roggie

We went passed her about the same time as Swallow, as we neared her a pump was going throwing out a lot of water , 2 minutes later it had stopped. No one around either and pretty submerged. Drum kit on the front. Mortimer Bones wrote about this in the June Tillergraph.

Here is one example https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/107051?s=bpxO

Now available at £18....

Always have one locked to the back of the boat - does better than a large wheeled bike on the roof last week - misjudged a low bridge on the Oxford and the wheel didn't like it. Got to explore a few villages about 1 mile away from the Oxford, wouldn't have done that without the Brommie.

London is not full... certain parts are more popular than others. If you don't mind walking to a underground station or cycling there are loads of places you can moor in almost isolation. Around Uxbridge/Rickmansworth/Watford is busy but just outside walking distance is clear - you can even travel enough to satisfy CC rules without too many problems. Its a big city and you are never too far from a railway station. A week should get you into London from Whilton with ease and get to know the boat - if it needs blacking get that done and you can see what the hull looks like at the same time - book in at Denham Deep Lock on your way past. Given that CRT are hiring inspectors to police cc'ing you will have to move around but can't see that should be too much of a problem - November to March look to buy a winter mooring permit - not bad value IIHO.

We came out of Teddington on Wednesday and I said to 2 boats that were following us to do a U turn before going into Brentford - both did and later said they were surprised at the strength of the tide - one kept the revs the same and just stood still in the current. You don't notice when you are going with the tide. That will certainly be a memorable holiday for the rescued boaters.

We've just cruised the Oxford ring, startign from Iver on the Slough Arm (dredging now finished) and headed anti clockwise up to Braunstone and onwards to Thrupp - took a easy 14 days to do this including a present trip down the Wendover Arm) - should have taken the opportunity to fill up with diesel at 79.9 at a couple of boatyards. Brought some emergeny diesel at £126 (60/40) in case we didn't meet up with nb Dusty the fuel boat (we did). Left Salar in Thrupp for 14 days and continued out trip onto the Thames (3 hours) and then turned right to Lechlade. We only had 6 days but I thought it was worth the long days to go to the 'end' of the Thames, 9.5 hours a day. I was surprised how remote the Thames is out that way, no villages to speak of, now nearby towns till Lechlade itself but a few pubs - being a river mooring spaces are at a premium but we were lucky to find somewhere near to when we wanted. Most of the locks were staffed and those between Oxford and Lechlade are not electric - paddles operated by a wheel system which is easy to use. No shortage of water so no need to share. Lechlade was nice - local boater offered to breast up outside the pub (he had obviously been sampling the wares) which was nice of him. Our mooring locations for the 6 nights were:- 1 Just north of Rushey Lock 2 Just west of Newbridge £4 pn moorings (no one asked) 3 Abingdon Abbey Meadows 4 Tesco Reading 5 Opposite Windsor Racecourse 6 Hampton Court High tide at Teddington was 11.10 and the lockie said we could go through 30 minutes beforehand - slack water. We were followed by 1 nb and a wilderness boat to Brentford as they hadn't done it before. I tool them to the left of Eel Pie Island as you get a good view of Twickenham, did a U-Turn into Brentford - the tide really takes you when you are at 90 degrees and you realise the flow. Young lady lockkeeper at Brentfor was expecting up - I think Teddington ring ahead - and into the very narrow (and not too clean GU). Once on the Hanwell flight (volunteer lock-keepers at Brentford and Hanwell) the water is crystal clear - you can easily make out he beer cans at the bottom. Handily nb Ash was moored at Brentford so filled up there at 90p so don't have to worry about that for a while. Great trip - 90% of the time moving the sun was shining which isn't bad going. Oh EA licence for 46 ft 7 days just over £50.

We were there a few weeks ago - had already utilised our AWCC membership to book a vacant TCCC mooring (£25) for 14 days. As it happens there were a few 14 day moorings available (some as you enter Thrupp itself and some on exit). I think TCCC have a map on their website. Nothing north of Trupp for a long way - so either in Thrupp or towards Kidlington.

