Michele
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Posts posted by Michele
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The folks on here are generally very knowledgeable and helpful so don't be afraid to ask questions - others will be equally as interested in the replies!
I've been a member for a couple of years and I have learned an awful lot myself. The only problem I've found is the odd person here and there that would rather be sarcastic than helpful, but I suppose that's just life isn't it? We hope to become live-aboards ourselves this time next year, just got to get the house sold and we're off!
It's great to have this online community to pick their brains and hopefully learn from their mistakes!
Thanks
Michele
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There are pros and cons for both types so I would personally opt for both - a pump-out for convenience and a cassette for emergency use should there be a problem with the p/o. Failing that a cassette and a spare bottom for emergency use.
The general opinion of the forums appears to me to be that self-pumpouts are not worth the hassle - lugging and cleaning a dirty great hose and storing it somewhere, whereas for about 10 quid someone else will do all the work for you! I know which I would choose!
When we (2 adults - at least we like to think of ourselves as such) have been cruising with a 'cassette only' boat we have found that emptying occurs too often for our liking and that sometimes the cassette has been near the limit before we could find a disposal point. To offset that we got into the habit of using the pub/supermarket loos wherever possible and using as little flush water as possible.
All the best,
John
Thanks John. Yes, I thought the self pump out wouldn't be worth it and I'd not even thought about storing it...YUK!
When you say you have a cassette for emergency use, is this a porta-potti type that is stored away until you need to use it?
Do you live aboard/spend long periods aboard?
I think the idea of using others' toilets (supermarkets,pub, work, visiting friends etc)is a very good idea!
Cheers
Michele
We chose cassette for our livaboard.
I've read that cassette toilets can be smelly, (air displaced from the cassette when the waste drops in) do you find this?
Is yours a fitted loo or a free standing one?
thanks
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If your looking to go pump out but want the advantages of what a cassette can give you when needed, then you can have both. There's a toilet (someone will remind us of the make/model), that has a cassette with a optional remote tank.
Ah, most interesting! Thanks, I'll have a look at that option. Best of both worlds, so to speak.
"There is only one way to find out..."
.....by asking advice from people who have been there and done it......?
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Have any of you used a self pump-out kit? Would this be more hassle than it's worth?
I know tank sizes vary but how often, on average with two people living aboard, would a pump-out be needed?
Are there lots of places that can do a pump out or are they difficult to find?
Thanks
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What about the extra space that could be used under the bed if the tank wasn't there?
Do you have to use chemicals in the cassette toilet?
Thanks
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We can easily go 3 months between pump outs for each tank (we actually have two). I've never known it freeze for that long.
Do you live aboard? How many of you live aboard?
thanks
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Pump Out:-
Pros: Better, nicer, less mess, less smell, lasts longer between emptying.
Cons: Costs more and those with cassettes will be jealous of your proper toilet and try to convince you that you've made a mistake.
<gets coat>
That's what I always thought, but after the last two winters we've had, how do you get on with not being able to move for weeks on end and not being able to pump out? Surely a cassette loo would be better in that situation?
thanks
Michele
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Which toilet do you think is best?
I've been reading up on this and have always thought a pump out tank would be my choice but I'm being swayed towards a cassette toilet now.
What are the pros and cons of using either?
I'd be interested in your thoughts on ease of use, costs etc, thanks.
Michele
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We'll certainly have your share.
Best of luck with the op.Thanks Mick!
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We will be leaving on Sunday, Smelly tells me we have business in stourbridge so we may be able to drop you off there, Not sure how long it takes on the boat tho...
Hi to everyone who has offered me ways of getting to/from Rose's Bash. It's very much appreciated but after all that I am not going to be able to go!
My next operation is now upon me and I'm due in hospital next Sunday.
I hope that you all have a great time and maybe you can have a drink for me!
Thanks
Michele
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A lift from where when? Are you going home same day or staying?
Well, we live in Stourbridge. We haven't decided whether we'll stay or not, yet.
I can't drive at the moment, but may be able to get somewhere by bus if anyone can help. (there would be two of us by the way)
Can't offer a lift all the way from Stourport, but if you can get to the top of the 21 for about 11.30ish on Saturday we could take you the rest of the way. BThat's very kind of you, when would you be coming back,please?
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Just had an email invite from Cheshire Rose to the bash of the year!
I'm having surgery on 13th April and won't be allowed to drive for a few months, but if I can find a driver and I feel well enough.....we'll be there!
Don't think I'll be up for camping though!
Michele
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Well, the surgery went very well, "text book" according to my surgeon. I'm able to walk again now but only for a couple of minutes. Not able to drive for 8 weeks so am still trying to sort out a lift to get to Rose's Birthday banter. My friend who I was originally going to ask will be on holiday so it's back to square one at the moment. But, still hope to be there!
Michele
xx
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Just had an email invite from Cheshire Rose to the bash of the year!
