debbifiggy

I had the pleasure to meet Mike earlier this week just after the launch of the boat. Seems like a nice chap, one hell of an achievement with the build and he's a biker too. Best of luck with the rest of the fitout 515888! Debbi aka Suzuki Girl

Yep, there's actually been quite a lot of coverage one way or another on the EFRA report into British Waterways and funding of the landland waterways. Couple of good bits in the braodsheets too. Debbi

ARRRGGGHHH! Now I'm cross, some idiot in a little cabin cruiser has just charged past with big breaking wake whilst I'm trying to drain the pasta and not scald myself. He must have been doing 5 - 6mph, so fast I couldn't get his index number. He just smiled as he charged past. I've got half a mind to run up to the lock and throw boiling water over him Out of all the boats that have passed today (well over 20) only two slowed down. Debbi

Yes this topic gets discussed often in many guises. Here's my contribution. Over the years I have lived on-line on the GU there is more and more passing traffic and one hell of lot more boats. When I first moved on board the majority of boats slowed down to a speed where you were not in danger of being knocked over, your crockery and glasses going everywhere (and most embarrasingly being knocked over in the shower shaving my armpits, that was messy and painful and I couldn't run outside and give the offenders a piece of my mind being naked and covered in soap and blood). These days only the minority of boats have the courtesy and common sense to slow down and charge past with a breaking or almost breaking wash. The worst offenders seem to be the brand new owners of brand new or nearly new shiney boats with expensive paint jobs although there are some pleasent exceptions to the rule and a few scruffy boats with no consideration of other boaters too. We are tied up securely but can't tie up too tight as our pound regularly goes up and down 18 inches or so throughout the day (inbetween 2 busy locks and there's a river coming in and a mill race going out. Good manners and common sense don't cost anything. Keep an eye on your wash and the disturbance your boat makes of the water and use that knowledge appropriately for the conditions. Simple really.

This sounds very one sided to me and I don't think you are being particularly fair as the other side doesn't have the opportunity to give their side of the story. Ok, perhaps could do better so time for everyone to move on and put effort into improving things things that really matter like the long term funding issue, dealing with anti-social behaviour on towpaths, finding a balance between wildlife, regenreation and restoration projects, educating the new Waterways Minister etc.