SLC

Yesterday we had an ebike charge past us at 8mph plus on the tow path. Frightened us to death. Shortly afterwards a cyclist came past, rang their bell and slowly passed. I was so surprised that I was late to thank the cyclist because of what happened earlier which was a shame as I always try to thank those who do ring their bell. Considerate cyclists do exist but they are in a minority. During peak hours, work times, 80% do not indicate their presence.

There has been a subtle change to the wording of the text messages I get from GP or hospital confirming appointments. Instead of saying something like "if you have Covid symptoms do not attend and phone...." it says "if you have a sore throat or cough do not attend and phone....." If you have a sore throat it may well be the start of Covid and frankly if you care for others and have any sense of responsibility you should not attend seasonal parties for the same reason. And you isolate....

We are certain we caught Covid from our son and daughter in law. They had the same symptoms as us but about a week beforehand. They came over to us after that week but they claim they both tested negative! Well we were positive and for 2 days my wife really suffered with a splitting permanent headache. Of course the finger is also being pointed at our 10 month old grand daughter who is always catching something! Our challenge is when can we go back into general circulation? For safety's sake, our family Christmas do has had to be cancelled. Just seen Martyn G post - absolutely. Just because you have not tested positive does not mean you do not have it. We are isloating for 10 days or until we have a negative test. (Or is it 2 just to be sure?)

Both of us who are fully vaccinated have Covid and it has totally wiped us out for 2 or more days. A reminder perhaps that Covid is still around and that you should have in place a contingency plan because we aren't going anywhere for 10 days or whatever. In our case, the biggest problem was trying to explain to our 2 dogs why a long walk was not possible!

Smarty and Poynting omni-directional antenna for us. Works but seldom able to stream TV reliably. During the evening on 4G network, the data rate struggles above 5Mbps. Fine for browsing but that is it really. My O2 phone signal is no better.

Being in a similar situation though I do not recall it being an insurance requirement, we used Narrowboat Skills Center and the 2 day course was beneficial. Well worth it. I did try to get on to the maintenance course but there was a long waiting time and so I never did. We used our own boat! I would recommend this if possible.

Thank you everyone who has read my post and particularly those who responded. Putting dog bowls over various sockets and lights and spraying roof with canal water I have found that the fault lay with the socket for the TV aerial. There is a leak at the base which I cannot see and have to assume it is the seal that has failed. This socket must have been fitted from new and has failed over time. Another job to do but straight forward enough. Thanks everyone.

There is a plastic tube the length of the ducting which is the diameter of the vent aperture. I sealed the lip so that water can only go down the tube. Just had a look / feel and while underside of vent is wet / humid there is no water that I can feel or see. Humidity yes but not to the extent I have seen coming out of the ceiling. It is baffling me but I really need to get back to the marina when I can have a real rummage around. There are many helpful folks there.

I screwed the mushroom vents down, have previously fitted an internal liner so that the water would have to come through the cabin vent! Very unlikely now. Everywhere is metal. There is wood across the runners under the cover but I need to remover the cover first!

Given the heavy rain we have had of late we have found a leak whereby water has entered the space between the steel roof and the ceiling panelling. Given that the roof is curved down towards the wall, the water appears out of the ceiling near to the side of the boat but could come from nearer the middle of the roof. It is a steady drip, not condensation imho. I can see nothing on the roof that can leak noting that the boat has just been repainted. The mushroom vent is sealed and is not leaking. The aerial sockets are well sealed having been recently installed. So where is the rain water coming from? I have attached 2 pictures of the roof around the area where the leak must be. Internally the water flows from the roof lining near the side of the boat primarily near a line level with the rear of the runner for the hatch and possibly further towards the front. I was wondering if water was flowing along the hatch cover runners, disappearing under the cover and leaking in there. I cannot see what is under the cover if only because Pooh Bear here doesn't know how to lift the cover! Does anyone have any suggestions where the leak may be - the boat is 7 years old and in good condition. Thank you in advance. .

