Big John

Have you tried Devizes Marina?

"Anyone ready to buy Scarisbrick Marina from the Receiver?... it's only a matter of time", I think I heard someone say We were told to ring them in advance if we wanted to buy diesel from them. So we did. "Sorry, you can buy diesel at Red Lion Caravans opposite - ring us again if you have any problems". I was also told that they charge £3 more than the local competition for pumpouts, so marina moorers are crossing the canal for the service. "More interested in selling coffee and cake than providing services to boaters", I was informed. Mmmmm!!!!

What about the Saracens Head at Halsall - I'm told they might let you moor, as long as you give them a bit of custom

Do BW allow you to continuous cruise the BCN during the winter - working around the stoppages?

I hope everyone who booked turns up - otherwise some people who have tried to book and been told it's fully subscribedhave been deprived unnecessarily.

Getting desperate! Any bookswaps on the Leeds and Liverpool? If none canalside, any boaters coming our way? (Have a look at our website if you want to see where we are at any time)

What sort of area manager have you got? Oh,, someone who wants to keep their job. How can this information be made public, without getting you in trouble? What is the point of showing the press (for whom this is presumably being done, rather than RE & friends) how it should be, rather than how it is? Oh of course, it's not just the area manager's job, is it? It's the chief honcho's. The fact is he should actually be showing how it is in order to raise awareness, so that the local council should be persuaded to pull its weight. What you are clearing up is not BW's fault - it's the local parish council's. Yes?

Sadly we had a problem with a PO in Coventry not accepting Poste Restante, and after a long exchange of correspondence with Customer Services at HQ, they said each PO has to be able to accept it - and effectively can make their own decision. The one in question said they didn't have room to store it :-( It's worth complaining though.

Following your enquiry, I notified Waterscape that they didn't have details on their stoppages list - see River Weaver Stoppages. This has now been rectified. Well done BW!

Sorry we're not there in person (or in boat) to welcome you home, but maybe we'll catch up with you in August. (Mind you your exploits haven't encouraged my crew to take on the Trent). Anyway, Welcome Home, O intrepid explorer.

In a Green Briefing, GSK is praised for using a water chiller using GU canal water - see Tech Innovations Cool Data Centers The company says during the process the temperature of the water rises from between 4-degC and 9-degC, but as the water passes over the waterfall in a thin wide layer some of the heat naturally evaporates. The cascade over the waterfall oxygenates the water in the canal, benefiting the flora and wildlife, and the flow of the water down the canal dissipates the heat quickly. I was wondering which way the flow of the water is in this stretch of the GU?

This Gentleman (for that is what he truly is) came up with the goods - not once, not twice, but time and time again. Thanks Andy If only everyone who works for your company was as helpful as you, going out of their way to help their customers and understanding their needs, there would be no £30 million pound deficit, the company would have a good name, and its stakeholders would be happy. Off to Tewitfield today ... see you around

More or less my thinking - except I thought, "why doesn't BW just fill in the dock and build a skyscraper office block? That would be more in keeping with their usual thinking." :lol: I don't suppose they consulted RBOA or NABO or IWA?

Salvation has come to this boat Glad alls well that ends well. Great pictures - lucky you having a mobile signal. Ours is duff tonight :-(

From the BW website: Summer 2009 Customer Meetings In 2008 chief executive Robin Evans undertook a series of customer meetings around the country. These were additional to the regular programme of business unit user groups, the centrally run WUSIG (waterway user & special interest group) and BWAF (british waterways advisory forum). Customers welcomed the opportunity to ask questions of a director, particularly so with increased boat licence fees and the mooring tender trial as current hot topics. The 2009 programme represents an opportunity to explain BW's 2020 strategy and to hear customers' views about the future structure of the business. Weekends have been chosen as they are most convenient to customers. Director Vince Moran will be on the road this year, together with Caroline Killeavy (boating development & customer relations). Sat 6 June Morning (10am) Bilsborrow (nr Preston) Tommy Hatton's Meeting Room, Guy's Thatched Hamlet, St. Michael's Rd, Bilsborrow,PR3 0RS Anyone going by car - if so from where?

This is surely what we expect from any large 21st century corporation? Don't be too hard on them.

My wife remembers seeing Evening Star. What is it that makes them more observant? Or is it just our memories? Enjoy the southern canals!

Well, if today's cruise is anything to go by, I suspect you're still waiting What a wind! Still, it looks to be easing tomorrow, and Thursday it will be quite calm. Good Luck! or should I say, Bon Voyage?

Have a great crossing. I bet you won't have such good weather as we did on Sunday though, coming up to the Lanky. Fi took some gorgeous pictures - some from the Douglas already posted on the blog on our website. We love the Lancaster canal so far - really beautiful. Looking forward to enjoying the next month up here.

We'll be there from 5th to 13th July. Look out for us. :-)

Are you thinking of Pennine Waterways pdf? Martin comes up with the goods again!

A quote, apparently from BW's staff consultation document, "New Strategy and Structure proposals", which I gather are now in the public domain: We are consulting on proposals that will result in savings of £8 million a year. Under these proposals there would be around 100 job losses, with the consequent reduction in payroll costs (approximately £5 million). Further savings (figures are approximate) would come through: • £900,000 through the consolidation of Omnibus and vegetation management contracts • £750,000 through a reduction in office space • £500,000 through more use of technological advances, thus reducing administration and duplication of effort • £700,000 through changes to the car and business travel policy We are also looking at other types of savings, which are not part of the consultation with staff, that would save us a further £1.9m, making total savings of approximately £10 million. Amazing how figures end up in round terms, isn't it? It's also interesting to note that the job losses will average £50,000 per redundant employee. Nothing about lowering BW directors' salaries. But I suppose they ought to be rewarded for saving money (by sacking people)?