 23 foot! How wide was your boat at roof height, and how far was that measurement taken from the water? I'd love to do this tunnel, but can imagine the ear bashing I'd get from my son if we didn't fit!

I left two bottles of beer on the roof, and came back two weeks later and they were still there! It was strange to me as we live in a city where they wouldn't have been there after 2 minutes!!

We have 3 cocker spaniels, but don't live aboard. They love the boat, and are very good on and off most of the time. However, cockers are hairy, and even rain let alone canal water makes them VERY wet. Invest in those rag rugs. We cover the floor in them, very absorbant, easily washed and dried - a must with our dogs when boating or camping!! Good luck!

We had the same lad from Stafford when we broke down on the Llangollen 2 weeks ago. He fixed the problem, better than before. Fixed our tunnel light in addition, and left me with a handful of fuses just in case. Excellent!! The reason he had a 2 hour drive to us, was that there aren't enough members in that area to warrent employing an engineer.

We bought our boat in Winter, and have very fond memories of our first trips! I must admit, as we only have a Springer (thin hull) we didn't move when there was thick ice on the water....

Thanks, I'm glad I'm not the only one!

I was more concerned about your safety!!

We bought a cheap Springer Water Bug, and now we've tarted it up a bit, people are always saying what a lovely little boat we have! We think so too! Ours is being blacked at Venetian on the Shroppie next week, so they will work on them. I have heard of yards being put off by Springers if they pull them out rather than use a dry dock, as if the hull is weak, they can buckle under their own weight. OK in the water of course. Springers cost slightly more for blacking as they have to do the whole hull rather than just the sides as on a flat bottomed boat.

Hi Breals, Were you really standing on the roof of a boat on the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to take that photo? Or was it another smaller one..............

I met Ellesmere at King's Lock on Sunday - no Pandas in sight!

Same for me. I wouldn't have a clue where to start to fix a problem, and so CCing with an oldish boat I feel better with the back up. I have no experience of a call out, but the boater who recommended them was on her own when she broke down. They came quickly after checking with her that she had enough bread and milk as they would have collected some for her!!

I'm sure people have said this before, but I can't resist................ you have the perfect name for your job Sorry

Ecover do a toilet cleaner. Would that be suitable?

I do this too!

I've not kept chickens afloat, but in the back garden, and I agree whole heartedly with this quote. I'd love to have chickens again, but alas not on our boat as it's only 23 feet long!!

Hi , No big deal - was just following the comment re moat. Don't know about the Zoo having a moat at all, but was in Chester last Thursday, and enjoyed the canal passing below the city walls.

Hi, By coincidence I was talking (by phone) to a chap in Venetian Chandlery today, and asked about the name, and he said it's said like it's spelt, and the other names/versions belong to nearby places and are wrongly used for their lock!! I was at Beeston Castle last week, and the Shady Oak was highly recommended by a local chap we were chatting with. The Pearson's guide says that the canal was part of the moat of Chester Castle, and it certainly runs at the foot of the castle wall just above the staircase! Have fun!

We're hoping for cleaner as soon as possible. My kids row for Lea Rowing Club, and the stuff they see in the water is unspeakable. Apparently rogue builders have plumbed waste into the storm drains, and a sewage plant can't cope when it has rained too much. That and the old sofas etc that get chucked in, it won't be a great advert for the area in this state! Apparently the councils are onto it now as the Olympics looms, but it has been like this for years and it's only just getting fixed. By the way, the cafe opposite Springfield Marina do great grub!

I see you missed out pics of the mucky end of the Lea near to London............. Although even some bits there can look OK in the right light........

As someone who cycles along the Regents Canal most week days (but not at busy times) I thought that cycling behaviour had improved since the big yellow signs went up. They are really hard to miss, unlike the A3 sized ones that are now being removed. Of course the drunk people tell you off for ringing your bell!

At Beeston Iron Lock there is no internal ladder, so single handed you have to pull the boat in or out, staying on the lock side. Did that today.

My survey saved me money, as it picked up on problems, and I was able to haggle the price down by a couple of thousand. The saving more than paid for the problems to be sorted out. It didn't pick up on the fridge not working (not in his remit), and that WAS an expensive problem to fix!!

I have a 23ft Springer which can turn anywhere, and this is exactly how I do it. Getting off the mooring is easy with 23ft too! One foot on the bank about a third back from the bow, push the bow off, walk along the gunnel and off we go. The only problem I have is people asking me where I left the rest of it!