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Leave Skipton 14th April Ribble Link 26th April then a month on the Lancaster back down to Tarleton 27th May Probably head down to the Weaver for a week or so then back up onto T&M and head for Fradley to meet up with friends to do the Leicester Ring After that maybe stratford but not definite! After that Who Knows!!

Thanks for your replies the die is cast we have our passage booked for the Ribble link So down Wigan again (anyone fancy a days lockwheeling!) We will probably go to Liverpool on our way back down before heading off to meet up with friends at Fradley

I am sorry I just missed the OP! I have had the software on test for a season! IMHO This is a typical small software company product! a potentially good idea hampered by restricted resource. The implementation is very techy, ie no auto updates you have to do them manually ( scary for non computer people) it is in real terms an advanced Beta on the market to get some money in they got a break when Collins teamed up with them but the project has some fundemental problems for the UK The sales info makes it clear that they see the primary market as Europe all those dutch barges with wheelhouses to put laptops in! It imposes fixed cruising speeds/times Having said this if they can stick with it it does have potential!! Now combine this with Canalplans flexibilty and ease of use and well that could be a real winner!!

IMHO this is a blatant lets spin the story to get more column inches! It follows an interview Pam gave the Craven Herald a couple of weeks back trying to quash the rumours that Skipton was becoming a NO GO area. I am sure that she will be furious that they have actually managed to reinforce the misconception with this second article!! We are coming to the end of our second winter in and around Skipton and it has been peaceful and very pleasant! Like all towns you will always have a few trouble makers, the local police and PCSO's know who they are and mostly know where they hang out (The park near Gore Flats) To a degree they tolerate this for (qoute: The greater good!) In other words they know where to lay hands on them! Friends are moored at the back of Herriots Hotel and as far as we know they have had no problems! Skipton is a great place it is NOT a No Go area.

They make two versions the £98.00 has a removable checker plate infill. The cheaper £88.00 the infill is fixed major features for us were the weight and the ladder.

Miracle leisure products produce a combined aluminum boarding plank/ladder £88.00 no connection just a satisfied customer

We are currently wintering in Skipton. And just starting to think about this years cruise. We are starting our cruise in the first week of April, we are an experienced couple, lock count is not an issue nor are we on any kind of time schedule. Our boat is 58Ft, i have tried to read as much as possible that has been posted on the board about both our potential routes but up to date impressions would help! We have been in and out via Wigan the last couple of years. We are considering two options to start our summer. The first is the Lancaster so Down Wigan again! We have never turned right at the bottom of Wigan so any info on mooring etc en route to Tarleton would be much appreciated. The second option is out over the Rochdale turning up the Aston and Peak forest. we have been to saltaire a couple of time but just never ventured the rest of the way into leeds. We did some cruising on the Calder & Heble and Aire and Calder many year ago but the memory is going so any advice anyone may have on the trip mooring etc would help. Thanks in advance Tony & Noeline

We have a Boatman stove and it has been great no problems! Yes its basic but it has kept us warm all through this cold spell.

Thanks all for your replies in the end other considerations came into play and we are now going to do the trip on our way back north in late Sept! but again thanks for the info.

Hi we are currently moored just through the bridge from the bottom of the Hurleston flight on our first full summer cruise! The plan such as it is, was to continue on down the Shroppie towards Autherly junction and then decide the next move from there, but I must admit to being tempted to reverse and turn Right, but only if the LLangollen has not already started to resemble the boating equivalent of the M25! so anyone out there who can give us a current status report! your input would be appreciated.

Pam, Ian, Zoe, Vaughn and Bill do a magnificent job! I was priveleged to be part of the support team (reverting to a previous incarnation looking after PA staging etc) and they put on a first class event but without some real support the 9th Skipton Waterways festival may not happen! We were in the thick of it moored on the shop front (big Knickers and red diary! on the roof)

I have to say I have just purchased a complete smartgauge/Smartbank charging kit from Chris, service was first class and how anyone can assert that is a less than market ready/worthy product is a little beyond me! And no I have no connection to Smartgauge just a satisfied customer

About an inch of ice in Skipton turned the CH on for about an hour this morning! first time for about a month admittedly mostly to top up the hot water otherwise the stove is heating the boat. The water point was a two kettle de frost and the hose was one and a bit! Slippy walk to sanitary station with cassette was fun but hey we knew about this before we joined!! All in all our first winter aboard is ok our only regret is that we only started our life afloat so late in the season (October 2nd) but at least spring is coming (so I have been Told!) Tony & Noeline NB MaryRussell

As we approach the move aboard, I wondered how those of you who have already made the move coped with shaking off the landbased lifestyle? We have lived in the same house for 25 years and when we made the decision last year to go CC/Liveaboard we started de cluttering as a prelude to selling up. We are experienced boaters so we know that this is a major lifestyle change, but it this final stage where we have to pare everything down to what will go aboard that is feeling a little stressful! So how did you cope/deal with the move did you find it easy or a was it a struggle. We can't wait to get aboard and start crusing but it is without a doubt a major change.

