DaveP

1 & 2 - Backup, backup, backup. Keep them somewhere safe, accessable and away from the boat. 3 - use a laptop with a DVB-T dongle. If your finances extend, get a large one for this and 'proper' work, and a netbook for email/CWDF. 4 - Don't bother with bikes; they don't extend your range from walking much and provide yet another thing to stow/worry about being damaged/stolen. 5 - Bottled gas cooker - just as good as mains gas, refills widely available and cuts down on battery charging/engine running. My biggest change was getting rid of 3m^3 of books - now I need to start culling again; they're breeding. -- Dave

bit geographically distant, but another data point. John Jackson on 'Roach' (07885 284812) - Taybright @ £9.30. This was for a couple of bags in Macclesfield yesterday. -- Dave

Boat ahead of me got stuck this afternoon (15 July) on the cill. I'm moored up in the throat of 4E awaiting further instructions from BW. Water is 12in down from lock bypass weir in short pound between 5E and 4E. [Edit] Clear now [16 July], although the pounds are still low up to 12E... -- Dave

Having been down in the Smoke for a couple of days, and talking with friends over a couple (cough) of beers; {credit: Bones} It's mine, all mine {credit: Gibbo} The wildlife The sense of challenge (if you want it now), or the ability to actually calm down and take life at the slow; it's down to you and no-one else Realisation of the enormity of the creation, maintenance and restoration of the waterway systems over the last couple of centuries The continuing search for the most perfect spot on the cut is eternal and is always (beautifully) doomed to fail. The journey, not the presumed arrival, is the sublime moment.

I've just (several days age - now I'm lazing in the sun and eating scones) come along the same stretch single-handed. Where I've not been able to pull into the offside to stop and open the bridge, Ive stopped close on the towpath side, taken the bow rope to the far rail on that side loosely, opened the bridge and then gently pulled the boat over to the opened bridge, boarded at the bow, gone past under power and either been able to stop on the offside at the other side to close the bridge or towed it shut on a stern rope (drifting, not under power) and then shut it. With the power bridges, I've so far managed to put the bows in on the offside and clamber up to operate the bridge from there and then reboard, motor through and remoor on the off-side to close. Two bridges refused to open under muscle power - attached bow-rope and reversed them open; it worked without drama. Micklethaite (199) confused me (someone's nicked the operating instruction panel), the road barriers are manually operated, but the actual swing is electric...

It's not the DSS who would cough up - it's your local council; but, yes, Housing Benefit is designed to contribute towards mooring costs of your dwelling. [i don't know personally - because I'm CC'ing, but my first benefits office were keen on me claiming!]

I'm moored up at Gargrave - walked into Skipton on Sat - the sight of the railway was the most convincing reason to buy a wide-beam I've come across. I was thinking about coming in again today but the rain decided me in favour of engine tinkering...

I've moored against the piles - only problem is that the vegetation is a bit overgrown so staking and egress/ingess can be a bit of a pain.

Hi - I'm Dave and I'm new to boating.... Last time I was on a narowboat was something over 15 years ago for a couple of weeks. Now I'm 45, unemployed and have bought a boat to overwinter on and explore the system from London to (where I lived) to Blackburn (where my brother lives); been on it for two weeks now and there's lots to learn - and enjoy! Next year, I'll get a job again, but I'm enjoying myself as a (faux) crusty to much at the moment.... I've been lurking on the forums here, absorbing info and advice (thanks - and it's awesomely useful; hopefully I'll be able to make useful contributions at some point). Currently my issues revolve around the mysteries of diesel engines, porta-potties and the Ambridge Christmas Panto. Cheers, -- Dave