roggie

Has anyone any recommendations of what to use under various plant pots etc. on nb roofs? Having just had the boat painted and still wanting to have some plantlife on top thought I would have some 'protection'

No mooring though on either section.

We have just had our bathroom redone at High Line, Cowley, around £2k which included taking down old tiling, removing the woodern basin unit, building new basin cabinet plus new basin (Midland Chandlers one), reuse old shower tray, new tapes all round, vinyl (Carpetright mosaic) on floor and new walls. I'll take some photos before and after and post them on our blog sometime. Looks pretty good but did make the mistake of getting a light coloured vinyl floor but it does brighten the place up...guess we will have to train the dog to wipe his feet.

I cycled from Northampton train station to Gayton Marina last month and they are doing a fair amount of work to some of the locks. Had a chat with one guy who was slightly concerned that CRT hadn't got formal approval for a crane to use a nearby field to lift the gates in place meanwhile they were sorting out the brickwork. Perhaps the empty pounds were usual and not associated with the works. Memo to self, don't think the towpath by the M1 bridge will be usable on a 16" bike... Good job the marina had a handy tap to wash off the worst of the mud.

The 9 boats made it back too. A short Timelapse video here I was assisting on a trad stern, not sure if was that sensible hanging on to the side, especially when feet got wet because I didn't see the wash of a passing boat. I think I prefer my cruiser stern, non traditional me. Many thanks to SPCC (Andrew Phasey) for organising.

SeaDog - yup for the last few weeks seemed sensible to tour the London canals chatting to people rather than stuck down the back of my boat seeing very few people. Salar isn't going anywhere for a while as just finished being painted at High Line and they are fitting out the bathroom in the hope I'll loose my job and have to spend more time with my boat (perhaps I should tell my wife). I change fuel filter annually (well about 400 hours), same for gearbox oil (used ATF instead of ordinary oil this time, woops. Engine oil every 200 hours and must add some antifreeze. I've also purchased some clear PVC to see if I have the ability to add a clear front cratch cover under the ordinary one, idea is to sit at the front even when its raining, 4 popper snaps each side should fix it down. Thought I might make a fold down table for the cratch using clear perspex rather than wood...I'm not the most practical person so should be a challenge. During the painting they found a split in the seam between the roof and sides which explains why there was a regular damp patch in a couple of places, most likely been like that since she was built in 1988. Spring job is to put on the vinyl stickers front and side.

Anyone with access t the 'London Live' satellite to channel...they have the Ealing Film Painted Boats on now.. Just showed Stoke Bruene.

BMC 1.5 Changed oil and filter on Friday after 200 hours. Yesterday changed oil in gearbox, changed fuel filter and managed to bleed the engine...I was well pleased as I remembered which screws/bolts to release. Removed some dirty water from bilge, mixture of diesel, oil and water, still some more to go. Will need to clean and paint area later when I have more time. Lovely warm sunny day to do it as well. Painted stove..... Drained domestic system plus Paloma water heater just in case of a cold snap.

I don't think Stella takes up her place until March. Interesting how the discussion soon moved onto cc'ing, something which a lot of boaters do these days, much more popular in the London area given few affordable perm moorings these days, either resi or cruising. Can't comment on what the going distance is t'up north for cc'ing or what the 'spotting' is like which I would think determines how far most boaters would go ever 14 days or less...I'm guessing it's not as monitored as around London but that's not the issue. Perhaps all the elected reps should post the whereabouts of their boat a week in arrears just to be sure. The Phaseys have 2 so it might make interesting reading, especially as one is currently in Belgium.

We also need more stuff given the changing face of the canals, more elsan, pump out, water, rubbish, etc. CRT in London are looking at the possibility of bringing the dry dock at Bulls Bridge back into operation (built into the Tescos site) as there are a lack of places (long waiting lists) to get your boat out of the water, especially for surveys. Plus looking at the possibility of 'affordable' moorings which will be a whole new ball game for CRT. BTW even I, with a perm mooring, has to move every 14 days...not sure how far but once out on the canal the same rules apply to me as to a cc'er. Right, off to buy a fuel filter and see if I can remember how to bleed the BMC...at least the sun is shining and it's warm...crazy weather down in London.

