Gordon Chesterman

Just spotted another seal (or the same one seen at Denver a fortnight ago...) on Friday afternoon. This one was swimming towards Cambridge on the River Cam, half a mile South of the 'Five Miles from Anywhere' pub at Upware. He (or was he a she?) seemed quite happy. Gordon

The cause may not have been the glass itself, but lack of adequate movement between the glass and the metal door frame. As the metal frame expanded at a greater rate than the glass and with no movement, the glass cracked. When fitting a new piece of glass, do not over tighten the fitting brackets and screws - allow for some play. Gordon

Collected my boat yesterday evening from a dry dock in Stretham, just South of Ely, with her lovely new blacked bottom. Gordon

Based on experience (with three young kids myself many moons ago) you need warmth, a DVD player and some good games, not forgetting life jackets. Try Bridge Boatyard here in Ely - they have tupperwares and a couple of decent narrowboats. The rivers around here in Ely are spectacular but safe - you can go for miles without seeing another boat and there are very few locks or other hazards likely to distratc adults from keeping an eye on the kids. The Great Ouse follows the main railway line to London and Cambridge, so, if the weather is foul, you can always jump ship and be in amongst distractions for kids. Gordon in Ely

Well, I had the Queen's Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire urinating on my mooring ropes. Consider yourself lucky if it was only a dog. Gordon in Ely

I have a small narrowboat and fitted a 'Hotpot' stove made by Davey. This small stove was designed for wooden yachts and is mounted to the bulkhead, not the floor. I find it ideal. It stays in all night, uses minimal amounts of fuel and doesn't produce too much heat. Having been designed for wooden yachts, I'm sure it should be OK for glassfibre, if you follow all the installation guidelines. Gordon

Pleased to report all sorted. Switched the thing on today (now the ambient temperature is well above freezing) and happy purring sounds issued forth with no popping fuses. It must have been the ice. Thanks for the helpful comments. Gordon

...and if it is a stalled motor, any tips on getting it unstalled...? Can I hit it - just like the old SU fuel pump on a Morris Minor? What the heck, I'll hit it anyway! Cheers, Gordon

To answer the last question/post. You switch on the pump, the little red light comes on and then ten seconds later - poof - the fuse blows. I'll try it again tomorrow morning - it's getting a lot warmer here in Ely. Thanks, Gordon

The fuse keeps blowing on my fresh water pump. Although the air temperature is (just) above freezing, the river is still frozen. Am I right in assuming the water in the pump is still frozen solid, the pump can't turn and the fuse then blows? Or is it something more sinister...? I guess I'll just have to wait until things thaw... Gordon

My starter battery probably needs replacing. Looking at the top it is called a 'HiFase' 110 Marine. I can't find these for sale anywhere. Does anyone know which alternative make is compatible in physical size, shape and power requirement? I don't want to have to start changing my battery shelf and terminals. Thanks, Gordon in Ely

Just to warn you that the EA are in a right pickle at the moment, with delays of several weeks issuing licenses. They are merrily taking my money by direct debit out of my account, haven't sent me a licence yet and, according to their website, will get very nasty with anyone not displaying a licence. Chatting to an EA chap yesterday, the problems stems from the closure of their Peterborough office and everything now being handled out of Reading. Progress, eh? Gordon

These tales of making mistakes whilst still trying to look nonchalant and as if they were intended, reminds me of the WW2 destroyer that steamed into the harbour at Gibralter flat out, hit the stone wharf, reversed into the side of an aircraft carrier, bounced off and crunched a destroyer, where it came to rest. The Admiral of the fleet was watching this unfold and signaled the captain of the destroyer 'What are you going to do next?'. As quick as a flash the reply came back, 'Buy a farm!' Gordon

Thirteen very helpful replies in 24 hours - thank you everyone. I'm off to buy my silicone grease tomorrow and turn the lever in the right direction. Cheers, Gordon in Ely

The stern tube on my Liverpool Boat (about six years old) has a small diameter hose going into it with a lever on a valve where it joins the stern tube. The other end of the small tube goes out through the hull below the waterline. Which way should this lever be pointing? Either in line with the small tube or at right angles - ie should water be allowed to flow into it, or not? I haven't a clue what it is there for, no one explained when I acquired the boat secondhand. Your advice please would be appreciated. Thanks, Gordon in Ely

Here's a handy knot that allows you to stay on the boat and untie the rope holding your boat to a bollard or whatever without getting off the boat to do so: the Highwayman's hitch:- Cheers, Gordon in Ely

I'm thinking of getting one of those gas fired, hot blown air Propex heaters, the HS2000. How noisy are they inside the boat, and outside, near the vent, for others moored nearby. Thanks, Gordon in Ely

Perhaps this should go under the stopages category. Would Al Quaeda hire a narrow boat? Clicky Gordon

If you're looking for a Lister (or any other) Diesel engine, I stumbled across this website:- http://www.smedegaarden.net Use their drop down listings under auxiliary engines and you'll see details and photos of loads of small engines for sale. They are based in Denmark, a mile or two from the ferry terminal in Esjberg, where the boat from Harwich ties up. Might be useful to someone...? Cheers, Gordon (with no commercial interest in this outfit!)

BBC news Gordon

I had a steamboat once. I never had a BSC inspection done - no enclosed space, no gas, no electrics, no petrol, no diesel, only coal which took an hour to light. The boiler, however, had a full inspection every year twice - when cold and in bits and then again when hot and hissing. The Environment Agency though (who issues my river licence) still insisted I paid to have a BSS done to confirm the boat didn't need one! To get round this I registered the ownership of the boat in Monrovia, Liberia at the cost of 50c per registered ton but the Liberian flag did cost me £26. The boat was then leased back to me by the 'owners' in Monrovia as the operator in UK waters. The only problem with this arrangement is that the Liberians could have demanded my boat in times of war. This arrangement worked well for fifteen years I owned the boat, I still paid my full share of the river licence, but the EA never asked for another BSC certificate and I saved myslef £80 per year by not paying someone to say I didn't need an inspection! The boat has been on the Thames and I was never challenged, the only questions I got was surrounding the strange flag on the stern. Regards, Gordon

Your anxiety and campaign over this new bridge reminded me that bridge builders CAN plan ahead. A railway bridge over our local River Ouse in Ely was demolished by a derailed freight train which took the bridge down and ended up in the river. The whole bridge had to be replaced with a new steel structure. They built a bridge wide enough for a double track, even though the railway line is single, just in case they double the line in the future. If railways can plan ahead for future needs, surely road builders can? Good luck with your campaign. Gordon in Ely

I live at Ely and often pass the Lazy Otter in my narrowboat - is that where Harlequin is moored - happy to check it over for you once a month or so. Regards, Gordon

Just browsing the web and came across this website http://www.smedegaarden.net/en/ Have a look at the products list, search for engines in the drop down menu, and you'll find an interesting assortment of engines including some small (by their standards) engines. Gordon