The Drunken Duck

Have you thought of using ' Speedfit'? We've found it to be far easier to use than Hep20 and the piping is double walled. Therefore presumably is more efficient as a hot water pipe. We've used it on 3 boats now and had no problems. Morco connections are 15mm

Glad you got it sorted and that are happy with your purchase and move - well done

I've used Richard Dempster a few times and always found him a very happy and helpful guy. He is very experienced and his price is also very good. He has also just saved us a few hundred £'s advising us where to launch and which crane company to use. A good guy To contact:- R&J Dempster Tel: 01785 814175 - based in the Midlands

I've just had a quotes ( today) for launching a 55ft n/b, off road transport. The quotes are for launching in the Midlands, approx 3 miles apart. The first , a large marina, did not have it's own crane .They advised me to contact direct the crane company they use - I was quoted £1,800 or if I fitted in with when they wanted to do it £1,200 The second, a much smaller company, has it's own crane on site and quoted £350 + vat. What a difference . I 've also been quoted £200 - £250 to have it craned on to the transport. Lifts must be cheaper in Lancashire

That's what we call 'buttercups and daisies' - great grub. We like your idea of the 'infusing' bit and the garlic roasted lamb. Oh what a lovely aroma, we can almost smell it from here. We're happy to come round with a bottle of vino and enjoy a tasting session

Like Maverick we calculate on 3 mph. Also we allow 20 mins for a lock. We don't rush So if you add up the miles and the number of locks. Then divide that total by 3. You have how many hours it will take to do that section of the canal.

Middle of the boat, and on a N/B to the port side . Vessels meeting should turn to starboard. Therefore the chimney will be more to the centre of the canal and less likely to get damaged by overhanging tree branches etc. Also, it puts the chimney towards the centre of a bridge where there is also greater clearance. We have now had 3 boats with central multi-fuel stoves and gravity fed central heating. Highly recommended.

Pearl barley in a stew - 'lovely jubbly'. But nobody seems to use it now

Starting from Otherton Marina Nr Penkridge and returning there. We're wondering if it's best to cruise round clockwise or anti-clockwise? Your thoughts appreciated; thanks.

Thanks Guys for that further info. We look forward to that breakfast at the Stafford Court Hotel - thanks Colin and Stewey..

Thankyou Jim and Steve for your information. We are looking forward to 'supping good ale' at the places you mention. Beer, fish & chips and mushy peas sounds good.

That sounds very good Allan, - thankyou I never do anything illegal

We'll soon hopefully be launching our new boat at Otherton on the Staffs & Worcester . We plan to initially cruise the Four Counties Ring (Shropshire Union, Staffs & Worcester, Trent & Mersey and Middlewich Branch Canals). Can anybody recommend, on this route, any pubs with good food and moorings close by? Your help appreciated

You may find this recent topic interesting posted less than a week ago. Morco warning and question Having taken further advice, I decided to forget the Morco and instead install a 1kw immersion heater in the calorifier. My thinking is :- When you're in a Marina you've probably got leccy to heat the water without starting the engine and on the cut you'll probably run the engine each day to cruise or to top up the batteries; then you'll have hot water from running the engine.