I'm having surgery on 13th April and won't be allowed to drive for a few months, but if I can find a driver and I feel well enough.....we'll be there!
Don't think I'll be up for camping though!
Michele
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Last year, there were about ten people looking for a ride. I recall that there was a shortage of crew on the day. I think Tawny Owl was one of the few that was fully crewed.
I know that the BCNS people enjoyed the event but several said (at Titford Rally) that it was hard work and could have done with more volunteers.
We offered our crewing services last year but sadly didn't get taken up. We ended up walking there!
So if anyone is looking for 2 crew members for this year's challenge......we're up for it!
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Without getting to personal with costs ect,, with the rising costs of boating, whether it be living aboard or just leisure, seriously how much more can you take before you chuck the hat in.
Is it really so expensive to live aboard these days that people are coming ashore?
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How strange, OH has just had a diagnosis for this condition. He is a runner and has had it for about 4
months. Dr sent him for an x-ray on Friday to make sure it's nowt else. Just been reading out all the replies and suggested exercises to him.
He's gonna give them a try.
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And I could have reported back to the group on the wailing of the anguished relatives of the injured darlings in the local rag. Their mother would be pictured looking 20 years older than the age stated for her, and would report that they were "good boys".
I could add them to the list of 'people I'd like to shoot in the knee caps when I get a gun' - if that helps?
Feckin eejits!!!!!!!
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No - keep to your plan of going up onto the Old Main Line. The staircase locks (and low bridge) at Brades are just a few yards off the Old Main Line, so it means just a short detour to see them when you get to the Brades junction. That way you get to see as more of the Old Main Line, which is much more interesting than the straight New Main Line and Gower Branch!
Yeah, good idea. I've heard that the Old Main line is so much more picturesque than the new one. Thanks Martin.
There is.There is also a useful path up over the tunnel portal that leads into a pub garden/car park.
Cheers Hairy-Neil.....did someone say pub?
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As far as I know there's a path just after the aquaduct that leads up to the old main line.
How long did it take you to walk it?
Thanks Sparrow, perhaps someone else may be able to confirm that for us? Otherwise, Alan has suggested another interesting route for us to take.
When we walked it, we set out from Stourbridge at 7am, had a break for a cuppa at the Malt House in Brum, then another short break at KFC just before the Tyburn pub near Erdington and a pint at a pub some where near Curdworth.....we arrived at my parent's house at 8.40pm. So just over 13 hours - about 11 hours walking I think.
Canal planner said 32 miles - felt more like 132! Hopefully less painful by bike!
Michele
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No, you can't - the branch to Netherton tunnel passes under the old main line, but there are no locks at that point to connect the two levels.
Nearest connection between the two is not far away, though. The Gower Branch, which joins the old level near the Brades locks at Brades Hall Junction, (less than a miles detour to go around that way, if you want to sample as much of the old main line as you can).
The Gower branch is interesting because.....
The top two Brades locs are a staircase _ I think the only one on the whole BCN, but I may get corrected.
The bridge that crosses below that staircase (I think) and the bottom lock, must be one of the lowest on the "regular" BCN through routes - a real "chimney off" job on our boat.
I hope I have all my location names correct - I'm doing it from memory, rather than from Nicholson's, that we have just left on the boat.
EDIT:
Bugger!
I should learn to read!
You are on bikes, not in a boat!
Doh!
Don't worry Alan, thanks for the advice on The Gower branch....we may change the plan and do it that way anyway as it sounds too interesting to miss.
thanks
Michele
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We are planning to cycle from Stourbridge to Tamworth along the cut and would like to use the Old Main Line through to Brum.
We walked it last year but used the New Main Line and didn't notice if you could get from the Netherton Tunnel branch line up onto the Old Man line at the aquaduct.
Does anyone know, please?
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Not as confused as we are now.....
We passed "Keeping Up" (Cheshire Version) in Stoke Bruerne locks yesterday (Sunday) morning, so it seems not possible for them to have been in Brum only a day later.
Are there more than one set of Cheshire Joneses with a "Keeping Up", (or are you sure !!)
Well that's what it said on the side.......unless.......maybe they've mastered teleportation or maybe there's more than one.............? Entering the Twilight zone?
keeping up with you Alan.........eeeerrrrr, no!
All I know is that I saw two boats called Keeping up in Brum today and one had the Cheshire Jones' on it.
Don't confuse me any more, please!
Seems to me there's far too many Jones' 'Keeping Up' for me to keep up!!
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in Birmingham this morning.......
We passed you this morning in Brum, but very confused (which aye difficult to be honest!) when we saw your boat and another 'Keeping up' (with the Cheshire Jones') within a few meters of each other! Any relation?
Did look for anyone aboard as we passed - but no sign of life.
Michele
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These have now found a new home.
Best of luck with the op.
Cassette toilet v pump out tank
in Living Afloat
Posted
That is one thing I've thought about, are there areas where getting a pump-out done is difficult or expensive?
thanks