Denis R

I don't think the current emissions regulations dictate an electronically controlled pump or unit injectors or a common rail system in order to gain compliance. However, I guess it's only a matter of time. If you're looking for serious diagnostic gear (common rail systems run at 1,600 Bar +) Hartridge in Buckingham have a range. It isn't likely to be cheap mind you, but then again neither is the technology in the engine....

If you've got a clean air environment you might get away with it, but if there's a chance of sucking in airborne particles you've effectively got a fine grinding paste. It'll take a time to work, but eventually the ring fit will deteriorate, especially when it's trying to seal on a 22:1 compression ratio. I'd keep the paper filter.

I'm using an 11" Francis light and - (there's been a thread on this subject before come to think of it, might be worth searching) - it works well, but you have to adjust the focus to widen the beam otherwise it creates the problem mentioned by Allan. In all honesty it could probably do with being a bit wider still to really illuminate the tunnel roof and wall, but nevertheless it looks 'legend' as my son would say and is often a topic of conversation with passing boaters - 'where did you get that?' rather than 'dip your headlights'!

It's all right for you to talk about getting more broad minded Dan, it's not you that's suffering the problem! So, 1) I'll ask them 2) I can't move any further forward, I'm as far away as I can get and yes, I am waiting for a mooring elsewhere 3) We all get to a point of sense of humour failure sometimes. As far as I'm concerned it's like so many things in life, it's down to manner and delivery. It's not that you bash into me, it's how you do it that's important.

Well everyone, I've just had a fantastic day cruising to Hillmorton and back and have met some wonder ful people on the way, so it all seems not to be so much of an issue now.... Ask me again in a few days! I think the crux of the matter is that the diesel pump has too short a hose and most people can't be asked to wind their boat and come in backwards. It's easier to bash in alongside mine. Maybe I'll ask the marina to fit a longer hose. Wish me luck. Oh BTW, I don't have the mooring for free and they whinged at me for not leaving enough space when I moored too close to the pump-out!

Hi Ernie, The mooring is actually Peter Nicholls' and the old wharf building against which I'm moored is his woodworking shop. Apparently the section of wharf 'from the drainpipe on' (!) is the pump-out and diesel mooring, but as you say, that doesn't help when the diesel hose doesn't reach and of course it doesn't say that anywhere.... Don't get me wrong, there are very nice people with whom it's great to get into conversation and have moored alongside, but from the rest some good manners and a basic respect for other people's property wouldn't go amiss!

Everybody, I'm getting sick and tired of having my boat used as a mooring jetty by visiting boats waiting to use the adjacent pump-out. There's an incessant banging and crashing of ropes, crews jumping on and off my boat and this morning, to cap it all, some joker trying to thread his ropes around my mains and telephone conenction, then using my chimney collar as a fairlead. Oh yes, and last week some clown tried to get past when the gap was only 5ft and ripped off one of my fenders in the inevitable wedgy. Only once since I've been here has anybody asked if it's OK and once a profuse apology when I returned, because I wasn't around to ask when they arrived. I thought there was an etiquette around tying to other boats? Am I justified in being sniffy, or do I need to take a chill pill?

Here's my list to add to our other contributors' efforts: Twice as much sliced bread as you think you'll use - it doesn't have to be rubbishy chemical stuff, good quality is available. If you're not vegetarian, as much smoked back bacon as you can handle Tins of Baxter's soup if you don't fancy making your own. Baxter's is good and not full of salt or msg Home made chilli beef - beware cheap mince is mostly fat and gristle. Use tinned beans, saves the pain of cooking and that awful accompanying smell. In the unlikely event of a heat wave, tons of fresh salad. My kids love to smother it in good old fashioned Heinz salad cream.... We usually do boiled new potatoes with it and slices of decent mature cheese.

These posts have triggered an idea. I'll try to get into the Northamptonshire Records Office and have a look there. I've used the Inclosure Awards and 1910 Finance Act extensively in Rights of Way research and they are a good source of information.

