pig

The plan involves a floating pontoon downstream of the lock, with an operating pedestal. Boaters approach, turn and moor up on the pontoon (!), operate the lock, untie and enter the lock. Not sure how leaving the lock would work... Anyway get the story from the Lockkeeper, I'm just repeating what he said. Best way to get the powers that be to change the plan would be to get them to try it for themselves !

Came through Selby lock yesterday, after an exhilarating trip down from Naburn (8.5 metre tide and plenty of rain). The Lockkeeper told me CART were planning to make the lock boater operated, no locky. Absolute madness IMHO.

Just been on phone with Naburn locky, to get times for passage to Selby. He says Selby lock gates have a hole in them, so can't get a level. Divers being organised. No date given for a fix.

Just been on phone with Naburn locky, to get times for passage to Selby. He says Selby lock gates have a hole in them, so can't get a level. Divers being organised. No date given for a fix.

http://db.tt/fE3ohduc Came past on Wednesday. A team were at work refloating her.

Recently I replaced the original holding tank with a new plastic one. I decided that from day one I wouldn't use blue. Having used the boat for a two month cruise recently, I also vote for Odourloss. The other key thing is to flush the tank through thoroughly at each pump out.

There's a boat of about the right description being painted under the M25 bridge on the GU at Kings Langley today. Didn't really take a good look, I only saw this thread after we passed it.

Yup, camo GRP boat at Trent flood lock.

Just passed a camouflage boat moored at Thrumpton, east of Cranfleet Cut. No GRP boat in tow.

I have a VHF specifically for travelling on the rivers. I have no license yet. When I was chatting to the lockkeeper at Cromwell he said he would much rather I had a radio and no license than no radio......

This is the loo holding tank I removed from my boat. The shower drain pump had been cunningly placed under the loo tank, so when the pump failed, I had to move the tank, and noticed it was wet and smelly in one area underneath . Luckily the tank had been emptied and flushed through, but it was still quite disgusting to deal with. I managed to up-end the tank to have a good look, and it was clear that it had come to the end of it's life (gentle prodding with a screwdriver showed three areas where the rust had been holding the contents in!). So... do I go for a porta-potti? NO! I wouldn't be without a pumpout loo, so I'm having a polyprop tank custom made to fit. So just a heads-up for people with a tank of similar vintage - keep checking for leaks! hth Neil

Well that'll fit in an overhead locker

sorry for replying so late- the camera is a Sanyo Xacti FH1. (Full HD 60 fps progressive). The video was edited using Serif MoviePlus X6. Cheers

Pete - I'm getting the exact same error message on trying to install to my Nexus 4 phone. Did you get any response from RCR or the devs? Cheers Neil

Hello I have uploaded a video of our summer 2012 cruise. We spent nearly 3 months, setting off West from Yorkshire, going in an anticlockwise ring, across the Leeds/Liverpool, along to Llangollen and back, South down the Trent & Mersey, skirting round Birmingham, Oxford Canal, East along the River Thames to Brentford, Grand Union and North on the River Trent back to base. We covered 850 miles, and did approx 470 locks, in 79 days. I had an idea for a name for a new cruising ring - "The Nicholsons Ring" - where your trip involves all 6 Nicholsons guides The video is about 20 mins long, and is HD. Maybe we video'd your boat, or your local stretch. We had no problems to speak of, unlike the cruise two years before where if something could break down it did. Here's the link: I make no claims for the video being exciting, it's just something to watch and look forward to the cruising season again

Got round to fitting the new engine mounts that I got in the Midland Chandlers one day sale. Surprisingly easy job. Well pleased with myself!

Yes you're quite right about the C du M. We had a week in early May this year with a LeBoat hire from Homps. The Roi du Soleil moored up next to us one night, and we had a drool. The passengers were definitely getting pampered. OTOH our g&t's tasted much the same:). I was amazed how quickly the scenery seemed to repeat itself. The others in our party looked aghast when I suggested this - they were canal noobs and loved it. By contrast we're just back from a 3 month trip round our canals and rivers, and I can honestly say I was never bored with the journey.

http://www.riveryacht.com/

Saw a fibreglass cruiser a few weeks back, with, in flowing script - "Passing Wind". After about 5 yards I twigged and nearly coughed up my tea!

"Stay Lucky" with Dennis Waterman and Jan Francis. She lived on a wide beam (moored now at Brighouse), he was a on-the-run cockernee. Made by Yorkshire TV, and set around Leeds. Recently available on DVD.

Many thanks for your replies. I had pretty much worked out the scenic/ speedy options. Luckily we are in no hurry, have no deadlines, so Gt Haywood, Fradley, Braunston it is. By the way today was very good, enough boats around to make it interesting, great variety of scenery, beautiful weather. Now at Wheaton Aston, heading for pub! Thanks again

Hi all We're travelling down the Shropshire Union, towards Autherley Junction, wanting to get onto the Oxford Canal and Thames. Haven't travelled this neck of the woods before, so would appreciate advice as to the best route. Across Birmingham? Around Birmingham? The canals as shown in the Nicholsons guide are quite complicated to me, so would appreciate some guidance. Would prefer to avoid too much industrial scenery in favour of open country as much as poss. - got too used to the SU! Thanks

Yes, that's the Hepworth gallery in the background. The narrow boat later went over/under the bobbins, and came to rest alongside the Hepworth in a backwater, I was sent a photo by a friend who watched the salvage attempt.

The reports are correct! Thanks for the heads-up, Richard.

The Aire through Leeds is open again. We were stranded in Woodlesford since Thursday, this morning a nice lady from BW phoned at 0800 to say the flood locks were open. We came up through Leeds , there was a current, particularly at the entrance to River Lock, where the river takes a narrow turn, but the level indicators were in green. Now we're sitting in Rodley, in the sun!