Idle Days

You are correct. Perhaps a Rotavator would be better choice.

Flame thrower.

Is water extraction the cause of the problem.

The biggest leaks are the locks, back-pumping does mitigate that loss source to some extent.

Seems like some back-pumping required?

We were on the Coventry last week and experienced low water levels. I was told that water for this and the Ashby is from drainage from their surrounding land, so it's unsurprising. Perhaps a back-pumping scheme is required.

Don't encourage them! We, as a nation, are much to ready to accept price increases.

We are out cruising and I have noticed an iPad equipped checker checking a couple of times, a different checker each time, so I know there is more than one.

I use our bow-thruster to steer our narrowboat when reversing and find it much easier to manoeuvre into restricted spaces as a result. Those of you who abhor "girly -buttons" will, gladly, deny yourselves the benefit of this labour saving device and have to resort to using a pole. 🤣

Curry always gives a good run.

We are currently touring or boat is fitted with a Beta 43. Today I topped up or fuel tank at a cost of £151. It is Fifteen days since it was last filled, so £10 a day for that period. We generally cruise for about 5 hours a day and run the Webasto central for about an hour each morning. So something under £2 and hour to move our boat. During our many lockside chats with other boaters the main topics have been health, and stoppages, no-one has mentioned costs.

That's fine, but why are we asked to print and display them?

Catching sight of my licence, as I washed the dishes this evening, I saw that I am requested to display it on each side of my boat. Why is this if it is not required?

The National Trust own and operate the River Wey Navigation; how's that going? Have they demonstrated a fitness to control the whole system during their tenure?

Not at all, I'm simply wondering why I should pay a licence fee to CRT when so many apparently do not. As far as I know it is a CRT requirement that I display a valid licence on both sides of my boat, which is what I do. Am I correct on that point or not?

Only by observing the displayed out-of-date licences, some going back to 2014 or the lack of displayed licences.

We are currently creeping along the Caldon Canal above Hazelhurst Junction in the sunshine, feeling a little like the crew of the African Queen, as we push through the verdant overgrowth. viewing the collection of moored craft as we pass I have taken to wondering why most moored boats on this canal are unlicensed, is licensing optional on this waterway, and if so can I apply for a rebate? It also occurred to me that if CRT stirred themselves to collect the £60,000 or £70,000 overdue they may them be able to afford to hack back the aforementioned vegetation currently obscuring the view of the water and bridge-holes. I suppose I should ask the question of CRT but I am defeated by the increasing heat and feel an after morning coffee snooze coming on.

I'm puzzled. Why the need for speed?

I suggest that many locks are turned around in less than 15 minutes, perhaps closer to ten.

Not at all, I don't want it so you may keep it.