High Line Iver... Craned out a large Dutch barge last week and have regular craning days - if you are lucky they might post a photo of it on their Facebook page..wow eh? From memory there is only Watford, Iver and Shepperton on the Thames that offer this facility. Stansted Abbots on the Lea but not W London of course.

btw the results were posted on this site at just after 3pm, I and the other candidates recieved a email with the results at 4.10 asking us not to tell anyone till the official press release at 4.30, I responded saying that I already knew as I'd read it a hour earlier, the repose was thus:- "We are really sorry and very frustrated that that the announcement was pre-empted in this way. The leak appears to have been from the ERS site and we will investigate fully how this has happened." I joking said that I hope the whole election process would be investigated and a full report be published when completed. Or was I joking? You couldn't make this up, or could you? Only 25% of employees voted - no excuse about getting emails wrong there just disinterested I guess. Anyway 3 posts from me in as many minutes....I'm going back to my Chimay and continue to admire my newly painted stove..both look very good.

Thanks for the kind words everyone...a distant 6th but a interesting period never the less. What is really disappointing is that out of the 4 elected only 1 seemed to do any electioneering, Stella, whilst the others sat back and relied on their 150 words. I met loads of people whilst out there spreading the word about what a great chap I am (that's obviously where I went wrong - oh and backing Bandsman Jim, nearly slipped my mind that) but that's what canals are all about and one of the key attractions to me. As for what a cc is - I thought CRT have that nailed down to someone without a permanent home mooring, what it means in reality is a different issue - which is often THE issue as it comes down to different parts of the country and/or different interpretations.

I wonder where I came... No don't say. Alan(s) thinking about it you are most likely correct in your thoughts about those who are elected not being able to change anything and therefore not managing to do what you would like them to do. Even if the ideal candidate (for you) was on the list one person out of 40 is going to find it very difficult if not impossible, I can see why some thinker the structure is to prevent change rather than take the organisation forwards. We have absolutely no idea what the previous reps did so can the next batch be worse? If boaters in the main are really concerned about the makeup of the trustees, council, execs then I've not heard this in conversations out on the cut. Of course this doesn't mean it's not important but most people look at a lack of facilities, maintenance (of assets and the canal itself), dredging, enforcement being the main things to get right. I think you are right in that it's the bigger issues that should be addressed and that could mean the other issues fall into place. Not sure if I am digging a bigger hole here but I doubt anyone reading this has yet to vote...only 88 minutes left unless the website is running on USA time instead of GMT. Whatever happens it would be good for the forum to come to some sort of agreement on how to liaise with the reps and what priorities they should look to take to the first couple of meetings.

Alan, I may well be proved wrong but I think most of the work of council reps will be outside the 2 council meetings a year. Anyone taking their role seriously should be able to contact CRT staff directly via some form of communication path - similar to local councillors who address questions/issues outside the normal method - well in my experience (as a council officer) this works well and responses are monitored to ensure timescales are met. Most council officers know that they should prioritise councillor correspondence otherwise trouble... Councillors also have training in how the organisation works and who does what, of course a national organisation is a tad more tricky to do this but I would hope for some type of training in who does what and why. If that isn't how it works then it should - shame we can't ask the outgoing reps for their thoughts. I'm ever the optimist (glass is always half full) which is one reason why I decided to stand in the first place (perhaps a bit of can't do worse). As I might have said previously, somewhere online, I am disappointed that most of the candidates have decided not to raise their heads above the waterline (Stella and I on these forums, Ruth on various Facebook pages and I've seen a couple of post from Bandsman on the London Boaters Facebook page). I can only assume that they think the150 words in their initial statement are enough, unfortunately they may be right. Kingswood - I think you will have to ring ERS for the codes.