Jubilee clips of various sizes and a basic tool kit. What would go in that tool kit is open to debate. I assume gas bottle spanner has been mentioned?

At least we had an excuse or reason to walk to Flecknoe and then down through Shuckburgh Park and it was a lovely autumnal walk. We discovered this interaction very early on doing our helmsman's course particularly in Braunston tunnel. In fairness it was in the guide book we bought and well explained but it means nothing really until you experience it for real.

Just met this one coming the other way so no real issue but we were behind 2 hire boats zig zagging across the cut going so slowly we too were catching up in idle. No idea about courtesy so we too have moored up and given the weather forecast, for the day. And the widebeam has now passed us having indeed turned around hitting the bank while doing so. Oh how frustrating!

Correct in every way. The bottom section was bad and fewer boats than usual were using the canal. It is much improved.

It is much improved of late and boater's sense of humour has returned. The ponds are still prone to low levels in places but in truth it is being managed by CRT.

But the other day several boats were stuck and they were very frustrated. I suspect they cleared much of the weed! There is a significant amount of floating weed up on the canal bank where it has been removed and it was interesting watching people's efforts. One boater was certainly revving the engine in an attempt to get through but it does appear that far fewer people are using the arm this year than in previous years. Almost daily we walk from lock 14 to lock 1 and during the week there are imho far fewer boats than in previous years which I gather will to some extent keep the weed down. It looks better now but it did remind me of the canal just after lockdown.

Read the expert evidence at the Nicola Bulley inquest. The shock and the relative cold can momentarily disable you (Cold shock response). It is not a trivial matter and cost should never be a consideration when buying life jackets.

It is shallow especially at the sides. Sections often low due to blockages and gates left open, also locals open locks to dtain canal for fish. Whatever, it always amazes me how shallow it is, saucer shaped even! It is the long straggly stuff that is causing a problem. I repeat, traffic along this section appears to be lower than in previous years. Subjective perhaps.

Stillearning. Interesting that! Our dogs once went after a bitch in season. Escaped the garden, ran through muddy ditch, though hedge 200m away, through patio windows of neighbour and trampled 2 sets of muddy paws all over a brand new expensive carpet. We got such a rollicking we forgot to mention our insurance. We got the hell out after apologising!

We know Geoff and the IWA do a terrific job. IWA has an uncredited photo in their magazine showing improvement work being done. The number of boats passing through this year feels to be lower. In fact 10 days ago we were surprised how few there were on the main route. Indeed Stoke Bruerne was very quiet.

There appears to be 2 types of green stuff. One looks like reeds but the other is the stuff that does string out at the surface in great long lengths. That is almost unavoidable and has appeared in very large quantities of late. It looks like quite a bit has been dumped on the tow path after being extracted from the prop of a boat. I like a previous comment. You can avoid weeds and reeds but it will find you!

The ponds look clear but they are regularly emptied. But on the Arm beyond lock 14, the weeds are down the middle and I would imagine the sides present a real risk of grounding. It has got really worse during the past week or so.

Alan. To be honest I am not sure how to approach or navigate the GU here in Northampton. Certainly one boater was doing something at the front but on the other boat someone with long arms was exploring the inner sanctum of the weed hatch using a tool of some description. The latter was stood still. Are 2 tools required, a short on for use in the weed hatch and a longer one for prodding at a distance?

Love your footer Tracy. Too many people are over sensitive or read things that were never intended. One of the boats at least was trying to do this but it did not help that a boat has been moored up for at least a week between locks 14 and 15 so passage through the centre of the canal is not really possible.

Given the issues with weeds on the Northampton Arm this morning, 27 July 2023, we were wondering what is the best equipment / tools to have on board for dealing with the issues? Any other advice would be appreciated. One poor woman said she had short arms so did not have to bend down to hack out the reeds but more serious suggestions would be appreciated!