Ange

Thanks Tanis - it was a pleasure to get to know you better too. I'd definitely recommend the Lancaster to anyone who's thinking of visiting. I'm sure we'll be back one day Thanks Mark

Yep thanks ... moored in the basin now, most of the crap cleared off the roof, engine maintenance done, loins girded (I read that as lions girded at first ) I'll post some return journey pics (taking photos keeps me occupied!)

It's Thursday we're going over mum - tomorrow's final preparation day! Just checked the weather for Anderton on Friday and it's looking good for you too. Enjoy

Thanks Buccaneer - yes that was us at Guy's, we've just spent the weekend in Garstang and are now at the Hand & Dagger. We start the staircase at 9.30 - if it stays like this it should be a good journey Just checked the forecast again on Metcheck and it's now 7-8 mph winds with bright sunshine. I'm a very happy lady

We've got a cubby hole under one of our cupboards that goes down into the bilge which keeps cheese - generally the fridge is just used for stuff like ham, bacon and sausages and of course milk cos I can't bear that powdered stuff in my coffee.

Exactly what we do but... this is the bit we don't do - makes perfect sense, thanks Gibbo Also we don't use the fridge at all during autumn, winter and spring - our cupboards are cold enough to stop the milk from spoiling!

Thanks Haggis - some very useful info there. Any tips or hints anyone can give us will help us on the day. I took loads of photos on our crossing from Tarleton so I'm going to go through them now to estimate timings for our return journey. Dave's also asked me to check on the height of the tide. I wish I wasn't such a worrier - this is going to obsess me all week!!

Yes thanks mum - the new pump is installed and working fine

Thanks for the reassurance / advice chaps - I know I worry too much (that's what Dave tells me anyway!) I'll be keeping a close eye on the weather forecast over the next few days

I have visions of a new canal detective series starring Romarni and Jenlyn!! Seriously, well done Jenlyn

We're due to cross back over the Ribble Link on Thursday 21st April. We've thoroughly enjoyed our stay on the Lancy and would recommend it to anyone but are looking forward to rejoining the main network. When I suggested last year that we cross the link to the Lancy hubby Dave was very surprised, because I'm a bit of a big girl's blouse when it comes to anything other than ditch crawling (my argument is that we didn't buy a flat bottomed skip to cruise on lumpy water!!). I suggested it because I had the ignorance of bliss at that time - I did no research and didn't have a clue what the journey would entail. By the time I knew what I'd let myself in for the crossing was booked. Anyway (I know I'm waffling, I have that tendency when it's late in the evening bear with me ) we're booked to cross back over this coming Thursday. No ignorance this time, I know we have to navigate the River Ribble, this time facing the estuary until we reach the Asland Lamp, and then the River Douglas. Please bear in mind that last year's Ribble crossing was our first ever journey out of ditch water. I tell myself as long it's as calm as it was on our crossing over it'll be fine. This is what Metcheck.com tells me:- http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/dayforecast.asp?zipcode=preston&day=5 Our crossing starts at 9.30am - the winds will be at 17mph with gusts of 20mph at 1pm which I think is about the time we'll be doing the river bits. Am I getting overwrought or is my worrying sensible worrying?

I'm guessing that'd be the Braunston Historic Boat Show. We fell foul of that twice. The first time was when we were boat hunting and planned to stop at Braunston Marina to look at boats for sale, but couldn't park the car anywhere nearby. The second time we were passing through on our boat on our way up north - a very irate boater going the other way responded to our hellos by informing us that we wouldn't be able to moor there, which didn't matter to us as we weren't planning to! As TheWilk says, you just keep on plodding till you're past it, the madness is usually contained in a very small area.

Not really practical if you're living aboard full time though - during the harshest weather this winter and last winter we've had to keep the stove alight 24/7 as it's our only form of heating (obviously this applies to our particular set of circumstances). I make sure there's nothing flammable anywhere near the stove, that the vents are only open enough to keep it on tickover and we have a smoke alarm very close to it.

Anneii can't PM until she's got 5 posts to her name - just two more needed Anneii then you can use the PM system.

good man!

Hi Tone I think you're doing the right thing enlisting help for the summer (I'm sure you'll end up with plenty of offers) to give you time for a proper think about such a momentous decision. Our plans are too vague at the moment for concrete offers of help (we're hoping the new water pump arrives and can be fitted on time for our return over the Ribble Link next Thursday - if we have to postpone our crossing all our plans are up in smoke! ) Keep us all posted as to your whereabouts cos I'm sure we'll spare a week at some point to gain some old Fartiness and maybe supplement your whisky supply (are you still on this year's monthly allowance or are you dipping into 2012 yet?) Best of luck whatever you decide mate

No probs I ended up getting the Jabsco from ASAP Supplies and although it was not in stock they have said it will be with me by Friday. A quick Google did not turn up the spec but it must be on t'interwebthingy somewhere or ask Jabsco to send the info. I'll send a piccie of the pump when it arrives. Cheers Dave posting as Ange

Yep spot on Martin - the fan belt had some oil on it, but by the time we got to Lymm it was working perfectly. Now moored in Lymm, checked under the engine covers and there was a small amount of water in the bilge which will be investigated when it's cooled down, but no further oil leaks. Dave's planning to do a bit of pot-holing and fondling (of the engine) later. Thanks again for all advice

Latest update- the engine oil has all been cleared from the bilge, took the filter off, the gasket appeared to be correctly placed. Put it back in and tightened it up, checked around the sump plug / pump entry and there didn't appear to be any problem there. No oil cooler and no inline tap on the sump pump pipe. Filled up with oil, ran the engine, gave it a few revs and ran it for 10 minutes or so with no further leak. Hopefully it was the filter - we'll set off soon from Sale to Lymm and keep an eye on the bilge. Just one other thing that probably isn't relevant, the tachometer isn't working now. If it happens again we'll call out RCR. Thanks to all for your input

We've used the only nappy on the boat mopping up the oil! More nappies now on shopping list - didn't think we'd be buying them again

It came out in a rush when the engine was running, so presumably that means it's from the high pressure side.

Thanks Richard & Tony - Dave says you've confirmed his first thoughts. He's fondled around the lowest part of the sump and can't find a plug - would a marinised engine have a sump plug if they knew they were going to fit a sump pump to it? ETA apparently the sump pump goes into the sump plughole

We've just arrived on mum & dad's new boat intending to have a cruise. We started up the engine and left it running for a few minutes, when an audible warning sounded. On checking we found the oil light was on. We stopped the engine and very soon realised that all the oil had drained out of the engine and was sitting in the engine bilge, with nothing registering on the dipstick. Can anyone suggest where to start looking first? Many thanks

As regards dongles being rubbish we're liveaboards who have now found a very happy place with our 3 dongle - cost £15 per month for 5gb, I know we can get 15gb for the same price but will not tie ourselves into the next 24 months which that contract requires. Ours is on 1 month cancellation - I've seen so many changes over the last 2 years there's no way I'm tying us to one deal for the next two. As a top up we have 5gb per month on my mobile phone T-mobile contract - fair usage so if we run out of gb's I can use it to browse the net without any extra charge. T Mobile costs £15 per month which includes all the landline & mobile phone costs all texts and all internet browsing. I'm happy with my deals.