Liam

Yep, 5% VAT.

Not available anymore. It has been outlawed since the regulation changes in April.

I was told by my Rep the other day that Calor is increasing their price again from 1st November. But it looks like it won't effect me cos they hardly bloody deliver anyway!

A couple of more orders down the line and supply is still good with 24hr/48hr deliveries. However the price has unfortunately sky rocketed. It's about 30p a litre more than it was earlier in the year. Ouch

Touch wood, no problems here... Phoned up on Monday to book a delivery for Wednesday and on Tuesday I got a call asking if I could take it then. Will be placing an other order on Monday so hope it's trouble free.

They've moved to Anderton on the T&M

Bridgewater Marina have never directly offered boats for hire but there have been both day and longer term hire boats available in the past by other operators based there, but no longer operate from there. There are still the 2 trip boats operating under the name of Bridgewater Canal Cruises.

Thorn Marine are the only self steer boat hire operator on the Bridgewater Canal so I'd definitely start with them.

Having used foam before, no matter how dense the retailer or manufacturer claims it to be, I've always found it rather uncomfortable for continuous use. For comfort over practicality, I went with 3 separate custom made proper sprung mattresses. Not as expensive as it sounds and really is rather comfortable. I say comfort over practicality as during the day the mattresses can't obviously be rolled up and pushed into the bed hole, but the bottom and middle sections have to be placed on end and stood up. It's probably a better way of doing it to be honest as it allows better air movement/circulation during the day. If your bedding isn't too thick you manage to tuck away a duvet and a couple of pillows too.

It's the end of an era... Or alternatively the chance to start a new one. Copied from a Facebook post... This is to let people know that our beautiful 152 year old Pauline is for sale. It's time for her to have new owners that love her as much as we do. She is a 57’long, 14’ wide ‘Calder and Hebble' Keel, an iron British Barge built in 1869 in Goole, Yorkshire, for the Aire and Calder Navigation Company. She is on the national historic ships register. She fits the northern waterways and wide canals of great Britain. She was bought by the Lorenz family in 1976 and converted into our home. The Lorenz family have lived aboard since 1989. Pauline’s diesel tank hold 100 gallons and is full. Engine make and model: “Parsons Pike”, based on ford 4D, Completely overhauled by Paul. She has a Vetus M205 6KW generator a 600 gallon water tank and 50 gallon header tank. She comes as a fully equipped liveaboard. You can read about our family’s journey to Europe on Pauline in ’Snail’s Pace’ by Gabrielle Lorenz PM me for details For those of you not on Facebook, drop me a message and I'll PM you a phone number for those interested.

Thanks all for your kind words now that both sides have been voiced. Look forward to giving updates as and when with progress!

Previously owned by @DRP and before that, Ken Farr who unfortunately is no longer with us.

If you're talking about the integral box section type handrails, you'll find that they're actually hollow and by removing a section for drainage you're causing further problems. I have seen a sort of scupper welded to the cabin top before now to divert some of the water over the stern most (and lower) drainage channel. I've tried to find a picture online, but can't at the mo. Its basically maybe half inch bar welded as to divert the water running back.

The boat used to be based at Bedford Basin but was sold a few years ago and is now based on the River Weaver. Earlier in the year the AS3 engine was replaced with a Lister HA3 and has been recently advertised for sale.

Excellent suggestion, thanks, didn't think of that.