Bat & Frog

Its a Peacock butterfly and was probably hibernating somewhere on the boat.

Not to be done if is it has recently leaked / overflowed fuel. Dropping it in the cut to put out flames doesn't help the starting problems !

Hang the clothes in the shower and put the dehumidifier in the room, drys quite quickly and warms the room nicely.

These may be a little big http://www.cheffins.co.uk/catalogue/machinery/winchester-marine-limited-329-0?pg=1&pgstart=1 Sale is tomorrow if there is anything that catches the eye !

As others have said, it is illegal to release one if caught. You can try all the other suggestions for repellents but I would trap it and then shoot it. They can be fidgetty little buggers in the trap so have previously put a square board mounted on a pole in the trap so once caught you can push the pole along forcing the mink into a confined area and get a good clean shot. I wouldn't use poison just in case a polecat or otter etc gets on board, also poison is rarely instant and the critter wanders off to die somewhere else, becomes somethings dinner and that also dies !

If this is fresh water, this may seem like stupid question but do you have water in the tank. When water level drops my pump runs continuously and gurgles as pumping air and water, therefore not building pressure and switching pump off. Also can you check your pipe runs as if a pipe joint after the pump has let go you would be filling your bilges. If back boiler then no idea but as others say, problem is when pump not working.

2. they did include lids, just found when lid on and sealed it didn't compost well. 4. Same as. 8. to lazy to drop trousers and seat cold !

Hi, I have been using the Separatt 9010 for about 18 months now. A few things. 1. I only find it smells for the first couple of days after a bucket change. I do have the fan connected. 2. You can't really leave the "material" in the bucket on the roof or anywhere else exposed as if it rains it will eventually overflow and also when it gets to wet the composting process stops as needs oxygen. 3. The container you use for the urine needs to be low as the outlet is about 9" off the floor. 4. I don't put the paper in it as have found it can take longer to decompose. 5. For a while I was drying my clothes in the shower room using a dehumidifier and the composting slowed down, think the dehumidifier was drawing to much moisture out of the air. 6. The solids bin is 23 litres and the system rotates it everytime you sit down (the seat is off-centre to the bucket so you get a better fill). Takes about 3 months to fill. 7. I use a non-peat compost to start and a little sprinkle ever couple of days, never had a problem apart in winter when the full container was stored on front deck under cover, to cold and didn't decompose. 8. Men need to sit (visitors to my boat shouldn't drink from the discoloured plastic pint glass on showerbase ) If I was doing it all again I would design and build my own unit as think you could save some space and money but would definitely have another composting bog http://www.separett.eu/default.asp?id=2128&ptid=2052

Thanks for all the replies so far. I am mainly using it inside but some will be door linings for duck hatch etc and considering using it for the cratch.

Hi All, I have some mahogany I am recycling and wonder what finishes people would recommend. I have tried a Danish oil but that doesn't seem to have taken to well ( may just be to cold, I don't know). Just wondering what else people have had success with. Thanks

I have one of these Francis lamps and wonder if anyone knows of a alternate supply of bulbs as Francis want £40. I think present bulb is ok but its 24v and I would like 12v and its a straight swap over. Thanks Bat

Hi, Its all depends how much you want to spend ! I'm in the Opticron camp having had a pair of 8x42 BGA binoculars for about 10 years until this year when my car got broken into, still haven't replaced them. I also have 2 opticron scopes (60mm & 75mm) and an opticron monocular. They are not the best in the world but I do think they give good value for money. One thing I would be tempted by is getting nitrogen filled, as if they are likely to spend periods on the boat this will help with issues of condensation. As others have commented, best to find somewhere with a range and try a few, because it doesn't matter how much they cost, if they are the wrong weight or size for you they will be little used. Good luck and happy spotting

Have a word with the Riggers at Underfall Yard, can't remember their name off hand but I've always found them friendly and helpful. If they can't supply should be able to point you in the right direction of something that won't fail when you need it most !

Car stereo speakers are normally 4 ohm, domestic 8 ohm, not sure how this affects connecting car stereos to domestic speakers but if your looking at spending any sort of money may be worth making sure.

If its a poor year, remember to leave some for the wildlife, they need to fatten up before winter Reminds me of a couple who were stripping the elder bushes of all their flowers, when I commented that the wildlife liked the berries got the reply that they weren't taking the berries - Doh !

Totally agree, tried the swan this week and food was passable but nothing special, didn't try the beer as working. Kingfisher breakfast set us up well for day ahead. Often staying at Fradley Premier Inn and have to say food next door is dire, very poor menu and have to look which they can do least harm to !!!

B@strds Would have though a cordless reciprocating saw better than angle grinder for that job http://www.wickes.co.uk/makita-bjr181rfe-reciprocating-saw-18v/invt/215789/?source=123_74&tmcampid=104&tmad=c&tmplaceref=PPC_ggl_0006635&gclid=COnw1-qDlLICFUVTfAodJiIASA or even a jigsaw

Very interesting, Anglia Fireplace and Design have been around for quite a while, they had a good rep 25 years ago when I was a labourer for a Cambridge builder who worked on some of their projects. Should say I have no other links or interests in them.

Keep thinking about air source heat pumps (do heating and cooling) as have permanent mooring with hookup but boats not that hot, I suppose that will be due to having roof painted whitish and decent sprayfoam insulation

I believe sea otters are aluminium so rust not a problem and once surface corrosion has formed its fairly stable (unless of course you fill the ballast tanks with air then it becomes unstable ) My understanding is that the water is not ballast as it weighs the same as water outside, but displacement material. This forces air from regions where not required and allows the boat to sit lower in the water allowing for better control and stability. Oh 10 post since started writing, must learn to use 2 fingers !

How about a nice low bridge, that normally shifts them. Or if you don't want to damage it light the stove and it will soften the tar which should make it easier. Also I find a Dremel really useful for this kind of thing if cutting is needed, it can be quite discrete and look ok after.

Much cheaper for the developer now, nice bit of hardcore. The insurance is probably less than the extra cost of renovation over new build, they should be made to build an exact replica !