Dawnie

I really hate it when everyone else gets my replies in first! Well done Phylis anyway (still not sure if you wanted the thanks or you wanted it for the emergency services?)

I must admit I have been wondering why there had been no mention on here over the last week, especially as it has been on the news. Normally a fire is reported almost as it happens! Do fireworks come disposable bbq sized and shape (attempt number 1)? I find it rather strange that they have no proof it was arson, did the boat just happen to spontaneously combust? Would suggest forensic evidence sadly lacking (unfortunately not a lot left of the boat) and the police just can't be bothered (no surprise there!). I would have thought there is enough of a case history here to challenge the police's statement! As to your previous post you have to also bear in mind that on this forum you can't have your boat stolen (ask the owners of Que Sera Sera), let alone catch fire without there being some form of insurance scam accusations. Nobody can possibly be a victim here, it is just not allowed, according to some on here it must all be your fault!

been off line for a while and I got one to greet me on my return, now deleted

Quote Johnjo "Also check his qualifications, you are not allowed, by law, to carry out electrical installations of any type, with or without payment, for anyone, even in your own home, unless you are properly qualified so he will have committed a criminal offence if he has no electrical qualifications". Not true. You can carry out work in your own home as long as you are competent to do so and also in other property as long as you inform LABC if the work is notifiable. Competent does not necessarily mean qualifications. About 50% of electrical work is non notifiable. Building Regulations are not applicable to boats and caravans as they are not buildings. If and it is a big If, he is registered there are more schemes in place other than NICEIC. As an aside, you can actually install a full gas central heating system in your own home including the combustion appliance without being Gas Safe registered as long as you inform the local authority prior to commencing the work under a building notice as long as you are up to date with the qualifications/training. Personally I would take Dave's advice, pay him for parts and what you feel is a fair charge for his labour.

In 1995 we went to the motor museum to a home brew festival. We stayed in a hotel just up from the basin which had just been or was in the process of renovation, not sure as I had no interest whatsoever in canals or boating, thought it was beyond my means!. Just across from the front of the hotel there was a large old house, and the local yoof as they walked past kicked and banged the door and an old lady came out and shouted and waved a stick at them. This was repeated throughout dinner, poor woman. I was also worried at the time as the only way across into the city centre was over a bridge and I was frightened of 'highwaymen' even then. I was in Coventry last week at the CORGI Installer live awards at the Ricoh arena and all seemed peaceful but appearances can be deceptive obviously! No chance to visit the canal basin though unfortunately

Thanks Dave. Fuzzy, I have been on the Soar but not seen coconuts, shopping trolley round prop but no coconuts! Didn't see any coconuts on Soar when in Dorella either. Grumpy git landlords but no coconuts!

Oh I see, never seen them but have probably not been to said areas as I tend to avoid towns/cities where possible. http://www.hindunet.org/faq/fom-serv/cache/43.html Just found this, do you suppose that the canals would represent the sea?

Why coconuts?

We have flotex in our kitchen we laid it in 1985 when it first came out, it gets a lot of wear and is now wearing in places. We also had some on our shared NB but one thing I will say is on the boat we found it very difficult to remove the dog hairs unless we bought our dyson animal with us. Good hoover no problems, cheap hoover, hard to remove pet hairs. brilliant wearing though and nice underfoot.

When we used to share a narrowboat, we followed the week after a single hander. All week I kept saying that the centre rope was too long. As I jumped on board with the rope after holding the boat back, it was getting tangled all over the place. Wish I had cut it shorter! Just going through the bottom lock of the Napton flight on the way to return to base at end of holiday when I pushed the boat out jumped on, pulled in the too too long rope (or so I thought) when BANG! the prop caught the rope. It pulled tight (obviously) and smacked across my legs. I have never before seen instant bruising! OH pulled boat into lock, we went down the lock, he pulled the boat out and then had to cut the rope. It was certainly much shorter then. As I very nearly was because if that rope had been a loop, I would have lost one of, if not both my legs! Both legs were black from the knee and over the next few days down to my toes. A month later the right leg ulcerated from inside and it took months to heal. I still have a bullet hole in my leg (well thats' what I tell people it is!) In response to PhilR, I do not leave paddles open nor rudders grounded on cills. Accident do happen and we are not all perfect although a few on this forum do seem to think they are! When you are doing anything in life it is not always possible to get it right. I blame no one but myself for my accident as I kept saying the rope was too long all week but being a shared boat, cutting the rope is destroying others property! I discovered a mention of this accident on line written by the boaters following us through in their blog! I was very very lucky and agree with Carl the rope must not be too long so as to get caught round the prop, it is too unwieldy for day to day use no matter how careful you are, accidents do happen.

But who posted it? I dunno, go out for a while and miss it all! (whatever it was!)

Pity more don't do this!

As long as the person who fitted the screen did not use polyureathane seam sealer!.....

http://www.calorcookerandfireshop.co.uk/ac...ty-cookers.html might be worth a look here

Pearson's guide is a must and Definitely head to Gargrave and the following hairpin bends, right across the pennines, absolutely stunning. Also You must visit busy Lizzies fish and chip shop on the bridge at Skipton (best i've ever tasted) and also if you do a walk up the Spring's branch there is a butchers shop selling home made pork pies! There was an old fashioned sweet shop in Gargrave too. Enjoy the trip