Posted this before but.... photo of us in the floating dock. https://twitter.com/roggys/status/246944524503494656/photo/1

I got Marcus to do our first engine service after buying the boat, we were in Frounds Bridge. He took me through all the steps and it was very useful - I also attended the RCR course (one of TB's last ones) which was also v useful. You can learn a lot from others so why not pay the once and see how it goes. As said changing the oil/filter is pretty easy when you know how, bleeding the fuel after changing the filter less so...Oh Marcus also checked everything else coz I asked him (and paid) including stern gland, grease, new split charger, alternator. Thought it worth doing that to get a good start to owning a NB. It did help that he already knew the boat having helped with the BSS. Large chap and goodness knows how he works on trad sterns.

Currently moored at Thrupp and will be heading back to Iver via Lechlade on the 14th August. Will look out for owls and good places to moor. Only have 7 days so will be 10 hours a day (according to Canal Planner). Tide times good for us though, ht at Richmond around 11am so plenty of time to get back onto the Slough Arm - now newly dredged, well part of it is.

Anyone know of fuel boats between Blisworth and Braunston? Or failing that from Braunston down the Oxford to Oxford itself.

No reset button just a basic controller, I might disconnect the device and reconnect, doubt it will make a difference though. When we are back I'll look to hooking the controller up to a independent 12v battery (have a small motorbike batt onboard) to see if that works. I also think the time has come to pay someone who knows about boat wiring to caste a eye or two over our setup. I am sure the previous owner knew what he was doing but I can't follow some of the wiring very easily.

We have a 70W solar panel on the boat which links to a Solsum 6.6 box, then off to the batteries. Previously the led's would flash green to indicate power from the son, just recently it's showing a solid red light indicating no power fro the panel, or under 11.8. This afternoon I tested with a voltmeter the connections on the panel, then the connection going Into the Solsum box. Panel was measuring 18+v as a was the external connection into the Solsum box. I assume this means the panel and cables are OK. Fuse on that Solsum box is good too. Not sure where to look next to try to work out where the problem is. Any assistance gratefully received. Currently cruising the Thames Ring moored in Slapton on the GU so though MK on Wednesday.

Aldi have a satellite kit from this Thursday https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thursday-26th-june/product-detail/ps/p/hd-portable-satellite-kit/

I would recommend the RCR boat maintenance and the separate boat electric course. I attended on of Mr Brookes last courses but would think they are still very useful. Pretty good value as well. Lots of info at http://www.tb-training.co.uk/index.htm

I always check the weed hatch at the end of a days cruising plus oil level via dipstick every morning. I used to check water level too but on our BMC system can't see the level in the tank so just keep a eye on temp gauge. Easy if you have a expansion tank every morning. I also check stern gland for a few mins when finished for the day, 1 drip about every minute TB suggested so good excuse for a cool beer rather than other chores, sounds a good reason to me.

Enfield on the Lee has a dry dock, we passed one at the Water treatment plant near Harefield, no idea if you can hire it though. Moor under a M25 or similar bridge?

Look forwards to seeing you all - I better be careful how we moor, don't want to bump into a MY. Looks like the weather should be warm and sunny.

See the photo I posted in http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=65775 FYI it doesn't seem to be seeping on my engine at the moment - will keep a eye on it though.

We are booked in and travelling from Iver next Friday, mooring 36. Not been before so don't know what to expect. Come and say hello.....

Previously posted - video of a SPCC test run AFAIK there are no plans at the mometn to open these waterways up to all and sundry - just special events like on the 10th. The southern section acts as flood defence and the lockie keeps a eye on water levels, the northern section is blocked for the next few years due to Crossrail. Access to the southern part is either via Carpenters Road Lock (if you give CRT a few million £ they will open it for you) or via City Mill Lock - bookable via CRT. Its still a secure area so booms in place and at the moment boaters have to wear lifejackets and have anchors ready etc.

There was talk of spot dredging but we are told that the whole 5 mile length of the Arm will be dredged. A moored boater shouted 'I see you braved the Slough Arm then' after he saw our Slough Canal Festival 2012 badge in the window, hopefully once the news goes around of the dredging a few more boats will come and explore its delights... Slough Canal Festival 13/14th September.

Thanks Tony, haven't done anything as yet as not been back to the boat since I noticed it, will wait till we are back on our moorings next week. Its not been touched for years but nothing lasts forever of course. Thought it worth posting as I can't believe with the number of BMC engines out there its not happened to someone before.