Breals

The hard way is usually the 'right' way I'll probably have to get drain plugs put in as part of this job.

I had the engineer out after my engine began to stall regularly, and a gauze element where the fuel line enters the diesel pump was found to be clogged with black, tarry particles. Was told this was diesel bug and I should get the fuel tanks cleaned out! This is a process that doesn't fill me with enthusiasm especially as there are two balanced tanks with a pipe between (just above the base of the tank), and apparently no drain plug. (A lesson here for boat builders). And of course the tanks are nearly full. To avoid headaches getting access to the insides of the tanks, is it possible to pump out the diesel and strain it back into the tank, adding Marine16 at the same time? Or would simply adding Marine16 be worth a go? It seems to be good at actually dissolving the gunk. Cheers, Will

The weirs look like that all the time on the Avon! Secret is to hug the bank as you approach the locks, which are usually conveniently situated right opposite the weir. ... and wear a nappy.

Yeah thats right! Every time someone reports an isolated piece of graffiti, BW should close the bridge to navigation, erect scaffolding, and hire specialist contractors to remove every scrap of graffiti. That would be very cost effective!

When I first began hearing the sound of ducks nibbling the algae off the hull, I thought it was a rat scampering about in the bilges lol. I am quite fond of ducks and swans except when they sh*t on my car or boat.

That is shockingly blatant Paul, not that it would have been any better if they had stolen it stealthily. I am definitely going to look into getting a locking fuel filler cap. Re fuel tax, if the government had fixed the tax at a fixed amount a few weeks ago, the proportion of the overall cost to us they take as tax by this mechanism would now be rising, as fuel prices fall.

They have the same / similar product in Te$cos, a tenner.

I'm on 3 too now... was on T-Mob but it was always on GPRS which I found a bit frustrating. 3 seems much better, I'm usually on HDSPA which is faster than 3G. I think the plan which me and BlackIbis are on was a special rate for existing 3 customers back in June. I have to say that 3's customer service is the best I've ever come across too.

That's not good is it? The trouble is with signs is by the time your boat is close enough, you're too close anyway lol. In this instance I think I would have seen the Heras fencing, sussed something was up, and moored up opposite. Then I would have walked over with my windlass to have a closer look. If no one was coming I would have set the lock and opened the gates ready. If someone was going to come down, I'd just have walked back and waited for them to do all the work for me...

Not really an issue on the Avon where oversupply of water is more of a concern ;P I'm glad this has been shelved too, money would be better spent tidying up some of the ugly postwar buildings that let the town down, and maybe a bit of investment in the public ferry crossing? A much more fun way of crossing the river.

You've given yourself plenty of time, your kids would probably enjoy the buzz of Birmingham City Centre, and why not explore some of the BCN backwaters e.g. a diversion up to Anglesey Basin. Also, take time to savour the Staffs and Worcs canal's lower reaches, a short extension of the route to Kinver would be nice and there are caves and rock faces to explore by the canalside and up on Kinver Edge.

Urghh! The other day I nearly hit a cruiser because he wouldn’t let me pass on the left – I was obviously closing in on the bank to moor up and there was acres of room for him to pass on the ‘wrong’ side, but despite my signalling he was determined to position himself in the rapidly closing gap between me and the bank. Obviously I aborted the manuoevre safely when I realised he wasn't going to give up. He probably went off to moan to his mates at the marina about the young whippersnapper on a narrowboat who didn’t know the rules of the river…