Steilsteven

Ah yes, the well known Richard horne quote ''some of the members seem to think they're on holiday!'' Keith

Totally unfair, still, thats spouses for you. Keith Noat to self, bi a dikshunri!

Alan, I'd like to thank you for your, as always, fair and to the point comments. I hope that all members will take this as constructive critisism and act accordingly. NBT has come a long way from what it was when I joined in 1993, when it truly deserved the tag ''Narrow Boat Rust'' because the boats were in a shocking state and the Trust was on the verge of folding. At that time, there was very little money in the kitty and the majority of committee had lost interest. Without going into too much detail a new committee was formed, consisting, mostly, of new blood. They agreed that they would all support the Trust financially until such time that it was self supporting ( that time has never truly arrived!)and the amounts that they contributed,over the years, can be counted in thousands. Aswell as this, some gave a great deal of time and effort when they should have been earning their living ( Hairy Neil being one such stalwart )which added even more to their financial burden. This behaviour of members exists to this day. No one,on the outside, is aware of this and it can easily appear that one only has to pay their 20 quid and off they go playing working boats. Nothing could be further from the truth. Also, I hope people will bear in mind that when a member leaves the Trust, they walk away with nothing,no matter how much it has cost them, unlike the private owner with deep pockets ( and you do need deep pockets to own a piece of history believe me )who will be able to recoup at least some of their money when they sell. Keith Norfolk Chairman, Narrow Boat Trust

Yes, he's built up the floor with brick rubble. Keith

Actually, that barge is a wooden Sheffield Keel and it's been there for many years sitting on the bed of the river. There is no chance that it would ever move again as most of the bottom has completely rotted away. It is occupied by an accoplished artist by the name of Marcus who is quite a character and all round nice guy. He took up residence a few years ago and many of us locals were pleased to see the barge being used rather than just being left unloved. Yes it's querky and eccentric and even more so inside but the guy is doing no harm to anyone and the court case didn't involve him in any way whatsoever. Incidently, not all the live aboards in the locality were summoned to appear in court, just a few who were really taking the piss. Some of them continue to do so. Keith

IIRC, that plot of land at Cleeve was going for c.£250,000. Mapleduram don't allow living aboard. BW might have a vacancy at Tyle Mill, not residential but people spend a lot of time on boats there,if you know what I mean. Also, there are usually spaces at Reading IDR moorings which are the cheapest in the area but no facilities. Keith

I think I might have the answer to this eternal argument! Make all moorings free and add the cost to the licence fee. Sits back to await flak. Keith

Thanks for that Mike, I suggest that anyone who is looking for an answer, with regard to their own circumstances,should scroll down to Practice note 7. Keith

Seems to me you've answered most of your own questions, you say you want to travel and your girl friend likes going different places, so it has to be a narrow boat. No interest or skills in anything electrical or mechanical, it needs to be a new one with some sort of warranty plus membership of RCR. You will then be able to explore to your hearts delight with little or no worries. When you've been around the system a few times you may find that you no longer have the desire to go so far and would be happy with the occassional foray, if that should happen, then, that would be the time to consider a wide beam especially if you decide to live aboard full time. Keith

Oh it was a joke! It must be the way you tell them. Keith

I would think that the biggest obstacle to a sea passage to Chichester by narrow boat would be the time factor. It's a long way around the coast and you'd be very lucky indeed to have enough good weather to get you there in one Summer. Having said that, I wouldn't discourage anyone contemplating such an adventure because I think it would be a fantastic thing to do, on a level with climbing Mount Everest,around the World single handed sailing etc. It would be a very boring World if nobody ever did anything because of an ellement of risk. Keith

Yes, they're called friendly boaters. I guess the ''water point'' was either the one outside The Great House at Sonning or the one at Henley, neither of which are ''designated'' but are provided for the convenience of anyone mooring there, which is a somewhat different kettle of fish. They offered to help you but you chose to be extremely rude,I'm sure there are many established and descriptive names for your type and those ''chaps'', whilst walking away, had thought of a few more. Keith

Surely, back cabin is also modern coinage? Seems to me that it would have just been referred to as the cabin. Keith

How about S ANDROMEDAE after the supernova discovered in 1885? Keith

Returned to our mooring yesterday following a diy docking at Newbury with PETRA. No, we didn't paint the bottom plates just as we didn't last time, three years ago. PETRA has curved chines and these get painted to just beyond where they meet the bottom plate, the stern swims get painted to the same extent as do the bows. Upon inspecting the bottom plates, they appear to be as smooth as they were six years ago when she was in for her pre purchase survey in Holland and there was no evidence of electrolitic reaction anywhere on the hull ( she is fitted with a galvanic isolator ) even though she has been connected to shore power for most of that time. I believe that the bottom plates are at least eight years old, so I'm convinced that painting them would be wasted effort and expence. Having said that, if she was to spend most of her time in salt or brackish water I would. As an aside for those who choose to diy, the Mrs has discovered the best method for removing bitumous paint from your skin, Johnson's baby oil! It instantly dissolves the stuff and then just wipes off. Keith

Hi Allan, Why not moor up outside Tesco's? You'd be fine there and you could get some shopping in if you need to. Alternatively, you could moor next to where the Salters boats tie up (by Caversham bridge) if you want to be reasonably near pubs/restaurants. Or there's the park, on the left before Reading bridge, this used to be a place to avoid, years back, but I've not heard of any trouble there for a very long time. Have a nice cruise, Keith

Hey! where's AB gone? I want to know if his question has been answered yet so that I might be able to work out what it was Keith

I've turned the trip boat 'Lancing' ( 71'6'' Large Northwich ) there in the past without any problem. I agree about taking a line from the stern though and not relying on using reverse as there can be some strong eddys around the lock island. Keith

According to the Dba barge register, this vessel is under the ownership of Paul Hudson, still has its Industrie engine and still named Noorderzon. You may be able to contact the owner via www.barges.org Keith

A friend of mine used to have this problem with seagul droppings on his catermaran which he kept on the south coast, each time he visited his boat it was covered in the stuff. He was also advised to get a plastic owl, which he duly did and fitted it to the mast. Next time he visited his boat, not only was the boat covered in crap but so was the owl! Keith

But it will prove not to have been taking the best advantage of a situation, in the long run....Call it coming back to bite you on the arse. Keith

By selling other pub's returns. Keith

I find this whole subject very sad indeed and an example of what has become of peoples attitudes in this country. It seems that unless there is a law in place to make people comply with anything, then they won't. Like dropping litter for example, you know you shouldn't do it. Everyone knows what was intended when the c.c. guidlines were introduced and it wasn't to force you into journies of hundreds of miles. It also wasn't intended that its primary use would be as cheap accomodation but, if you're sensible, this is achievable without any hassle. In my life experience, and I have plenty of that, if you don't draw attention to yourself it tends to be easier. If, on the other hand, you take an arrogant stance then all you do is make enemies. The ultimate outcome of all this will be that BW, having had to spend an awfull lot of money which would have been better spent elsewhere, will be forced to bring in draconian rules, backed up by Act of Parliament, that will affect us all. Keith

Actually they were flat headed bolts that finished flush with the timber. I can't see why people get so worked up about fake rivets, after all a ''replica'' josher is fake anyway and if you're going to have one built it wouldn't look right without them. Of course, one could go the full replica route and have a fully riveted hull with a wooden cabin but at what cost and what would be the point? Purists would still say it's not the real thing. Keith (with fully riveted Dutch barge)

For me, the best one was the Eddy Stobart fleet at Weston Point. Keith