Graham Blott

I pay about £3 for a bag of logs (equivalent in size to a standard pack of coal), but they can be difficult to track down. Easier to buy a load from a tree surgeon. Great things about logs, they look good when they burn and they warm you twice, once when sawing and again when burning. I also have diesel ch but rarely use it - prefer the stove.

Sorry to disagree,but I would have let them go first on the basis that they are working boats (unlike President which is an ex-working boat)

We bought our boat not knowing what we were doing (thought we did, but a steep learning curve took place). Thankfully it worked out well, although we have had a few things to do to it to put right (but I guess that is typical of all second hand boats). Guess we were very lucky. Really hope that your probelms get sorted out quickly and that you can join in this wonderful life style

I haven't yet had the "pleasure" of meeting up with the reverend gentleman and his hotel boats (but did watch with growing disbelief the Waterworld programmes) so cannot comment on his boat handling or levels of stress. However, I have frequently come across Taurus and Snape in the past as well as another pair whose names escape me at the moment and I moor near to a (retired) hotel boat owner. For all those doubting the wisdom of taking a hotel boat holiday I would urge you to think again - by and large they are run by enthusiatic people with a deep love of the watreways. And yes, I'm quite sure that runnuing a waterborn hotel is stressful, but the trick that most of them seem to have mastered is that of keeping the stress hidden from the guests.

Scarily, the fat one at the back looks just liek my boss. Thank God I retire in August. Then I can spend all my time crusing the waterways on the lookout for these two jokers.....How do you think their canoe will stand up to an 18ton narrowboat?

Yep, get your boat. It will keep you poor, but keep you sane. I'm used to youngsters - I work with them for a living (college lecturer). On the whole they are no better and no worse than my generation - remember the "battles" between the mods and the rockers on Margate sea-front in the 60's?. Hoodies are just the uniform that they all have to wear to be different. Whatever are Blair and Bluewater thinking about? I believe that in most cases if you treat them with respect (talk to them, get them involved, etc) you will have no problems. Yes there will always be exceptions. But there are sh*ts around of any age. The only problem I have ever encountered was with a 60-something in a very expensive time share boat who seemed to believe that because he had gone through Braunston top-lock he should be able to set every lock in his favour and all other traffic should just moor up until he had made his stately progress through. Real aggresive he was. But on the whole for every one irritation I have encountered I have had at leats 1000 delights. But then again, if you go with the attitude that anyone under 18 (or 21, or 25 or 50) is out for trouble they might just live up to your expectations. Graham

OK Jon. Rather limited experience but have owned my own boat for two years now and cruised for something approaching 1000 hours (all north of Braunston). Coventry canal, T & M, Shroppie, Llangollen. Have had no problems at all. Saw a group of youngsters - in hoodies - congregating near the Ash Tree bridge in Armitage (on T & M) at Easter. My wife ducked for cover, but I and the lads just had a pleasant chat as I hovered before the bridge hole waiting for an oncoming boat to clear. Not saying that there are no "bandits", but do feel that the issue is blown up on the towpath telegraph. Oh, and as I rapidly approach retirement I guess that I fall into the category of the "more elderly boaters" that Gaggle refered to (Thanks, mate) Graham

Thanks Gary, very useful Graham

Thanks Col. Sounds like a sensible idea. Graham

My boat has a Kabola diesel stove. On one of her rare spells on the tiller my wife managed to redesign the chimney on a low bridge the other day. My boatyard tell me that a replacement Kabola chimney will cost about £100. Does anyone know if I need a Kabola chimney or will any old one do? The flue is quite small though (only 3 3/8 inch diameter) and so far have only found exhaust stacks that narrow - and I don't think they would look right at the front of the boat. Are there normal stove chimneys that narrow, and will they work on my stove? Or do I grit my teeth and pay up? Any advice would be welcome. Graham Blott

Yes, very nasty. But maybe worth it Graham

John, Sounds like a case of too much daytime telly to me. All those old black and white films from the 50s. Sort of thing I used to see on saturday morning kids club at my local cinema when I was young (yes cinema had been invented then - just). Graham PS Before we get told off by Jon, are we not in danger of getting

It.s the bi-centenial aniversary of the Llangollen Canal this year

Nicholson's Guide No 3 "Birmingham and the Heart of England cover the whole route from Great Hayward Junction. There is little if any public transport in the Crick area. Agree your best bet to go north of Crick to Yelvertoft and walk (cross country route cuts off a large meander in the canal. Just north of Yelvertoft there is plenty of good moorings along tow path. Graham Blott

Definitely I cratch. Cannot beat it on an autumn evening after a days cruise, sitting in the cratch with a large G and T (or several). Mine gets used for a dirty boot store, a conservatory, a greenhouse, and a drying area to name just a few. Important to have a good cover though. There is a small firm in Braunston (just opposite the church) who make good covers - well machined, reinforced corners etc. Used to work for Jaguar so were presumably will trained. Called AJ canopies. Better than Wilsons in my opinion. Graham

To return to the original question........ I changed the name of my boat last summer (original name a combination of that of her previous owner and her two daughters - really tacky idea). Was advised that it was perfectly safe to do so provided that you made a paper boat, wrote the old name on the side, shoved a lighted candle in it and floated it off the canal. Apparantly all the bad luck goes with the paper boat which eventually sinks. Must be true 'cos the fairies told me - or was it the pixies, anyway, I'm pretty sure it wasn't a virgin. We did dispose of a bottle of champagne as well to be on the safe side (and it hadn't passed through anybodies kidneys or liver first (I hope). Anyway, it worked. Mind you, I did end up with a large quantity of dead sheep round my prop the very next day.

Bloody 'ell. I'd have to sell my boat to afford to moor at Wigrams. Debdale Wharf (on GU Leicester line) works out at about £1,300 pa paid quarterly in advance for my 56 footer. There isn't a pub in the marina (you would have to walk to the village) but there are some very friendly helpful staff. Graham P.S. Mike - do I get a discount next year for this?

Hummm. Not sure that if I were trying to introduce a family to the joy of canal cruising I would have chosen the BCN to do it on. I find industrial architecture interesting, but know that I am (probably) a bit wierd. Graham Blott

Yes John, I quite agree - but let's not tell everyone. It is such sheer bliss to have the canals to ourselves for the next few months. This is my favourite cruising season. Graham Blott NB Mayenne

I'm insured with them. Reasonable premium and no problems. Mind you, never had to claim (yet). Might be a different story then. Graham Blott NB Mayenne