sam pig

Aye, Even more sketchy having signage at one end and not the other as boats heading towards Northwich wil just assume the tunnel is clear as long as they are in the green sector (half past the hour till ten to), and boats may posbbily enter at the other end of the tunnel at will.. Not sure how long it has been like this but if for a while, there must have been some scenes...

Has anyone passed through recently and notice the lack of Signage at the North bound portal? Is it still running on timed passage? We passed through over the weekend and the sign showing the green and white disk indicating the time permitted to enter has disappeared. There is some tow path work taking place so it may have temporarily been removed but I seem to recall it was on the other bank from where the work is taking place. It seems that the tunnel is still operating on said timings (boats Waiting), however, it's a very busy stretch for hire boats and could cause problems if CRT are relying on assumed knowledge as it has been in place for a few years. I will give them a call on Tuesday but thought I would check on here with the vast knowledge Base.

Surely, you don't need reminding that the law is undoubtedly an ass. Winning in court...Jeez. I am not that arsed but am glad that there are not too many folk with similar agendas round our way. Would take the fun out of it.

Hi carlt, No, not harmed me at all. I don't even know him or all the ins and outs of the case (nor do I want to). Nigel just comes across as someone who has undoubtedly ran rings round BW and CaRT for some time in so far as paying his way and complying (or not) with regulations which the vast majority thankfully comply with. I can't explain why I feel that way reading his post. Perhaps it is the feeling one gets when someone takes the piss out of a system that the rest of us pay into fair and square. At least I am being honest. The suggestion that perhaps we all should do the same does not really wash as then there would be no system at all, which I suppose is what Nigel wants. Each to their own

System 4-50. Completely agree.

I don't think you will be the only one feeling this way madcat. I got shortlisted and interviewed for a volunteer coordinator position last year and am really glad i missed out on the job. CaRT are skint and are going to squeeze all of us more and more (I fear). Think I will stick to rebuilding the Montgomery with SUCS. A worthwhile and interesting project and conveniently close to my abode.

I like it too. Sucker for quirky stuff

I have read all the thread and the links. My local is ran by a fella who drove getaway in an armed robbery for a gang once. He has been there for years and the pub is the hub of the community. He has changed his name to help move on from his past.

Right, so the idea is to force him out by not drinking there? I will use it and hope that he makes a success of it. I will give him a crack of the whip irrespective of his past and hope others do to. I won't email the pub a link to this thread as that would be childish but think it is probably something he is entitled to read.

I would not have those on my boat roof but I really like them. Would look great at various points in my new (fingers crossed) garden.

Was wondering Doorman whether it may have occurred to you that your seemingly continual negativity towards the new licensee may detract customers who use this forum from giving the place a go under the new management? If boaters go elsewhere on the strength of your posts, then you are contributing to the pub failing. I, for one, already feel like I know the new tenant personally and have not been near the place for a good while. How about letting us find out for ourselves? My life is not enriched by your one man crusade,

You do recognise that there are better ways to express opinion other than here though? That is what I was trying to say with no patronising intentions. Not sure what other "special interest" forums you use. My others are Triumph Owners Motorcycle Club (currently restoring a vintage bike that my father crashed in Rome in 1956 ) and a few football forums. They are just the same as here. Massive amounts of penis length comparing over nothing in particular with the common theme that people are always looking for an argument. I bet if you found a forum about basket weaving hosted by the WI, they would be arguing with one another. The difference, from where I sit, as an easy going moderate, is this issue in this thread is also potentially a lifestyle changing significant social reform issue. It will potentially have a huge impact to people’s lifestyles for ever. So, my point...There will always be the polarised voter, there will always be the polarised boater. In the continuous cruising community, there are people who would not play the game pretty much if their lifestyle depended on it. They will never recognise the authority of CaRT and the rules and regulations they wish to enforce. Likewise, there are boaters who refuse, and always will, to listen to or even entertain the lifestyle of "others" (that word again) if they are not complying with the rule book. From the folk I meet out on the cut, including a couple of continuous cruisers who I consider friends who have hardly moved their boats in the 6-7 years i have owned one, I would suggest most boaters sit somewhere in the middle. They will sign the petitions against ludicrous mooring proposals, they will defend the lifestyle choices of others, and they will enjoy the colourful nature of the waterway. Unfortunately, and Dew, I get the tongue in cheek nature of the post however, I could point 12 boats out to you now in our marina who are probably in the fence sitting middle ground who would read your post and think, "F*** em" and back the IWA no matter what. That is one of the reasons Chris that I prefer direct face to face interaction. There is too much lost between the typing fingers and the interpretation in someone’s head 200 miles away. If I did not comment on the thread earlier, guess what, I had not read it. I knew what the content would be and yes Dews post did hit a nerve but perhaps for reasons you may struggle with. I am in support and thought the post an "own goal". I will support continuous cruisers, I don't mind overstayer’s at all (as long as it is not the visitor moorings again at Nantwich and my aged ma is on the boat with me)... I can't and don't want to add any more but hope it gives some food for thought.

