MtB

We don't know. He has started obliquely writing about his narrowboat but not explicitly stated he has bought one, so lots of speculation is the result. Which is how he likes it I suspect. I'm still not convinced he is not an AI posting.

Well you're right on the money. I don't actually think it was my fault. Its generally considered a stay needs a right battering to actually break, and it tends to be learners with no finesse who generally break a stay by grossly over-pulling then failing to check. I was/we were ringing up and as my bell approached fully raised and I was expecting to stand, the rope was snatched out of my hand and disappeared up to the ceiling then it jumped the wheel. General opinion seems to be it was probably already 90% or fully broken when I started the raise which rhymes with my own opinion, but as a visiting ringer it sounds dreadfully naff to claim that! So I sucked it up and made/fitted a new one for which they all seemed surprisingly grateful. An interesting process I was pleased to perform anyway.

A saw what I thought was the biggest dragonfly ever the other day, buzzing about in the shade over the K&A at Padworth. Then I realised it was actually a bird. Looked like some sort of coastal wader only way smaller, when it landed on the ridge of a barn nearby. Anyone know what it might have been? Such a delicate and elegant bird.

Isn't Marston Doldrums actually considered to be the top lock in the Napton flight? Irrelevant fact: I broke the stay on bell four in St Lawrence church in Napton-On-The-Hill a couple of weeks ago. Quite a faux pas for a visiting ringer! Fortunately I was able to make and fit a new one, which the steeple keeper and tower captain both seemed pleased about I thought you'd all be dead interested....

Isn't it a "fount"? I think a font is what you dunk the babies in during a christening ritual.

Me too. Do they have canals there then?

Sounds to me more like brushes on the starter motor failing or worn out. How do you know its the solenoid failing intermittently, not the starter motor?

Firstly the real basics: Does it still do it in neutral? Secondly, does it happen in astern too? Thirdly, with engine off and gearbox in neutral, can you reach down and turn the prop shaft with your hand through 360 degrees and feel no sharp resistance to turning?

Thanks for the update! Were they forum members who saw your message?

We live in hope!

No boats!!!!

Not if u draw 2ft 10. DAMHIK!

You were working in just your pants? No trousers on eh? Weird!!!

Absolutely! This is why I like them! The same cars later than about 1965 had a similar-looking solenoid but without the maual button on the end. A sad loss I always thought.

I suspect he will decide to take the boat out of the water after every cruise to touch up any scratches in the coating. That'll be once then.

I had a quick scan through the others on the site but this one is different - the only one I saw with a button for the mechanic to press to manually over-ride it. Which I don't think I've seen on any car since my Dad's 1963 Ford Anglebox.

Fantastic. I thought those stopped being made in about 1968! https://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/p/lucas-replacement-starter-solenoid-12v

I was chatting with another marina owner recently and commented to him it struck me as difficult to wring a profit from marinas, so I'm surprised none seem to be getting filled in and houses built on the site. He quite honestly said that was exactly his longer term plan for the place and the reason he bought it. Maybe something similar is planned for Orchard.

Irrelevant. The point I was making still stsnds.

Ok I've looked at the photos now and I see it all!! But while it is possibly even cheaper than chipboard, I can't imagine it causing too much of a problem in a floating flat like this.

My impression too. Had my late father been running a successful company in the same business as my new company I's have gone out of my way to call it something obviously different to save confusion. Something like "Joshua and Louis Ltd". Or "Not Louis and Joshua Ltd" to draw attention to the difference.

Is it? Are you seeing that in a photo (as the term does not appear in the advert text AFAICS)? But I'd find it hard to fall in love with any widebeam, to address one of the OP's points. They are just not like proper boats. <Tin hat on!>

Reminds me of a question asked of me by a rather posh-sounding lady at a lock on the K&A. "Why don't you just open the doors at both ends of the lock together, and go straight through?" I spent a while trying to get her to look at the differing water levels above and below the lock but her eyes were all glazed over....

That's amazing!!