PaulG

I bought a 30-day explorer licence last year. All I received back was an email to acknowledge the payment and a PDF file with a load of squares on it that an 11-year-old could have knocked up on a computer in 30-seconds flat. I queried this with CRT and they confirmed that the document that they sent was not the licence. It was merely an aid to keeping track of our usage. They also confirmed that they do not issue any form of licence. I have kept a copy of their email on my boat just in case. I've only used 4 days so far, and passed though manned locks on the Severn with no enquiries at all about our licence status. I therefore concluded that the lockies have access to the relevant licence information, as the policy on the Severn is "no licence, no pass". One would assume that if the lockies can check licence status, then so could an "official" licence checking person. Therefore any enquires about our licence status in the future will be met with an invitation to "go forth and multiply". Personally I could not care less if the enquirer is "official" or not. If CRT saw any need to check for a paper licence, they should/would have issued me with one.

Oh no it didn't...

I've just asked the Ebay seller about this item and received the reply below: "Hi Paul Yes you are right there is NO slit in the bar it is solid. Hope this settles the argument. Regards Toni"

Brilliant!

I needed some more powerful lamps in a couple of areas, so on Alan's recommendation, I bought some of the 5W ones to try. Cheap as chips (actually, cheaper than chips, come to think of it!) They work fine. Arrived about 3 weeks from my order, which is not bad considering it was during the Christmas rush. http://www.miniinthebox.com/mr16-5w-30x5050-smd-400-420lm-6000-6500k-natural-white-light-led-spot-bulb-12v_p499156.html

How long does it take on a bicycle?

It's a reflection on the outer part of the tube. Here's an enlargement. You can clearly see that the end of the tube is circular with no cut.

A bit more like it! :-)

Strewth! How much? About 40 quid on Ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dihl-BLack-4L-Dial-Air-Fryer-Rapid-Healthy-Cooker-Oven-Low-Fat-Free-Food-Frying-/192059580383?_trkparms=5373%3A0%7C5374%3AFeatured

2.6 miles or 10 minutes. (Shortly to become a bit further due to the outrageous increase in licence fees on the Avon...)

There are moorings on the Upper Avon (ie above Evesham) by many of the locks. Decent moorings in Evesham and Pershore. Asda in Pershore is close to the moorings and a good place to stock up. Moorings in Tewkesbury at the Marina, or near Avon Lock (fees for both). On the Severn, most of the pubs have moorings, and there's a BW pontoon at Haw Bridge. Check tides on the Severn below Tewkesbury here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast_and_sea/tide_tables/12/522a Anything more than roughly 8 metres will overtop the weirs at Llanthony and Maisemore. If a tide is due, speak with the lockies at Gloucester or Upper Lode for timing. They won't usually let you through if a big tide is due as it often brings a lot of floating debris with it. Upper Lode Lock 01684 293138 Gloucester Lock 01452 310832 Going downstream you need to speak to Gloucester lock before you enter the Parting - there's a big sign with the phone number, or VHF Channel 74. On the G&S in Gloucester, the moorings between Sainsbury's and Monk Meadow dock are 14-day. Plenty of VM's on the G&S.

The nut at the end of the tiller is a major component.

I'd like to see the results of any independent tests that verify the claims that are made by the manufacturer. Perhaps you can point us in the right direction? Edited to say - from the manufacturers website: "Lead Crystal® technology consists of special features: A unique micro-porous high-absorbent mat (AGM), thick plates ...." So they are AGM. The manufacturer says so. http://leadcrystalbatteries.com/technology-lead-crystal-batteries/lead-crystal-technology-details/

Actually, it seems it is. The Groanpeice petition talks about "huge new business rate taxes on solar" It's go nothing to do with a "tax on solar panels" as the OP suggested. If the rises do go through, it won't affect anyone unless they are a business that pays business rates. Are there any narrowboaters that pay business rates on their solar panels?

Perhaps it has something to do with this? http://www.solar-trade.org.uk/business-rates-rooftop-solar-increase/ It's to do with business rates on *commercial* solar installations - not quite the same as a "tax on solar panels"....

With the greatest of respect, that is not really a "new battery". It's just an AGM battery.

'Tom Scott, Professor in Materials in the University’s Interface Analysis Centre and a member of the Cabot Institute, said: “There are no moving parts involved, no emissions generated and no maintenance required, just direct electricity generation. By encapsulating radioactive material inside diamonds, we turn a long-term problem of nuclear waste into a nuclear-powered battery and a long-term supply of clean energy.”' http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2016/november/diamond-power.html

Researchers at the University of Bristol have just announced a new battery technology based on carbon-14 that will last 5,000 years. No moving parts, no emissions, no maintenance. Only two minor problems: 1. It's radioactive. 2. It's embedded in a jacket of industrial diamonds, so may be just a tad pricey.

Temporary fix? Get some cheap plastic containers. Cut a hole in each side with a hole saw. Place over "mushroom vents". Put something on top of container to weight it down so that it doesn't blow away.

Get on the phone to the local CRT office in Gloucester. Tell them that one of their employees is putting the safety of your vessel and its occupants in danger.