It all seems a bit of a mess, I guess they want to make sure someone can't stand under 2 different categories. I used to be a 'Towpath Ranger' so should have been able to stand as a 'volunteer' (I guess) plus in the private boater..what if I was a friend as well. Perhaps that is what happened to the friend who was put through to the vote then wasn't, perhaps they were nominated by someone who had a interest in another category. As for Mikes point about this lot might not be any better than the last..... Well that might be true and, if elected, you might never hear of me again but I can say that won't happen ( (I think I can speak for Stella as well), please don't tar us with previous brushes. I do struggle to wonder how some of the other candidates intend to represent private boaters when we haven't heard of them when they are looking for votes (I exclude Ruth from this who is active on various Facebook forums). I would hope that one of the first things new council members should ask for is a full report of the election process and promise that the report would be published to make sure the next election gets it right. I, personally, would like a regular article in the various canal journals (paid and free) so those who represent others can feed back to their constituents. When I say 'I' I would hope that is a we. Just over 28 hours left to vote.

Mike, Give them a ring on 020 8889 9203 and they should send you an email with the codes. Thanks Southern Star.... I can see a few FOI requests asking for the number of codes sent out in the last few days and perhaps a challenge about the whole process. I went out on Sunday canvassing (Little Venice along to Kensal Rise) and was surprised at the number of boaters who knew about the election - hadn't voted though - a few even knew about the deadline extension. It was interesting to chat about boaty things and it took much longer than I though - quelle surprise.

Well if you are looking at people to vote for you can see posts that both Stella and I have posted on the forum, both before and after we put our names forwards as well as our 150 words. http://rgstocker.blogspot.co.uk/@roggys

Of course it's your decision as to whether or not to use your vote. All I would say is that I certainly don't think of myself as important, whether or not I am elected, just a small cog in the wheel. Yes I think it's important to take part and having this type of discussion on boards such as this is where you find out what some issues are. There is a lot of knowledge, positive and negative views, on this board and taking part (and reading) must help if you want to be a effective representative. All I would say is there are 8 people standing and I have no idea how to contact some of these let alone know why they want to stand, other than their 150 words. Fair enough if you don't want to vote for me (or Stella) because you don't agree with what we are standing for but just not voting is not going to change anything, and I think we can agree that things do need changing from the previous regime. Just because you think those previously elected (and of course 1 is standing again) had no power to do anything doesn't necessarily mean this will be the same this time around. After all it's a new chair and perhaps he will be different.

Thanks for that, we only use them on the Thames But if we return to the tidal parts will instruct anyone wearing them as to what to do. I think we have 7 of various designs - plus one for the dog.

I took mine to a service centre (out Barking way in E London), the guy replaced the out of date disks, weighed the canisters and inflated the jackets. I had read somewhere that you shouldn't inflate with your breath due to water vapour, absolute rubbish he said. Trouble is that these are things you will most likely never use and many people don't realise (or think) how long they have been in the back of a cupboard (just like to OP). Perhaps lockers on tidal rivers should not just ask if you have life jackets but how long you have had them etc. Originally I brought 2 that you have to blow up yourself, now I'm not so sure how useful these are.

There is a 'use by' date on the small disk so perhaps it just expired.

Isn't voting complicated...manxmike, you need to contact ERS and say you havnt received a email about voting, give them your boat reg number. I would think they will check with CRT that you have a valid licence and CRT will confirm (or not). Then ERS should send you a email with instructions. Well that's the theory.

Frank, if it makes things easier for you I'll happily accept your vote - Roger Stocker as first preference on the website. Manxmike can investigate the efficiencies of CRT/ERS and let us all know how he got on.

manxmike - email the ERS on onlinevoting@electoralreform.co.uk with your details, they seem to be pretty quick in getting back to you. Alan - I am sure both Stella and myself (we are 2 of the 8 candidates) would welcome a few seconds of your time, especially if you voted for us, and would say that it should be a good use of your valuable time - same advice as for manxmike. One of the first things I would want to do if elected is to get together with all the private boaters reps and come to a agreement as to how we would like to communicate with the 'electorate' and then report back to forums such as this. For the most pessemistic of you that would mean regular reports for 4 years that say not much has happened, in which case I would hope that the AGM should be a 'interesting' meeting. http://rgstocker.blogspot.co.uk/@roggys