frahkn

You need to watch what you smoke, that blue grass plays hell with your syntax!

I imagine that you are younger than me (most people are!). When I was first going into pubs they were almost all like that.

You are correct in that I would not have preferred "our ethnic enemies", well done. IMHO "our ethnic minority friends" does not constitute a more felicitous form of words. Perhaps I'm a little odd but I can refer to people without feeling the need to refer to their ethnic origins at all.

I don't know you so wouldn't presume to judge your attitudes on any matter. However communication in writing is notoriously liable to misinterpretation, I think your phrase about the lack of English speakers was, at best, a clumsy one, as is "our ethnic friends" in post 87 above. In passing I would add that I have moored in Reading (nothing happened) and in Windsor (my lines weren't cut). Frank

A sensible summing up with which I largely agree. Just two things:- I think 5% is an excessive estimate, even in a "dodgy" area you will not be molested by one in twenty passers by. It's hard to overestimate the extent to which the attitude displayed (consciously or otherwise) by a boater affects these situations.

That is a subtle and cunning (but IMHO opinion correct) reading of the OP. I don't however think that it was the meaning which was meant to be conveyed. I interpret the original phrasing as a casual racist remark (although I may, of course, be wrong). I cannot imagine stopping in Burton for the food but have often stopped for a night without any incident. Lidl is a useful source of basic supplies. In the interest of openness, I should say that I am a foreigner so perhaps I just blend in more and so, don't fully understand the OP's issues.

Just to clarify, I wasn't the OP so it was not me who had the bilge problem.

I think you are right, it is probably unique and not always in a good way. The engine is cocooned and has a hospital silencer (good), in the bathroom (neutral), hard against the side of the boat (bad for access). If I am having a drink on the front deck I genuinely cannot tell if the engine is on or off (I am getting on but my hearing is still good).

I can't say about vibration because I have not been in a boat alongside mine so I wont argue about it. I do say, without fear of accurate contradiction, that you will not hear my engine. Not a single Thames lock keeper did, all the way between Oxford and Brentford. One was even able to tell another boat that he must turn off or leave the lock without me reaching for the off button.

If my engine was running you would be unable to hear it even if your front fender was against my rear one. As for exhaust, mine leaves via a pipe through the roof, 14 feet forward of the steering position, so at least 20 feet from the cabin of any boat moored immediately behind me. This does not stop people leaving pointless gaps, perhaps I should change my deodorant! Frank.

They say that the standard of 'maths' today is poor but I am always surprised that so many people are able to work out the exact apex of a bend and then moor on it.

Speaking strictly for myself and my 70', deep drafted boat - when I was "new to the canals" I would have got annoyed and wondered afterwards if I should have done something else. Now, 40+ years later I just take the rough with the smooth and let the shortsighted, the unthinking and the idiots get on with it. Either tie up until they have gone or, better, use the various "obstructions" to practice your boat handling skills. In any case, chill, the canals can be the last refuge of the calm and collected - on your boat (and mine) if not on all of them. It's starting to get nasty out there but we don't have to join in! Frank.

And he's overdone it on the tonic!

I no longer moor at Mercia but would recommend it for the proximity to Willington. It has all (more or less) the facilities of Barton but noticeably better mooring pontoons. If you are not part of the 'in group' then the staff are a bit cool but this never worried me. If you don't have/don't want to use a car, then this is the marina for you. Frank.

Ah, yes. Was thinking of pubs, restaurants and shops (well pubs mainly). Forgot the rail museum. It's not too bad, you do see an occasional moorer, even the odd hire boat. There are also some rings on the tow path side near the remains of Tyseley wharf. Depth can be a problem.

I currently live very close to the GU through Acocks Green and Tyseley and walk the dog on that stretch most days when home. I would be happy to moor here but less so if the boat had to be left alone. There is very little to leave the boat for in the immediate area so that's not really a problem. If it would simplify your plans, I wouldn't let mooring here put you off. Frank.

Apologies, I inadvertently misnamed the poster, sorry.

Yes, by the elsan. To be honest, if the alley wasn't fenced off there would be much more. I can't recall any before Cambrian wharf on the route into Birmingham.

Sorry, do you agree with Nightwatch that the post was sarcastic - so do I. Or do you agree with 'content' of the post. If the second, I can't agree, I think there is a lot of expertise on here.

I suspected sarcasm might be involved by the " - ". Your final sentence confirmed this. I'll try you on one - what a really useful and informative post - there, what do you think?

This is probably not news but a quick search didn't reveal it. The Cart offices in Fazeley have closed (in March) and now (at least since Easter) the rubbish disposal facility has been withdrawn. The Elsan and water is still available but I wonder if they will survive new tenants in the office building. Frank.

I can confirm that both Cuthound and Zeus noticed us creeping past yesterday morning though neither of them barked (but then it was after 11am). He won't have recognised the boat because although we know its name, the previous owners were confused and had the wrong name written on. I'll get round to sorting this out sooner or later. Frank

That is interesting. I have mentioned previously that my boat has some 'eccentric' features (as well as many great ones) which might put a future buyer off. At the back of my mind I have always thought that I would use Rugby when I came to sell it as they had managed to convince me that they were all minor details (which some of them are not). Frank

I purchased my boat through Rugby boats and I am content with how I was treated during the experience. However there was no doubt at any time that Dominic was working on the seller's behalf. He was not and did not pretend to be, an impartial 'middle man' in the sale. Frankly I had expected this and found it refreshing that there was no attempt at pretence to the contrary.

This is an absolute and provable truth - average IQ is 100 - but protecting them against their own stupidity only prolongs and increases the problem. I can't prove that humanity is becoming more stupid but daily observation seems to indicate this.