Tim Lewis

I don't know, what's the answer? Tim

Fulbourne is heading North from Rickmansworth from tomorrow morning, shout if you are on board when we pass you. Tim

It's actually a condition under the new licensing rules so as such is a demand! Tim

See from Waterscape that the lock has now reopened. Tim

Looks like these people were Grassed Up Tim

I'll second that, when I take my car to the local hand car wash this they always pressure wash the mats (After they've taken them out of the car that is!) Tim

As nobody else seems to have mentioned it the following has been issued by Waterscape Stoppage: Emergency closure of Beeston Iron Lock due to sunken craft Associated Regional Office: BW Wales & Borders Due to a sunken craft which is lying on its side at Beeston Iron Lock on the Shropshire Union Canal, the lock will remain closed for up to 72 hours whilst craft is recovered. Dewatering is possible. Winding is available below Whartons Lock and above Bunbury Staircase Locks. British Waterways apologises for any inconvenience caused. (Enquiries: 01606 723800)

We were on the Aylesbury Canal Society waiting list for 10 years before we were offered one! Though with the current financial situation, the redevelopment around the basin making it a bit less secluded and the threat that it will be closed down & the moorings relocated in the possibly not to distant future could mean that moorings might become available quicker than ours did. Tim

Blackcountry Ring is a bit too short for a week and you won't see that much countryside, Stourport ring is much more varied. Tim

Worth noting that there is an emergency stoppage on the Ashton Canal section of the Cheshire Ring, From Waterscape: Update ( 16 October 2008) Following on from the stoppage notice issued on Wednesday 15th October, the Ashton Canal remains closed to through navigation. British Waterways staff have completed their investigations and due to the extent of the damage a new lock gate is required. The British Waterways workshop has been informed, timber has been ordered and a new gate will be manufactured as soon as possible. An update notice will be issued on Friday 24th October. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused. --------------------------- Not sure how long it takes to make and fit a new gate but it could be closed for a while. Tim

We have just recently taken Fulbourne (7' 0.5") up the Southern Stratford, we too had trouble with the first lock but think it might have been the bottom gate not quite opening fully, we also had a similar problem about four locks up. Apart from that it was a breeze. Tim

By coincidence we did this trip last weekend except in our case we got as far as the new Reedley Marina just short of Burnley but we don't hang about and were lucky with the tunnel lights. You of course will have less light. Recommend that you get at least a couple of locks up the Gargarve locks before stopping. The Anchor next to the fouth lock up is standard but good Beefeater type food with reasonable beer but zero atmosphere. The Masons Arms is pleasant with slightly overpriced food, don't expect to get served before a local! The Old Swan we found to be a bit wierd to say the least. The Anchor at Saltersford was not unpleasant, ask to see the stalectites! Do do Foulridge tunnel if you get the chance, you may even get to do the return trip in the same hour if you get your skates on. Do stock up in Skipton cos there's not a lot of shopping on the route. Have a good trip, it is a wonderful bit of waterway.

Not a very good start, by stating 'the useless IWA' you have immediately pissed off a large percentage of the people who actually go out and campaign for/restore waterways rather than just whinge on forums. Tim BTW I think I am right in stating that the IWA is the only organisation that manages a waterway in this country with minimal paid staff, a large volunteer base who amongst other things 'mow the towpath' (with no expectation of a license discount) and manage to run it at a profit (all of which gets reinvested in the waterway). In case you haven't guessed it is the Chelmer and Blackwater.

Good waterproof boots were around for a long time before Gore tex was invented, I still use my 27 year old leather boots and they are bone dry whilst my year old Gore tex ones have already failed! Tim

Was rung up last week by a friend asking if I fancied a weekend on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal this weekend just gone and never having knowingly turned down a chance of boating I accepted. Thinking, a trip over the Pennines in October, better pack thermals, lined trousers and all the waterproof gear , hats and gloves I own. A late night five hour drive to Skipton didn't put me in the best of moods but determined to make the best of my good planning I got up Saturday morning, put on three layers of clothing and went out to steer, what happened, two of the most gloious days days boating I've done this year. Spent the first couple of locks taking off the outer layers of clothing cursing the fact that I'd not bought shorts!. Went the best part of the way to Burnley and back - what a stunningly beautiful canal this is. The photo gives an indication of the conditions: Tim

Saw something similar a few years ago when I witnessed a normally very mechanically minded friend wielding a scaffold pole attached to a large spanner failing miserably to get the wheel nuts off the rear wheel of a twin rear wheel WRG transit van. A few days later a notice appeared on the van saying 'these nuts are left hand thread!' Tim

Try: http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/bradford/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradford_Canal This was a useful site but it doen't seem to be working at present. http://www.bradfordwaterways.co.uk/ Tim

From Waterscape this morning: River Soar in flood Tuesday 7 October 2008 - Wednesday 8 October 2008 Update 08/10/08: The River Soar is now out of flood and accessible to boats. Tim

The following accessary will allow you to connect your ipod to a portable radio with a 3.5mm input socket, the link states which Pure products have this, a number of them are battery operated. http://www.pure.com/products/accessory.asp?Product=VL-61119 One warning, DAB radios are heavy on the batteries so get rechargables. Tim

Not according to Trading Standards Tim

I can assure you that the canal camps are VERY enjoyable. The best place to start is the WRG Web Site which contains many photos and testimonials from previous camps. A couple of points: 1. Your son needs to be over 18 to go on the week long camps 2. Two weeks back to back canal camps can be very hard work especially if you are not that fit - better to have a break between camps. The 2009 Canal Camps programme should be out after Christmas. If you are not to sure about the work there are a number of WRG mobile groups that do weekend work parties, attending one of these is a good introduction the the life, again details should be on the WRG web site. My particular group is London WRG but don't be put off by the word London - we work all over the country. Tim