Noah, mine is yet to be used in real anger, but Peter Nicholls assures me that they do cut through rope and miscellaneous rubbish pretty well. He's a pretty pragmatic no-nonsense guy who's not into fads and doesn't recommend stuff without provenence, so I'm inclined to believe him. My view is, they're not a king's ransom so probably better with than without....

Unfortunately, when I tried 'old-maps', Braunston is suspiciously black - I guess outside their area of coverage. The eastern portal of Braunston tunnel is there, but not the village itself.

I've got one fitted on 'Whirlwind' - it was Peter Nicholls' recommendation and he swears by them, especially on his motor sailers and barges where a weed hatch is much more of an engineering proposition.... For goodness sake don't just stick your hand down the hole if you've got one of these fitted. It looks like something out of a dodgy martial arts film and can have precisely the same effect. Makes me shudder just thinking about it so I'm extra blimmin' careful!

There's more description in Narrow Boat which gives many further clues. I'll summarise the salient points when I've dug the book out. Meanwhile I'll see if i can track down an old OS 10,000:1 map or whatever....

I think carlt was referring to the aspects of public liability - that the justness of the cause has no bearing over the validity of the insurance? The necessary permissions are a prerequisite to cover being granted and that their absence voids the policy?

Any of you sleuth's know where the cottage referred to in Narrow Boat resides/resided? Tom described it as "a single diminutive cottage perched upon the strip of greensward flanking the road". I've been up and down the high street numerous times and haven't a clue where it is/was....

All, would Stephen not been morally in the right if he's loosened the ropes and moved the moored boat up a bit to make enough space? I can't remember if there are 'No Mooring' notices at the Fenny winding hole, but it is blimmin' close to the water point....

Not holding strong theological beliefs, I recoil at entering into a discussion with an individual or group who only pedal their brand to the exclusion/rejection of all others. Does kinda make it difficult on those odd days when you feel as if there is a greater power out there and you want to make some form of spiritual connection.... (What's the frequency, Kenneth?) Used to find that the 'War Cry' had a good crossword and folded 4 times could level the most recalcitrant pub table; and on the few occasions when I was the unfortunate recipient, that the Watchtower had the most diabolical printing ever....

Just coming back to the original thread for a moment, is this a matter that we should be attempting to address more formally? I wonder perhaps if the RBOA, or whoever, could put together a download-able briefing pamphlet on the dynamics and structure of living afloat with a family, aimed at improving the knowledge and understanding of social workers and other interested parties? Might this help, or would it hinder?

In this event, the implication is that the boat showing most aggression gets the right of way.... If the 'deep water' channel is marginal for two boats to pass, somebody has to back off at some point. I think I'd rather spend a while unsticking myself rather than playing some variation of 'chicken'....

I agree with John. I got my 11" diameter Francis light for 50 quid on eBay, which must be a real bargain and yes, you can tune it burn paint off like a magifying glass, but it also spreads wide enough to illuminate an accdeptable portion of the tunnel roof and wall without creating a black hole. It has to be directed though, so sits pointing slightly right and slightly up. As mine is de-mountable for storage, it's a re-tune job whenever it's put back on, but never mind, it does look 'legend' as my son would say....

I was called on the boat the other day by a young hopeful asking if I was interested in a quote for a fitted kitchen.... I suggested to the guy that it was a wind up (thinking it was one of my mates), but no, he really wanted to quote me for a kitchen. When I informed him he was calling a boat, he suggested that it was me that was doing the winding up....

I think the time limit for submissions has recently passed. I know the RBOA has made a detailed submission and there appears to be a lot of influential support to address the 'anomoly' as it was officially categorised by Lord St John Stevas QC. I'm not certain that it needs Two Shags to focus his attention elsewhere in order for it to progress and we might just end up with a result on this one. Says he more in hope than anticipation. Regarding mooring agreement, read Gentlemen's Agreement in my case.... If anyone holds a meaningful and comprehensive Residential Mooring Agreement, well done the two of you!

Ecover works for me. You'd need to sing me a good song to change to anything else....