TimRatRace

Hi John, We are always looking for people to take our boats for a test cruise before our long lets. Normally a week or so. The deal is you get there under your own steam and no money changes hands either way. There is a report form and we ask you to check everything before the boat goes out on hire. Spunds like being an ex boater you could handle all this without having a trauma if the weed hatch needs clearing or if a light doesn't work.......... If you are interested please let me know and I will add you to our rather small but growing list. I suspect it would work rather well for both of us! Regards Tim

Hi Mad Jeff, Good to have you here Sir. It is a great forum and the chaps and chapesses here and top quality. They will always help and have an opinion. Look forward to seeing more posts from you Tim

Ian Jones is excellent and a gentleman - good value for the money and a very kinowledgeable chappie. Mike Chambers has just done one for us and very easy to get on with and very professional.

The only problem is moving them around feels like you are hauling a dead body about! Ahhh reminds me of my old funeral directing days..............

Hi Ray, I recommend good, proper bed matresses if you can squeeze them through the front door! We have just put 3 of these on our boats and they are superb - just like home! matressdirect (search google) were one we used and matress24 (again google) - we paid about £175 for the upgrade from the basic and reckon it has been worth every penny! Sleep is too important in my view to not be beautifully comfortable......

....mean the flue not the chimmney - as I said I am not very practical (or accurate it would appear!) Thanks

Help ! (Again!).....being new to the narrowboat scene, we are fitting out a 62 footer and need to replace two things on the woodburner stove - a) The glass is cracked - so has to be replaced - does anyone have any idea of the most efficient way to get it replaced - we are at Hemel Hempstead at present. How easy is it to replace the chimney and does it need to be a particular chimney to fit the type of stove. Forgive me if all this is a bit vague, Alex my business colleague (WOLLIX) is the practical one I merely ask the questions!! You have all been so helpful with previous posts (crawl crawl) thanks in anticipation - any suggestions very welcome

Mum's away in London today and I have just put my three girlies to bed (8,6 and 4)......they are all looking very peaceful........what a gift! And look at babies fingernails and tell me that there isn't a God! Wonderful, Magical and Beautiful........it will only get better. Many, many congratulations....... Tim

Don't get a solicitor involved........just don't.......good advice to stand outside gates and hassle - it'sthe squeaky wheel that gets the oil!

Hi eclipse, Thames and Kennet Marina in Reading seem to have vacancies in their very secure and smart marina - they do not have residentials available but (and this is the crucial bit) have no restrictions on how many nights you are aboard. Highly recommended

Sounds good to me - save you a bob or two as well.....

Next it'll be GATSO Speed cameras and plods in fluorescent jackets hiding behind lock gates...........thrusting speed guns over bridges................traffic police herding you into the side to check your porta potti is clean and your duvet's corners mitred - is there no end????????

Don't use a solicitors whatever you do - your comments are about spot on........if they ever get to the real world I might consider it - but had one too many experience with them as being wholly incompetent - last one was advice on a employment issue - followed to the letter which left us at an industral tribunal.........advice given was incorrect (there's a surprise) - I only discovered it after searching on the internet - a dispute and claim goes ahead and two years later we settle for £16,000 (just about paid the tribunal).....no, no and thrice no......... get an A4 page - write down what you both agree on and sign it - the liabilities aren't that onerous after all - failing that perhaps a handshake???? Not that I'm on a hobby horse or anything.......but I don't send them Christmas Cards anymore......

We are just about to fit out a 62 foot traditional narrow boat which will be geared up for long term rental cruising. The existing burner is about 13 years old but showing some nasty cracks and the glass front is cracked, so rather than mess around with sticky tape and glue we are going to put a new one in. The one there at the moment runs a couple of radiators for central heating, so I understand it needs a back boiler to any burner we buy. Squirells have been mentioned and recommended by High Line at Iver..........thoughts please? As many different opinions as possible! We would rather spend more money now for a better long term plan for the boat!

I should have said that the boat is 72 foot long - have no idea if that makes any difference!