saltysplash

Your not allowed lunch till you clean up the elsan point you just soiled....mmmmmmm puddin an chips an gravey

Im sure he is just big boned. Its not easy for us northerners ya know having to cope with hollands meat and potato pie chips and gravey tried readin lens comments again to see exactly which points were 'well put' nope, sorry, cant find em

Are you trying to suggest mayalld is portly comrade?

lol....but seriously folks, its not a toilet....theres no magazines or books to read so dont be tempted

I prefere the turd briefcase variety myself. The long stroll to the elsan point and the flushing ceremony gives plenty of time for contemplation of lifes values and....my god did i really eat that? The only downside imo is that the seats could be a little more comfortable for those with extra to spare in the botty department. After all, a mans toilet is his Library. One has to stay there long enough to read at least one chapter of your current book

I must report back to central office that we have a potential new recruit Come on you little tease, join the tories, you know you want to Ive heard a rumour that in the next manifesto they will be making oak available on the NHS. Still no news on introducing the compulsary hugging law to public areas though oh pooh! SWMBO just read this and reminded me im not allowed to vote tory ........at least i still got the beard

While i dont always see eye to eye with dave's views at least he speaks his mind with conviction and produces throught provoking comment. To verbally abuse is coming back again to 'if i cant win an argument i'll use force instead'

I find a liberal sprinkling with Jotun tropic anitfoul in the hair, beard, hands and nose then attempted to be rubbed off with Jotun No7 thinners gives good protection against mossies and SWMBO.

lol I certainly wouldnt be happy with anyone coming acalling just to have a bust up, (swivel gun and a canister of grape at the ready) but am always happy if someone fancies a chat and a brew, unless of course im having a moment with swmbo while she prises spiders from me beard or is giving the petticoat a new coat of varnish

I hope your right, and sure time will tell. lets keep our fingers crossed that is gonna be a fairly painless transition for us and the suppliers

Correct, but in cases such as no seat belt or mobile phone, the constable has seen the offence and it is upto the driver to provide reasonable excuse, or exemption. my point re the fuel is, a revenue inspector will dip the tank and find red diesel. No receipt, No defence, unles you bring the supplier as a witness to court who will give evidence that he supplied the fuel to you with duty paid It all seems very unlikely but we all know how persistant the government can be when following up cases of tax avoidence, a private company probably wouldnt bother to go through the expense of court etc

Sorry Dave but it would be classed as an absolute offence as in many road traffic offences, The onus is on us to prove otherwise or provide lawfull excuse. Just the same as being stopped by customs at the airport, or proving your boat has had vat paid. Am eagerly waiting the final proposals as my current supplier who delivers direct to the boat here on the medway would no longer bother with the pleasure craft if he is forced to carry red and white, but would continue to supply if allowed to just add the duty to the red he already carries

Lost my deposit once while navigating the leicester section, just as it meets the soar. River was in flood but we didnt find out till we turned a corner got caught in the current and was pushed through the bridge hole at a rate of knots taking off the boiler flue and scrapes all along the starboard side of the roof. once through the bridge in full reverse managed to edge towards some railings on the towpath side, although the towpath was covered in water and sure enough as we edged back the rudder caught on the towpath and bent back on itself slightly. got a stern line on to the railings and eventually a bowline after wading through the torrent on the towpath. Boatyard was very good about it even though we did lose the deposit

No problem, all inclusive and there is plenty of paint in the locker for touch up jobs and caulking kit for the deck seam by the foremast which needs a bit of attention if the rain would stop for a few days. on the otherhand ive just bought a tube of 'lifecaulk' so was going to give that a try

Seating that is comfortable without having that sit up and beg feeling. Not allowing the boats t be trashed by drunk all male/female crews on so called stag/hen trips Reliability of the equipment and speedy mechanic if things do go wrong a general feeling of being welcome by the boatyard staff Suitable instruction and safety advice for novices Better storage space, on many a hire boat you have to live out of a suitcase Instant Beard spray on kit for minor skirmishes Larch planks on oak framed petticoat to appease the woodies

Totally agree These days in order to win a discussion you have to beat the other party into a pulp. Its obviously the easiest way to put your point across and not having to listen to any other point of view. If anyone not happy with my opinion then i am more than happy for them to come knocking on the wheelhouse and discuss the issues over a jar of something. If its to give me a damn good thrashing then id rather you didnt bother.....are we still allowed to use all possible means to Repel Boarders?

It wont be for revenue boys to prove the red in your tank has duty paid, that onus will be on us. Its happening now in holland and a few people have been caught out not being able to prove they bought the red in the uk and have received hefty fines. Just dont be lolled into a false sense of security thinking nobody is ever going to check

Bigger fish to fry, the fatal thought of many a tax evader. We all know the police have far more important things to do, so why are people still being stopped and stuck on for no seat belt? Why do the DOT still do roadside checks for dangerous condition and no operators licence? Why do C&E still do random stops on heavies and dip their fuel tanks looking for red diesel? Why do DSS do roadside checks on cabbies looking for benefit fraud? Mark my word chums, It will happen, people will be stopped at hot spots on the cut or at selected marinas and have their tanks dipped. wont happen everyday but they will do it. Just make sure if youve got red, have your receipts ready...the onus will be on us to prove we have paid the duty

Thats basically it under the current proposals. As mentioned on previous threads, Keeps your receipts. They will show what duty you have paid and where from. No receipt and you could be in a bit of pooh if ever your stopped and the tank is dipped by our fine upstanding revenue inspectors

And another thing Deaths on the canal system are still rare compared to other recreational activities. Look at cycling. how many poor fellows are wiped up everyday across the UK due to either foolish riding or careless drivers? Is there a compulsary test for them...no....They dont even teach the kids cycling proficiancy anymore in schools, And, you dont need insurance, If you hit a parked car and do hundreds of pounds worth of paintwork damage. Thats ok, you just toddle off

I really dont think there is a problem to justify bringing in competency tests, In over 30yrs of canal boating and sea boating ive never yet been involved in a collison with another boat, nor has 1 hit me. Ive banged into locksides and bridgeholes yes when those factors beyond our control play their little games especially at lock entrances with the overflow outfall from the upper level right in the place your lining up for yur entry into the lock. Still have problems with them even now. The point is we cause more damage to our own boats than untrained hirers do. Companies ive been with in the past always ask at the end of the introduction, "are you happy? or would you like more help" If some system of waterman ticket was introduced then i doubt there would be many hire companies left in buisiness. Why bother paying over a £1000 for your holiday if you have to take some form of exam (which you will also have to pay for...averages about £350 quid for RYA Day Skipper course) Might just as well go back to spain and drink watneys red barrel.

Ive known one or two brummy matresses and they've alway come quite high on my list