MrsM

I use this quite a lot in house restoration work. Very nice to work and sands easily.

Fabulous photo!

Yes that's a beauty! And I guess has insurance and a boat safety cert. What a character - good on him. And a proper CCer too 😄

I don't. But I'm assuming they must be as dems da rools. To add: I appreciate a boat doesn't need to look smart to pass a boat safety inspection but I'm sure we've all seen the sorts of boats I'm referring to.

Aaaaaaaah so that's how wide beams are born - now it all makes sense! 😄

I have often wondered how some of the extremely poor condition boats manage. There are a couple on CRT online moorings near me that look like they couldn't possibly pass a BSS. How do they get licenced?

I think it could best be summed up as 'patronising'. I guess when our boat looked well used they assumed we knew what we were doing, but when our boat looked shiny and unscathed they assumed that we hardly ever left the marina (which couldn't have been further from the truth). Quite logical I suppose.

I have no idea why, but it was quite noticeable that some lockies treated us quite differently after the boat looked all fresh and shiny.

We had 3 seasons with a scruffyish boat followed by 1 with a shiny boat after we had it repainted. I was interested to see whether people behaved differently with us, but generally the ones that did tended to be the (v)lockies, who often treated us like we hadn't a clue when our boat was shiny. Having covered a big chunk of the system and with well over 1200 hours boating under our belts by this time we found this somewhat amusing.

Very sad to see - especially the stuff that was stolen from the boat. Heart goes out to the poor owners.

In which case it would be going down for many people to reflect the current downturn in property prices thanks to Bizzie Lizzie et al. Hands up every one whose Council Tax has gone down. No? Didn't think so.

That is not strictly true. She does listen and has been helped by many kind souls on here, both virtually and in person. You could try to see her as more than just a figure of fun.

My husband submits several large invoices a year and similarly has never issued or been asked for a receipt, but that is not the problem here as I understand it. I don't think anyone would be threatening to damage the reputation or try and cause a small business issues with HMRC/VAT over a lack of receipts! I agree that we will probably never know the full details of Lady G's dealing with her tradesmen, nor do we need to. However she chooses to make it the forum's business and if she can be guided to less acrimonious and stressful outcomes - for all concerned - surely that is a good thing? Sometimes it is hard to stand back and see another point of view and as a solo mature boater (who might at times feel slightly vulnerable?) it must be helpful to get other perspectives, or else she wouldn't air her issues in this way. Edited to add: I have been following the forum for a good few years now and briefly met with Lady G a few years ago when she was in Lincoln. She was great company and I think she is admirable for what she manages to do her own - not without a little drama here and there admittedly, but I have much respect for her.

I've reread the thread but am a bit confused. @LadyG have you clearly confirmed with the contractor that you no longer want him to finish the "next job", after he completed the "main job"? You were informed (presumably - unless of course you heard through a third party) that there was an issue with ill health so it seems fair to accept a delay in proceedings. If it is a case of you changing your mind then it seems entirely reasonable to me that he retains the couple of hundred pounds for being messed around. He may have turned down other work to be with you and is therefore faced with an unexpected gap in his diary. The fact that he has taken delivery, stored and may have already stated work on the materials you provided for the next job implies that he has actually begun the "next job". A couple of hundred pounds is at most only a day's work so I think he is justified in retaining your upfront payment. It seems reasonable to ask for the return of the materials but I expect he is not feeling particularly happy with how he has been treated. What precisely are your materials he has? As you say, he and his wife are trying to run a small business - not easy in today's economic climate. It sounds like they have done a satisfactory job for you to date and it is a great shame that relations have soured.

This might be of interest - a scale model of Enid. Coming up for auction in Lincoln this week (Lot 873). Lot 874 is another narrowboat model. A scale model of a canal boat or barge, The Enid, owned by a William R Fox of Nuneaton, polychrome decorated with realistic surroundings, to include shire horse, etc., in teak and perspex case, 80cm wide. (goldingyoung.com) Lot 943 is of a lock-keepers cottage on the Grand Union near Brentford.

The new cabin boy/girl looks eager to get on board!

Thanks and sorry for not making it easy x

Mods can we merge the 2 threads under Waterways News?

Recommend joing the tidal Trent FB group. I've left now I've sold my boat but think it was called Trentlink. A really useful group and you should be able to buddy up with another boater through the group.

Waterways on Countryfile now Funding of CRT etc approved

I can only see that potentially damaging the mooring ring and hand rail as well as polluting the canal with grindings and filler, blacking etc. Get it docked and do it properly.

An easy solution to hold curtains in at the bottom is dowel for wardrobe rails with the associated fittings. Available in all DIY stores.

Sounds like you are being very sensible. Don't be too disheartened as your boat will come along. Also think how much you have learned by going through this process/ordeal. Best of luck and also with your move.