classicstove

Thought there was going to be festival in next summer similar to one in 2011 for the opening but it wasn't going to be supported by the local council ans so was cancelled

If you keep a fire in all the time you shouldn't have any problems If the boat goes cold..................... you could have burst pipes !

Instead of a mat, why not try anti-slip paint Have a look in a chandlers for International nti Slip - its a lot better at keeping the grit in suspension than it usd to be

Heard recently that The Rock Tavern, Caunsall, near Kidderminster on the Staffs and Worcs has now closed

You could try Ancit (anthracite crushed and reformed) which gives a lot of heat It is expensive (cvica £12.50 per 25kg) but it does buen well, either completely shut down or picks up well when air is supplied. Ash is like dust so cools very quickly

Whether they are heritage boats or not, people who hire/rent expect a clean with everything working when they are away for a week An external repaint with a traditional sign writing would be a very good start and you can protect the value of the expensive sign writing by over coating with varnish to protect against the bushes/trees that the hirers love to seem to put hire against

Pub added to The Canal and Riverside Pub Guide Let's hope they get some trade from this publicity

If you want to know how secure 'snail mail' is, Royal Mail publish these figures on a regular basis compiled by an independant source ftp://ftp.royalmail.com/Downloads/public/ctf/rmg/quality_of_service_report_q3_10_11.pdf Go to bottom of page 6 - last line of the table

I'm surprised to hear that you can exist without a postal address for certain items eg a driving licence and other government documentation You could always renew on line: https://secure.britishwaterways.co.uk/boat-licensing/renewal/getting-started or go to one of the waterside sellers of licences - bootom of page for link: http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/boating/licensing If you do need a UK street address, there are many mail forwarders who can supply these and some provide a pay by item service which accomodates low volume usage. Typing mail forwarders into a search engine will give you plenty to choose from

Most of the Post Office around the country will accept mail as 'Poste Restante' - mail sent to a Post Office to await collection, but check first that the office accepts mail as some are too small to store any items - and no, there is not a definitive list on the web ! Some boatyards will accept mail to be delivered/collected from them but only on an ad hoc basis and its normal that you buy something from them to says thanks - again, always ask as most are very helpful

Think you need to give them a ring - mine came through within 10 days of sending the application in

I also use '3' AS an example of connectvity, not always a full 5 bars of signal though, I spent 5 down the Fens earlier in the year and only had 2 nights where I could not get a connection. The performance of dongles has improved dramatically since they were first introduced

Hi I own boatmail and I always encourge boaters to look at other providers before deciding on my services If boaters look in any of the canal related magazines they can see who advertises and a search in a search engine under mail forwarding will produce many companies who operate a service Many will not do a pay by item service for low volume users I provide a Uk street address so things like driving licencees and government elements are catered for If anyone has any questions about mail forwarding, I'm happy to answer at info@boatmail.co.uk

No ! You can get a 14 feet wide barge to Camp Hill on the Grand Union but to get to the River Avon, the Stratford, Worcester and Birmingham and Staffs and Worcs have only 7 feet wide locks Have you thoiugh about having it craned into the River Avon somewhere ?

Would always have water coming from the top end paddles enterin the lock in several places so there is little turbulence and that it would also shut the bottom gates (prefer two) on lifting of the top paddle on the same side (like Perry Bar and Garrison) Also, need to think about side pounds so water is used efficiently

Why not ring BW at Red Bull in the morning so you get a local view answer ?

Unfortunatley, this paddle gear (like most of the original canal company gear) has now gone and whats there today can be found across the system. They are still wooden paddle starts so have not been replaced with the standard BCN design and, from memory, all the top paddles down the flight are the same Good to see an early Harborough Marine boat again

If you use a rubber hosepipe, you will find that the pipe does not crush and will easily 'roll' into a loop - you can then take as much of the loop as required to reach to the tap - the trick is to moor so the water point is very near to the water filling point on the boat

LOoks like a narrow lock somewhere so first guess would have been Bosley on the Macclesfield although most of the chambers are of stone rather than brick If I have to book to use the staircase, then maybe Welsh Frankton ?

I know of someone who went there for lunch over the weekend Food good but expensive - the cheapest item on the menu was soup Menu price from £10.25 Early days for them yet so hopefully the offerings will grow

There are two types available based on temperature of the stove Traditional coal/wood burning stoves burn hotter that diesel fired stoves on tickover The Ecofan suitable for gas stoves (thats how its advertised) works at a lower temperature and is more effective. There arte of course the ortiginal 2 and 3 bladed fans of which the later does move more air

There are moorings between the tunnel and the top lock although don't remember any rings/bollards to tie up to Between the top lock and the second, there is a solid bank with rings - plenty of moorings and sheltered if the wind is blowing

You ma find that marinas will have Wifi on site but will charge you for the use ! The suggestion of a 3G dongle seems a sensible way forward and most of the canal system now has a reasonable 3G signal (providing you are not stuck down a hole !)

You may try to find pubs via the link below - ite reasonably up to date although any refreshes would be very welcome for the benefit of all