Matthew Knowles

Which is the worst attribute in someone? A. Boring B. Selfish C. Obnoxious

Well said!

My impression from previous posts is that Phylis is firmly in category a. I would be in category b or c depending on the mood I happen to be in at the time.

Oh dear, mob rule.

So, refusing to raft up because they are enjoying the view out of their window is anti-social and unacceptable. But, arriving on a mooring and telling the other boats that you are about to have a party and if, since they are forewarned, they don't like it then they can b*gger off elsewhere is acceptable? Was this a deliberate attempt at baiting?

Haha. Maybe we should introduce them? Twm enjoys, erm, playing tag with cats. 10 out of 10 for the diversionary tactics though! Oh dear! A cat who's got the hump, that is one dangerous animal. The only animal more dangerous is a woman who's got the hump!

Locks are all part of boating. It's like saying "I enjoy driving but hate roundabouts". Take your time through them and see them as a break from chugging along the canal. Clearly, if you have 14 locks ahead of you then it may be a little daunting because you have less scope to take your time but 'dread' is probably a bit strong.

Mr Smudge, Mrs Smudge and their children Chalk and Oil?

Since I've had the honour of reading many of your posts over the years I feel that I can be safe in the assumption that you are not stupid. I therefore must assume that you are being deliberately obtuse. Nobody, except yourself, has mentioned blindly following a lock keepers instructions. All that was being stated was that in the event of a manned lock then the lock keeper has overall control and responsibility. If, to use my previous analogy, a traffic policeman instructed you to drive down a motorway in the wrong direction, of course you would not listen to him. If however, he told you to pull over and park up while an oversized lorry passed you would obey.

Sorry, I failed to realise that aiding the passage of a boat through an unmanned lock was such a faux pas for a BW lock keeper. String him up!

If you are driving along a road and get pulled over by a traffic policeman then you'll admit that he has the "final word". However, in this position of responsibility it is encumbent upon him to remain responsible and should not "suggest foolish manoeuvres". In the same way it is encumbent upon a lock keeper to get boaters through his lock in a safe, efficient manner so he won't be telling you to "moor on the wier" will he?

While chugging up and down a canal then probably the boat owner's. However, if you want to go through a lock that is manned by a lock keeper then I'd suggest that he may well have an advantage over the boat owner...do as you are told or turn around and feck off! Does this actually happen or do you feel agrieved about any particular instance/experience. Maybe he locked others through because you pointed out that your authority is greater than his!

Of course! Where else would one keep them?

I have a beard and haven't noticed being prejudiced against although my mother's beard does get some odd looks!

If people think that it is "antisocial" or "wierd" then that is their problem, not yours. No point in you having third party insurance then since it would seem that it is always their fault, not yours.

Clicky

Why? Do they have problems understanding words of more than 2 syllables?

Gin And Rum Palace cruisers?

Simple. Just don't untie your neighbours and then give them a surprise when they get up!

Cue the 'Deliverence' banjo music....

Hey! I got bagsies first! Well, I didn't say "bagsies".....bagsies me first!

I would have thought so, even at 3 or 4mph a 14 ton boat would have reasonable momentum but if you're unsure then we could always give it a go?

I guess, if the narrowboat approached quickly enough then there'd be no need to breast up.