magpie patrick

Possibly, a darwinian fish said "whatever next, sails?" It's the sort of thing you would say but it was actually Luctor! And I can read your mind by the way, so I don't need you to post...

personally, I'd go for the whole Caldon and the Macc as far as Congleton. The length of the Caldon from Cheddleton to Froghall is in my opinion without equal. Alternative, go up to Bugsworth, and book a long weekend from Stone to do the Cladon another time!

Well yes, we had a weekend on board which started as juxt being friends and...

You do not know the road ahead, and something may well surprise you: When I was buying a boat, I went through dozens of brochures, went to look at several, found one that I was convinced was the one only for it to be taken off the market. Then at Whilton Marina I looked at one, which was a bit too twee for me and when I lifted the floor boards there was water sloshing! Handed the keys back to be told that someone had just made an offer on it (I hope they had it surveyed!) looked at another 70 footer, couldn't fit in the shower and I'm not THAT big! A rebuild was difficult cos the hot water tank was in the way, so, rather than head home immediately I decided to ask for the keys to the 62 foot ex-hire boat next to it... walked in, and realised that while this wasn't what I'd been looking for, it was exactly what I wanted, three separate sleeping areas, sensible sized bathroom, inverter, built like a tank, and I could just sail away without any work needed... It was Ripple, , and she's now seen about half the system as well as seen me acquire a wife to act as crew

hmmmm, clean fuel for boats? Horses need year round maintenance, and can give off nasty emmisions, so I'm with Carl, but I'd add bow hauling as well, and perhaps current on rivers.

I'd go with the idea that it is only harmful in its liquid form, especially when you look at the clotted drift thats grown up all around the blacking on my boat (which the fish and ducks then feed off) Although it depends on how thorough you are being with the "green" bit. If the boat must simply be eco-friendly in the water then you're fine, if however every step of the way must be eco, then it may be more problematic.

where is the [yawn] smiley when you need one... CO2 concentrations are lower the previous geological eras, but then humans haven't been around for even one geological era yet. lets leave CO2 out of it shall we, and look at non-global warming issues emmissions pollute, we have a number of areas in many towns where the atmosphere is at best unpleasant and at worst unhealthy, and if you happen to be one of the poor sods that live in these bits it affects your health. emmissions are getting lower per engine, but the number of engines around is going up. production (of anything) also uses energy. cars in general, while being very convenient, are also a pain in the ass, especially in cities where facilities to park them take a lot of floorspace. If (like me) you don't want nuclear power then we have to make scarce resources last longer, using less energy is a good way of doing this. So to my way of thinking, global warming is only a tiny part of the equation anyway, as using less energy, and using it in ways that reduce emmissions, is a good idea. Reduced car use is a good idea, public transport in towns and cities is a good idea, reduce, reuse and recycle is a good idea, without global warming these things are still sensible. Point taken on tax, but smokers pay a lot of tax, I belive far more than they cost in healthcare from the NHS, and it hasn't stopped the government hounding them to quit.

Best answer would be that whichever you choose, make sure you reach the end, that is froghall (or at least Consall Forge) on the Caldon or bugsworth on the Peak Forest. To stop short would be to reach the garden gate but not enter the grounds. Caldon is a round trip of 34 miles 34 locks (or 36 if the boat fits through Froghall Tunnel) and Bugsworth is 66 miles and 26 locks return, 12 of the 13 each way being in a single flight at Bosley

Yes, but, watch the hidden agenda Hydrogen is a byproduct from nuclear power stations, which is very convenient for the nuclear lobby.

It's no good, we'll have to make it to Lapworth: anyone got spare bunks?

Llangollen first, 1) because it's a dead end and the other way isn't, better to have done the dead end and then know how long you've got to pootle the other way, and also better not to have either too much or too little time in Llangollen and (2) most of the boats are coming from wrenbury and the shroppie, and reach Llangollen tuesday so your friend will beat the rush

Sorry we missed it, but Val is at least well and truly on the mend we'll try and make Lapworth I think, but not in our boat...

If that went through a real lock that wide, it could hang up on the bridge!