[Single-Handed up The Stort]

Thanks, Folks! I'll let you all know how it goes in a few weeks.

 

I moor on the Stort at Roydon Mill and It really isn't a problem. In fact its quite good fun.

 

Sheering Mill Lock is under repair at the moment, leaks like a sieve, but its only down for a couple of days.

[Toilet Cleaners]

I have recently fitted a new Lee Sanitation toilet and would like to use a toilet cleaner which is kind on the environment. Any recommendations?

[Rust in engine compartment]

I would be tempted to scrape and wire brush any loose rust, and treat with a converter. Followed by a quality primer, and some bilge paint. Some peopleuse hammerite to good effect in bilges.

 

What is a converter?

[Rust in engine compartment]

When I bought my NB there was a certain amount of rust in the engine area, this is only on the floor area. Not under the engine, but on either side.

I know the cause, blocked drainage holes and engine plastic overflow pipe from beneath the fill cap.

 

The rust is not loose, its just rust coloured steel and I wish to treat it. Should I use a red lead straight on to it, or should I use some other form of treatment.

What I don't want to do is carry out a paint job down their, only to find its all wrong.

[Appoaching Woolhampton Lock on the K & A]

I should be in the Bradford on Avon area over the bank holiday weekend. Look for a scruffy bloke with a half painted 50' Colecraft with no name displayed).

(shudder)

The crossed guns at avoncliff does FANTASTIC sunday lunches, very well priced, worth timing a journey for.

 

Oh yea, look out for a boat with a little polar bear sitting on the roof. His name is Shackleton so give him a shout.

Hi Snibble

Won't be around that area until around the 29th, might bump into you. We'll look out for you.

 

James

[Rivers Lee and Stort]

We will see what effect the Olympics has ?

 

I normally make a dash for Stonebridge Lock and then carry on next day to get past the M25.

 

Very occasionally in Winter, excessive rain will cause the levels to rise so that they padlock the paddles.

It normally only confines boats to pounds for a few days and it only generally happens once or twice a year .

 

Typically, the upper stretches (beyond the M25) are flood free and navigable most of the year.

Summer time should be no problem.

 

Hi Mark

Talking of Stonebridge Lock, hows the moorings around that area, and is their anywhere to get a meal?

 

James

[Appoaching Woolhampton Lock on the K & A]

If you can give us a boat name, and perhaps pm me a mobile number, we may be able to share a beer at the western end of the canal. I know ALL the pubs!!

 

Hi Snibble

 

Our boat name is Out of Sight.

Where about are you moored, I'll keep a look out for you.

Can't be sure we'll be able to stop for a drink, pretty tea total actually, well the odd glass of wine.

Lets wait and see.

 

James

[Appoaching Woolhampton Lock on the K & A]

Hopefully the flow should be a bit less now than at Easter when we went downstream turned and came back upstream...bit of a mistake really!!

I know that the flow is a lot less now through Newbury..

 

The main thing seems to be to keep heading into the current at all times following the curve of the right-hand bank all the way to the lock entrance and then turn right into the lock.

 

Don't head directly to the lock as the current will catch you ,take you sideways and you'll hit the bank or the boat thats moored there..

I know this from first hand experience!!

 

Also apparently there is a small sand bank just downstream of the spot where the river enters the channel, another reason not to head straight for the lock

 

Another thing to avoid is a sunny sunday lunch time when 100 plus people will be in the pub garden all willing you to provide them with some thrills and spills!!!

 

Good luck and hope you have a good trip the K&A is wonderful .....let us know how you get on.

Gillie

 

Hi Gillie

 

Do you turn right into the Lock, or should it have been "turn left"?

[Appoaching Woolhampton Lock on the K & A]

I am due to go from the Thames to Bristol in about a week, and would like some advice on approaching the Woolhampton Lock No. 94 going up stream from the bridge. Is it much of a problem?

[Mooring against a natural river bank]

If you're single handed it's tricky, but for starters I'd advise not moving in flood conditions and always mooring bow upstream.

 

It's probably best to practice the technique of getting off the boat with centrerope mooring pin and hammer on still water before trying this on a river. I've put my foot on the centrerope sometimes and giving the pin a couple of strikes. If I feel the rope moving I put the hammer down and grab the rope, get the boat back where I want it and start again, eventually you get there....

 

Would I be right in saying, the heart is in the mouth while trying to secure the boat.

[Mooring against a natural river bank]

Can anyone advise on mooring against a natural river bank. Not only have you got to stop as close as you can to the bank, but you have got to get off, drive in the mooring pins, and tie up before the boat slips away in the direction of the current.

What is the best way of approaching this problem.

[Visitors moorings - Paddington Basin]

Pretty good I'd say. Even if you can't get into the basin itself there are usually plenty of moorings on the approach.

 

regards

Steve

Thanks for information Steve

[Visitors moorings - Paddington Basin]

I'll be passing through London next Tuesday, and will want a mooring around the Paddington Basin area. What's the chance's

[Food shopping on the K & A]

Bit of advice, can anyone give some advice on where to purchase food on the K & A. I'm not talking pubs, more in the line of food shops.

[Television reception not good]

Thanks Ken

 

With all the advice given, I should be able to muddle something together.

 

James

[Poles]

Where did you get the Aluminium Pole, and what size is it length and diameter?

[Leaving the Thames]

We will be leaving Teddington Lock and making for Brentford. Can I expect any problems with the tide when trying to enter the cut leading up to Brentford Lock?

[Television reception not good]

Thanks Mark, I'll keep your offer in mind.

 

James W

[Television reception not good]

I'll have a look on Thursday. Hope that's the problem. Out of interest, can I use a Suitcase dish kit. I would imagine it would offer a better reception, especially during our journey.

I was under the impression that all satellite systems were on a fee basis, like Sky etc.

[Television reception not good]

No, back at home, will be their again on Thursday.

[Television reception not good]

Switch, I didn't know their was a switch. It wouldn't have been so bad if they had given any instructions. By the way, the unit I'm using is either 12 volt or 230 volt. Got it from Camping and General. Looks the same as that which Omniview supplied.

[Pump out on the thames]

Thanks NB Willawaw, once again you've so helpful, many thanks

[Television reception not good]

So much information. The amplifier is not showing any light, so that could be the problem. I did connect the aerial direct to the set, and on search, got one very fuzzy picture with sound. AS far as connecting to the amp. yes, the connections are correct.

[Pump out on the thames]

I will be travelling up the Thames from Brentford to the mouth of the Kennet, and will possibly need pump out facilities. I know there are facilities at certain locks, but can we use the BW pump out card, or do we pay the lock keeper.

[Television reception not good]

I have just installed a small 17" television, and find the reception to be nil, not a sausage.

I have used a Maxview Omnimax touring aerial complete with the little tuning box for strong/weak signals.

All the connections are right, and its operating off of a 230 volt supply, not an inverter.

 

The boat is sitting under some willow trees, would this effect the signal, or am I doing something wrong.