colinjw

The Twechar and Bonnybridge bridges will finally be repaired by mid April. I got caught on the wrong side of the bonnybridge one tonight. Road closures in place this week 20.00 to 06.00 with more to follow.

OMG. I haven't worked on Detroit Diesels for years. Or what about EMDs then? Another piece of brilliant American engineering. NOT!!!!

If memory serves correctly, the pump out charge 2 years ago was £15. The only disadvantage was that the poo boat had a capacity for approx 300 lts whereas my tanks are 400 Ltd but that was a minor detail. Also interesting to know that he sells diesel too.

Try Staffordshire Canopies. Tim and his wife operate a mobile measuring and fitting service. I had mine measured in Stratford on Avon and fitted on the Staffs & Worcs. a few days later. Colin

Hi Jim, We did the Liverpool link last year and had a whale of a time. BW met us at bridge 9 (I think that was the one) and operated the swing/lift bridges for us. We were the only boat going to Liverpool that day. The BW lads tell you that they will meet you at the next bridge and they are there to meet you. The only advisable place to tie up is at Litherland services where you can top up with water and empty Elsans (I think). Then you can carry on into the city. Please do not shout at me for getting the "no mooring" wrong.....lol We left just before the Matthew St. Festival (poor homework on my part!) but we will be back sometime when we can be there for the festival. Colin

We had an almost identical scenario last year on the Staffs & Worcs. I was working the lock and my wife was driving the boat (I do let her sometimes.....lol). The lady?? concermed accused me of stealing the lock and went into a tirade of inconsiderate boaters. As I passed her boat which was being held in by her hubby and the centre rope, I asked if his wife was at that time of month?.....lol My wife brought our boat past his and she wished him a very cheery "Good afternoon" and as we looked round we saw his wife closing the lock gate even before their boat had gone into it. Her hubby was shouting, shaking his head and generally being VERY frustrated.....lol. This has kept us amused during the winter. Unfortunately, we never noted the name of their boat in case we ever met them again.

ps. The meter for socket 2 on the electricity pillar between berths S16 and S17 is stuck so whoever gets there first can enjoy free electricity! We were on S17. Pearly, we were on that pontoon in August last year and had free lecky for 8 days.....lol. We were the only boat going in and out of Liverpool on our days and the BW lads were brill. The only thing we messed up with was that we had to leave just before the Matthew Street Festival. Had we known it was on, we would have changed our timetable. Overall a great time was had by my wife and I including a visit to the Cavern.

That was the idea of things in a very early "Vital Spark" episode but being Scotsmen, they used small stones instead of coal.

I am sure my engine is 1900 cc. (Isuzu), is not turbo-charged and is 38 h.p. The engine is about 7 years old.

Hi there, I have a water tank gauge (from Mid Service Centre) which plumbs into the pump suction side. The only piece of surgery required is to chop the water pipe before the pump and fit the level sensor. Their phone no. is: 0121 354 5552. The whole thing worked very well till this past winter when during the deep freeze, the sender unit packed up but it has just been returned after repair. I have not refitted the sender yet as the boat is 240 miles away. Hope this helps. Colin p.s. Their advert is usually in "Waterways World"

Another thing about Bancroft Basin is the ease of shopping. WHAT?? I hear you ask but go to Morrisons supermarket in town and they deliver right to the bow of the boat. We did this a few years ago and it worked brilliantly provided there is a mobile phone on the boat. (Who doesn't have one now?) It save aching arms and sore fingers from carrying loads of shopping.

Hi cosy, We don't care how crazy or otherwise folk appear, we always wave back......lol If you see us in August you will be guarenteed a wave back. Happy waving. Colin

Whoopee! I got the confirmation email from BW Wigan today and we are booked in at bridge 9 on 18th. Aug. and will be there 8 days. We have loads of friends in Birkenhead where I used to live so no doubt there will be a beer or three enjoyed in Salthouse Dock. We intend to do the 4 counties ring ACW this year, we did it CW last year on our way to Liverpool but we never made it past Scarisbrick due to a family bereavement. So here's hoping this year. If you see us on the cut, give a wave. I usually fly the Lion Rampant from the tiller. Happy boating. Colin

Hi sueb, Thanks for that. It's just that I'm in West Africa waiting to join my ship and I thought it might save a bit of hassle once I get home. At least I should have a few days before we start cruising to get one. Colin

Ian B, Are you sure that electric cards are available from the yellow duck folk? We are going in Aug. just waiting for the reply from BW and it would certainly be useful to get a card from them. Colin

We have used any supermarket "value" paper with no stoppages caused by paper for 6 years. (We have 2 macerators on board). The only time there was a blockage, it was caused by a "face-wipe" dropped down by mistake. The blockage was cleared by stripping it down. I was told that to quickly clear a blockage, first cover the bowl with cling film or an old towel then reverse the wires at the back and hope nothing spills out.....lol. I've never tried this method but in theory it might work.

We were very glad of a mooring in the marina when we had to leave the boat. Due to the death of a close family member, it was unknown how long we would have to leave the boat. It could have been up to 2 weeks. We had to go up north and help sort out the house/estate and attend the funeral. However, as I said earlier, the hospitality from the marina staff was excellent. Sarah B, the bus passing the marina went into Ormskirk but I'm afraid I can't say where it came from. Colin

Due to bad news from home we had to leave the boat for a week during our latest cruise and we were fortunate enough to be within 2 miles of Scarisbrick Marina so we moored there. The staff there could not have been friendlier, more accomodating and helpful. We were impressed with the facilities which included laundrette, pump-out, fuel, showers etc. The cafe there was mobbed when we were in with local walkers and visitors. It was good value from what we saw. There is electric to each potoon and water close enough to each pontoon. The pontoons are good and long, our boat (62') fitted spot on. There is lighting at the start and end of each pontoon. The mooring fees are very reasonable and we were £9.50/night which we thought was good for very short term mooring. Colin

Hi all, Unfortunately, due to a family bereavement, our Liverpool trip will have to be cancelled. Colin

Staffordshire Canopies made my pram hood and he used aluminium tubing and stainless steel fittings.

Hi there, I've got a pram hood on the boat and I will have a look tomorrow as to what size my aluminium tube is, it is a bit late now.....lol As regards bending, I would have thought that a normal pipe bender used for copper or such like would suffice, or how about bending springs? Colin

I have a 38 h.p. Isuzu (slightly older I know but very similar) and it has had no air filter from new. The engine has now done approx. 1400 hours and the only trouble with having no air filter is that the inside of the rocker box was a little bit dirty but nothing drastic. The boat is now 5 or 6 years old (grey cells playing up ) and I am certainly not worried about the lack of air filter. Happy boating. Colin

Hi Neil, Will you be overnighting at Eldonian Basin on the way out or keeping going? We'll give you a wave as you pass. Colin

I have just posted off my booking for the new canal link to be met at bridge 9 on 08/06/09 or the next day. (First and second choices). This will get us to Salthouse dock two days later. We hope to be there for 3 days. I phoned BW at Wigan and the girl there said that there were 3 going down on the Monday and none going down on the Tuesday. Will there be any forum members going or be there on those dates?

Same with us, the lady at Wigan said it would be about 23rd. March for the info to be sent out. We are hoping to go there at the start of June, hopefully the schools will not be on hols then so we at least stand a chance of getting there. Happy boating, Colin