Most Likely they have forgotten to renew the hosting contract! Happened to me earlier this year. I had paid for two years! Hosting company claimed only one year result site down for a week whilst we sorted it out! Hopefully back up soon as I want to buy a couple of guides.

This is the reply I have received from BK marine's Brian Kaye Qoute> Mr Gill This is most definately NOT the case. Some stupid rumour seems to have come from Kingsground narrowboats, who got this in their heads. We immediately responded with the same answer I will give you. Webasto offer the same warranty to all and sundry, whether the boat was bought in the UK or not. The heater is guaranteed for 2 years for all parts excepting the burner unit and gaskets. These are "consumable parts" and if you refer to your warranty sheet, are not covered at all. Similar to a car warranty, however as a gesture, Webasto will cover the burner for 1 year only, and will replace it only once FOC in this period. This free issue burner is subject to the heater having been installed exactly as recommended in the installation manual. A very large number of boat builders do not adher to our instructions, particularly to fuel and exhaust, and this does cause burning problems.If this were the case the burner warranty would be null and void. One exception to any warranty is if the heater is not sold and designed as a "marine" heater. Many vehicle heaters are currently fitted to boats and as such absolutely no warranty will apply. All heaters sold by my company are "marine" and therefore should not be a problem. I do not know who your builder is but if he bought it from me you need not worry, but if he didnt I suggest you check where it came from. We are the main Inland distributor and therefore it should have done, but not allways. I would appreciate you telling me where your information came from as Webasto take a very dim view of incorrect and damaging comments, and often persue the matter further. I imagine that this is just typical "towpath talk" subject to inaccurate and incorrect information, however boat owners can be very gullable, and often pass on this information without checking as you have done. I hope this puts your mind at rest. I will pass your E mail and my reply on to the Sales manager at Webasto. Brian Kaye End Qoute>

Chris I am well aware of that Not considering taking action against any one as that is the no win route just pointing up the fact that the problem is more insidious than it first appears. (I run a company so am well aware of the chain of responsibilty) Cheers Tony

I have been Following this thread with both interest and a rising sense of dread! As we have a new liveaboard boat commisioned from a reputable builder which is to be fitted with a Webasto system! A a direct result of the most recent set of posts i have sent the following e mail to BK Marine! Qoute> Dear Sir I am writing to request clarification and or confirmation of information that has been passed to me by a number of people that you are not willing to honour warranty claims made on Webasto products when they have been fitted to live aboard narrow boats. If that is indeed the case I would also be grateful if you could point me to where in your sales information printed/or web based that warns that these products are in fact not suitable for this purpose. My interest is that I have commissioned a live aboard boat from reputable builder who fits Webasto units as standard so you can imagine my concern Your full and early reply would be much appreciated Yours Faithfully A. J. Gill End qoute> It will be very interesting to see what form the reply takes. I believe that their are two points possibly at issue here First the supply of goods which under the sale of goods act could be deemed to be 'Not fit for purpose' by failing to warn that they are not suitable! And or the breach by not honouring the warranty having supplied the goods of the unfair/restrictive contract terms legislation. I can find no evidence in either printed or web information that the manufacturers/distributors give any indication that the product is not suitable or should not be fitted to live aboard boats. I will be consulting my local trading standards office to seek an opinion!

I explored the northern reaches of the BCN last year and can heartily recommend it. You might get some ideas from this link Jim great trip report very useful thanks

Having sorted our trip from Swallow Cruisers in September! I am now looking ahead to our week at the end of October. On this occasion SWMBO and our dogs are staying at home and a friend and possibly his son (grownup) are joining me. We will be starting and Finishing again at Swallow Cruisers with from friday afternoon to the following thursday afternoon to play with. I would love to explore some of the BCN. I love the rural canals but I am also fascinated by the industrial roots of the canal systems. So as we appear to have a fair few people who know the BCN suggestions for a route, moorings and places to eat and drink would be most gratefuly received. Thanks in advance.

Second that Howard, from North Yorkshire myself!