Mac of Cygnet

During a recent pub discussion on suicide bombers, a member of the company suddenly opened his jacket to reveal a control box with wires. Apparently prototype heated insoles. As he said, "I don't go through airports like this."

Totally but what exactly is going on in that avatar?

Unfortunately this building is really too small to be used as a dwelling, with no room for meaningful expansion and no road access (although the latter hasn't prevented the next one down at Ganny Lock being turned into an attractive house). Any disused building, especially in a semi-urban area, is bound to suffer, however solidly built (and this one is) - I don't think this is a modern phenomenon. Size is no protector, either - the large (Georgian) building by the basin at Brighouse has been going downhill for years since it was abandoned by the local angling club. The good news is that the lockie's house (a substantial two storey building) nearby has now been refurbished and is occupied (by a boater!) after nearly suffering the same fate. As for the old river lock at Brookfoot, I was amazed that the river, only a few feet away, didn't inundate the canal here during the floods a couple of years ago, as it did at several points both up and downstream, flooding Dr Bradley's allotment and the Collier's Arms, and hoisting a narrowboat onto the towpath near Shepley Bridge (incompetent recovery of same shown here in a recent thread) Mac

One of my neighbours at Sowerby Bridge lives with his dog on a 21ft Sea Otter, and has done for several years. Mind you, it is gradually becoming obscured by the various items on the back deck, roof, and shore............

Just let me get out of the way.

Actually, I'm lost in admiration for all this. Not only a 'do it now' attitude, but actual facts and figures! The only caveat I have is exactly what you warn about. Most precautions against excess heat relate to the back of the stove, but the top of the the flue at ceiling level can get just as hot, and any wooden or plastic ducting would need protection. Mac

OK

Can I just say to any Northern Ireland readers that DeanS (and PFU for that matter) are not representative of boaters at large. Schadenfreude is best experienced and not trumpeted.

It is actually illegal to install an extractor fan in the same room as a solid fuel stove in a domestic (ie house) situation, and not recommended even in an adjoining room. I haven't looked to see if the BSS says anything about this, but the balance of fan power and drawing power of the stove would have to be considered. Also the fact that the air would re-enter the same(ish) space ie the boat. Am I overcomplicating this? Mac

I must be getting old, because I used to enjoy a good tussle with the nutcrackers, but I've got a bag of naked ones from \Morrison's which taste just fine.

Yes, I'd worked that out! I really was asking for something more specific. For example, I was told by one garage owner that adding a small proportion of petrol (up to 5%) would stop waxing. Another shrugged when I asked about this, and said "So I've heard. You could try it, I suppose". But 'additives' are something more high-tech?

So what is different about the 'winter grade' diesel that is supposedly being sold at the pumps at the moment?