magpie patrick

PJ, there are two elements to your post that disturb me One, I've just realised that Baldock went around the unStable bar offering Ocelot Spleens for sale, I now have a suspicion that he was actually selling bits of your boat, the spill rail perhaps? Your boat has a daughter that is human... that's definitely a bit odd

since we seem to be boasting (or unboasting) I'll join in all in one day Most on my own, 27 (Tipton Factor 3, Woves 21, top 3 on |S&W Most wide locks 46 (Hatton Top to Calcutt Top, also the most locks without repeating any) Most ever 55 (Smethwick3, Oldbury 6 up and 6 down, Brades 3, Farmers Bridge 13, Aston 11, Perry Bar 13) Biggest Lock... the entrance lock to Preston Docks, which is wider than Ripple is long! Tam and Di, 136 hours in 11 days is some pace!

This is getting tedious, and I'm probably about to make it more tedious, it appears, if I am right, that Phylis is partaking of these events in areas where one might expect a fairly high level of ambient noise, e.g Brayford Pool and the centre of Newark, and they retreat at pub closing time (in fact, some time before these days). She will probably now tell me they also hold them in the middle of nowhere even if there are other boaters around but I hope not. If I moor in Gloucester Docks on the pontoons, there would be little point in me expecting a quiet night until about half an hour after the pubs close. We were the only boat moored in February but still couldn't sleep til midnight as the waterside bar was blaring piped music out (that is recorded, not bagpipes!), worse, it was blaring it out only for the staff's benefit as there were no customers, so if Phylis's lot were to party there it wouldn't be a problem. If however, they party at Gilgol, which is the middle of nowhere and doesn't even have a road nearby, then I'd say loud music at anytime would be anti-social

Looks like you can't spell aqueduct either

Ripple has a BMC engine (1.8), and while our engineer keeps telling us we will need to replace it soon, it keeps proving him wrong. They seem to be nigh on indestructible. One hire boat I had was prone to overheating, and on the Bow back rivers the engine stopped dead... it had run out of water and seized. We let it cool down for a few minutes, poured more water in (the first pint fizzed a bit) and then just turned the key and it started again. The engine was a BMC 1.8

repeat and amplify as a consultant on the matter, I was horrified and was tempted pull BW's funding (which I had the power to do) when I found that just 8 boats a week would be permitted through Standedge tunnel, and I still object in principle to the idea that you need to book to even approach the tunnel. Overly restricting capacity has an exaggerated effect, if you say "2000 boats only" you get 200. (note the dropped zero) I would have pulled the funding, but heart over-ruled head and said to me "this is the best you'll get"

Sadly a short lived victory, as it appears that Harleyford's, when it was wsuggested they might like to actually pay for the transport of gravel by barge, declined... It's now going by road for roughly the same price..

I don't know but if I was in charge BW (and all other navigation authorities) would be prohibited from parting with any land that has navigable water on it I also didn't like the 1980's habit of moving railway stations at the end of branchlines back 100 yards for development, or of putting the bypass between the railway station and the town (Welshpool and Chorley to name but two)

I think Sue was explaining how she would order her pint when we go to the Royal Oak "Third beer from the left end of the bar please..."

At the risk of being a bit controversial my ex used to say that about me... indeed all men and some women... Glad to see your still here JT, we would miss you, although I suspect you wouldn't miss us, or at least not the canals anyway

I'd agree, anyone mixing with large commercial craft needs to know the rules. I still feel that, if you go down the Humber, you should have VHF, I will admit I have changed my stance from when PoLA first introduced the requirement on the Thames through London, if you want to mix with the heavyweights, have the heavyweights tools. The Manchester Ship Canal Company changed their entire policy because of one twat, on a convoy, who steered too close to a ship going the other way. Thanks Mate, even the IWA wrote to you and told you (in more guarded terms) that you were a tosser. Why do narrow boaters insist that they are invincible? And before anyone cites Chris Coburn and Progress, or any other sea faring narrow boaters, it was being cautious that kept them alive

not sue how good an access you need or how disabled, nor for that matter exactly where Wincham Wharf is but... north end of Barnton Tunnel is good, I've got a wheelchair on there (but it's about the only place to get off again!) and there is a point, almost exactly half way between Anderton and Middlewich where a minor road is alongside with no fence edited to add, on the non-towpath side. Can't name it, but launched a car top dinghy there many times Also, if the permanent moorings near the old lion salt works have a vacancy for half an hour, there is level access there.

you down our way yet? offer of pint still stands...

I have to get home before three in term time to park anywhere near the house! Bloody stoodents Some people just don't get "congestion", that is demand outstrips supply.