I have not been silent Chris. I attend the local meetings and speak up when judgemental individuals are pushing unsavoury personal agendas. Just because I don't spend hours of my life arguing/patronising/telling people they are wrong from the comfort of their keyboard does not mean I don't have a voice.

I honestly don't care if it was or it was not. It is judgemental. I thought that is something we were trying not to be as boaters

I have re-read it and yes, I think it is pretty patronising to be fair. It is pretty much encapsulating what it seems to be railing against and that is the "othering" of boaters. sadly an intrinsic human trait. I would suggest I fit hardly any of the profile actually Jenlyn apart from maybe owning a boat. Our first trip on our newly acquired boat (bought for cash at the age of 35) was from Chester to the end of the Caldon and back with two small children. I am a live and let live person and certainly don't travel around harumphing at people with an alternative lifestyle to mine on the canals. It is a lifestyle i would never want. I don't want to live on a boat but love the canals and boats and find the "othering" of marina dwelling "shiny boat" owners as tiresome and boring as the "othering" of continuous cruisers. Unfortunately, the new Governing body is looking to make money and the people who have skirted around the rules and regulations are the obvious first easy target but please don't begrudge "straight Heads" like me our lifestyle choice (and others who perhaps worked hard all their lives to fulfill their dream). I don't eat pizza either (unfortunately) as i am gluten intolerant and they are always always like cardboard..

Dew, How patronising...

The ONLY reason I have not been up there, and would hazard a guess many think similar to me, it is takes too long for someone still of working age to get there and back in an average holiday period. It would take me too long to get from the marina to the summit (and back) and the thought of passing through Newton Heath etc, after spending several days there with a WRG party, really does not fill me with glee. I like the industrial aspects of all canals but if I had to decide between heading down the Caldon, which is a very achievable 5-6 day trip from our marina, or battling the locks up to Rochdale, then there is only one outcome. Booked passage, shagged lock gates, empty pounds etc etc. It is just too much hassle thanks.

Just wanted to say a thank you and well done to all involved with putting on the event this weekend just gone at Ellesmere Port Boat Museum. I am embarrassed to say, I live about seven miles away and it is the first time I have been. My favourite boat(s) of the day would have to be MSC Bantam II and Worcester the narrow beam tunnel tug Some fine vessels to admire..

So are you a babe or a munter pretending to be a babe? I really am a pig by the way.... right little oinker

I must admit there does seem to be some veiled secrecy about these issues. I am not going to attend meetings. I ain't that involved but am more than happy to sign petitions and the like to object against unfair rule changes. It just seems that sometimes on here, for a place that offers so much information, it can be hard to come by. There is a personal message system and it works. It was very helpful (for me) a few weeks ago when dealing with a crime that occurred. I would hazard a guess that most people on this forum are live and let live easy going sorts. Replies along the lines of "well if you don't understand X,and Y...Why should I bother explaining Z" do nothing to help people trying to understand the ways of the canal and the fairness or unfairness of enforcement. Don't shoot me down, just saying how it appears..

On the towpath of course (as you did from the looks of it). You aint going to be able to wind if you take a boat past the buoys (unless it is a very wee boat). I went past the blocked off bridge in the picture on the towpath to have a nosey. Progress is impressive

Word..

Think Loddon is struggling to contain his glee. Must have been bullied at school. I am quite keen on people complying with the spirit of the CC regs or at least making the effort to look like they are, but you would never find me taking pleasure in someone possible losing their home. Sad Hope you have a nice Easter Loddon and maybe think of the person who has lost his boat and how he may be enjoying it (or not)..

Hi, The winding hole just past the Black Prince Boats wharf (couple of hundred yards past) is as far as you can get. There are buoys across the canal in bright orange so you get the heads up to start thinking about turning round. There is usually mooring space round that area for the farm shop and the Leigh Arms etc. You are still a mile or so short of the breach and the canal is in water beyond the orange buoys but obviously they have stopped boats going any further as they wont be able to turn.

I am also fascinated by beam engines but ain't sure I would be happy relying on them to supply water to the significantly increased UK population from the time whence (nice old word), they were designed and built..