mickspangle

The point is that HMRC can't be arsed with fecking about with this, they have bigger fish to fry. They are just paying lip service to the EEC directive. Bottom line is claim whatever you feel comfortable with. No-one will be checking. MtB Yep that's how I understand it. Just out of interest, since white diesel is probably cheaper than 100% propulsion red, what's to stop me buying my red at 100% non propulsion prices and then topping up with white from a garage whenever I go cruising...?

I can see the benefit of filling freezers with leftovers and reduced to clear winnings, but any savings need to be offset by the cost of powering the freezer - if you're charging batteries from an engine or generator you might actually spend more money keeping things frozen than if you buy fresh and chuck out your leftovers? Eta: in my case I see giving leftovers to the ducks as an insurance policy in case I need to delve into my floating food bank when times are hard...

Anyway, said boat was there on its new mooring on Sunday, so watch this space...

When we took a 21m mooring 4.5 years ago we explained that we were 21.3m (70') but were told it would be ok. I'm guessing that policies are being made at a local level, so it's probably worth phoning them for a chat.

I would second the advice to flush your hose before filling. In general if you run it until it gets cold then that will ensure you are getting water that's drawn from the pipes under the ground rather than anything that's been stood around stagnating, Also, if you are regularly turning over the contents of the tank that will help keep things sweet. It probably won't hurt to disinfect with Miltons every now and then (but empty tank afterwards before refilling) Lastly - dont drop your hose in the cut.

In my experience the problem with getting diesel at boatyards on the Thames is that a lot of them have pumps right at the back of the marina and you have to weave your way past a lot of expensive plastic cruisers to get to them. Getting into Shepperton with a 70 footer on a windy day is not something I'd like to do again! From what I remember Bray is a reasonably easy one to get to, but I think diesel was always heaper on the canal - especially uxbridge or the various Coal boats

Sorry, maybe I wasn't being clear but what I wanted to find out is why boats with business licenses can seem to apply for visitor moorings to be removed and turned into permanent moorings for themselves, and whether CaRT had a policy on this. I agree there is nothing to stop you (or any other boat) bidding on an existing long term mooring

So, if I get a business license can I apply for a mooring wherever I like and be treated as a special case? What is cart policy on this? So, if I get a business license can I apply for a mooring wherever I like and be treated as a special case? What is cart policy on this?

I've got a beard trimmer that works off 2xAA batteries

Oxfordshire narrowboats do operate out of Bradford wharf and have covered their dry dock now - they're definitely open. Will try and dig out their number... I'd phone head office +44 (0) 1869 340 348 and ask for The Bradford on Avon number. I did my 70' nb last year there, and you can probably get a w/b in there but it might be a bit of a squeeze. I'd phone head office +44 (0) 1869 340 348 and ask for The Bradford on Avon number. I did my 70' nb last year there, and you can probably get a w/b in there but it might be a bit of a squeeze.

Sorry but the CRT license isn't a tax it is a payment to a charity for use of their facilities a bit like an entrance fee to one of the National Trusts Properties. See my comment elsewhere about provision of other services e.g. Police. Isn't 20% of it tax (ie the vat)?

Facebook group I think? Eta: it's not *that* forum...

As a fellow civil servant living on a leisure mooring, can you point me in the direction of whatever it is that says you'll lose your jobs and mooring if caught (I presume) living on a boat on a mooring without planning permission?

I've also heard that when CaRT take over european canals, CCs will need to include mainland europe as part of their cruising pattern or risk having a Section 8

I believe it was Oxfordshire narrowboats from the FB posts I've been getting. Not sure about car reg, think it was W reg?

Wild Willy Barrett used to frequent the grand junction arms in bulbourne when I was around that part of the system. In fact when they refitted the pub I bought the piano for £25 for my sister, and was amused to discover a tuning key inscribed with his name on it under the lid

In terms of letting in more light while protecting privacy (I believe this was once the topic in question) has anyone mentioned houdini hatches, skylights, pigeon boxes etc as a way of letting in more light?

Just make sure you're not blocking off an emergency escape route

I think it was the condenser wot done for them.

It means don't bother asking for the minutes.

Excellent news - I'll expect them to go past me about 11am, but will probably hear them coming from about 9am. :-)

Thanks for the offer Chris. Dongle doesn't take an antenna unfortunately, but it is mounted externally about 2' above the roof of the boat. I've always found 3 reasonable at avoncliff except when a stag do moors up next to me and all get on YouTube. My work phone is Vodafone and the signal is never great. Maybe I could try a Vodafone Payg sim and see what it's like? I take your point about direct connection to the dongle, but I'm running a Defra laptop, and I'd have to get the dongle software put on which, with a government IT department that is both paranoid and operates on a timescale that makes tectonic movement seem hasty, may be problematic. I get about 100kB/s at Avoncliff and about 200 kB/s where we are at the moment by Sainsburys bridge. Thanks for your input. I might try a Vodafone Payg sim out of curiosity.

What's changed since 2003? Well, BW have changed to C&RT but are still muttering about cracking down on continuous cruisers, it's all noticeably busier down south, it's all starting to creak a bit due to cuts in maintenance budgets over the years and people are still arguing about toilets. Mobile phone reception has improved, mobile Internet is a lot faster, LED lights and LCD TVs have cut power consumption as have the amount of things that run off batteries and solar panel prices have crashed to the point where you'll make your money back in a couple of years. Other than that its all much of a muchness.

Fair enough. I might just stick with what I've got then, and wait until I find someone nearby with a MiFi to compare and contrast. Thanks for the advice everyone

Ah. Now that is interesting, as it sounds like you've got the same set up (we've got the D100 router and probably the same dongle). Sounds like the MiFi would be marginally better at most. Tend to get ~100k on our mooring, so not terribly fast to begin with.