Tim Lewis

Got our (good) fenders from Brian McGuigan who works from/lives on his boat at Sneyd Junction on the Wyrley & Essington, Walsaall. He can be contacted at e-mail enquiries@bcnboats.co.uk, tel 07791345004 or 07976 811073. Web site http://www.bcnboats.co.uk Tim

We did the Leicester ring in 2006 in a fortnight in the Hottest weather I have ever boated in, it was an easy two weeks which included doing the Asby Canal, the trip down to Coventry Basin and a side trip to Calcutt. Not my favourite ring but enjoyable all the same. Also worth doing the Welford and Market Harborough arms, Market Harborough if only for food shopping. Pubs in MH not great so we prefer stopping at Foxton which has a good selection Have boated through and stoped in Leicester many times without a hint of trouble. Our usual stopping point is at Birstall just North of the centre. If you find the time visit the National space centre and adjacent pumping station museum which are next to Belgrave lock, taking the boat up the short arm below the lock was a highlight of the trip so long as you don't mind unprotected wiers! The River Soar is a delight, the Plough at Normanton being my favorite watering hole, they also have a sister pub at Barrow, Kegworth has the worlds slowest Indian Restaurant. Tim

Not sure about the actual date but there was a test case taken through the courts a few years ago where it was proved that BW had the right to charge for 'end of garden' moorings. Tim

I and Sounds very cheap to me especially if it is a 'true' residential moring. I and many peope I know pay more than that for non-residential moorings. At the other end of the scale there are residential moorings in Central London that cost over £7.000 a year! Tim

Bought one (two bladed) for the girlfriends 50ft NB a few years ago and it made an amazing difference in that it got heat right to the other end of the boat as well down to the feet. Tim

Taking pictures this time of the year can be a very rewarding or frustrating experience. In this case you have the worst circumstances for confusing a digital camera, a bright white boat, a darker background and lots of shadow - To get the best out of a photo like this you need to position yourself to avoid getting too much shadow in the picture and, as someone else has stated, taking the reading from the background rather than from the white boat. Tim

Have bought excellent (but v expensive) marine ply from: http://www.robbins.co.uk/marine.htm Tim

At the top of the picture, pass under the bridge and it is on the North side (left hand side if heading towards Limehouse) Tim

Not in the East Midlands but you might try Jem Bates http://batesboatyard.co.uk Tim

I thought that I had read that the floating footpath had been removed because of Vandalism. Tim